예쁘다
"Pretty," "cute," or "lovely" — the standard Korean adjective for visual beauty.
- Meaning: "Pretty," "cute," or "lovely" — the standard Korean adjective for visual beauty.
- Pronunciation: /je.p͈ɯ.da/ (yeppeuda)
- Part of speech: adjective
- Formality: Neutral — works in most everyday settings.
- Literal: is pretty / is beautiful
What does 예쁘다 mean?
예쁘다 (yeppeuda) means "pretty / cute / lovely" and is the most common Korean compliment for visual beauty. It applies to women (most common), children, animals, flowers, designs, outfits, packaging — anything visually pleasing. Casual 예뻐 (yeppeo), polite 예뻐요 (yeppeoyo), formal 예쁩니다 (yeppeumnida). 예쁘다 is gentler and more delicate than 멋있다 (meositda, "cool / stylish"); the two cover different aesthetic axes. Korean parents and grandparents routinely call children 예쁘다 as warm everyday praise. Note: calling an adult man 예쁘다 either signals genuine compliment (about features) or playful teasing — context decides.
Examples in context
When to use 예쁘다
- Complimenting a woman's appearance
- Describing children, animals, or babies as cute
- Praising visual design, flowers, decor, packaging
- Affectionate everyday use ("이거 예쁘다!" — "this is cute!")
When NOT to use 예쁘다
- When you mean "cool / stylish" — that is 멋있다 (meositda)
- Adult male strangers — sounds odd unless context (e.g. K-pop fandom for a male idol's features)
- Very formal compliments — prefer 아름답다 (areumdapda, "beautiful")
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.
"Cool," "stylish," or "handsome" — the standard compliment for people, performances, or impressive moments.
"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 예쁘다 mean in Korean?
예쁘다 (yeppeuda) means "pretty," "cute," or "lovely." It is Korean's most common adjective for visual beauty — used for women, children, flowers, designs, and anything visually pleasing.
What is the difference between 예쁘다 and 귀엽다?
예쁘다 (yeppeuda) means "pretty / lovely / beautiful in a refined way." 귀엽다 (gwiyeopda) means "cute / adorable" — emphasizing youthful or charming smallness. A baby is 귀엽다 first; a young woman in a graceful outfit is 예쁘다 first. They overlap but the connotations differ.
Can I say 예뻐 to my Korean girlfriend?
Yes — it is the standard everyday compliment. 예뻐 (casual) or 예뻐요 (polite-informal) said sincerely is a very welcome compliment. Korean partners say it constantly. For deeper compliment, 정말 예뻐 ("really pretty") or 너무 예뻐 ("so pretty") add emphasis.
How is 예쁘다 pronounced?
예쁘다 is pronounced [je.p͈ɯ.da] — "yeh-ppuh-da." The first syllable is a quick "yeh." The middle has a tense doubled P (sharper and faster than English P). The final "da" is light.
More Korean slang?
Browse the full Korean Slang Dictionary or read the deep-dive: Korean Slang Ultimate Guide.