멋있다 (meositda)
"Cool," "stylish," or "handsome" — the standard compliment for people, performances, or impressive moments.
- Meaning: "Cool," "stylish," or "handsome" — the standard compliment for people, performances, or impressive moments.
- Pronunciation: /mʌ.ɕit̚.t͈a/ (meositda)
- Part of speech: adjective
- Formality: Neutral — works in most everyday settings.
- Literal: has style / has coolness
What does 멋있다 mean?
멋있다 (meositda) means "cool," "stylish," or "handsome" — the dictionary form for praising an impressive look, performance, or person. In real speech it conjugates to casual 멋있어 (meosisseo), polite 멋있어요 (meosisseoyo), and the exclamatory 멋있다! you blurt out when something wows you.
멋있다 (meositda) means "cool, stylish, impressive" and is the catch-all compliment Korean speakers reach for first. It applies to people (a stylish guy, a handsome man, a confident woman), performances (a great singer, a clutch goal in soccer), objects (a cool car, a sleek outfit), and abstract qualities (an impressive speech, an admirable choice). Conjugation: casual 멋있어 (meosisseo), polite 멋있어요 (meosisseoyo), formal 멋있습니다 (meositseumnida). The shortened spoken form 멋지다 (meotjida) means the same thing with slightly more emphasis. K-drama female leads sigh "멋있어..." as the universal swoon word.
Examples in context
By politeness level (반말 / 해요체 / exclamatory)
Same word, three registers — 멋있다! on its own is the exclamation you blurt at something cool.
Describing a person
Looks, style, charisma, or an admirable way of acting.
Describing a thing or design
Cars, watches, clothes, architecture — anything with style.
Reacting to an impressive moment or action
A clutch play, a bold decision, a confident move.
Common collocations & the 멋지다 variant
대박/너무/완전 intensify it; 멋지다 is the near-synonym with a touch more flourish.
멋있다in K-pop & K-drama
The K-pop swoon word
Fans shout 멋있어! at concerts and flood comment sections with 우리 오빠 멋있다 ("our oppa is so cool"). It is the default praise for an idol's stage presence, choreography, or a charismatic performance — the male-side counterpart to 예뻐 for female idols.
K-drama's swoon cue
When a female lead breathes 멋있어... while watching the male lead handle a crisis, it is the screen-language signal that she is falling for him. The word marks the moment of attraction as reliably as a slow-motion close-up.
멋 — the Korean idea of style
멋있다 is built on 멋 (meot), an old Korean aesthetic ideal of effortless taste and flair. Calling someone 멋있다 praises not just looks but a whole bearing — the way they carry themselves, dress, and act.
When to use 멋있다
- Complimenting a person's style, looks, or behavior
- Reacting to an impressive moment (sports, performance, decision)
- Describing something stylish: cars, clothes, art
- K-pop / K-drama swoon reactions
When NOT to use 멋있다
- When the meaning is "cute" — that is 귀엽다 (gwiyeopda)
- When you mean "pretty (specifically)" — that is 예쁘다 (yeppeuda)
- Very formal compliments — use 훌륭하다 (excellent) or 인상적이다 (impressive)
멋있다 vs. similar terms
멋있다 vs the other Korean compliment adjectives
| Term | Core meaning | Typical subject | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 멋있다 (meositda) | cool / stylish / impressive | people, performances, objects | style + charisma, often achievement |
| 예쁘다 (yeppeuda) | pretty / lovely | women, kids, delicate things | pleasing visual prettiness |
| 잘생기다 (jalsaenggida) | handsome / good-looking | usually a man's face | facial good looks specifically |
| 멋지다 (meotjida) | cool / splendid | same as 멋있다 | near-synonym, a touch more emphatic |
Related terms
More in K-drama core
High-frequency K-drama dialogue verbs and adjectives.
"I like you" or "I like (something)" in informal Korean — softer than 사랑해 and used for both romantic confessions and everyday preferences.
"Pretty," "cute," or "lovely" — the standard Korean adjective for visual beauty.
"Quickly," "fast," or "hurry up!" — Korean's most-used adverb of speed and urgency.
"It's OK," "I'm fine," or "are you OK?" — the most-used reassurance and check-in phrase in conversational Korean.
Frequently asked questions
What does 멋있다 mean in Korean?
멋있다 (meositda) means "cool," "stylish," or "handsome." It is Korean's universal compliment for people who look or act impressively, and for objects, performances, or moments that have style.
What is the difference between 멋있다 and 예쁘다?
멋있다 (meositda) means "cool / stylish / handsome" — typically used for men, but works for confident or stylish women too. 예쁘다 (yeppeuda) means "pretty / cute / lovely" — typically used for women, children, and delicate objects. The aesthetic axes are different: 멋있다 = impressive style, 예쁘다 = pleasing beauty.
Can I say 멋있다 to a woman?
Yes. While 멋있다 is more common as a male compliment, calling a confident, stylish, or admirable woman 멋있다 is high praise — emphasizing her presence and capability rather than just appearance.
What is the difference between 멋있다 and 멋지다?
They are near-synonyms, both meaning "cool / stylish." 멋있다 (meositda) is the everyday, neutral form. 멋지다 (meotjida) is a touch more emphatic and slightly more literary — common in set compliments like 멋진 사람 ("a wonderful person"). In casual speech they are interchangeable.
How do you say "you look cool" in Korean?
Casual: 멋있어 (meosisseo) or the exclamatory 멋있다 (meositda). Polite: 멋있어요 (meosisseoyo). To say "you look cool today," add 오늘 ("today"): 오늘 멋있어 / 오늘 멋있어요. Add 진짜 ("really") or 너무 ("so") to intensify.
How is 멋있다 pronounced?
멋있다 is pronounced [mʌ.ɕit̚.t͈a] — "muh-shit-da" with a quick stop after "shit" and a tense doubled D in "da." The casual form 멋있어 is "muh-shi-sseo."
More Korean slang?
Browse the full Korean Slang Dictionary or read the deep-dive: Korean Slang Ultimate Guide.