너무 예뻐 보여요
neomu yeppeo boyeoyo
The English phrase "you look so pretty" is translated into Korean as 너무 예뻐 보여요 (neomu yeppeo boyeoyo).
This phrase is used to compliment someone's current appearance, such as after they have dressed up or changed their hairstyle.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 너무 (so/too), 예뻐 (pretty) and 보여요 (look/appear).
Which one should you use?
너무 예뻐 보여요 (you look pretty) focuses on the visual impression, whereas 너무 예뻐요 (you are pretty) describes a state of being.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 너무 예뻐 보여요 can be changed to 너무 예뻐 보여 when speaking to a close friend or someone younger.
How do you pronounce it?
neomu yeppeo boyeoyo
Did you know?
- The word 너무 originally meant 'to surpass' or 'to go over a limit', which is why it was once considered grammatically incorrect to use it for positive compliments like 'so pretty'.
- While 너무 예뻐 보여요 is a compliment, Koreans often respond with modesty by denying the praise or saying 아니에요 ('no it is not') rather than just saying 'thank you'.
- In Korean social hierarchy, using the phrase 너무 예뻐 보여요 with an older person or a stranger could actually be perceived as rude or overly forward, regardless of how kind you intend to be.
Examples in context
- 오늘 정말 예쁘시네요You look so pretty today
- 선생님, 오늘 예쁘시네요.Teacher, you look so pretty today.
- 친구야, 정말 예뻐!Hey friend, you look so pretty!
- 오늘 너무 예뻐 보여요.oneul neomu yeppeo boyeoyo.You look so pretty today.
- 그 드레스 입으니까 너무 예뻐 보여요.geu deureseu ibeu nikka neomu yeppeo boyeoyo.You look so pretty in that dress.
- 새 머리 스타일이 너무 예뻐 보여요.sae meori seutairiga neomu yeppeo boyeoyo.Your new hairstyle looks so pretty.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin meet for a date.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨, 오늘 너무 예뻐 보여요.Subin ssi, oneul neomu yeppeo boyeoyo.Subin, you look so pretty today.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 고마워요, 민준 씨.jeongmallyo? gomawoyo, Minjun ssi.Really? Thank you, Minjun.
- 민준 Min-jun새로 산 원피스가 정말 잘 어울려요.saero san wonpiseuga jeongmal jal eoullyeoyo.That new dress suits you really well.
- 수빈 Su-bin칭찬해 줘서 기분 좋네요.chingchanhae jwoseo gibun jonneyo.I feel great because you complimented me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 너무, CC BY-SA 4.0.
