Short answer
“cute” in Korean is 귀엽다
How to say cute in Korean?
The most common way to say 'cute' in Korean is 귀엽다 (gwi-yeop-da), a descriptive verb that means to be cute. In everyday conversation you will hear 귀여워 (gwi-yeo-wa) among friends and 귀여워요 (gwi-yeo-wa-yo) in polite speech. Koreans also use 귀엽네 (gwi-yeop-ne) when something cute suddenly catches your eye. Put a noun after the modifier 귀여운 (gwi-yeo-un), as in 귀여운 강아지. You can use it for people, animals, clothes, food, and even behavior.
Common pairings
정말 귀엽다너무 귀여워귀여운 강아지귀여운 스타일귀여워 죽겠다
How to use it
- Use 귀여워 with close friends, children, or people younger than you; use 귀여워요 with strangers, elders, and in most polite situations. The dictionary form 귀엽다 is used in diaries, narrations, and self-talk.
- Before a noun, 귀엽다 changes to 귀여운, so you say 귀여운 강아지 (a cute puppy), not 귀엽다 강아지.
- 귀엽네 gives a feeling of sudden surprise or discovery, like saying 'Oh, how cute!' in English.
Examples
강아지가 정말 귀엽다.
The puppy is really cute.
Plain form 귀엽다 (gwi-yeop-da), often used when talking to yourself, in writing, or in a neutral statement.
아기 너무 귀여워!
The baby is so cute!
Casual present-tense form 귀여워 (gwi-yeo-wa). In friendly speech the subject is usually dropped.
이 옷 귀여워요?
Is this outfit cute?
Polite -요 ending with 귀여워요 (gwi-yeo-wa-yo), safe for strangers, coworkers, and older people.
와, 귀엽네!
Wow, how cute!
The -네 ending makes 귀엽네 (gwi-yeop-ne) sound like a surprised, admiring reaction.
Common mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 이 강아지는 정말 귀여 |
이 강아지는 정말 귀여워 | 귀여운 (gwi-yeo-un) is the attributive form used before nouns; at the end of a sentence you need 귀여워 or 귀여워요. |
| 너무 귀 |
너무 귀여워요! | You can't stack the plain ending -다 with polite -요. Use the polite present form 귀여워요. |
| Unnatural | Natural | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 저는 귀여워요 | 저는 그게 귀여워요 | Without an object, 저는 귀여워요 means 'I am cute,' not 'I think it's cute.' Add the thing you find cute as the subject. |
FAQ
- How to say cute in Korean?The standard word is 귀엽다 (gwi-yeop-da). In friendly conversation you can say 귀여워 (gwi-yeo-wa), and in polite situations say 귀여워요 (gwi-yeo-wa-yo).
- What is the difference between 귀여워 and 귀여워요?Both mean 'cute.' 귀여워 is casual and used with friends, kids, or people your age; 귀여워요 uses the polite -요 ending and works with coworkers, strangers, and older people.
- Can I use 귀엽다 to describe a grown person?Yes, but the nuance changes. It can mean charming, endearing, or acting like a baby; it doesn't always mean 'childish.' In formal or professional settings, a word like 매력적이다 (attractive) is often safer.
- What is the attributive form of 귀엽다?Before a noun, use 귀여운 (gwi-yeo-un), as in 귀여운 강아지 (a cute puppy). The ending changes because Korean adjectives take different forms before nouns and at the end of sentences.