너무 예뻐요
neomu yeppeoyo
The English phrase "you're so beautiful" can be translated into Korean as 너무 예뻐요 (neomu yeppeoyo).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they are very attractive. In Korean, the subject "you" is often omitted from the sentence when it is clear from the context who is being spoken to.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 너무 (neomu) literally means "too much" or "excessively", and 예뻐요 (yeppeoyo) is the polite form of the adjective meaning "to be pretty" or "to be beautiful".
Which one should you use?
You may also use 정말 아름다워 to say "You're so beautiful" in informal settings or 당신은 아주 아름다우십니다 to say "You are very beautiful" in a formal context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 너무 예뻐 is the casual/informal version of the compliment used with friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
neomu yeppeoyo
Did you know?
- The root of 너무 is the verb 넘다 (neomda), which means 'to cross' or 'to surpass' a boundary or a limit. To say someone is beautiful using this word is etymologically like saying their beauty 'surpasses' a certain threshold.
- When receiving the compliment 너무 예뻐요, some Koreans may modestly deny it by saying 아니에요 ('no it is not') as a cultural sign of humility.
- When complimenting a person's appearance, Koreans often use the word 잘생겼다 (jalsaenggyeotda) for men instead of 'beautiful' words. Using 'beautiful' for a man can sometimes sound overly feminine or poetic depending on the context.
Examples in context
- 오늘 너무 예뻐요.oneul neomu yeppeoyo.You are so beautiful today.
- 그 옷 입으니까 너무 예뻐요.geu ot ibeunikka neomu yeppeoyo.You look so beautiful in those clothes.
Example conversation
Dohyun compliments Minji on her appearance at a date.
- 민지 Min-ji오늘 옷이 정말 잘 어울려요.oneul osi jeongmal jal eoullyeoyo.Your outfit looks really good today.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말요? 고마워요.jeongmallyo? gomawoyo.Really? Thank you.
- 민지 Min-ji민지 씨는 너무 예뻐요.Minji ssineun neomu yeppeoyo.Minji, you're so beautiful.
- 도현 Do-hyeon갑자기 쑥스럽네요.gapjagi ssukseureopneyo.I'm suddenly shy.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 너무, CC BY-SA 4.0.
