Korean word

외관

Pronunciation

Romanizationoegwan

Meaning

  • nounappearance

Example

음식의 외관이 식욕을 자극해요.eum si gui oe gwa ni si gyo geul cha geu kae yo

The food's appearance stimulates my appetite.

Illustration for 외관 (appearance)

More examples

집을 살 때 많은 사람이 먼저 외관을 살펴봐요.chi beul sal ttae ma neun sa ra mi meon jeo oe gwa neul sal pyeo bwa yo

When buying a house, many people examine its appearance first.

Core concept

The visible outer look or form of a person, object, or building.

Common phrases

  • 건물의 외관keon mu rui oe gwan

    exterior of a building

  • 외관을 관리하다oe gwa neul kwal li ha da

    maintain appearance

  • 외관을 바꾸다oe gwa neul pa kku da

    alter appearance

Similar words

겉모습keonmoseup: The outside look of a person or thing, including how it appears to others.
외모oemo: The way a person's face and body look to other people.
모습moseup: The visible shape or state that a person or thing presents at a given moment.
생김새saenggimsae: The particular features of a face, body, or object that make up its visible form.

Definition in Korean

사물·사람·건물 따위의 바깥으로 드러나는 보이는 모습이나 형태를 이르는 명사.sa mul sa ram keon mul tta wi ui pa kka teu ro teu reo na neun po i neun mo seu bi na hyeong tae reul i reu neun myeong sa

Word origin

The Sino-Korean word 외관 (oegwan, "appearance") combines 외 (oe, "outside") and 관 (gwan, "viewing"), linking it to what is seen from the outside.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English appearance, which can also mean being present at an event, this word focuses on visible outer features and often sounds more formal in conversation.

Opposites

  • 내면naemyeoninner naturenoun

Word lists with this word