Korean word

못나다

Pronunciation

Romanizationmonnada

Meaning

  • adjectiveugly

Example

셀카가 못나게 찍혔어.sel ka ga mon na ge jji kyeo sseo

My selfie turned out ugly.

Illustration for 못나다 (ugly)

More examples

그 사람은 정말 못났어.keu sa ra meun cheong mal mon na sseo

That person is really ugly.

Core concept

An appearance or atmosphere that comes out poorly, looking unattractive or awkward rather than well put together.

Common phrases

  • 못난 짓mon nan chit

    unbecoming behavior

  • 못난 얼굴mon nan eol gul

    ugly face

Similar words

못생기다motssaenggida: Having a face or outward appearance that is not appealing to look at.
볼품없다polpumeoptta: Looking shabby and unimpressive, with little visual appeal or dignity.

Definition in Korean

외모나 분위기의 조화가 깨져 볼품없거나 불쾌하게 보이는 상태를 뜻하는 형용사.oe mo na pu nwi gi ui cho hwa ga kkae jeo pol pu meop kkeo na pul kwae ha ge po i neun sang tae reul tteu ta neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The native Korean word combines 못 (mon, "not well") with 나다 (nada, "come out"), giving the sense of something that does not come out looking good.

Usage tips

  • In casual conversation, using it for an unflattering photo of oneself can sound self-deprecating, but using it about another person may be rude.

Other meanings

  • awkward-lookingadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 못난이monnaniunattractive personnoun
  • 못남monnamunattractivenessnoun

Word lists with this word