Meaning
잘생겼다
jalsaenggyeotda
He/She is handsome
Real Feeling
What Koreans really mean
This phrase is widely used and generally safe to say in casual settings. While literally meaning 'is handsome,' it often carries a nuance of admiration or appreciation for someone's looks. It can be said about celebrities, friends, or even objects (like a car) to mean 'cool' or 'good-looking' in a broader sense. Although grammatically neutral, it's typically used to compliment men; '예쁘다' (yeppeuda) is more common for women.
💬 Used in real life
• Said when seeing a good-looking person pass by in a cafe.
• Used when a friend introduces their new attractive boyfriend.
How It's Used
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Similar Expressions
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Grammar Breakdown
Part by part — learn the structure, not just the meaning
잘jaladverb
adverb
Means 'well' or 'skillfully'.
생기saenggiverb stem
verb stem
From the verb '생기다' (saenggida), meaning 'to be born' or 'to appear'.
-었-eotpast tense suffix
past tense suffix
Indicates past tense or a completed state, here contributing to the meaning of 'having been born/formed well'.
-다-dasentence-final ending
sentence-final ending
A declarative, plain speech ending used to state a fact.
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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