좋아 보여요
joa boyeoyo
The English phrase "you look nice" is translated into Korean as 좋아 보여요 (joa boyeoyo).
This phrase is used as a compliment to tell someone that their appearance is pleasing or attractive. While 좋아 보여요 refers to the general impression or vibe someone gives off, note that it differs from 예뻐요, which specifically means "you are pretty" and refers to physical beauty.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 좋아 (good/nice) and the verb 보여요 (to look/appear).
Which one should you use?
The form 좋아 보여요 describes a general look or vibe. In contrast, 예뻐요 is used specifically to say "you are pretty" regarding physical beauty.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 좋아 보여요 uses the polite ending –요, making it suitable for most social situations with people you are not intimate with. Dropping the –요 from the end results in the informal form 좋아 보여, which should only be used with close friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
joa boyeoyo
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to include the word "you" (당신), but in Korean, it is more natural to omit the subject entirely when giving this compliment.
Did you know?
- If you use the word 당신 (you) while saying 좋아 보여요, it can actually sound aggressive or confrontational depending on the context, rather than friendly.
- When complimenting a man, instead of saying he looks 'nice', people often use 훈남 (hun-nam) as a slang noun to describe a man with a warm, handsome appearance.
- A common modest reaction to 좋아 보여요 is to disagree or deny the compliment, as accepting it too readily can be seen as lacking humility.
Examples in context
- 오늘 정말 좋아 보여요.oneul jeongmal joa boyeoyo.You look really nice today.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun meet for a date.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 오늘 정말 좋아 보여요!jihun ssi, oneul jeongmal joa boyeoyo!Jihun, you look really nice today!
- 지훈 Ji-hun감사합니다. 수빈 씨도 예뻐요.gamsahamnida. subin ssi-do yeppeoyo.Thank you. You look pretty too, Subin.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 고마워요.jeongmalyo? gomawoyo.Really? Thank you.
- 지훈 Ji-hun우리 이제 들어갈까요?uri ije deureogalkkayo?Shall we go inside now?
