Dictionary — Entry No. 1098
통통해
tongtonghae · adjective
통통해
tongtonghae
[toong-TOONG-hae]
adjectiveintermediate
Meaning
Chubby, plump, or rounded, typically describing a cuddly or full-figured appearance. Generally affectionate in Korean usage, less harsh than English ‘fat.’ Carries warm connotations, especially about babies and cheeks.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Aespa’s Ningning has discussed being called cute and chubby by fans affectionately. TWICE members sometimes use this about each other playfully on broadcasts. The term carries considerably more warmth in K-pop than in Western body-shaming discourse.
Example Sentences
아기가 통통해서 귀여워.
agiiga tongtonghae-seo gwiyeowo.
The baby is chubby and cute — affectionate description commonly applied to infants.
얼굴이 통통해 보여.
eolguri tongtonghae boyeo.
Your face looks rounded — observational without necessarily positive or negative intent.
통통한 뺨은 사랑받아.
tongtonghan ppyam-eun sarang-bada.
Chubby cheeks are loved — affectionate expression celebrating fuller facial features.
⚠️ Don’t use tongtonghae when…
Tone is absolutely critical; identical word can be affectionate or insulting based on context and relationship. In appearance-conscious K-pop industry, use cautiously. Never employ as an insult or criticism.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: My ID is Gangnam Beauty — explores appearance standards and body image pressure in Korean society
- K-Pop: aespa — Ningning’s casual ‘cute and chubby’ fan comments embraced versus Western appearance pressure
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.