Korean slang for cute, pretty and handsome — 귀요미, 심쿵, 훈남 and more

The short answer: The everyday words are 귀여워 (gwiyeowo, "cute"), 예뻐 (yeppeo, "pretty") and 잘생겼다 (jalsaenggyeotda, "good-looking"). For slang, you'll see 귀요미 ("a cutie"), 심쿵 ("my heart just skipped") and 훈남 ("a guy with a warm, nice vibe"). They're all fine with friends.

You post a photo of your dog. A Korean friend comments "귀요미 ㅠㅠ 심쿵". Is that good? Very good. Let's decode it.

First, the plain words

Before slang, learn the three words every Korean uses. They work for anyone and anything. Just add 요 for people older than you.

Add 요 for politeness: 귀여워요, 예뻐요. Add 진짜 (jinjja, "really") or 너무 (neomu, "so") in front for more feeling: 너무 귀여워!

If you only learn one compliment, learn 너무 예뻐요. It's warm, polite and safe with people you know.

Say it like a local

These are the slang words you'll meet in comments, chats and variety shows. All of them are recorded in 우리말샘 (Urimalsaem), the open dictionary of Korea's national language institute.

Two of these need a quick note. 심쿵 joins 심 (心, "heart," as in 심장 simjang) and 쿵 (kung), the sound of a thump. 훈남 isn't only about looks. The dictionary says it's a man whose charm besides his face warms your heart.

Puppy face or cat face?

Koreans often describe a face by the animal it looks like. You'll hear this in K-pop fandoms all the time.

• 강아지상 (gangajisang, "puppy face"): big round eyes, a soft round face. Looks sweet and friendly.
• 고양이상 (goyangisang, "cat face"): sharp, lifted eyes and a straight, high nose. Looks chic and a bit cool.

상 (sang) here means "looks" or "face type." Neither one is better. People even ask each other, "Am I 강아지상 or 고양이상?"

When not to say it

Keep 존예 and 존잘 for close friends only. You'll see them everywhere online. 존예 (jonnye) means "super pretty," and 존잘 (jonjal) means "super handsome." But the 존 part comes from a rude swear word. 우리말샘 marks 존예 as vulgar, and 존잘 is the same kind of word. Saying them to a teacher, a boss or your friend's parents would be a shock.

Other things to watch:

• Comments on strangers' looks can feel too much. Saying 예뻐요 to a friend is sweet. Saying it to a shop worker you just met can feel strange.
• 얼짱 (eoljjang, "best face") is real slang, but it sounds a bit 2000s now. Younger people may smile when you use it.
• Don't mix up 꽃미남 and 훈남. 꽃미남 is about pretty looks. 훈남 is about a warm vibe.

Why do Koreans have so many face words?

Partly it's K-pop. Fans talk about photos, stages and new looks every day, so they need lots of words. Partly it's how compliments work in Korea. Praising someone's style, skin or photo is a common, friendly way to start a chat.

There's also a playful side. Words like 사기캐 and 얼굴 천재 borrow from games and school. They turn a simple "you're pretty" into a little joke, which makes the compliment feel lighter.

Want more cute? Read our guide to 애교 (aegyo), Korea's art of acting cute on purpose. For the pet names couples use, see what Korean couples call each other.

Quick check

1. Your friend shares a photo of a tiny puppy in a raincoat. You comment → 귀요미 or 심쿵
2. A friend says their new coworker is 훈남. Is that only about his face? → No. 훈남 means his warm, kind vibe makes him attractive.
3. You want to praise your teacher's new haircut. Which is safest? → 잘 어울리세요 (jal eoulliseyo, "It really suits you") — or 너무 예뻐요. Never 존예.

In one line: 귀여워요 and 예뻐요 work with almost anyone; 귀요미, 심쿵 and 훈남 are friendly slang; keep 존예 for close friends.

More slang: our Korean slang guide lists every slang page we have.