Korean Dictionary
How to say "Brightening / Whitening" in Korean
“Brightening / Whitening” in Korean is 미백 (pronounced "mibaek").
미백
mibaek
Usage & Context
미백 refers to skin brightening or lightening treatments that reduce dark spots hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The desire for lighter brighter skin is deeply embedded in Korean beauty culture and drives a large segment of the skincare market. Korean 미백 ingredients include niacinamide, vitamin C, arbutin, and glutathione.
Example Sentence
미백 기능이 있는 세럼을 써서 피부 톤이 밝아졌어요.
My skin tone brightened after using a whitening serum.
How to use 미백 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Brightening / Whitening” is 미백, romanized as mibaek.
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 미백.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 미 (mi), sounds like 'me' in English. The second syllable, 백 (baek), sounds like 'back' but with a softer 'b' sound and the 'ae' vowel like in 'cat'. Put it together as 'MEE-baek'.
More Example Sentences
Recommending a skincare product to a friend.
이 미백 앰플 진짜 효과 좋아요.
This whitening ampoule is really effective.
Giving skincare advice related to sun exposure.
여름에 햇빛 많이 받으면 미백 관리가 필수예요.
If you get a lot of sun in summer, whitening care is essential.
Discussing regulations for cosmetic products.
미백 기능성 화장품은 식약처 인증을 받아야 해요.
Whitening functional cosmetics must be certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
Cultural Context
In Korean beauty culture, '미백' (mibaek) goes beyond just 'whitening' to encompass 'brightening' and achieving a clear, even skin tone. The pursuit of luminous, 'glass skin' or 'honey skin' is a major trend, making 미백 products a staple in K-beauty routines. Many Koreans start using these products from a young age as a preventative measure against hyperpigmentation and dullness.
Editorial note
We review entries like 미백 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
미백 효과
whitening/brightening effect
미백 크림
whitening/brightening cream
미백 기능성
whitening/brightening functional (cosmetics)
Related Expressions
피부 미백
pibu mibaek
skin brightening/whitening
화이트닝
hwaiteuning
whitening (loanword)
주름 개선
jureum gaeseon
wrinkle improvement
탄력
tallyeok
elasticity
More Beauty & Skincare Words
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