Meaning and Usage
The adjective '곱다' is a poetic and somewhat old-fashioned way to say 'beautiful' or 'pretty' in Korean. It is often used to describe things that are visually or emotionally beautiful, such as flowers, voices, or hearts. It carries a gentle and refined nuance, different from more common words like '예쁘다'.
Common Collocations
- 곱고 고운 마음 (a beautiful and kind heart): used to describe someone's gentle character.
- 목소리가 곱다 (voice is beautiful): often used to praise someone's pleasant voice.
- 얼굴이 곱다 (face is beautiful): a poetic way to say someone has a pretty face.
Register and Style
'곱다' is more literary or poetic and less common in everyday casual speech. It is often found in written language, poetry, or formal compliments. Using it in daily conversation can sound elegant or old-fashioned.
Learner Tips
Be careful not to confuse '곱다' with '곱다' as a verb stem related to multiplication (곱하다). Here, '곱다' is an adjective describing beauty. Also, avoid overusing it in casual contexts where '예쁘다' or '아름답다' might be more natural.