Korean Dictionary
How to say "Cheerful" in Korean
“Cheerful” in Korean is 명랑하다 (pronounced "Myeongnyanghada").
명랑하다
Myeongnyanghada
Usage & Context
Describes a bright, upbeat personality or mood. Often used as a personality compliment in Korean — 명랑한 사람 means someone who naturally lifts the mood of those around them. Frequently used in children's books and character descriptions.
Example Sentence
그 사람은 항상 명랑하고 활기차요.
That person is always cheerful and energetic.
How to use 명랑하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Cheerful” is 명랑하다, romanized as Myeongnyanghada.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 명랑하다.
Pronunciation Guide
명 (myeong) sounds like 'myung' in a name like 'Myung-soo'. 랑 (rang) rhymes with 'sang'. 하 (ha) is like 'ha' in 'haha'. 다 (da) is like 'da' in 'dad'. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on '명' and '랑'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
명랑해요
Myeongnyanghaeyo
Used in polite, everyday conversations.
Casual (반말)
명랑해
Myeongnyanghae
Used among close friends or family.
More Example Sentences
A parent describing their child's personality.
우리 아이는 항상 명랑해서 주변 사람들을 즐겁게 해요.
Our child is always cheerful and makes people around them happy.
Discussing a character in a TV show.
그 드라마 주인공은 명랑하고 긍정적인 성격이에요.
The main character of that drama has a cheerful and positive personality.
Someone improving their mood with music.
명랑한 음악을 들으니 기분이 좋아졌어요.
Listening to cheerful music made me feel better.
Cultural Context
명랑하다 describes a naturally bright, lively, and optimistic disposition. It's a highly valued personality trait in Korea, often associated with someone who brings positive energy to a group. You'll often hear it used to compliment children or young people, or to describe characters in family dramas or cartoons, implying a sunny, unburdened spirit.
Editorial note
We review entries like 명랑하다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
명랑한 성격
Cheerful personality
명랑한 아이
Cheerful child
명랑한 분위기
Cheerful atmosphere
Related Expressions
쾌활하다
Kaehwalhada
To be cheerful/jovial
활기차다
Hwalhichada
To be energetic/lively
우울하다
Uulhada
To be depressed/gloomy
밝다
Bakda
To be bright (can describe personality)
More Emotions Words
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