How to Say “Cool” in Korean

In your lifetime, you’ll likely come across a lot of situations where you feel the most appropriate reaction is to think and say it’s “cool.” You’re also likely to keep running into similar situations while in Korea – because, let’s face it, tons of things in Korea are cool!

But before you can say that to anyone in Korea, you need to know how to say ‘cool’ in Korean. So just how cool is it that today’s lesson will teach you just that!?

A person with a black hat lying on the floor

“Cool” in Korean

Today you’re learning how to say “cool” in Korean. Depending on what meaning of the word you’re looking for in English, it will have a few options in Korean.

If we are talking about a person, a quality about them, or something they are doing as being “cool,” the right word to use is 멋있어요 (meosisseoyo). You can also informally use it just in its basic form, which is 멋있다 (meositta).

If we are talking about thinking that what the person is wearing is “cool,” then you’d be better telling them they look 멋져요 (meotjyeoyo). Again, this can also be used informally in its basic form, 멋지다(meotjida).

Sometimes you will also hear the expression 신기해요 (shinkihaeyo) used to describe something being cool, much in a similar way to 멋있어요. However, the more correct meaning of this word is ‘amazing’ or ‘marvelous’.

Now, we all know that “cool” can also be used to describe cool weather. The most common word used is 시원해요 (shiwonhaeyo). This word can also be used to describe one’s mind or feeling, as well as the temperatures of things besides the weather. A word interchangeable with 시원해요 when discussing the weather or one’s mood is 서늘해요 (seoneulhaeyo).

Sample sentences:

슈트를 입을때 완전 멋져 보여요. (Syuteureul ibeulddae wanjeon meotjyeo boyeoyo.)

You look cool when you wear a suit.

날씨는 오늘 되게 시원하네요. (Nalssineun oneul dwege shiwonhaneyo.)

The weather is very cool today.

그는 하는 일은 너무 멋있다! (Geuneun haneun ireun neomu meositta!)

The work that person does is so cool!

가을때 아침에는 아주 서늘하지? (Gaeulddae achimeneun aju seoneulhaji?)

The mornings during autumn are so cool, aren’t they?

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A word of caution about Romanization

While it is possible for you to study the words in this article simply by reading their romanized versions, it will come in handy for you to be able to read Hangeul if you ever wish to come to Korea. Hangeul is the Korean alphabet, and not difficult to learn. In fact, you can learn it in just 90 minutes.

After you’ve familiarized yourself with Hangeul, life in Korea will suddenly seem so much easier and the country won’t appear so foreign for you. So, if you’re serious about learning Korean, why not learn Hangeul today?

Wrap Up

Now that you know how to say “cool” in Korean, why don’t you tell us something that’s cool about your life?

Want more Korean phrases? Click here for a complete list!

Photo Credit: BigStockPhoto

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4 thoughts on “How to Say “Cool” in Korean”

  1. 멋있어요 means like handsome
    If you wana talk cool in korean,you can say 오지다
    오지다 means cool,awesome

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