🎵 K-Culture A2

애교

aegyo

Cute/charming behavior

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What it means

애교 refers to cute, endearing behavior — acting adorably to seem sweet, often with a high-pitched voice, pouting, or cute gestures. Both an art form and a social behavior in Korean culture.

Nuance & when to use

Used by all genders, though more associated with women in pop culture. 애교 부리다 (aegyoreul burida) = to act cute/charming. In K-pop, idols are often praised for their 애교.

⚠ Common mistake

Westerners may find 애교 exaggerated or insincere. Understanding it as a valued social skill in Korea helps avoid misjudging it — it's a genuine expression of affection and playfulness.

Example sentences

그 아이는 애교가 정말 많아요. Geu aineun aegyoga jeongmal manayo. That child has so much natural charm and cuteness.
친구가 애교를 부리면서 도움을 요청했어요. Chinguga aegyoreul burimyeonseo doeumeul yocheonghaesseoyo. My friend acted cutely while asking for help.
그는 애교가 없어서 가끔 차갑게 느껴져요. Geuneun aegyoga eopseoseo gakkeum chagapge neukkyeojyeoyo. He lacks charm, so he sometimes comes across as cold.
팬들 앞에서 애교를 보여줬어요. Paendeul apeseo aegyoreul boyeojwosseoyo. They showed aegyo in front of the fans.

See also

귀엽다 사랑스럽다 애교 부리다 웃음
References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗ Wikipedia ↗
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← 안 돼요 약속 →

FAQ

When is this used?

Used by all genders, though more associated with women in pop culture. 애교 부리다 (aegyoreul burida) = to act cute/charming. In K-pop, idols are often praised for their 애교.

What's a common mistake?

Westerners may find 애교 exaggerated or insincere. Understanding it as a valued social skill in Korea helps avoid misjudging it — it's a genuine expression of affection and playfulness.

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