What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb 매우 (very) and the adjective 잘생긴 (handsome).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In daily polite conversation, 진짜 잘생겼어요 is a more natural way to express that someone is very handsome than the dictionary form. For a formal and respectful way to say "very handsome", you can use 매우 잘생기셨어요. If you want to compliment someone's appearance formally using the concept of "very cool", use 매우 멋지시네요. In casual settings among friends or peers, you can use the informal 너무 잘생겼어 or the trendy, casual phrase 완전 멋있어, which means "totally cool".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 매우 잘생긴 is an adjectival form used to modify a noun. To use it as a predicate to state that someone is handsome, use the form 매우 잘생겼다.
How do you pronounce it?
maeu jalsaenggin
Did you know?
- In Korean pop culture, the term 얼굴 천재 (face genius) is often used instead of 잘생긴 to describe a man whose beauty is so perfect it is considered a talent.
- The adjective 잘생기다 (jalsaenggida) literally translates to 'having been well-born' or 'having been produced well', suggesting that a person's appearance is a result of how they were made.
- To express that someone is 'dangerously handsome', Koreans use the phrase 치명적으로 잘생겼다, suggesting the beauty is so intense it is fatal.
Examples in context
- 저기요, 윤호 선배님. 매우 멋지시네요!Excuse me, Yunho sunbaenim. You are very cool!
- 와, 친구야! 완전 멋있어!Wow, friend! You are totally cool!
- 그는 매우 잘생긴 배우예요.geuneun maeu jalsaenggin baeuyeyo.He is a very handsome actor.
- 매우 잘생긴 모델을 봤어요.maeu jalsaenggin model-eul bwasseoyo.I saw a very handsome model.
- 제 친구는 매우 잘생긴 편이에요.je chin-gu-neun maeu jalsaenggin pyeoni-eyo.My friend is on the very handsome side.
Example conversation
Ji-hun and Seo-yeon are talking about a photo of a celebrity.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 사람 정말 멋있지 않아요?i saram jeongmal meositji anayo?Isn't this person really cool?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 매우 잘생긴 분 같아요.ne, maeu jalsaenggin bun gatayo.Yes, he seems like a very handsome person.
- 지훈 Ji-hun제 이상형이에요.je isanghyeong-ieyo.He is my ideal type.
- 서연 Seo-yeon저도 그렇게 생각해요.jeodo geureoke saenggakhaeyo.I think so too.
