너무 예뻐요
neomu yeppeoyo
To say "you look beautiful" in Korean, you can use 너무 예뻐요 (neomu yeppeoyo).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that their physical appearance is attractive. In Korean, the subject "you" is often omitted when the context makes it clear who is being complimented.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 너무 (neomu), meaning "too" or "very" and 예뻐요 (yeppeoyo), which is the polite form of "to be beautiful".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the level of respect required. For casual settings, you can use 예뻐요 or, if speaking to a close friend or someone younger, the informal 너무 예뻐. In highly respectful or formal situations, you can use 아름다우세요 or the even more formal 너무 예쁘십니다, which uses the honorific suffix -시- and the formal ending -ㅂ니다.
How do you pronounce it?
neomu yeppeoyo
When do people say it?
When receiving a compliment in Korean, a person might respond with 아니에요 to mean "No, I'm not beautiful" as a way of being humble.
Did you know?
- The phrase 예뻐요 can be used to describe not just a person's face, but also a kind heart or a virtuous personality.
- When using the formal version 예쁘십니다, the addition of the -시- sound acts like a verbal 'bow' to the person you are complimenting.
- While English speakers use 'beautiful' for people, Koreans often use the word 아름답다 specifically for scenery or art, and might find it slightly poetic or unnatural to use it for a person in daily conversation.
Examples in context
- 정말 예뻐요You really are beautiful
- 오늘 너무 예뻐요.oneul neomu yeppeoyo.You look beautiful today.
- 진짜 너무 예뻐요!jinjja neomu yeppeoyo!You look truly beautiful!
- 그 옷 입으니까 너무 예뻐요.geu ot ibeunikka neomu yeppeoyo.You look beautiful in that outfit.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are meeting for a date.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 안녕하세요!Dohyeon ssi, annyeonghaseyo!Hello, Dohyun!
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨, 오늘 너무 예뻐요.Minji ssi, oneul neomu yeppeoyo.Minji, you look so beautiful today.
- 민지 Min-ji정말요? 고마워요.jeongmallyo? gomawoyo.Really? Thank you.
- 도현 Do-hyeon진심이에요. 정말 멋져요.jinsimieyo. jeongmal meotjyeoyo.I mean it. You look great.
