Meaning
귀여워
gwiyeowo
cute
Real Feeling
What Koreans really mean
This is a very common and versatile expression of affection or endearment. It's used for babies, pets, cute objects, or even when someone does something charmingly awkward. While informal, it's generally well-received due to its positive nature. Be mindful of context; calling an adult stranger 'cute' might be unusual, but it's fine among close friends or when complimenting someone younger.
💬 Used in real life
• Said when seeing a friend's new baby or a charming pet.
• Used when a friend tells a funny, slightly clumsy story about themselves.
How It's Used
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Similar Expressions
Related feelings and meanings — click to explore
Grammar Breakdown
Part by part — learn the structure, not just the meaning
귀엽-gwiyeop-adjective stem
adjective stem
The stem of the descriptive verb (adjective) '귀엽다' meaning 'to be cute'.
-어-eosentence-final ending (informal present)
sentence-final ending (informal present)
An informal, plain speech ending used to form the present tense of verbs and adjectives, often functioning as a declarative statement or exclamation.
Tags
Korean expressions carry layers of meaning that direct translation misses. The real meaning lives in the emotion, context, and cultural moment.
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