Giving compliments

예뻐요 (yeppeoyo) means "pretty" and works for people, clothes, scenery and objects: 옷이 예뻐요 (osi yeppeoyo, "Your clothes are pretty") or 경치가 정말 예뻐요 (gyeongchiga jeongmal yeppeoyo, "The view is beautiful"). Complimenting looks is fine among friends, but with strangers, praising their outfit or belongings is safer.

멋있어요 (meosisseoyo) means "cool" or "stylish" and describes a person's vibe, outfit, actions or even a building. It works for anyone regardless of gender, and you can emphasize it with 정말 멋있어요 (jeongmal meosisseoyo). After a show, saying 무대가 멋있었어요 (mudaega meosisseosseoyo, "The performance was amazing") is natural.

잘생겼어요 (jalsaenggyeosseoyo) means "handsome" and is used mostly for men. For women, people usually say 예뻐요 (yeppeoyo, pretty) or 아름다워요 (areumdawoyo, beautiful). Fans use these words often for their favorite actors and singers, and they're common in comments online and at fan events.

귀여워요 (gwiyeowoyo) means "cute" and is used for babies, animals, characters and small items. Cute things are hugely popular in Korea, so you'll hear this word often, from shops to cafes. Among friends, people also say 귀여워 (gwiyeowo) when someone's behavior is adorable.

If someone says 한국어 잘하시네요 (hangugeo jalhasineyo, "You speak Korean well"), a common humble reply is 아니에요, 아직 멀었어요 (anieyo, ajik meoreosseoyo, "Not at all, I still have a long way to go"). You can also say 감사합니다, 열심히 공부하고 있어요 ("Thank you, I'm studying hard"). A modest response leaves a good impression.

대단해요 (daedanhaeyo) means "That's amazing" or "impressive" and praises someone's ability or achievement. Telling a friend who accomplished something difficult 정말 대단해요 (jeongmal daedanhaeyo) conveys sincere admiration. A similar word is 훌륭해요 (hullyunghaeyo, "excellent"), which sounds a little more formal. Both are warm, sincere compliments.

최고예요 (choegoyeyo) means "It's the best" and is high praise for food, performances or people. Giving a thumbs-up while saying it makes it even clearer. Among friends, you'll also hear 짱이야 (jjangiya, "awesome"), which is very casual and best kept for people you're close to.

잘했어요 (jalhaesseoyo) means "Well done" and praises effort or results. However, saying it to a superior can sound like you're grading them. After an elder's speech or performance, it's better to share your impression, such as 정말 좋았어요 (jeongmal joasseoyo, "It was really great") or 감동받았어요 ("I was moved").

Say 잘 어울려요 (jal eoullyeoyo, "It suits you"). For example: 그 옷 잘 어울려요 (geu ot jal eoullyeoyo, "That outfit looks great on you") or 머리 스타일이 잘 어울려요 (meori seutairi jal eoullyeoyo, "Your hairstyle suits you"). It's a compliment that doesn't judge someone's looks directly, so it works even with new acquaintances.

Say 음식 솜씨가 좋으시네요 (eumsik somssiga joeusineyo, "You're a wonderful cook"). A simpler version is 정말 맛있어요, 요리 잘하시네요 (jeongmal masisseoyo, yori jalhasineyo, "It's delicious; you cook so well"). If you're invited to someone's home, this compliment will truly delight your host.

Say 친절하시네요 (chinjeolhasineyo, "You're very kind"). To someone who gave you directions or helped you, 정말 친절하시네요, 감사합니다 ("You're so kind, thank you") is lovely. 착해요 (chakaeyo, "good-hearted") is also used, but mostly for friends or people younger than you.

Yes. 젊어 보이세요 (jeolmeo boiseyo, "You look young") is a common compliment for older people in Korea, and most take it happily. Be careful about asking or guessing someone's age directly, though. 건강해 보이세요 (geonganghae boiseyo, "You look healthy") is another nice compliment for elders.

Yes. While some Koreans comment on looks, such as 살 빠졌어요 (sal ppajyeosseoyo, "You lost weight"), remarks about body shape or weight can make people uncomfortable. It's safer to praise things people choose, like clothing, style or a bright smile. Be especially careful about appearance comments at work.

Say 노래 잘하시네요 (norae jalhasineyo, "You sing well") or 춤 정말 잘 추시네요 (chum jeongmal jal chusineyo, "You dance really well"). To praise a voice, say 목소리가 좋아요 (moksoriga joayo, "You have a nice voice"). At karaoke, clap and cheer 와, 잘한다! (wa, jalhanda, "Wow, great!") when a friend finishes.

Say 사진 잘 나왔어요 (sajin jal nawasseoyo, "The photo came out well"). To praise the photographer, say 사진 정말 잘 찍으시네요 (sajin jeongmal jal jjigeusineyo, "You take great photos"). To ask someone to take your picture, say 사진 좀 찍어 주실 수 있어요? (sajin jom jjigeo jusil su isseoyo).

센스 있어요 (senseu isseoyo) praises someone for being quick-witted, thoughtful or having good taste. You'd say it to someone who anticipated what you needed or who dresses stylishly. 센스 is a loanword from the English "sense," but in Korean it is widely used to mean tact or a good feel for things.

Yes. 부러워요 (bureowoyo, "I'm envious") is often used as a light compliment acknowledging something good about the other person. For example, 여행 가다니 부러워요 (yeohaeng gadani bureowoyo, "I'm jealous you're going on a trip"). It's understood as admiration or congratulations rather than real jealousy.

Say 응원할게요 (eungwonhalgeyo, "I'll be cheering for you") to encourage someone taking on a challenge. 힘내세요 (himnaeseyo, "Hang in there" or "Cheer up") is for someone going through a hard time. Fans also commonly tell artists 항상 응원해요 (hangsang eungwonhaeyo, "I always support you").

Say 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida), or respond humbly with 아니에요, 과찬이세요 (anieyo, gwachaniseyo, "Oh no, you're too kind"). 과찬이세요 politely means "You're praising me too much." With close friends, a smiling 그래? (geurae, "Really?") is perfectly natural. Rejecting praise too strongly is not necessary.

End your compliment with -네요 (-neyo), which adds a sense of noticing and admiring something in the moment: 예쁘네요 (yeppeuneyo, "Oh, that's pretty") or 잘하시네요 (jalhasineyo, "You're really good at this"). Mentioning what exactly you like makes it sound sincere, as in 색깔이 정말 예쁘네요 (saekkari jeongmal yeppeuneyo, "The color is lovely").