Korean word

겉모습

Pronunciation

Romanizationkeonmoseup

Meaning

  • nounappearance

Example

겉모습보다 속이 더 중요해.keon mo seup ppo da so gi teo chung yo hae

What's inside matters more than appearance.

Illustration for 겉모습 (appearance)

More examples

첫인상은 겉모습으로 좌우되기도 한다.cheo sin sang eun keon mo seu beu ro chwa u doe gi do han da

First impressions are sometimes influenced by appearance.

Core concept

The visible outside form or look of a person or thing, considered apart from what lies within.

Common phrases

  • 겉모습을 가꾸다keon mo seu beul ka kku da

    take care of one's appearance

  • 겉모습에 신경 쓰다keon mo seu be sin gyeong sseu da

    pay attention to one's appearance

  • 겉모습만으로 판단하다keon mo seum ma neu ro pan dan ha da

    judge by appearance alone

Similar words

외모oemo: A person's visible appearance as noticed by other people, especially facial and bodily features.
모습moseup: The visible form or condition of a person or thing at a particular time.
생김새saenggimsae: The overall visible look formed by a person's or thing's shape and features.
겉keot: The outer part or surface of a person or thing, including its outward appearance.

Definition in Korean

사람이나 사물의 바깥쪽으로 보이는 상태나 모양.sa ra mi na sa mu rui pa kkat jjo geu ro po i neun sang tae na mo yang

Word origin

The native Korean compound combines 겉 (geon, "outer side") and 모습 (moseup, "form or look"), yielding the idea of an outwardly visible look.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, it often contrasts what can be seen with a person's character or a thing's substance, without judging either one by itself.

Opposites

Related words

  • 겉치레keotchireoutward shownoun
  • 겉모양keonmoyangoutward formnoun
  • 겉보기keotppogioutward appearancenoun

Word lists with this word