예쁘다
yebboda
to be pretty (standard spelling)
이쁘다
ippeuda
to be pretty (colloquial/dialect spelling)
예쁘다 vs 이쁘다: Standard vs Colloquial Spelling of 'Pretty' in Korean
예쁘다 (yebboda) is the standard and officially correct spelling of 'to be pretty' in Korean, while 이쁘다 (ippeuda) is a widely used colloquial variant with the same meaning but is not recognized in standard dictionaries.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 예쁘다 (yebboda) | 이쁘다 (ippeuda) | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard vs Colloquial | Official standard form — accepted in dictionaries and formal writing | Colloquial variant — common in speech, social media, and texting |
| Meaning | To be pretty, beautiful, cute | Identical meaning — to be pretty, beautiful, cute |
| Pronunciation | 예쁘다 [yep-peu-da] | 이쁘다 [ip-peu-da] |
| Where You'll See It | Textbooks, official documents, subtitles, formal text | Casual conversation, Instagram captions, comments, messages |
| Acceptability | Always correct in all contexts | Fine in speech/informal writing; avoid in academic or formal writing |
Examples in Context
Complimenting someone's outfit in a formal caption — using 예쁘다
오늘 옷이 정말 예뻐요.
Your outfit looks really pretty today.
Describing a flower in a textbook exercise — using 예쁘다
이 꽃이 참 예쁘다.
This flower is really pretty.
A casual comment on a friend's photo — using 이쁘다
야, 너 오늘 너무 이쁘다!
Oh wow, you look so pretty today!
Texting a compliment to a friend — using 이쁘다
진짜 이뻐! 어디서 샀어?
So pretty! Where did you buy it?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Assuming 이쁘다 is incorrect — it is colloquial, not wrong in casual speech. Many native Koreans use it every day.
- ✗Using 이쁘다 in formal writing, essays, or official contexts — stick to 예쁘다 in any written or formal setting.
- ✗Thinking the conjugations differ — they follow identical patterns: 예뻐요 / 이뻐요, 예뻤어요 / 이뻤어요, 예쁜 / 이쁜.
- ✗Over-correcting a Korean friend who says 이쁘다 — it is an accepted variant in everyday speech, not a mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which one should I learn first as a beginner?
Learn 예쁘다 first — it is the standard form you will see in textbooks and on tests. Then recognize 이쁘다 when you encounter it in real life.
Will Koreans think it's wrong if I use 이쁘다?
No — most Koreans use both naturally. Using 이쁘다 will not sound wrong in conversation. Just avoid it in formal writing.
Does 예쁘다 apply to people, objects, and situations?
Yes. You can say 아이가 예뻐요 (the child is cute), 가방이 예뻐요 (the bag is pretty), and even 마음이 예쁜 사람 (a person with a pretty heart/soul).
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