3 · 40 words

Adverbs of attitude and degree

Suddenly, at last, on purpose, of course: adverbs that colour a sentence.

Several of these adverbs only work with a particular ending, and using them without it sounds unfinished: 절대 wants a negative, 마치 wants 처럼, 아무리 wants -아도/어도 ("however much"). Others carry the speaker's attitude rather than a fact — 괜히, for nothing; 일부러, on purpose; 억지로, against your will — which is why English often needs a whole clause where Korean needs one word.

The words

Adverb (40)

갑자기suddenlyAdverb3

길을 걷는데 갑자기 비가 쏟아졌어요.I was walking along when suddenly it started pouring.

드디어at last; finallyAdverb3

드디어 시험이 끝났어요!At last the exams are over!

For something you have been waiting for.

사실actually; in factAdverb3

사실 저는 매운 음식을 잘 못 먹어요.Actually, I can't really eat spicy food.

Also a noun, "fact": 그건 사실이에요.

물론of courseAdverb3

물론 저도 같이 갈 거예요.Of course I will come too.

특히especially; particularlyAdverb3

저는 과일을 좋아하는데 특히 딸기를 좋아해요.I like fruit, especially strawberries.

거의almost; nearly; hardlyAdverb3

숙제를 거의 다 했어요.I have almost finished my homework.

With a negative it means "hardly": 거의 없어요, there is hardly any.

계속continuously; on and onAdverb3

아침부터 계속 비가 와요.It has been raining non-stop since the morning.

서로each other; one anotherAdverb3

우리는 어려울 때 서로 많이 도와요.We help each other a lot when things are hard.

아무리however (much)Adverb3

아무리 바빠도 밥은 꼭 먹어야 해요.However busy you are, you must eat.

Usually with -아도/어도: 아무리 바빠도.

오히려rather; if anything; on the contraryAdverb3

약을 먹었는데 오히려 더 아파졌어요.I took the medicine, but if anything I felt worse.

For the opposite of what was expected.

마침just then; just in timeAdverb3

나가려고 하는데 마침 친구가 왔어요.Just as I was about to go out, my friend arrived.

At exactly the right moment, by chance.

일부러on purpose; deliberatelyAdverb3

일부러 그런 게 아니니까 화내지 마세요.I didn't do it on purpose, so please don't be angry.

Also "going out of your way": 일부러 와 주셔서 고마워요.

마치as if; just likeAdverb3

그 아이는 마치 어른처럼 말해요.That child talks just like a grown-up.

Paired with 처럼 or 것 같다.

절대never; absolutely (not)Adverb3

이 비밀은 절대 다른 사람에게 말하지 마세요.Never tell anyone else this secret.

Usually with a negative or a prohibition.

도대체on earth; at allAdverb3

도대체 어디에 있었어요?Where on earth were you?

Only in questions and complaints.

어쩌면perhaps; possiblyAdverb3

어쩌면 내일 눈이 올지도 몰라요.It might possibly snow tomorrow.

Often with -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다, "might".

대단히very; greatlyAdverb3

도와 주셔서 대단히 감사합니다.Thank you very much for your help.

Formal; heard in speeches and announcements.

무척very; extremelyAdverb3

오랜만에 친구를 만나서 무척 반가웠어요.I was very glad to see my friend after so long.

굉장히extremely; tremendouslyAdverb3

그 가수는 노래를 굉장히 잘해요.That singer sings extremely well.

엄청incredibly; a huge amountAdverb3

오늘 엄청 더워요.It is incredibly hot today.

Casual; in writing, 굉장히 or 대단히.

제발please (pleading)Adverb3

제발 조용히 좀 해 주세요.Please, just be quiet.

For begging or pleading; much stronger than 좀.

몹시extremely; terriblyAdverb3

어제는 바람이 몹시 불었어요.The wind was blowing terribly hard yesterday.

새로newly; anewAdverb3

집 앞에 카페가 새로 생겼어요.A new café has opened outside my home.

따로separately; apartAdverb3

계산은 따로 할게요.We will pay separately.

당장right now; immediatelyAdverb3

지금 당장 병원에 가 보세요.Go to the doctor right now.

도무지at all; simply (with a negative)Adverb3

그 사람이 무슨 말을 하는지 도무지 모르겠어요.I simply cannot work out what that person is saying.

Comes with a negative or with 모르다, like 전혀.

우선first of all; for nowAdverb3

우선 손부터 씻으세요.First of all, wash your hands.

혹시by any chanceAdverb2

혹시 이 근처에 약국이 있어요?Is there a pharmacy near here, by any chance?

역시as expected; after all; tooAdverb3

역시 집밥이 제일 맛있어요.Home cooking really is the best, after all.

Also "too", like 도.

얼른quickly; right awayAdverb3

늦었으니까 얼른 자요.It is late, so hurry up and go to sleep.

가만히still; quietlyAdverb3

사진 찍을 때 가만히 있어 주세요.Please keep still while I take the photo.

직접in person; yourself; directlyAdverb3

이 케이크는 제가 직접 만들었어요.I made this cake myself.

스스로by oneself; on one's ownAdverb3

아이가 이제 스스로 옷을 입어요.My child dresses by himself now.

그대로as it is; unchangedAdverb3

음식이 남으면 그대로 냉장고에 넣으세요.If there is food left over, put it in the fridge as it is.

괜히for nothing; needlesslyAdverb3

괜히 걱정했네요.I worried for nothing.

억지로by force; against your willAdverb3

배가 불렀지만 억지로 다 먹었어요.I was full, but I forced myself to eat it all.

마음대로as you like; at willAdverb3

여기 있는 책은 마음대로 읽어도 돼요.You may read the books here as you like.

다행히fortunately; luckilyAdverb3

다행히 크게 다친 사람은 없었어요.Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt.

원래originally; by nature; normallyAdverb3

저는 원래 아침을 안 먹어요.I don't normally eat breakfast.

It explains why something is the way it is: that is how it has always been.

꾸준히steadily; regularlyAdverb3

매일 꾸준히 운동해서 건강해졌어요.I exercised regularly every day and got healthier.

This list belongs to The scaffolding — 30 lists and 1195 words that can also be practised as a whole.

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