멋있다
"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, 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
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)
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.
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.