1 · 40 words

The first adverbs

Very, a little, together, again, now — the small words that shape a sentence.

A Korean adverb stands before the verb it belongs to: 천천히 말해요, “speak slowly”. The two words for “not” go right next to the verb — 안 for “do not”, 못 for “cannot” — and with a verb in 하다 they go between the noun and 하다: 공부 안 해요. 너무 once meant only “too much”; in speech today it is also just “very”.

The words

Adverb (40)

아주veryAdverb1

이 영화는 아주 재미있어요.This film is very interesting.

정말really, trulyAdverb1

정말 고마워요.Thank you so much.

진짜really (casual)Adverb1

그 식당 진짜 맛있어요.That restaurant is really good.

More casual than 정말.

너무too; veryAdverb1

이 신발은 너무 비싸요.These shoes are too expensive.

매우very (formal)Adverb1

내일은 날씨가 매우 춥겠습니다.Tomorrow will be very cold.

Written style and announcements; in speech 아주 or 정말.

꽤quite, fairlyAdverb1

한국어가 꽤 어려워요.Korean is quite difficult.

조금a little, a bitAdverb1

조금 기다려 주세요.Please wait a moment.

좀a bit; please (softening a request)Adverb1

창문 좀 열어 주세요.Could you open the window, please?

Short for 조금; in a request it makes it politer.

많이a lot, muchAdverb1

어제 저녁을 많이 먹었어요.I ate a lot at dinner yesterday.

Said [마니].

더moreAdverb1

하나 더 주세요.One more, please.

훨씬much (more), farAdverb1

지하철이 버스보다 훨씬 빨라요.The subway is much faster than the bus.

Only in comparisons.

가장most (formal)Adverb1

가장 가까운 역이 어디예요?Where is the nearest station?

Means the same as 제일; a little more formal.

다all, everythingAdverb1

숙제를 다 했어요.I have done all my homework.

별로not particularlyAdverb1

저는 고기를 별로 안 좋아해요.I don't really like meat.

Used with a negative verb.

전혀not at allAdverb1

저는 술을 전혀 못 마셔요.I can't drink alcohol at all.

Used with a negative verb.

같이togetherAdverb1

같이 점심 먹어요.Let's have lunch together.

Said [가치].

함께together (formal)Adverb1

저는 가족과 함께 살아요.I live with my family.

딱exactly, justAdverb1

지금 딱 열두 시예요.It is exactly twelve o'clock.

또again; alsoAdverb1

그 영화를 또 보고 싶어요.I want to see that film again.

다시again, once moreAdverb1

내일 다시 올게요.I will come back tomorrow.

빨리quickly, fastAdverb1

빨리 오세요.Come quickly.

천천히slowlyAdverb1

천천히 드세요.Take your time eating.

일찍earlyAdverb1

내일은 일찍 일어나야 해요.I have to get up early tomorrow.

늦게lateAdverb1

어제 늦게 일어났어요.I got up late yesterday.

곧soonAdverb1

버스가 곧 와요.The bus will be here soon.

금방in a moment; just nowAdverb1

금방 갈게요.I will be there in a minute.

Points both ways: 금방 왔어요 is “I have just arrived”.

바로right away; directlyAdverb1

수업이 끝나면 바로 집에 가요.I go straight home after class.

지금nowAdverb1

지금 어디에 있어요?Where are you now?

이제now (from now on); by nowAdverb1

이제 괜찮아요.I am all right now.

지금 is this moment; 이제 is now as against before.

잠깐for a momentAdverb1

여기 잠깐 앉아도 돼요?May I sit here for a moment?

오래for a long timeAdverb1

오래 기다렸어요?Have you been waiting long?

잘wellAdverb1

어제 잘 잤어요?Did you sleep well last night?

못cannotAdverb1

오늘은 못 가요.I can't go today.

못 is “cannot”, 안 is “do not”.

안notAdverb1

저는 아침을 안 먹어요.I don't eat breakfast.

열심히hard, diligentlyAdverb1

동생은 열심히 공부해요.My younger brother studies hard.

조용히quietlyAdverb1

도서관에서는 조용히 하세요.Please be quiet in the library.

그냥just; for no reasonAdverb1

그냥 물 주세요.Just water, please.

자꾸keep (doing), again and againAdverb1

동생이 자꾸 제 옷을 입어요.My younger sister keeps wearing my clothes.

크게loudly; in a big wayAdverb1

조금 더 크게 말해 주세요.Please speak a little louder.

조심히carefully, safelyAdverb1

밤에는 조심히 운전하세요.Drive carefully at night.

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

Practise this list

Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.