Korean word

못생기다

Pronunciation

Romanizationmotssaenggida

Meaning

  • adjectivenot good-looking

Example

그 친구는 못생겼어요.keu chin gu neun mot ssaeng gyeo sseo yo

That friend is not good-looking.

Illustration for 못생기다 (not good-looking)

More examples

말투가 부드러우면 못생겨도 괜찮아요.mal tu ga pu deu reo u myeon mot ssaeng gyeo do kwaen cha na yo

If someone speaks gently, it is okay even if they are not good-looking.

Core concept

An outside appearance that looks unpleasant rather than appealing.

Common phrases

  • 못생긴 사람mot ssaeng gin sa ram

    unattractive person

  • 못생긴 얼굴mot ssaeng gin eol gul

    unattractive face

  • 못생긴 표정mot ssaeng gin pyo jeong

    unattractive expression

Similar words

추하다chuhada: Having a clearly ugly appearance.
못나다monnada: Looking awkward or unattractive because the overall appearance does not come together well.
볼품없다polpumeoptta: Having a plain, unimpressive appearance with little charm.
외모가 별로다oemoga pyeolloda: Describing an appearance as not very attractive in a mild, indirect way.

Definition in Korean

사람이나 물건의 겉모습이 보기 좋지 않다.sa ra mi na mul geo nui keon mo seu bi po gi cho chi an ta

Word origin

The word is built from a part meaning poorly and a part meaning to take shape, making its basic picture an appearance that turned out badly.

Usage tips

  • The word can describe both people and things, but comments about a person's appearance need extra care because this expression is very direct.

Opposites

Related words

  • 못생김motssaenggimunattractive appearancenoun

Word lists with this word