Pretty in Korean: 예쁘다
예쁘다 (yeppeuda) is the Korean word for pretty. Hear it, see how it changes in real speech, build it letter by letter and trace each block stroke by stroke.
How do you say pretty in Korean language?
Pretty in Korean is 예쁘다 (yeppeuda); to say something is pretty you use 예뻐요 (yeppeoyo), and before a noun it becomes 예쁜, as in 예쁜 꽃 (a pretty flower). It is the everyday compliment for faces, clothes, places and small things.
Pretty in Korean 예쁘다: sound, letters and strokes
예쁘다 Pretty in KoreanKorean word · adjective
예쁘다 is read yeppeuda.
How 예쁘다 is used
The polite everyday form.
As in 예쁜 옷, pretty clothes.
A natural reaction among friends.
예쁘다 means 'to be pretty' and is used for faces, clothes, flowers and things: 꽃이 예뻐요, 예쁜 옷. It also means 'lovely, sweet' for well-behaved children. For men, 잘생기다 or 멋있다 is more usual.
Which one to use
Polite: 예뻐요 (is pretty). Casual: 예뻐. Honorific: 예쁘세요. ㅡ drops before -어: 예쁘 + 어요 = 예뻐요.
How to pronounce 예쁘다
예쁘다Say ye – ppeu – da. 쁘 starts with a tight "pp", stronger than English p and with no puff of air. 예뻐요 sounds like "ye-ppeo-yo".
Sound rule
Tense ㅃ in the second syllable: [예ː쁘다], yeppeuda.
예쁘다 letter by letter
How to write 예쁘다 stroke by stroke
Write 예쁘다 one block at a time: 예, 쁘, 다. Inside every block go from the first consonant to the vowel and then the final consonant, following the numbered strokes.
Trace ye 예 with a finger, mouse or pen: start at the numbered dot, follow the dotted arrow, and press Clear to try again.
Print style 정자체
Follow the numbers and dotted arrows
Handwriting 필기체
Same stroke order as print style
Trace ppeu 쁘 with a finger, mouse or pen: start at the numbered dot, follow the dotted arrow, and press Clear to try again.
Print style 정자체
Follow the numbers and dotted arrows
Handwriting 필기체
Same stroke order as print style
Trace da 다 with a finger, mouse or pen: start at the numbered dot, follow the dotted arrow, and press Clear to try again.
Print style 정자체
Follow the numbers and dotted arrows
Handwriting 필기체
Same stroke order as print style
When to say 예쁘다
예쁘다 in example sentences
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 옷이 정말 예뻐요. | Your clothes are really pretty. |
| 예쁜 컵을 샀어요. | I bought a pretty cup. |
| 하늘이 예쁘다. | The sky is pretty. |
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 지수는 얼굴이 정말 예뻐요. | Jisu's face is really pretty. |
| 길가에 예쁜 꽃들이 줄지어 피어 있다. | Pretty flowers are blooming in a row along the roadside. |
예쁘다 in a short conversation
| Who | Korean | English |
|---|---|---|
| A | 이 머리띠 어때요? | How is this headband? |
| B | 예뻐요! 잘 어울려요. | It is pretty! It suits you. |
Words and phrases with 예쁘다
예쁘다 compared with other compliment words
| Korean | Meaning | Best used for |
|---|---|---|
| 예쁘다 | pretty | Faces, clothes, flowers, small things. |
| 아름답다 | beautiful | Scenery, music, art, kind hearts. |
| 귀엽다 | cute | Babies, pets, charming behaviour. |
| 멋있다 | cool, stylish | People, clothes or actions you admire. |
| 잘생기다 | handsome | Mostly men’s looks: 잘생겼어요. |
| 곱다 | fine, lovely | Soft colours, smooth skin, gentle hands. |
A common mistake with 예쁘다
Saying 예쁘어요. The ㅡ drops: 예뻐요.
How to practice
Compliment small things: 가방이 예뻐요, 사진이 예뻐요.
Forms of 예쁘다
예뻐요 is "it is pretty" and 예뻤어요 is "it was pretty". Before a noun it is 예쁜, as in 예쁜 옷. As an adverb it is 예쁘게: 예쁘게 웃어요 (she smiles prettily). 예뻐지다 means "to become pretty".
예쁘다 for kind words and good behaviour
예쁘다 is not only about looks. Parents and teachers say 말을 예쁘게 해요 (you speak so nicely) or 마음이 예뻐요 (you have a lovely heart) to praise kind words and actions.
Why the ㅡ disappears
예쁘다 belongs to the ㅡ-dropping group: when an ending starting with 어 is added, the ㅡ of 쁘 falls out and 어 joins the consonant. So 예쁘 + 어요 becomes 예뻐요, the same way 바쁘다 becomes 바빠요.
예쁘다 writing worksheet (free printable)
Worksheet · Level 3 · Words
Korean word tracing worksheet: 예쁘다 (pretty; beautiful; comely)
One A4 page for 예쁘다: trace its 3 blocks (18 strokes), write words that go with it, read three sentences and find 예.
- 1 page
- A4 · US Letter
- PDF · 96 KB
- Free · no sign-up
Want more? See all korean words
Worksheet information
- How to use
- Say 예쁘다 out loud, trace each block from dark to faint, then write it on the line.
Use of the worksheet:
© KoreanSheets.com · Free to print and share at home and in class. No commercial use — don’t sell it, add it to paid products or post it on other websites. The QR code on the sheet opens this page to listen and trace on screen.
What to learn next
Pretty in Korean — FAQ
How do you say pretty in Korean language?
예쁘다 (yeppeuda) is the dictionary form; in speech say 예뻐요 (it is pretty) or, with friends, 예뻐.
How do you say 'pretty' in Korean?
예쁘다 (yeppeuda): 정말 예뻐요 (it's really pretty).
How do you compliment a man's looks?
잘생겼어요 (handsome) or 멋있어요 (cool, stylish).
How do you say you are pretty in Korean?
예뻐요 (polite) or 예뻐 (casual). Korean usually drops "you": 정말 예뻐요 = you are really pretty.
What is the difference between 예쁘다 and 아름답다?
예쁘다 is the everyday "pretty". 아름답다 is a deeper "beautiful" for scenery, music and kind hearts.
How do you say you are so pretty in Korean?
정말 예뻐요 (polite) or 너무 예쁘다 (casual). Korean usually leaves out "you".
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