“Beautiful” in Korean – Describing something as pretty

In this article, we will teach you how to say “beautiful” in Korean. This is a great word to learn so you’d know how to describe something that you find visually appealing, especially if you visit Korea.

Korea is such a beautiful country! Not only does it have beautiful scenery, from mountains and forests to islands and beaches, but it also has beautiful people.

All of the Korean words below will be in Hangeul (Korean Alphabet) with romanized Korean next to them. We recommend learning the Korean alphabet so you can learn these terms faster and have accurate pronunciation.

Being able to read the Korean alphabet will help you retain the core Korean words you should learn first. It will also improve your overall Korean language learning plan.

If you want to let Koreans know how beautiful their country is (or how beautiful they are), then you will need to know how to say beautiful in Korean.

We’ve also included a FREE PDF guide to this lesson that you can take with you on the go. Check it out below:

Different ways to say “beautiful” in Korean

There are two ways to say “beautiful” in Korean.

The first way is to use the word 아름답다 (areumdapda). The second way is to use the word 예쁘다 (yeppeuda).

These words generally can be used interchangeably. However, 아름답다 (areumdapda) is used more often to describe scenery, and 예쁘다 (yeppeuda) is used more often to describe people or things. 예쁘다 (yeppeuda) is sometimes written as 이쁘다 (ippeuda), which has the same meaning but is more of a slang word.

Formal “Beautiful” in Korean

You might hear this word in a presentation, in the news, in an interview, or in an announcement.

1. 아름답습니다 (areumdapseumnida)

2. 예쁩니다 (yeppeumnida)

Example:

설악산이 정말 아름답습니다 (seoraksani jeongmal areumdapseumnida)

Seorak Mountain is really beautiful.

꽃이 예쁩니다 (kkochi yeppeumnida)

The flowers are pretty.

Standard “Beautiful” in Korean

You can use this expression when talking to people who are older or not particularly close to you. The slang word 이뻐요 (ippeoyo) can be used, but it is recommended to use 예뻐요 (yeppeoyo) instead.

1. 아름다워요 (areumdawoyo)

2. 예뻐요 (yeppeoyo)

3. 이뻐요 (ippeoyo)

Example:

그 사람은 아름다워요 (geu sarameun areumdawoyo)

That person is beautiful.

진짜 예뻐요! (jinjja yeppeoyo)

It’s really pretty!

Informal “Beautiful” in Korean

You can use this expression with people who are very close to you, such as your girlfriend or boyfriend.

1. 아름다워 (areumdawo)

2. 예뻐 (yeppeo)

3. 이뻐 (ippeo)

Example:

와, 예뻐! (wa, yeppeo!)

Wow, so pretty!

전망이 아름다워 (jeonmangi areumdawo)

The view is beautiful.

How to pronounce “beautiful” in Korean

Now that you know the Korean word for “beautiful,” you can watch the video below to practice how it is pronounced correctly.

“Pretty” in Korean

The word for “pretty” in Korean is 예쁘다 (yeppeuda), which is the second way of saying “beautiful” in Korean.

Since these words are synonymous, 예쁘다 (yeppeuda) can be used to say either “pretty” or “beautiful” in Korean.  

How to describe something as “beautiful” in Korean

If you want to describe something or someone as “beautiful,” as in “the beautiful lady,” then you should say 아름다운 (areumdaun) or 예쁜 (yeppeun).

Example:

아름다운 꽃 (areumdaun kkot)

beautiful flowers

예쁜 여자 (yeppeun yeoja)

pretty woman

예쁜 여자를 만나고 싶어요 (yeppeun yeojareul mannago sipeoyo)

I want to meet a pretty woman.

아름다운 곳에 갑시다 (areumdaun gose gapsida)

Let’s go to a beautiful place.

Wrap Up

Now you know how to say beautiful in Korean, and you know how to say pretty in Korean. That means you can start complimenting people on their appearance and start describing all of the beautiful places that you would like to visit in Korea! 

Never be at a loss for words when you study up on our Korean phrases list as well!