Adjectives to Compliment Someone in Korean

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.