Korean Dictionary
How to say "Handsome" in Korean
“Handsome” in Korean is 잘생겼어 (pronounced "jalsaengggyeosseo").
잘생겼어
jalsaengggyeosseo
Usage & Context
A compliment for a man's appearance. This phrase is used in K-dramas when female characters admire the male lead's looks. It's essential for understanding romantic attraction and character development.
Example Sentence
너 정말 잘생겼어!
You're really handsome!
How to use 잘생겼어 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Handsome” is 잘생겼어, romanized as jalsaengggyeosseo.
Usage tip
Drama lines are memorable, but some expressions are emotional or exaggerated compared with everyday Korean.
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 잘생겼어.
Pronunciation Guide
잘 (jal) sounds like 'jal' in 'jalapeño'. 생 (saeng) sounds like 'sang' in 'sang a song'. 겼 (gyeot) sounds like 'gyeo' in 'geography' followed by a soft 't' sound, almost like 'gyut'. The 'ss' in ㅆ어 (sseo) is a tense 's' sound, and 'eo' is like 'uh' in 'butter'. The stress is evenly distributed.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
잘생겼어요
jalsaengggyeosseoyo
This is the polite form, adding the politeness suffix -요. For very formal situations, 잘생겼습니다 (jalsaengggyeosseumnida) can be used.
More Example Sentences
Commenting on a celebrity's appearance.
와, 그 배우 진짜 잘생겼다!
Wow, that actor is really handsome!
Talking about a family member's looks.
우리 오빠는 어릴 때부터 잘생겼어.
My older brother has been handsome since he was young.
Gossiping with a colleague about a new boss.
새로 온 팀장님 잘생겼던데?
The new team leader was handsome, wasn't he?
Cultural Context
잘생겼어 (jalsaengggyeosseo) is the quintessential compliment for a man's good looks in Korea. While '예쁘다' (pretty) can sometimes be used for men in a very specific, delicate context (e.g., a 'flower boy' idol), '잘생겼다' is the most common and direct way to describe a man as handsome. It's frequently heard in K-dramas, especially when female characters are admiring a male lead, and implies a more masculine, striking handsomeness.
Editorial note
We review drama-style expressions like 잘생겼어 for tone, because lines that sound natural in a scene can feel too emotional or direct in everyday Korean.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
잘생긴 남자
Handsome man
잘생긴 오빠
Handsome older brother (or older male friend/boyfriend)
잘생긴 얼굴
Handsome face
Related Expressions
멋있다
meositda
Cool, stylish, attractive (broader meaning, can be for men or women)
훈남
hunnam
A warm-hearted, handsome man (often a 'boy-next-door' type)
미남
minam
Handsome man (more formal/classical term)
못생기다
motsaenggida
Ugly (antonym)
More K-Drama Expressions Words
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