How to say “You are cute” in Korean
- 귀여워요gwiyeowoyo
(You're) cute
"You are cute" in Korean is 귀여워요 (gwiyeowoyo), or 귀여워 (gwiyeowo) when you speak casually. It comes from 귀엽다 (gwiyeopda), "to be cute". Koreans use it a lot, for babies, pets, friends and partners.
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 귀여워 gwiyeowo | Casual | To a partner, friend, child or pet. The most common way. |
| 귀여워요 gwiyeowoyo | Polite | Polite. Good for complimenting someone's baby or pet, or an idol in a comment. |
| 너무 귀여워 neomu gwiyeowo | Casual | "So cute!" The reaction you will hear everywhere. |
| 진짜 귀엽다 jinjja gwiyeopda | Casual | An exclamation in the moment, like "You're seriously cute!" |
Examples
Tap a word to see what it means and save it to your flashcards.
Seeing a friend's baby
Teasing a partner who is pouting
Commenting politely on a coworker's puppy photo
Tips
귀엽다 changes its ㅂ to 워 when conjugated: 귀엽다 becomes 귀여워. You will see the same pattern in 고마워 and 추워.
Calling a grown man cute is a normal compliment in Korea, not an insult. Many people find it sweeter than "handsome". Acting cute on purpose is called 애교 (aegyo).
More on 귀여워 in our Korean phrase guides.
Questions learners ask
What does gwiyeowo mean?
귀여워 (gwiyeowo) means "cute" or "You're cute" in casual Korean.
Is it okay to call a Korean man cute?
Yes. 귀여워 is a common, affectionate compliment for men too, especially between couples and friends.