Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Handsome" in Korean: 잘생기다
잘생기다jalsaenggida
Handsome in Korean is 잘생기다 (jalsaenggida). 잘생기다 usually appears as 잘생겼어요 to describe someone as handsome now; its past-shaped form expresses appearance.
Handsome: an everyday statement
운동하면 얼굴이 더 잘생겨요.undonghamyeon eolguri deo jalsaenggyeoyo.
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How to pronounce 잘생기다
Say it
jalsaenggida
/tɕalsɛŋkita/
Read 잘생기다 as jalsaenggida. The spoken form 잘생겨요 is jalsaenggyeoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Handsome" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 잘생기다jalsaenggida | Handsome Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 잘생겨요jalsaenggyeoyo | Handsome (polite present) Use 잘생겨요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 잘생겨요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 잘생겼어요jalsaenggyeosseoyo | Handsome (polite past) Use 잘생겼어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 잘생겼어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 잘생기다 in real life
- 1Handsome: an everyday statement
운동하면 얼굴이 더 잘생겨요.
undonghamyeon eolguri deo jalsaenggyeoyo.
With exercise his face becomes more handsome.
잘생겨요 is the present form of 잘생기다.
- 2Handsome: a different situation
그 배우는 잘생겼어요.
geu baeuneun jalsaenggyeosseoyo.
That actor is handsome.
잘생겼어요 is the past form of 잘생기다.
- 3Handsome: a question or request
사진에서는 더 잘생겨요?
sajineseoneun deo jalsaenggyeoyo?
Does he look more handsome in photos?
잘생겨요 is the present form of 잘생기다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 잘생기다
Incorrect: 잘생기다.
Correct: 잘생겨요.
When practicing handsome, 잘생기다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 잘생겨요.
Incorrect: 어제 잘생겨요.
Correct: 어제 잘생겼어요.
When practicing handsome, for a completed event yesterday, use 잘생겼어요; the present form 잘생겨요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
잘생기다 usually appears as 잘생겼어요 to describe someone as handsome now; its past-shaped form expresses appearance. 잘생겨요 is the polite conversational form of 잘생기다; 잘생겼어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 잘생기다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
운동하면 얼굴이 더 잘생겨요.
undonghamyeon eolguri deo jalsaenggyeoyo.
With exercise his face becomes more handsome.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그 배우는 잘생겼어요.
geu baeuneun jalsaenggyeosseoyo.
That actor is handsome.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Handsome" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Handsome" in Korean
How do I use 잘생기다 in polite speech?
잘생겨요 is the polite conversational form of 잘생기다; 잘생겼어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 잘생기다 in a past-tense sentence?
잘생겼어요 is the polite past form. 잘생기다 usually appears as 잘생겼어요 to describe someone as handsome now; its past-shaped form expresses appearance.
What does 잘생겨요 mean here?
잘생겨요 is used for handsome. For example, 운동하면 얼굴이 더 잘생겨요. means “With exercise his face becomes more handsome.”
What should I remember about 잘생기다?
잘생기다 usually appears as 잘생겼어요 to describe someone as handsome now; its past-shaped form expresses appearance.
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