Mallo Bits Post Logo

Adjectives to Compliment Someone in Korean

15-min Lesson Goals

Mallo does not offer any advice on socializing, but we all know that one good way to break the ice, or even build a good relationship, is to compliment the person that you are talking to.

We've gathered a few adjectives that are commonly used to compliment a person. Try them out to put a smile on the faces of your Korean friends! 

A Bit of a Lesson

1. 착하다 / 착해요 (chag-ha-da / chag-hae-yo)


This means "nice" when referring to someone's personality - think "kind-hearted". Use this when:

  • A waiter spills coffee on your friend's shirt, but your friend smiles back and says that it's okay
  • You pet a dog and the dog does not bark or growl back at you
  • When a child shares some of his/her snacks with you

2. 멋있다 / 멋있어요 (meo-shit-da / meo-shit-seo-yo)


The definition of this word changes depending on the context, but it can be summed up as "cool" or "amazing". Use this when:

  • When you come across a cool painting
  • When you see how well-dressed someone is. 

3. 잘한다 / 잘해요 (jal-han-da / jal-hae-yo)


This literally means "to do well", and it translates to being "really good at something". This adjective can come with some nouns.

  • When someone sings very well, say 노래 (no-rae, singing) + 잘해요
  • When someone cooks well, say 요리 (yo-ri, cooking) + 잘해요.
  • When someone speaks English well, say 영어 (yeong-eo, English) + 잘해요.
  • Other nouns that can be used in this format include 게임 (ge-im, game), 축구 (chuk-gu or soccer), 공부 (gong-bu, studying), and 일 (il, work). You can't use this when the noun has a specific verb assigned to it
    e.g. 그림 그리다 (geu-rim geu-ri-da, drawing) = 그림 잘 그려요 (geu-rim jal geu-ryeo-yo, you are good at drawing)

4. 예쁘다 / 예뻐요 (ye-ppeu-da / ye-ppeo-yo)


This means "pretty". You can use this adjective to describe:

  • A female (or anyone that desires to look feminine)
  • Items (Gadgets, Clothes, Accessories)
  • View

5. 잘생겼다 / 잘생겼어요 (jal-saeng-gyeot-da / jal-saeng-gyeot-seo-yo)


This literally means "to look well", and it translates to "handsome". Use this to describe a male.

Knowledge Check!

bits knowledge check image

How would you describe the person in this photo?

Other Bits you may be interested in: