넌 정말 예뻐
neon jeongmal yeppeo
The English phrase "you're very pretty" is said in Korean as 넌 정말 예뻐 (neon jeongmal yeppeo).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they are physically attractive.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase 넌 정말 예뻐, 넌 is a contraction of the pronoun 너 (you) and the topic marker 는 (as for). 정말 means "really" or "truly" and is used to intensify the adjective.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To say this more politely to a stranger or someone older, you would use 정말 예쁘세요. Other formal options include 너무 예쁘세요, the polite and respectful 아주 아름다우시네요 or the formal and poetic 매우 아름다우십니다. In an informal setting, you might also use the casual 너무 이뻐 with a friend or the affectionate 많이 이뻐 with someone you are close to.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix 요 to the end of the phrase to make it 정말 예뻐요 makes it polite rather than informal.
How do you pronounce it?
neon jeongmal yeppeo
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'too' as a negative, like 'too pretty' to mean excessive, Korean speakers often use 너무 in a positive way to mean 'so' or 'very' when giving compliments.
- In Korea, complimenting someone's beauty can sometimes be met with a humble denial or an embarrassed reaction rather than a simple 'thank you'.
- In the casual phrase 너무 이뻐, the spelling changes from the standard 예뻐 to 이뻐, which is common in spoken, cute, or 'aegyo' style speech.
Examples in context
- 오늘따라 넌 정말 예뻐.Oneulttara neon jeongmal yeppeo.You're especially pretty today.
- 진심이야, 넌 정말 예뻐.Jinsimiya, neon jeongmal yeppeo.I'm serious, you're very pretty.
Example conversation
Minjun is complimenting Seoyeon on her appearance.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준, 나 오늘 어때?Minjun, na oneul eottae?Minjun, how do I look today?
- 민준 Min-jun넌 정말 예뻐.Neon jeongmal yeppeo.You're very pretty.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말? 고마워!Jeongmal? Gomawo!Really? Thank you!
- 민준 Min-jun응, 진짜로 예뻐.Eung, jinjjaro yeppeo.Yes, you're truly pretty.
