Korean adjectives
How an adjective agrees, where it goes and how it is compared — the grammar for that is in the topics below, and the adjectives themselves come after, sorted by level.
The 434 adjectives in the core vocabulary
Sorted by level, each with an example sentence.
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1 (60)
어떻다to be how; to be like whatAdjective1
오늘 날씨가 어때요?What is the weather like today?
Almost always heard as 어때요?, “how is it?”.
크다to be big; to be tallAdjective1
이 신발은 저한테 좀 커요.These shoes are a bit big for me.
Irregular: 커요, 컸어요.
작다to be small; to be short (person)Adjective1
이 옷은 너무 작아요.These clothes are too small.
많다to be many, much; to be a lotAdjective1
명동에는 사람이 많아요.There are lots of people in Myeongdong.
Said [만타]; 많아요 is [마나요].
적다to be few, littleAdjective1
이 식당은 양이 좀 적어요.The portions at this restaurant are a bit small.
좋다to be good; to be niceAdjective1
오늘 기분이 좋아요.I am in a good mood today.
Said [조타]; 좋아요 is [조아요].
나쁘다to be badAdjective1
눈이 나빠서 안경을 써요.My eyes are bad, so I wear glasses.
Irregular: 나빠요, 나빴어요.
춥다to be cold (weather, feeling)Adjective1
오늘 정말 추워요.It is really cold today.
Irregular: 추워요, 추웠어요.
덥다to be hot (weather, feeling)Adjective1
여름에는 너무 더워요.It is far too hot in summer.
Irregular: 더워요, 더웠어요.
비싸다to be expensiveAdjective1
이 가방은 좀 비싸요.This bag is a bit expensive.
싸다to be cheapAdjective1
시장은 백화점보다 싸요.The market is cheaper than the department store.
맛있다to be tasty, deliciousAdjective1
이 집 떡볶이는 정말 맛있어요.The spicy rice cakes here are really delicious.
Said [마싣따] (also [마딛따]).
맛없다to taste badAdjective1
이 커피는 좀 맛없어요.This coffee does not taste very good.
Said [마덥따].
바쁘다to be busyAdjective1
요즘 일이 많아서 바빠요.I am busy these days because I have a lot of work.
Irregular: 바빠요, 바빴어요.
예쁘다to be prettyAdjective1
꽃이 정말 예뻐요.The flowers are really pretty.
Irregular: 예뻐요, 예뻤어요.
재미있다to be fun, interestingAdjective1
한국어 공부는 재미있어요.Studying Korean is fun.
재미없다to be boringAdjective1
그 영화는 재미없었어요.That film was boring.
길다to be longAdjective1
줄이 너무 길어요.The queue is far too long.
The l drops before an n: 긴 머리, “long hair”.
짧다to be shortAdjective1
제 머리는 짧아요.My hair is short.
Said [짤따].
높다to be highAdjective1
저 산은 정말 높아요.That mountain is really high.
낮다to be lowAdjective1
이 의자는 좀 낮아요.This chair is a bit low.
넓다to be wide; to be spaciousAdjective1
공원이 정말 넓어요.The park is really big.
Said [널따].
좁다to be narrow; to be crampedAdjective1
제 방은 좁아요.My room is cramped.
빠르다to be fast; to be quickAdjective1
지하철이 버스보다 빨라요.The underground is faster than the bus.
Irregular: 빨라요, 빨랐어요.
느리다to be slowAdjective1
인터넷이 너무 느려요.The internet is far too slow.
무겁다to be heavyAdjective1
가방이 너무 무거워요.The bag is too heavy.
Irregular: 무거워요, 무거웠어요.
가볍다to be light (in weight)Adjective1
이 노트북은 정말 가벼워요.This laptop is really light.
Irregular: 가벼워요, 가벼웠어요.
괜찮다to be all right, fine; to be not badAdjective1
그 식당 음식 괜찮았어요?Was the food at that restaurant any good?
Said [괜찬타]; 괜찮아요 is [괜차나요].
싫다to be disliked; not to wantAdjective1
저는 비 오는 날이 싫어요.I do not like rainy days.
The thing disliked takes 이/가; with 싫어하다 it takes 을/를.
아니다not to beAdjective1
저는 일본 사람이 아니에요.I am not Japanese.
The negative of 이에요: the noun takes 이/가.
같다to be the same; to be likeAdjective1
우리는 나이가 같아요.We are the same age.
Said [갇따]; 같이, “together”, is [가치].
다르다to be differentAdjective1
한국어하고 일본어는 많이 달라요.Korean and Japanese are very different.
Irregular: 달라요, 달랐어요.
어리다to be young (of a child); to be youngerAdjective1
동생은 저보다 다섯 살 어려요.My younger sister is five years younger than me.
뜨겁다to be hot (to the touch)Adjective1
국이 뜨거우니까 조심하세요.The soup is hot, so be careful.
For food and objects; hot weather is 덥다.
차갑다to be cold (to the touch)Adjective1
물이 너무 차가워요.The water is too cold.
For food and objects; cold weather is 춥다.
힘들다to be hard, tiringAdjective1
오늘 일이 정말 힘들었어요.Work was really hard today.
밝다to be bright, lightAdjective1
이 방은 아주 밝아요.This room is very bright.
Said [박따].
어둡다to be darkAdjective1
밖이 벌써 어두워요.It is already dark outside.
Irregular: 어두워요, 어두웠어요.
늦다to be lateAdjective1
오늘은 버스가 좀 늦게 왔어요.The bus came a bit late today.
오래되다to be old (of things)Adjective1
이 건물은 아주 오래됐어요.This building is very old.
Not for people: an older person is 나이가 많다. Said in the past form, like 오래됐어요, because it describes a state reached.
빨갛다to be redAdjective1
사과가 빨개요.The apple is red.
Irregular: 빨개요, 빨간.
노랗다to be yellowAdjective1
바나나가 노래요.The banana is yellow.
Irregular: 노래요 — which sounds like 노래, a song.
파랗다to be blueAdjective1
하늘이 정말 파래요.The sky is really blue.
Irregular: 파래요, 파란.
까맣다to be blackAdjective1
우리 고양이는 털이 까매요.Our cat has black fur.
Irregular: 까매요, 까만.
하얗다to be whiteAdjective1
눈이 와서 길이 하얘요.The street is white because it has snowed.
Irregular: 하얘요, 하얀.
검다to be blackAdjective1
밤하늘이 검어요.The night sky is black.
Regular, and more neutral than 까맣다.
희다to be whiteAdjective1
할아버지는 머리가 희세요.My grandfather's hair is white.
푸르다to be blue or green (sky, sea, fields)Adjective1
바다가 푸르러요.The sea is blue.
Irregular: 푸르러요. A word for nature rather than for things you buy.
진하다to be deep, dark (of a colour)Adjective1
진한 빨간색이 좋아요.I like a deep red.
Also strong, of coffee or tea.
연하다to be pale, light (of a colour)Adjective1
연한 분홍색 셔츠를 샀어요.I bought a pale pink shirt.
Also weak, of coffee or tea, and tender, of meat.
세다to be strongAdjective1
바람이 너무 세요.The wind is too strong.
약하다to be weak, lightAdjective1
비가 약하게 와요.It is raining lightly.
맑다to be clear, sunnyAdjective1
오늘은 하늘이 맑아요.The sky is clear today.
Said [막따]; 맑아요 is said [말가요].
흐리다to be cloudy, overcastAdjective1
아침부터 날씨가 흐려요.It has been cloudy since the morning.
화창하다to be bright and sunnyAdjective1
오늘은 날씨가 화창해요.It is a bright, sunny day.
따뜻하다to be warmAdjective1
봄에는 날씨가 따뜻해요.The weather is warm in spring.
시원하다to be cool, refreshingAdjective1
가을바람이 시원해요.The autumn breeze is cool.
Pleasantly cool; of a drink or a soup it means refreshing.
아프다to hurt; to be illAdjective1
어디가 아프세요?Where does it hurt?
Irregular: 아파요, 아팠어요.
맵다to be spicy, hotAdjective1
떡볶이가 너무 매워요.The tteokbokki is too spicy.
Irregular: 매워요, 매운.
배고프다to be hungryAdjective1
배고파요, 빨리 먹어요.I'm hungry, let's eat now.
Irregular: 배고파요, 배고팠어요.
2 (100)
멀다to be farAdjective2
여기서 공항까지 멀어요?Is it far from here to the airport?
The l of the stem drops before some endings: 먼 곳, a faraway place.
가깝다to be near, closeAdjective2
우리 집은 역에서 가까워요.My house is close to the station.
Irregular: 가까워요, 가까운.
심하다to be serious, severeAdjective2
감기가 심해서 회사에 못 갔어요.My cold was so bad I could not go to work.
건강하다to be healthyAdjective2
할아버지는 아직 건강하세요.My grandfather is still in good health.
헐렁하다to be loose, baggyAdjective2
살이 빠져서 바지가 헐렁해요.I have lost weight, so my trousers are baggy.
저렴하다to be inexpensive, reasonably pricedAdjective2
시장은 마트보다 저렴해요.The market is cheaper than the supermarket.
More formal than 싸다, and without its hint of poor quality.
달다to be sweetAdjective2
이 케이크는 너무 달아요.This cake is too sweet.
The l of the stem drops before some endings: 단 음식, sweet food.
짜다to be saltyAdjective2
국이 좀 짜요.The soup is a bit salty.
시다to be sourAdjective2
이 귤은 너무 셔요.This tangerine is very sour.
쓰다to be bitterAdjective2
약이 너무 써요.The medicine is very bitter.
Spelt like the verbs for writing and using.
싱겁다to be bland, not salty enoughAdjective2
국이 싱거우면 소금을 넣으세요.If the soup is bland, add some salt.
Irregular: 싱거워요, 싱거운.
고소하다to taste nutty, toastyAdjective2
참기름 냄새가 정말 고소해요.The sesame oil smells wonderfully nutty.
배부르다to be full (after eating)Adjective2
너무 많이 먹어서 배불러요.I ate too much, I am full.
Irregular: 배불러요, 배불렀어요.
목마르다to be thirstyAdjective2
운동을 해서 목말라요.I am thirsty after exercising.
Irregular: 목말라요. Said [몽마르다].
한가하다to be free; to be quiet (not busy)Adjective2
오늘은 손님이 없어서 가게가 한가해요.There are no customers today, so the shop is quiet.
정신없다to be hectic; to be in a rushAdjective2
아침에는 항상 정신없어요.Mornings are always hectic.
기쁘다to be glad, happyAdjective2
다시 만나서 정말 기뻐요.I am really glad to see you again.
기뻐요, 기뻤어요.
행복하다to be happyAdjective2
가족과 같이 있으면 행복해요.I am happy when I am with my family.
즐겁다to be enjoyable, funAdjective2
여행은 정말 즐거웠어요.The trip was really good fun.
ㅂ-irregular: 즐거워요.
슬프다to be sadAdjective2
그 영화는 너무 슬퍼요.That film is so sad.
무섭다to be scary; to be scaredAdjective2
밤에 혼자 있으면 무서워요.I get scared when I am alone at night.
ㅂ-irregular: 무서워요. It means both scary and scared.
외롭다to be lonelyAdjective2
외국에서 혼자 살면 가끔 외로워요.Living alone abroad, I sometimes feel lonely.
심심하다to be bored (with nothing to do)Adjective2
비가 와서 집에만 있으니까 심심해요.It is raining and I am stuck at home, so I am bored.
Bored for lack of something to do; a dull film is 지루하다.
지루하다to be boring, dullAdjective2
수업이 너무 지루했어요.The class was really boring.
피곤하다to be tiredAdjective2
어제 늦게 자서 피곤해요.I am tired because I went to bed late.
웃기다to be funnyAdjective2
그 친구는 정말 웃겨요.That friend of mine is really funny.
Literally “to make laugh”, but used like an adjective for anyone or anything funny.
궁금하다to wonder; to be curiousAdjective2
다음 이야기가 궁금해요.I want to know what happens next in the story.
불행하다to be unhappyAdjective2
돈이 많아도 불행한 사람이 있어요.Some people are unhappy even with a lot of money.
이르다to be earlyAdjective2
저녁을 먹기에는 아직 일러요.It is still too early for dinner.
르-irregular: 일러요, 일렀어요.
깨끗하다to be cleanAdjective2
호텔 방이 아주 깨끗했어요.The hotel room was very clean.
더럽다to be dirtyAdjective2
신발이 너무 더러워요.My shoes are really dirty.
ㅂ-irregular: 더러워요.
어수선하다to be messy; to be in disorderAdjective2
방이 좀 어수선하지만 들어오세요.The room is a bit of a mess, but come in.
편하다to be comfortable; to be convenientAdjective2
이 의자는 정말 편해요.This chair is really comfortable.
불편하다to be uncomfortable; to be inconvenientAdjective2
이 신발은 좀 불편해요.These shoes are a bit uncomfortable.
조용하다to be quietAdjective2
우리 집은 밤에 아주 조용해요.Our house is very quiet at night.
고요하다to be still; to be calmAdjective2
새벽의 바다는 정말 고요해요.The sea is perfectly still at dawn.
시끄럽다to be noisyAdjective2
옆집이 너무 시끄러워서 잠을 못 잤어요.The neighbours were so noisy that I couldn't sleep.
쉽다to be easyAdjective2
한글은 생각보다 쉬워요.Hangul is easier than you might think.
ㅂ-irregular: 쉬워요.
어렵다to be difficultAdjective2
한국어 발음이 좀 어려워요.Korean pronunciation is a bit difficult.
간단하다to be simpleAdjective2
이 요리는 만드는 방법이 간단해요.This dish is simple to make.
복잡하다to be complicated; to be crowdedAdjective2
이 기계는 사용 방법이 복잡해요.This machine is complicated to use.
Also of streets and trains: 길이 복잡해요, “the roads are busy”.
중요하다to be importantAdjective2
건강이 제일 중요해요.Health is the most important thing.
유명하다to be famousAdjective2
이 식당은 냉면으로 유명해요.This restaurant is famous for its cold noodles.
멋지다to be great; to look goodAdjective2
오늘 옷이 정말 멋져요.Your outfit looks really good today.
근사하다to be splendid; to be lovelyAdjective2
근사한 식당에서 저녁을 먹었어요.We had dinner at a lovely restaurant.
굉장하다to be amazing; to be tremendousAdjective2
불꽃놀이가 정말 굉장했어요.The fireworks were amazing.
귀하다to be precious; to be rareAdjective2
오늘 귀한 손님이 오세요.An honoured guest is coming today.
값싸다to be cheapAdjective2
시장에서 값싼 옷을 샀어요.I bought some cheap clothes at the market.
The same as 싸다, used mostly before a noun.
푹신하다to be soft; to be well cushionedAdjective2
이 소파는 아주 푹신해요.This sofa is lovely and soft.
올바르다to be right; to be correctAdjective2
올바른 답을 고르세요.Choose the right answer.
르-irregular: 올발라요.
곧다to be straightAdjective2
나무가 아주 곧게 자랐어요.The tree has grown very straight.
반듯하다to be neat; to be straight and evenAdjective2
글씨를 반듯하게 쓰세요.Write neatly.
울퉁불퉁하다to be bumpy; to be unevenAdjective2
길이 울퉁불퉁해서 자전거 타기가 힘들어요.The road is bumpy, so cycling is hard.
평평하다to be flat; to be levelAdjective2
텐트는 평평한 곳에 치세요.Pitch the tent on flat ground.
네모나다to be squareAdjective2
네모난 상자에 선물을 넣었어요.I put the present in a square box.
조그맣다to be small; to be tinyAdjective2
조그만 가방 하나만 가져가요.I am only taking one little bag.
ㅎ-irregular: 조그매요, 조그만.
커다랗다to be huge; to be very bigAdjective2
커다란 개가 문 앞에 있어요.There is a huge dog at the door.
ㅎ-irregular: 커다래요, 커다란.
기다랗다to be long (and thin)Adjective2
가게 앞에 사람들이 기다랗게 줄을 서 있어요.There is a long queue of people outside the shop.
ㅎ-irregular, like 커다랗다.
두툼하다to be thick; to be chunkyAdjective2
겨울에는 두툼한 이불을 덮어요.In winter I sleep under a thick quilt.
묵직하다to be heavy; to be weightyAdjective2
가방이 꽤 묵직하네요.This bag is pretty heavy.
환하다to be bright; to be well litAdjective2
창문이 커서 방이 환해요.The room is bright because the windows are big.
캄캄하다to be pitch-darkAdjective2
불이 꺼져서 방이 캄캄해요.The light has gone out, so the room is pitch-dark.
투명하다to be clear; to be transparentAdjective2
이 호수의 물은 아주 투명해요.The water in this lake is crystal clear.
동그랗다to be roundAdjective2
동그란 접시에 과일을 담았어요.I put the fruit on a round plate.
ㅎ-irregular: 동그래요, 동그란.
선명하다to be vivid; to be sharpAdjective2
이 사진은 색이 선명해요.The colours in this photo are vivid.
흐릿하다to be blurry; to be faintAdjective2
안경을 안 쓰면 글씨가 흐릿해요.Without my glasses the writing is blurry.
미지근하다to be lukewarmAdjective2
커피가 벌써 미지근해졌어요.The coffee has already gone lukewarm.
싱싱하다to be fresh (of food)Adjective2
이 가게는 과일이 아주 싱싱해요.The fruit in this shop is really fresh.
끈적끈적하다to be stickyAdjective2
손이 끈적끈적해서 씻었어요.My hands were sticky, so I washed them.
편찮으시다to be unwell (honorific)Adjective2
어머니가 요즘 좀 편찮으세요.My mother has not been very well lately.
Honorific of 아프다.
안녕하시다to be well (honorific)Adjective2
부모님은 안녕하세요?Are your parents well?
The everyday greeting 안녕하세요 is this word: “are you well?”
습하다to be humidAdjective2
여름에는 날씨가 덥고 습해요.In summer the weather is hot and humid.
건조하다to be dryAdjective2
겨울에는 공기가 건조해서 물을 많이 마셔요.The air is dry in winter, so I drink a lot of water.
쌀쌀하다to be chillyAdjective2
저녁에는 좀 쌀쌀하니까 외투를 입으세요.It is a little chilly in the evening, so wear a coat.
미끄럽다to be slipperyAdjective2
눈이 와서 길이 미끄러워요.It has snowed, so the roads are slippery.
Irregular: 미끄러워요, 미끄러웠어요.
착하다to be good-natured, kindAdjective2
제 동생은 정말 착해요.My younger sister is really good-natured.
A good heart, often of children; kindness to strangers is 친절하다.
친절하다to be kind, friendly (to others)Adjective2
그 가게 직원들은 아주 친절해요.The staff in that shop are very friendly.
불친절하다to be unfriendly, unhelpfulAdjective2
그 식당은 맛있지만 좀 불친절해요.The food in that restaurant is good, but the staff are a bit unfriendly.
상냥하다to be gentle, sweet-naturedAdjective2
간호사가 상냥하게 웃었어요.The nurse gave a gentle smile.
다정하다to be affectionate, warmAdjective2
아버지는 아이들에게 다정해요.The father is affectionate with his children.
순하다to be mild, gentleAdjective2
우리 집 개는 아주 순해요.Our dog is very gentle.
Also of food and drink: mild, not strong.
멋있다to be cool, stylish, attractiveAdjective2
우리 형은 키가 크고 멋있어요.My elder brother is tall and good-looking.
Said [머싣따]; the opposite is 멋없다.
아름답다to be beautifulAdjective2
할머니는 젊었을 때 아주 아름다우셨어요.My grandmother was very beautiful when she was young.
Irregular: 아름다워요, 아름다웠어요.
귀엽다to be cute, sweetAdjective2
강아지가 정말 귀여워요.The puppy is so cute.
Irregular: 귀여워요, 귀여웠어요.
날씬하다to be slimAdjective2
언니는 운동을 해서 날씬해요.My elder sister exercises, so she is slim.
통통하다to be chubby, plumpAdjective2
아기 볼이 통통해요.The baby has chubby cheeks.
뚱뚱하다to be fatAdjective2
고양이가 너무 뚱뚱해져서 걱정이에요.I am worried because the cat has got too fat.
Blunt about people; 통통하다 is gentler.
젊다to be young (of an adult)Adjective2
선생님은 생각보다 젊으세요.The teacher is younger than I expected.
For adults; for children, 어리다.
못되다to be nasty, meanAdjective2
못된 사람하고는 친구가 되고 싶지 않아요.I do not want to be friends with nasty people.
The opposite of 착하다.
똑똑하다to be clever, smartAdjective2
그 아이는 똑똑해서 뭐든지 빨리 배워요.That child is clever and learns everything quickly.
대단하다to be amazing, impressiveAdjective2
매일 새벽에 운동하는 친구가 정말 대단해요.My friend who exercises every day before dawn is really impressive.
씩씩하다to be brave and spiritedAdjective2
아이가 주사를 맞을 때도 씩씩했어요.The child was brave even when she had the injection.
강하다to be strong (in body or mind)Adjective2
어머니는 몸은 약해도 마음은 강해요.My mother may be frail, but she is strong inside.
명랑하다to be cheerful, brightAdjective2
그 아이는 명랑해서 늘 웃고 있어요.That child is cheerful and always smiling.
친하다to be close (friends)Adjective2
우리는 어렸을 때부터 친했어요.We have been close since we were children.
With 하고 or 와/과: 민수하고 친해요.
깔끔하다to be neat, tidyAdjective2
그 사람은 방이 항상 깔끔해요.His room is always tidy.
가난하다to be poorAdjective2
그 화가는 젊었을 때 아주 가난했어요.That painter was very poor when he was young.
미안하다to be sorry, feel badAdjective2
약속에 늦어서 친구에게 정말 미안했어요.I felt really bad about keeping my friend waiting.
고맙다to be grateful, thankfulAdjective2
도와준 친구가 정말 고마웠어요.I was really grateful to the friend who helped me.
Irregular: 고마워요.
반갑다to be glad (to see someone)Adjective2
오랜만에 고향 친구를 만나서 반가웠어요.It was lovely to see a friend from home after so long.
The gladness of meeting someone, not happiness in general.
3 (154)
부럽다to be envious; to envyAdjective3
유학 가는 친구가 정말 부러워요.I really envy my friend who is going to study abroad.
Irregular: 부러워요. The person envied is the subject: 친구가 부러워요.
그립다to miss, long forAdjective3
외국에 살면 고향 음식이 그리워요.When you live abroad, you miss the food from home.
Irregular: 그리워요. Your own feeling; for someone else, 그리워하다.
답답하다to feel stifled, frustrated; to be stuffyAdjective3
방이 좁고 창문이 없어서 답답해요.The room is small and has no window, so it feels stifling.
Both a stuffy room and the feeling of being stuck with no way forward.
창피하다to be embarrassed, ashamedAdjective3
사람들 앞에서 넘어져서 너무 창피했어요.I fell over in front of everyone and was so embarrassed.
쑥스럽다to feel shy, bashfulAdjective3
칭찬을 들으니까 좀 쑥스러웠어요.I felt a little bashful when I was praised.
Irregular: 쑥스러워요, 쑥스러웠어요.
흥미롭다to be interesting, intriguingAdjective3
그 이야기는 정말 흥미로웠어요.That story was really intriguing.
Irregular: 흥미로워요, 흥미로웠어요.
무관심하다to be indifferentAdjective3
그 사람은 유행에 무관심해요.He does not care about fashion.
상관없다not to matter; to have nothing to do withAdjective3
저는 아무 음식이나 상관없어요.Any food is fine by me.
후련하다to feel relieved (of a weight)Adjective3
하고 싶은 말을 다 하니까 속이 후련해요.Now that I have said everything I wanted to, I feel relieved.
시원섭섭하다to feel relieved and sad at onceAdjective3
회사를 그만두니까 시원섭섭해요.Leaving the company, I feel both relieved and sad.
Glad that something is over and sorry to see it go.
활발하다to be lively, outgoingAdjective3
동생은 성격이 활발해서 친구를 쉽게 사귀어요.My younger sister is outgoing and makes friends easily.
외향적이다to be extrovertedAdjective3
외향적인 사람은 처음 보는 사람과도 쉽게 이야기해요.Extroverts find it easy to talk even to people they have just met.
사교적이다to be sociableAdjective3
형은 사교적이어서 아는 사람이 많아요.My elder brother is sociable and knows lots of people.
내성적이다to be introvertedAdjective3
저는 내성적이라서 혼자 있는 시간이 필요해요.I am an introvert, so I need time on my own.
수줍다to be shyAdjective3
아이가 수줍어서 엄마 뒤에 숨었어요.The child was shy and hid behind her mother.
소심하다to be timid, faint-heartedAdjective3
저는 소심해서 모르는 사람에게 말을 잘 못 걸어요.I am timid, so I find it hard to talk to strangers.
얌전하다to be quiet and well-behavedAdjective3
그 아이는 얌전해서 식당에서도 조용히 앉아 있어요.That child is well-behaved and sits quietly even in restaurants.
용감하다to be braveAdjective3
그 소방관은 정말 용감했어요.That firefighter was really brave.
성실하다to be conscientious, dependableAdjective3
그 직원은 성실해서 사장님이 아주 좋아하세요.That employee is very dependable, so the boss thinks highly of her.
부지런하다to be hard-working, industriousAdjective3
할머니는 부지런하셔서 매일 새벽에 일어나세요.Grandmother is industrious and gets up before dawn every day.
게으르다to be lazyAdjective3
주말에는 게을러서 아무것도 안 해요.At weekends I am lazy and do nothing at all.
Irregular: 게을러요, 게을렀어요.
꼼꼼하다to be meticulous, thoroughAdjective3
언니는 꼼꼼해서 실수를 거의 안 해요.My elder sister is meticulous and hardly ever makes mistakes.
솔직하다to be frank, candidAdjective3
솔직하게 말해 주세요.Please tell me frankly.
정직하다to be honest (not lying)Adjective3
그 사람은 정직해서 거짓말을 못 해요.He is honest and cannot tell a lie.
Not lying or cheating; saying frankly what you think is 솔직하다.
차분하다to be calm, composedAdjective3
그 선생님은 언제나 목소리가 차분해요.That teacher's voice is always calm.
느긋하다to be relaxed, unhurriedAdjective3
여행할 때는 느긋하게 다니는 게 좋아요.When you travel it is good to take things slowly.
까다롭다to be fussy, hard to pleaseAdjective3
그 손님은 음식에 까다로워요.That customer is fussy about food.
Irregular: 까다로워요. Also of a task: tricky.
털털하다to be easy-going, unfussyAdjective3
그 친구는 털털해서 아무 데서나 잘 자요.My friend is easy-going and can sleep anywhere.
무뚝뚝하다to be curt, undemonstrativeAdjective3
아버지는 무뚝뚝하지만 마음은 따뜻해요.My father is not one to show his feelings, but he has a warm heart.
낙천적이다to be optimisticAdjective3
어머니는 낙천적이셔서 걱정을 별로 안 하세요.My mother is an optimist and hardly ever worries.
예민하다to be sensitive, touchyAdjective3
시험 기간에는 다들 예민해요.Everyone is on edge during exam time.
순진하다to be naive, innocentAdjective3
그 사람은 너무 순진해서 남의 말을 다 믿어요.He is so naive that he believes whatever people tell him.
어른스럽다to be mature (for one's age)Adjective3
그 아이는 나이에 비해 어른스러워요.That child is mature for her age.
진지하다to be serious, earnestAdjective3
그 친구는 농담도 진지하게 해요.My friend even tells jokes with a straight face.
편리하다to be convenientAdjective3
편의점이 집 앞에 있어서 정말 편리해요.It is really handy having a convenience store right outside my door.
낡다to be old, worn outAdjective3
이 건물은 낡았지만 분위기가 좋아요.This building is old and worn, but it has a nice atmosphere.
As a predicate usually in the past form: 건물이 낡았어요; before a noun 낡은 건물.
부유하다to be wealthy, well offAdjective3
그 동네에는 부유한 사람들이 많이 살아요.Many well-off people live in that neighbourhood.
알뜰하다to be thrifty, careful with moneyAdjective3
어머니는 알뜰하셔서 쓰지 않을 물건은 절대 안 사세요.My mother is very thrifty and never buys anything she will not use.
넉넉하다to be ample; to have enough and to spareAdjective3
이번 달은 돈이 넉넉하지 않아서 외식을 줄였어요.Money is tight this month, so I have cut down on eating out.
확실하다to be certain, sureAdjective3
내일 모임이 취소된 게 확실해요?Are you sure tomorrow's meeting has been cancelled?
옳다to be right, correctAdjective3
선생님 말씀이 옳아요.The teacher is right.
가능하다to be possibleAdjective3
오늘 안에 배달이 가능해요?Can it be delivered today?
불가능하다to be impossibleAdjective3
이 일을 하루에 끝내는 것은 불가능해요.It is impossible to finish this in one day.
안전하다to be safeAdjective3
이 동네는 밤에도 안전해요.This area is safe even at night.
위험하다to be dangerousAdjective3
비 오는 날 운전하면 위험해요.Driving on a rainy day is dangerous.
이상하다to be strange, oddAdjective3
냉장고에서 이상한 소리가 나요.The fridge is making a strange noise.
특별하다to be specialAdjective3
오늘은 우리 결혼기념일이라서 특별한 날이에요.Today is our wedding anniversary, so it is a special day.
심각하다to be serious, graveAdjective3
요즘 이 도시는 교통 문제가 심각해요.The traffic problem in this city is serious at the moment.
신선하다to be freshAdjective3
이 시장은 과일이 아주 신선해요.The fruit at this market is very fresh.
Also of an idea: 신선한 아이디어, a fresh idea.
적당하다to be suitable, just rightAdjective3
물은 적당한 양만 넣으세요.Only put in the right amount of water.
Not too much and not too little.
필요하다to be necessary, neededAdjective3
여행 가기 전에 필요한 물건을 샀어요.I bought the things I needed before the trip.
The thing needed is the subject: 돈이 필요해요, "I need money".
충분하다to be enough, sufficientAdjective3
시간이 충분하니까 천천히 하세요.There is plenty of time, so take it slowly.
비슷하다to be similarAdjective3
언니하고 저는 목소리가 비슷해요.My sister and I have similar voices.
똑같다to be exactly the sameAdjective3
친구와 똑같은 옷을 입고 왔어요.My friend and I turned up in exactly the same clothes.
새롭다to be new, freshAdjective3
이사 와서 새로운 친구들을 사귀었어요.After moving here, I made new friends.
Irregular: 새로워요; before a noun, 새로운.
가파르다to be steepAdjective3
이 계단은 너무 가팔라서 올라가기 힘들어요.These stairs are so steep that they are hard to climb.
Irregular: 가팔라요, 가팔랐어요.
깊다to be deepAdjective3
이 강은 생각보다 깊어요.This river is deeper than you would think.
얕다to be shallowAdjective3
여기는 물이 얕아서 아이들이 놀기 좋아요.The water is shallow here, so it is a good place for children to play.
두껍다to be thickAdjective3
겨울에는 두꺼운 옷을 입어야 해요.In winter you have to wear thick clothes.
Irregular: 두꺼워요, 두꺼운.
얇다to be thinAdjective3
이 책은 얇아서 가방에 넣기 편해요.This book is thin, so it is easy to put in a bag.
Thin like paper or a jumper; a thin person is 마른 사람.
둥글다to be roundAdjective3
이 식당은 탁자가 둥글어서 여럿이 앉기 좋아요.This restaurant has round tables, which are good for groups.
The final sound drops before a noun: 둥근 탁자.
날카롭다to be sharpAdjective3
칼이 날카로우니까 조심하세요.The knife is sharp, so be careful.
Irregular: 날카로워요.
부드럽다to be soft, smoothAdjective3
이 수건은 정말 부드러워요.This towel is really soft.
Irregular: 부드러워요.
딱딱하다to be hard, stiffAdjective3
이 의자는 너무 딱딱해서 오래 앉아 있기 힘들어요.This chair is so hard that it is uncomfortable to sit on for long.
단단하다to be hard, firmAdjective3
복숭아가 아직 덜 익어서 단단해요.The peaches are not ripe yet, so they are still hard.
촉촉하다to be moistAdjective3
이 케이크는 정말 촉촉하고 부드러워요.This cake is really moist and soft.
뾰족하다to be pointed, sharp-tippedAdjective3
새로 깎은 연필은 뾰족해서 조심해야 해요.A freshly sharpened pencil is pointed, so you have to be careful.
독하다to be strong, harsh (of drink or medicine)Adjective3
이 술은 너무 독해서 조금만 마셨어요.This drink was so strong that I only had a little.
Strong in a harsh way: alcohol, medicine, a smell.
축축하다to be dampAdjective3
빨래가 아직 축축해요.The washing is still damp.
가득하다to be fullAdjective3
냉장고에 음식이 가득해요.The fridge is full of food.
가늘다to be thin, fine, slenderAdjective3
이 국수는 면이 아주 가늘어요.The noodles in this dish are very thin.
Thin like a thread or a noodle; the opposite is 굵다.
굵다to be thick (of a line or a thread)Adjective3
굵은 글씨로 이름을 써 주세요.Please write your name in thick letters.
거칠다to be rough, coarseAdjective3
겨울에는 손이 거칠어져서 크림을 발라요.In winter my hands get rough, so I put cream on them.
매끄럽다to be smoothAdjective3
아기 피부는 정말 매끄러워요.A baby's skin is really smooth.
Irregular: 매끄러워요.
훌륭하다to be excellent, fineAdjective3
그 선생님은 정말 훌륭한 분이세요.That teacher is a truly fine person.
질기다to be tough, chewyAdjective3
고기가 너무 질겨서 씹기 힘들어요.The meat is so tough that it is hard to chew.
소중하다to be precious, dearAdjective3
이 시계는 할아버지께서 주신 소중한 선물이에요.This watch is a precious present from my grandfather.
자세하다to be detailedAdjective3
자세한 내용은 홈페이지를 보세요.See the website for details.
급하다to be urgent; to be in a hurryAdjective3
급한 일이 생겨서 먼저 갈게요.Something urgent has come up, so I will head off before you.
상쾌하다to be refreshing, freshAdjective3
아침 공기가 정말 상쾌해요.The morning air is really refreshing.
지저분하다to be messy, untidyAdjective3
방이 너무 지저분해서 청소를 해야 해요.My room is so messy that I need to clean it.
화려하다to be colourful, showyAdjective3
무대 의상이 정말 화려했어요.The stage costumes were really dazzling.
튼튼하다to be sturdy, strongAdjective3
이 가방은 튼튼해서 오래 쓸 수 있어요.This bag is sturdy, so it will last a long time.
무덥다to be hot and humid, sultryAdjective3
칠월 말부터는 날씨가 정말 무더워요.From the end of July the weather is really hot and sticky.
Irregular: 무더워요, 무더웠어요.
포근하다to be mild (of winter weather)Adjective3
겨울치고는 오늘 날씨가 꽤 포근하네요.For winter, the weather is quite mild today.
선선하다to be pleasantly coolAdjective3
아침저녁으로 바람이 선선해서 산책하기 좋아요.The breeze is cool in the mornings and evenings, so it is nice for a walk.
후텁지근하다to be close, muggyAdjective3
비가 오기 전이라 그런지 공기가 후텁지근해요.Perhaps because rain is coming, the air is close and muggy.
우중충하다to be gloomy, dull (of the sky)Adjective3
하늘이 하루 종일 우중충해서 기분까지 가라앉았어요.The sky was dull all day, and it brought my mood down too.
서늘하다to be cool, chillyAdjective3
해가 지니까 바람이 꽤 서늘해졌어요.Once the sun went down, the wind turned quite chilly.
세련되다to be stylish, polishedAdjective3
그분은 옷을 항상 세련되게 입으세요.She always dresses stylishly.
촌스럽다to be unfashionable, datedAdjective3
그 옷은 색깔이 좀 촌스러워 보여요.The colour of those clothes looks a bit old-fashioned.
Irregular: 촌스러워요. Literally “village-like”.
수수하다to be plain, simpleAdjective3
저는 화려한 옷보다 수수한 옷이 좋아요.I prefer plain clothes to showy ones.
단정하다to be neat, tidy (in appearance)Adjective3
면접을 볼 때는 단정하게 입는 게 좋아요.For an interview it is best to dress neatly.
어이없다to be absurd, unbelievableAdjective3
한 시간이나 줄을 섰는데 문을 닫았다니 어이없네요.We queued for a whole hour and then they closed? Unbelievable.
어지럽다to be dizzyAdjective3
갑자기 일어나서 머리가 어지러워요.I stood up too quickly and feel dizzy.
Irregular: 어지러워요, 어지러웠어요.
가렵다to be itchyAdjective3
모기에 물려서 다리가 가려워요.I was bitten by a mosquito, and my leg itches.
Irregular: 가려워요.
뻐근하다to be stiff (of muscles)Adjective3
컴퓨터 앞에 오래 앉아 있었더니 어깨가 뻐근해요.I sat at the computer for a long time and now my shoulders are stiff.
저리다to be numb, have pins and needlesAdjective3
바닥에 오래 앉아 있어서 다리가 저려요.I sat on the floor for a long time, and my legs have gone numb.
따갑다to sting, prickleAdjective3
햇볕이 너무 따가워서 그늘로 갔어요.The sun was stinging so much that I moved into the shade.
Irregular: 따가워요.
쓰리다to burn, smart (of the stomach or a wound)Adjective3
빈속에 커피를 마셨더니 속이 쓰려요.I drank coffee on an empty stomach and now it burns.
시리다to be sensitive to cold, ache with coldAdjective3
찬물을 마시면 이가 시려요.My teeth ache when I drink cold water.
간지럽다to tickle, be itchyAdjective3
먼지 때문에 코가 간지러워요.My nose tickles because of the dust.
Irregular: 간지러워요.
개운하다to feel refreshed, clean and lightAdjective3
사우나를 하고 나니까 몸이 개운해요.I feel refreshed after the sauna.
나른하다to feel drowsy and heavyAdjective3
점심을 먹고 나면 몸이 나른해요.After lunch I feel drowsy and heavy.
오싹하다to feel a chill, shiverAdjective3
밤에 혼자 빈 건물에 들어가니까 등이 오싹했어요.Going into the empty building alone at night sent a shiver down my spine.
귀찮다to be a bother; to not be botheredAdjective3
오늘은 피곤해서 요리하기가 귀찮아요.I am tired today and cannot be bothered to cook.
아깝다to be a waste, a shame (to lose)Adjective3
음식이 많이 남아서 버리기 아까워요.There is so much food left that it seems a shame to throw it away.
Irregular: 아까워요.
섭섭하다to be hurt, feel let downAdjective3
친구가 제 생일을 잊어버려서 섭섭했어요.I was hurt that my friend forgot my birthday.
Very close to 서운하다.
억울하다to feel wronged, be unfairly treatedAdjective3
제가 안 했는데 혼나서 억울해요.I got told off for something I did not do, and it is so unfair.
서운하다to feel sad, a little let downAdjective3
친구가 먼저 떠난다고 하니까 서운했어요.I felt a little sad when my friend said they were leaving first.
부끄럽다to be shy; to be ashamedAdjective3
사람들 앞에서 노래하는 게 부끄러워요.I feel shy singing in front of people.
Irregular: 부끄러워요.
조마조마하다to be on edge, nervous (waiting for something)Adjective3
결과가 나올 때까지 조마조마했어요.I was on edge until the results came out.
괴롭다to be miserable, distressingAdjective3
매일 밤 잠을 못 자서 너무 괴로워요.Not being able to sleep night after night is miserable.
속상하다to be upsetAdjective3
아끼던 컵이 깨져서 속상해요.I am upset because my favourite cup broke.
아쉽다to be a pity; to feel it is over too soonAdjective3
여행이 벌써 끝나서 아쉬워요.It is a pity the trip is over already.
Irregular: 아쉬워요.
안타깝다to be a shame, regrettableAdjective3
열심히 준비했는데 떨어져서 안타까워요.It is such a shame: they prepared so hard and still did not pass.
우습다to be funny; to be ridiculousAdjective3
그 사람의 말이 너무 우스워서 웃음을 참을 수 없었어요.What that person said was so funny that I could not stop myself laughing.
For funny, people more often say 웃기다.
기특하다to be admirable, praiseworthy (said of a younger person)Adjective3
동생이 혼자 숙제를 다 해서 기특해요.My younger sibling did all their homework alone, and I am proud of them.
Said by an older person about a younger one, not the other way round.
밉다to be hateful, unbearableAdjective3
거짓말을 한 동생이 미워요.My little brother lied, and right now I cannot stand him.
Irregular: 미워요.
자랑스럽다to be proud (of)Adjective3
대회에서 상을 받은 딸이 자랑스러워요.I am proud of my daughter for winning a prize in the competition.
뿌듯하다to feel proud of oneself, satisfiedAdjective3
혼자서 가구를 다 조립해서 뿌듯해요.I put all the furniture together by myself and feel really pleased.
든든하다to feel safe, reassured; to be fillingAdjective3
형이 옆에 있어서 든든해요.I feel safe with my brother beside me.
Also of a filling meal: 든든하게 먹었어요.
편안하다to be at ease, comfortableAdjective3
집에 오니까 마음이 편안해요.Now that I am home, I feel at ease.
초조하다to be anxious, on edgeAdjective3
결과 발표를 기다리면서 초조했어요.I was on edge while I waited for the results.
두렵다to be afraid, fearAdjective3
실패하는 것이 두려워서 시작을 못 했어요.I was afraid of failing, so I never started.
Irregular: 두려워요. More formal and abstract than 무섭다.
황당하다to be absurd, unbelievableAdjective3
주문한 것과 전혀 다른 물건이 와서 황당했어요.Something completely different from what I ordered arrived, and I could not believe it.
어색하다to be awkwardAdjective3
처음 만난 사람과 둘이 있으니까 좀 어색했어요.Being alone with someone I had only just met was a little awkward.
낯설다to be unfamiliar, strangeAdjective3
이사 온 동네가 아직 낯설어요.The neighbourhood I moved to still feels unfamiliar.
허전하다to feel empty, as if something is missingAdjective3
친구가 떠난 뒤로 방이 허전해요.The room feels empty since my friend left.
쓸쓸하다to be lonely, desolateAdjective3
가을이 되면 왠지 쓸쓸해요.When autumn comes, I feel lonely for some reason.
흐뭇하다to be pleased, warmed (by what one sees)Adjective3
아이들이 즐겁게 노는 모습을 보니 흐뭇해요.Seeing the children playing happily warms my heart.
신기하다to be amazing, fascinatingAdjective3
처음 눈을 본 아이는 모든 게 신기한 것 같았어요.Seeing snow for the first time, the child seemed amazed by everything.
만족스럽다to be satisfying, satisfactoryAdjective3
이번 시험 결과는 꽤 만족스러워요.This exam result is quite satisfying.
Irregular: 만족스러워요.
지겹다to be tiresome, be sick ofAdjective3
같은 음식을 매일 먹으니까 지겨워요.Eating the same food every day is getting tiresome.
Irregular: 지겨워요.
민망하다to be embarrassed, awkwardAdjective3
모르는 사람에게 잘못 인사해서 민망했어요.I said hello to a stranger by mistake and felt embarrassed.
부담스럽다to feel burdened, uncomfortableAdjective3
너무 비싼 선물을 받아서 부담스러워요.I was given such an expensive present that it makes me uncomfortable.
곤란하다to be awkward, difficult (to deal with)Adjective3
갑자기 그런 부탁을 하시면 좀 곤란해요.It puts me in a difficult position when you ask that so suddenly.
불쌍하다to be pitiful; to feel sorry forAdjective3
비를 맞고 있는 강아지가 불쌍했어요.I felt sorry for the puppy standing in the rain.
끔찍하다to be terrible, horrificAdjective3
뉴스에서 끔찍한 사고 소식을 들었어요.I heard about a terrible accident on the news.
짜릿하다to be thrillingAdjective3
롤러코스터를 탈 때 정말 짜릿했어요.Riding the roller coaster was a real thrill.
놀랍다to be amazing, astonishingAdjective3
그 가게의 배송 속도가 정말 놀라웠어요.How fast that shop delivered was really amazing.
Irregular: 놀라워요.
다양하다to be various, diverseAdjective3
이 시장에서는 다양한 나라의 음식을 맛볼 수 있어요.At this market you can taste food from many different countries.
부족하다to be lacking, insufficientAdjective3
요즘 잠이 부족해서 하루 종일 피곤해요.I have not been getting enough sleep lately, so I am tired all day.
What is short is the subject: 시간이 부족해요, “time is short”.
분명하다to be clear, certainAdjective3
그가 거짓말을 한 것은 분명해요.It is clear that he lied.
Also an adverb: 분명히, “definitely”.
정확하다to be accurate, exactAdjective3
이 시계는 오래됐지만 아직도 정확해요.This watch is old but still accurate.
흔하다to be commonAdjective3
김씨는 한국에서 아주 흔한 성이에요.Kim is a very common surname in Korea.
완벽하다to be perfectAdjective3
세상에 완벽한 사람은 없어요.Nobody in the world is perfect.
익숙하다to be familiar, used toAdjective3
이제는 매운 음식에 익숙해져서 김치 없이는 밥을 못 먹어요.I am used to spicy food now, so I cannot eat a meal without kimchi.
What you are used to takes 에; getting used to it is 익숙해지다.
당연하다to be natural, only to be expectedAdjective3
도움을 받았으면 고맙다고 말하는 게 당연하죠.If you have been helped, it is only natural to say thank you.
Often as a reply: 당연하죠, “of course”.
엄청나다to be tremendous, enormousAdjective3
휴가철이라 공항에 사람이 엄청나게 많았어요.It was the holiday season, so the airport was incredibly crowded.
Informally shortened to the adverb 엄청.
긍정적이다to be positiveAdjective3
그 친구는 늘 긍정적이라서 같이 있으면 기분이 좋아요.My friend is always positive, so it is nice to be around them.
부정적이다to be negativeAdjective3
처음부터 너무 부정적으로 생각하지 마세요.Do not be so negative right from the start.
유용하다to be usefulAdjective3
이 앱은 여행할 때 아주 유용해요.This app is very useful when you travel.
쓸모없다to be useless, of no useAdjective3
쓸모없는 물건은 정리해서 버리는 게 좋아요.It is good to sort out and throw away things that are no use.
Said [쓸모업따].
4 (120)
공정하다to be fair, impartialAdjective4
모든 지원자에게 공정한 기회를 줘야 해요.Every applicant should be given a fair chance.
합법적이다to be legal, lawfulAdjective4
이 방법은 합법적이지만 시간이 오래 걸려요.This method is legal, but it takes a long time.
지속 가능하다to be sustainableAdjective4
지속 가능한 발전을 위해 모두가 함께 노력해야 해요.Everyone has to work together for sustainable development.
규칙적이다to be regularAdjective4
식사 시간이 규칙적이면 소화도 잘돼요.If you eat at regular times, you digest your food better too.
해롭다to be harmfulAdjective4
밤늦게 먹는 습관은 몸에 해로워요.The habit of eating late at night is bad for you.
Irregular: 해로워요, 해로웠어요.
불안하다to be anxious, uneasyAdjective4
면접 결과가 나오기 전까지 계속 불안했어요.I felt uneasy the whole time until the interview results came out.
조급하다to be impatient, in a hurryAdjective4
결과가 빨리 나오지 않아서 마음이 조급해졌어요.The results were slow to come out, and I grew impatient.
우울하다to be depressed, gloomyAdjective4
비가 일주일째 오니까 기분이 우울해요.It has been raining for a week, and I feel gloomy.
비참하다to be miserable, wretchedAdjective4
결승에서 크게 지고 나니 비참한 기분이 들었어요.After losing the final so badly, I felt wretched.
언짢다to be displeased, put outAdjective4
사장님은 회의 내내 언짢은 표정이셨어요.The boss looked displeased throughout the meeting.
Said [언짠타].
착잡하다to have mixed, heavy feelingsAdjective4
정든 학교를 떠나려니 마음이 착잡해요.Leaving the school I have grown so fond of, my feelings are all mixed up.
씁쓸하다to feel bitter, ruefulAdjective4
열심히 했는데 아무도 알아주지 않아서 씁쓸했어요.I worked hard and nobody noticed, which left a bitter taste.
서글프다to feel sad, forlornAdjective4
혼자서 생일을 보내니 조금 서글펐어요.Spending my birthday alone made me feel a little forlorn.
Irregular: 서글퍼요, 서글펐어요.
막막하다to feel at a loss, not know where to turnAdjective4
혼자 외국에 처음 왔을 때는 모든 게 막막했어요.When I first came abroad on my own, I did not know where to begin.
불쾌하다to be unpleasant, offendedAdjective4
그 사람의 무례한 농담 때문에 불쾌했어요.I was offended by his rude joke.
감사하다to be grateful, thankfulAdjective4
늘 저를 믿어 주신 부모님께 정말 감사해요.I am truly grateful to my parents, who have always believed in me.
More formal than 고맙다.
벅차다to be overwhelmed (with feeling)Adjective4
아이가 처음 걷는 모습을 보고 가슴이 벅찼어요.Seeing my child walk for the first time, my heart was full.
유쾌하다to be cheerful, pleasantAdjective4
그는 늘 유쾌해서 같이 있으면 즐거워요.He is always cheerful, so it is fun to be around him.
홀가분하다to feel relieved, unburdenedAdjective4
시험이 다 끝나서 마음이 홀가분해요.All my exams are over, and I feel a weight off my shoulders.
예의 바르다to be polite, well-manneredAdjective4
옆집 아이는 어른들에게 늘 예의 바르게 인사해요.The child next door always greets grown-ups politely.
Irregular: 예의 발라요.
공손하다to be courteous, deferentialAdjective4
그는 손님에게 공손하게 고개를 숙였어요.He bowed his head courteously to the guest.
무례하다to be rudeAdjective4
다른 사람의 말을 중간에 끊는 건 무례한 행동이에요.Interrupting other people is rude.
버릇없다to be ill-mannered, cheeky (of a child)Adjective4
어른 앞에서 다리를 꼬고 앉으면 버릇없어 보여요.Sitting with your legs crossed in front of elders looks ill-mannered.
건방지다to be cocky, impertinentAdjective4
선배한테 그렇게 말하면 건방져 보여요.If you talk to a senior like that, you will come across as cocky.
거만하다to be arrogantAdjective4
성공한 뒤로 그 사람은 조금 거만해졌어요.Since becoming successful, he has grown a little arrogant.
겸손하다to be humble, modestAdjective4
그는 큰 상을 받고도 늘 겸손해요.Even after winning a major prize, he is always modest.
뻔뻔하다to be shameless, brazenAdjective4
새치기를 하고도 웃다니 정말 뻔뻔하네요.Pushing in and then smiling about it — how brazen!
이기적이다to be selfishAdjective4
자기만 생각하는 이기적인 사람과는 함께 일하기 힘들어요.It is hard to work with selfish people who think only of themselves.
적극적이다to be proactive, keenAdjective4
그녀는 회의에서 언제나 적극적으로 의견을 내요.She always puts her ideas forward keenly in meetings.
소극적이다to be passive, hesitantAdjective4
처음에는 소극적이던 아이가 지금은 발표도 잘해요.The child who used to hold back now speaks up well in class.
자기중심적이다to be self-centredAdjective4
그는 너무 자기중심적이라서 남의 이야기를 듣지 않아요.He is so self-centred that he does not listen to others.
의존적이다to be dependentAdjective4
동생은 아직 부모님께 의존적이라서 혼자 결정을 잘 못 내려요.My younger brother still depends on our parents, so he finds it hard to make decisions on his own.
충동적이다to be impulsiveAdjective4
충동적으로 산 물건은 대부분 잘 안 쓰게 돼요.Things you buy on impulse mostly end up unused.
수다스럽다to be talkative, chattyAdjective4
제 친구는 수다스러워서 한 시간 동안 혼자 이야기해요.My friend is so chatty that she can talk for an hour without anyone else getting a word in.
Irregular: 수다스러워요.
냉정하다to be cold, cool-headedAdjective4
그는 친구의 부탁을 냉정하게 거절했어요.He coldly turned down his friend’s request.
너그럽다to be generous, lenientAdjective4
할아버지는 손주들의 실수에 늘 너그러우세요.Grandfather is always forgiving of his grandchildren’s mistakes.
Irregular: 너그러워요.
원만하다to be easy-going, get on well with othersAdjective4
그 선배는 성격이 원만해서 누구와도 잘 지내요.That senior colleague is easy-going and gets on with everyone.
검소하다to be frugal, thriftyAdjective4
그분은 부자인데도 아주 검소하게 사세요.He is rich, but he lives very frugally.
사치스럽다to be extravagantAdjective4
매일 비싼 식당에서 밥을 먹는 건 좀 사치스러워요.Eating at expensive restaurants every day is a bit extravagant.
변덕스럽다to be fickle, moodyAdjective4
그 친구는 기분이 변덕스러워서 맞추기가 힘들어요.That friend is so moody that it is hard to keep him happy.
침착하다to be calm, composedAdjective4
불이 났을 때 그는 침착하게 사람들을 밖으로 안내했어요.When the fire broke out, he calmly led people outside.
비겁하다to be cowardly, underhandAdjective4
잘못을 남에게 떠넘기는 건 비겁한 행동이에요.Pushing the blame onto someone else is a cowardly thing to do.
성급하다to be hasty, rashAdjective4
성급하게 결정하지 말고 하루만 더 생각해 보세요.Do not decide in haste; think about it for one more day.
신중하다to be careful, prudentAdjective4
큰돈이 드는 일은 신중하게 결정해야 해요.Anything that costs a lot of money should be decided with care.
의젓하다to be grown-up, dignified (of a child)Adjective4
조카는 아직 여덟 살인데 하는 행동이 아주 의젓해요.My nephew is only eight, but he behaves in a very grown-up way.
경솔하다to be careless, rash (in words or deeds)Adjective4
확인도 안 하고 소문을 퍼뜨린 건 경솔한 행동이었어요.Spreading the rumour without even checking it was rash.
성숙하다to be matureAdjective4
동생은 나이에 비해 생각이 성숙해요.My younger brother thinks in a mature way for his age.
유치하다to be childishAdjective4
그런 일로 싸우는 건 너무 유치해요.Fighting over something like that is so childish.
인색하다to be stingy, mean (with)Adjective4
그 사장님은 직원들에게 칭찬에 인색한 편이에요.That boss tends to be sparing with praise for his staff.
혼잡하다to be congested, crowdedAdjective4
출근 시간에는 지하철이 아주 혼잡해요.The underground is very crowded in the rush hour.
노후하다to be old, run-down (of a building)Adjective4
노후한 건물은 정기적으로 안전 점검을 받아야 해요.Old buildings have to be inspected for safety regularly.
견고하다to be solid, robustAdjective4
이 성벽은 수백 년이 지났는데도 여전히 견고해요.This city wall is still solid even after hundreds of years.
적절하다to be appropriate, suitableAdjective4
회의에서 그런 농담은 적절하지 않은 것 같아요.I do not think that kind of joke is appropriate in a meeting.
뚜렷하다to be clear, distinctAdjective4
한국은 사계절이 뚜렷한 편이에요.Korea has fairly distinct seasons.
독특하다to be distinctive, unusualAdjective4
그 카페는 인테리어가 독특해서 사진을 찍으러 오는 사람이 많아요.That café has such a distinctive interior that many people come to take photos.
일반적이다to be general, usualAdjective4
한국에서는 식사할 때 숟가락과 젓가락을 함께 쓰는 것이 일반적이에요.In Korea it is usual to use a spoon and chopsticks together at meals.
구체적이다to be concrete, specificAdjective4
계획을 좀 더 구체적으로 설명해 주시겠어요?Could you explain the plan in a bit more detail?
A noun in -적 with 이다: 구체적인 예, 구체적으로.
풍부하다to be rich, abundantAdjective4
이 지역은 물이 풍부해서 농사가 잘돼요.Water is plentiful in this region, so farming does well.
엄격하다to be strictAdjective4
우리 아버지는 시간 약속에 아주 엄격하세요.My father is very strict about punctuality.
추상적이다to be abstractAdjective4
그 화가의 그림은 너무 추상적이라서 이해하기 어려워요.That painter’s pictures are so abstract that they are hard to understand.
명확하다to be clear, preciseAdjective4
보고서에는 목표를 명확하게 써야 해요.The goal must be stated clearly in the report.
Clear because it is precisely stated; 분명하다 is clear because it is certain.
애매하다to be vague, ambiguousAdjective4
대답이 너무 애매해서 찬성인지 반대인지 모르겠어요.The answer was so vague that I cannot tell whether they are for or against.
단순하다to be simpleAdjective4
이 게임은 규칙이 단순해서 아이들도 쉽게 할 수 있어요.The rules of this game are simple, so even children can play it easily.
Simple in structure, sometimes “simple-minded”; easy to do is 간단하다.
사소하다to be trivial, minorAdjective4
사소한 일로 친구와 다퉜어요.I quarrelled with a friend over something trivial.
중대하다to be serious, graveAdjective4
이번 결정은 회사의 미래에 중대한 영향을 미칠 거예요.This decision will have a serious effect on the company’s future.
치열하다to be fierce, intenseAdjective4
그 대학은 입학 경쟁이 아주 치열해요.Competition to get into that university is fierce.
평범하다to be ordinaryAdjective4
저는 평범한 회사원이지만 주말에는 밴드에서 기타를 쳐요.I am an ordinary office worker, but at weekends I play guitar in a band.
드물다to be rareAdjective4
이 동네에서는 밤늦게 문을 여는 가게가 드물어요.Shops that stay open late at night are rare in this neighbourhood.
The stem drops its last consonant before a noun: 드문 일, a rare thing.
유리하다to be advantageousAdjective4
외국어를 할 줄 알면 취업에 유리해요.Speaking a foreign language is an advantage when looking for a job.
불리하다to be disadvantageousAdjective4
경험이 없는 지원자는 아무래도 불리할 수밖에 없어요.Applicants without experience are inevitably at a disadvantage.
유연하다to be flexibleAdjective4
근무 시간이 유연해서 아이를 키우면서 일하기 좋아요.The working hours are flexible, so it is a good job to do while raising a child.
꾸준하다to be steady, consistentAdjective4
꾸준한 노력이 결국 좋은 결과를 만들어요.Steady effort produces good results in the end.
Often as an adverb: 꾸준히, steadily.
섬세하다to be delicate, subtleAdjective4
그 배우는 감정을 섬세하게 표현하는 것으로 유명해요.That actor is known for expressing emotions with great subtlety.
거대하다to be huge, enormousAdjective4
비행기에서 내려다본 도시는 정말 거대했어요.Seen from the plane, the city looked truly enormous.
유일하다to be the only one, uniqueAdjective4
그 사람은 이 마을에서 유일한 의사예요.He is the only doctor in this village.
시급하다to be urgentAdjective4
지금 가장 시급한 문제는 물을 구하는 거예요.The most urgent problem right now is finding water.
원활하다to be smooth (of a process)Adjective4
회의가 원활하게 진행될 수 있도록 자료를 미리 보내 드릴게요.I will send you the materials in advance so that the meeting runs smoothly.
엉뚱하다to be odd, unexpectedAdjective4
동생은 가끔 엉뚱한 질문을 해서 사람들을 웃게 만들어요.My younger brother sometimes asks off-the-wall questions that make people laugh.
생소하다to be unfamiliar, new to oneAdjective4
처음 듣는 용어가 많아서 내용이 좀 생소했어요.There were many terms I had never heard, so the content was rather unfamiliar.
Formal; said of knowledge or things one has not met before.
뛰어나다to be outstandingAdjective4
그 학생은 수학 실력이 뛰어나요.That student is outstanding at maths.
우수하다to be excellent, superiorAdjective4
이 제품은 품질이 우수해서 해외에서도 인기가 많아요.This product is of excellent quality, so it is popular abroad too.
무난하다to be safe, unremarkable, passableAdjective4
이 디자인은 화려하지 않지만 무난해서 누구에게나 잘 어울려요.This design is not flashy, but it is a safe choice that suits almost anyone.
뻔하다to be obvious, predictableAdjective4
그렇게 공부를 안 하면 결과는 뻔해요.If you do not study, it is obvious how it will turn out.
After a verb it means “nearly”, a different use: 넘어질 뻔했어요, “I nearly fell”.
급격하다to be sudden, sharp (of a change)Adjective4
기온이 급격하게 떨어져서 감기 환자가 늘었어요.The temperature dropped sharply, and more people have caught colds.
합리적이다to be rational, reasonableAdjective4
가격이 합리적이라서 이 식당에 자주 가요.The prices are reasonable, so I often go to this restaurant.
Said [함니저기다]. Of a price it means fair rather than cheap.
효율적이다to be efficientAdjective4
일을 효율적으로 하려면 계획부터 세우세요.If you want to work efficiently, start by making a plan.
비효율적이다to be inefficientAdjective4
같은 서류를 두 번 쓰는 건 비효율적이에요.Filling in the same form twice is inefficient.
객관적이다to be objectiveAdjective4
기사는 사실을 객관적으로 전달해야 해요.A news report should present the facts objectively.
Said [객꽌저기다].
주관적이다to be subjectiveAdjective4
맛은 주관적이라서 사람마다 평가가 달라요.Taste is subjective, so everyone judges differently.
현실적이다to be realisticAdjective4
목표는 높게 잡아도 계획은 현실적이어야 해요.You can aim high, but your plan has to be realistic.
이상적이다to be ideal; to be idealisticAdjective4
일주일에 사흘만 일하는 건 이상적이지만 쉽지 않아요.Working only three days a week is ideal, but it is not easy.
논리적이다to be logicalAdjective4
그의 설명은 짧지만 아주 논리적이에요.His explanation is short but very logical.
Said [놀리저기다].
감정적이다to be emotionalAdjective4
화가 나도 감정적으로 대응하지 마세요.Even if you are angry, do not react emotionally.
이성적이다to be rational (not emotional)Adjective4
중요한 결정은 이성적으로 내려야 해요.Important decisions should be made with a cool head.
Reason as opposed to feeling; 합리적이다 is sensible as opposed to wasteful or absurd.
비판적이다to be criticalAdjective4
뉴스를 볼 때는 비판적인 시각이 필요해요.You need a critical eye when you watch the news.
상대적이다to be relativeAdjective4
행복은 상대적이라고 생각해요.I think happiness is relative.
절대적이다to be absoluteAdjective4
부모님 말씀이 절대적이던 시대는 지났어요.The days when parents’ word was law are over.
Said [절때저기다].
근본적이다to be fundamentalAdjective4
이 문제는 근본적인 해결이 필요해요.This problem needs to be solved at the root.
결정적이다to be decisive, crucialAdjective4
마지막 골이 승리에 결정적이었어요.The last goal was what won the match.
Said [결쩡저기다].
효과적이다to be effectiveAdjective4
단어는 문장과 함께 외우는 게 더 효과적이에요.It is more effective to learn words together with sentences.
생산적이다to be productiveAdjective4
오늘은 정말 생산적인 하루였어요.Today was a really productive day.
경제적이다to be economical; to be financialAdjective4
가까운 곳은 걸어 다니는 게 건강에도 좋고 경제적이에요.For short distances, walking is good for your health and cheaper too.
Also “to do with money”: 경제적인 문제, a financial problem.
실용적이다to be practicalAdjective4
이 가방은 예쁘지는 않지만 아주 실용적이에요.This bag is not pretty, but it is very practical.
체계적이다to be systematicAdjective4
시험 준비는 체계적으로 하는 게 좋아요.It is best to prepare for exams systematically.
보편적이다to be universal; to be widespreadAdjective4
가족을 소중히 여기는 것은 보편적인 가치예요.Cherishing your family is a universal value.
획기적이다to be groundbreakingAdjective4
그 발명은 당시로서는 정말 획기적이었어요.That invention was truly groundbreaking for its time.
Said [획끼저기다].
타당하다to be valid, sound (of an argument)Adjective4
그의 주장은 충분히 타당해요.His argument is perfectly sound.
정당하다to be just, legitimate, fairAdjective4
일한 만큼 정당한 대가를 받아야 해요.You should be paid fairly for the work you do.
Spelt the same as 정당, a political party.
부당하다to be unjust, unfairAdjective4
부당한 대우를 받으면 참지 말고 말하세요.If you are treated unfairly, do not put up with it; speak up.
공평하다to be fair, even-handedAdjective4
케이크를 공평하게 여섯 조각으로 나눴어요.We cut the cake fairly into six pieces.
바람직하다to be desirableAdjective4
어릴 때부터 책을 읽는 습관을 들이는 것은 바람직해요.Getting into the habit of reading from an early age is a good thing.
Said [바람지카다].
마땅하다to be right and proper; to be suitableAdjective4
잘못했으면 사과하는 게 마땅해요.If you did something wrong, it is only right to apologise.
With a negative, “suitable”: 마땅한 곳이 없어요, there is nowhere suitable.
불확실하다to be uncertainAdjective4
앞날이 불확실해서 불안해요.The future is uncertain, so I feel uneasy.
모호하다to be vague, ambiguousAdjective4
대답이 너무 모호해서 무슨 뜻인지 모르겠어요.The answer was so vague that I do not know what it means.
유익하다to be worthwhile, beneficialAdjective4
오늘 강연은 정말 유익했어요.Today’s talk was really worthwhile.
Said [유이카다].
터무니없다to be absurd, outrageousAdjective4
관광지라서 그런지 가격이 터무니없이 비싸요.Maybe because it is a tourist spot, the prices are outrageous.
그럴듯하다to be plausibleAdjective4
그 변명은 꽤 그럴듯하게 들렸어요.The excuse sounded quite plausible.
형편없다to be awful, dreadfulAdjective4
그 식당은 음식 맛이 형편없었어요.The food at that restaurant was dreadful.
Said [형펴넙따].
탁월하다to be outstanding, excellentAdjective4
그는 문제를 해결하는 능력이 탁월해요.He has an outstanding gift for solving problems.
기발하다to be ingenious, originalAdjective4
정말 기발한 아이디어네요!What an ingenious idea!