🧑 Describing People in Korean: Appearance & Personality (Expert Guide by Hoon)

Do you want to describe someone as tall, kind, or cute? 😊 Knowing how to describe people is essential for introductions and talking about friends or family. Certified teacher Hoon guides you through the most natural adjectives and cultural nuances.

Common Korean adjectives for describing people - appearance and personality

Mastering Descriptions: More Than Just Words (EEAT Tip)

In Korean, the way you describe someone can change based on politeness levels and the context of your relationship. Using the right adjectives not only builds your vocabulary but also shows your cultural awareness. Let's look at the words native speakers use daily.

📌 Common Adjectives to Describe People

Korean	Romanization	English Meaning
예쁘다	yeppeuda	To be pretty
잘생기다	jalsaenggida	To be handsome
귀엽다	gwiyeopda	To be cute
키가 크다	kiga keuda	To be tall
키가 작다	kiga jakda	To be short (height)
날씬하다	nalssinhada	To be slim
친절하다	chinjeolhada	To be kind
조용하다	joyonghada	To be quiet
명랑하다	myeongnanghada	To be cheerful

📝 Real-Life Sentence Patterns

그 사람은 키가 커요.
(Geu sarameun kiga keoyo)
That person is tall.
제 친구는 정말 예뻐요.
(Je chinguneun jeongmal yeppeoyo)
My friend is really pretty.
그 아이는 아주 귀여워요.
(Geu aineun aju gwiyeowoyo)
That child is very cute.
우리 선생님은 친절해요.
(Uri seonsaengnimeun chinjeolhaeyo)
Our teacher is kind.
저는 조용한 사람을 좋아해요.
(Jeoneun joyonghan sarameul joahaeyo)
I like quiet people.

🗣 Practice Dialogue: Describing a Friend

A (Hoon): 너희 친구는 어때?
(Neoui chinguneun eottae? / What is your friend like?)

B (Student): 키가 크고, 성격이 명랑해요.
(Kiga keugo, seonggyeogi myeongnanghaeyo / She’s tall and cheerful.)

A: 사진 보여줘! 궁금해.
(Sajin boyeojwo! Gunggeumhae / Show me a photo! I'm curious.)

B: 여기 있어요. 예쁘죠?
(Yeogi isseoyo. Yeppeujyo? / Here it is. Pretty, right?)

💡 Teacher Hoon's Insight: Cultural Etiquette

In Korea, complimenting someone's appearance (like youthful skin or style) is a common way to build rapport. However, be careful with words like 뚱뚱하다 (chubby/fat). Even among friends, mentioning weight can be sensitive. Stick to positive traits like 친절하다 (kind) or 멋있다 (cool/stylish) to stay polite!

💡 Did You Know?

Koreans often use the phrase "동안" (Dong-an) to describe people who look much younger than their actual age. It's considered one of the best compliments you can give! Next time you meet a Korean friend, try noticing their youthful energy.

Want to Practice Natural Self-Introductions?

Don't just learn from a table—practice describing yourself and others in real-time. Book a 1:1 lesson with me on italki, and we'll refine your descriptions using real photos and conversations!

🚀 Master Descriptive Korean with Hoon

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