What does 멋있어 (meosisseo) mean?
- 멋있어meosisseo
You're cool
Casual: friends and people younger than you
멋있어 (meosisseo) means "you're cool," "that's cool" or "awesome" in Korean. It is the casual form of 멋있다, and it praises someone's style, attitude or actions. It is also a common way to say a man looks great.
Where it comes from
멋 (meot) means style or flair, and 있다 (itda) means "to have." So 멋있다 is "to have style." It is pronounced roughly "muh-shi-ssuh."
How to use 멋있어
You can say it about a person, an outfit, a view, a performance or a brave decision. It works for women too: a confident woman can be very 멋있어.
Fans say it about idols on stage, and people often use it for a man where English might say "hot" or "handsome" in a respectful way.
It is casual. Use 멋있어요 with people you are polite with. A close word is 멋지다, which means almost the same thing.
Examples
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Watching a friend perform
Talking about a crush
On a mountain top
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 멋있어요 | You're cool (polite) | Polite form. |
| 멋있다 | To be cool | Dictionary form; also an exclamation. |
| 멋지다 | To be great, stylish | Very similar meaning. |
| 멋쟁이 | Stylish person | Someone who dresses well. |
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between meosisseo and jalsaenggyeosseo?
잘생겼어 is only about a handsome face. 멋있어 is about style, charm and attitude, so someone can be 멋있어 without being classically handsome.
Can you say meosisseo to a woman?
Yes. It praises confidence and style, so it is a great compliment for anyone.