A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding, Conjugating, and Using Korean Adjectives
Korean adjectives, known as 형용사 (hyeongyongsa), are unique in that they function similarly to verbs. They can be used as predicates and undergo conjugation to express tense, politeness level, and mood.
These describe qualities or states of being.
크다 (keuda) - to be big
작다 (jakda) - to be small
예쁘다 (yeppeuda) - to be pretty
These point out specific nouns.
이 (i) - this (for singular nouns that are close)
그 (geu) - that (for singular nouns that are farther away)
저 (jeo) - that (for singular nouns that are far from both the speaker and listener)
이들 (ideul) - these (for plural nouns that are close)
그들 (geudeul) - those (for plural nouns that are farther away)
저들 (jeodeul) - those (for plural nouns that are far from both the speaker and listener)
Which of the following is NOT a descriptive adjective?
Korean adjectives conjugate based on tense, politeness level, and sentence ending.
Dictionary form: 크다 (keuda) - to be big
Conjugated: 커요 (keoyo) - is big
Rule: Remove -다, add -어요/-아요 (depending on the vowel)
Dictionary form: 예쁘다 (yeppeuda) - to be pretty
Conjugated: 예뻤어요 (yeppeosseoyo) - was pretty
Rule: Remove -다, add -었어요/-았어요
Dictionary form: 작다 (jakda) - to be small
Conjugated: 작을 거예요 (jageul geoyeyo) - will be small
Rule: Remove -다, add -을 거예요/-ㄹ 거예요
What is the correct present tense conjugation of 좋다 (johda) in informal polite form?
Korean adjectives can function as the main verb of a sentence.
날씨가 좋아요. (Nalsiga joayo.) - The weather is good.
이 책이 재미있어요. (I chaegi jaemiisseoyo.) - This book is interesting.
To modify a noun, use the adjective stem + -ㄴ/-은.
큰 집 (keun jip) - big house
작은 개 (jageun gae) - small dog
예쁜 꽃 (yeppun kkot) - beautiful flower
좋은 책 (joheun chaek) - good book
빠른 자동차 (ppareun jadongcha) - fast car
행복한 사람 (haengbokhan saram) - happy person
긴 나무 (gin namu) - tall tree
차가운 물 (chagaun mul) - cold water
새로운 아이디어 (saeroun aidea) - new idea
어두운 방 (eoduun bang) - dark room
Which sentence correctly uses an adjective as a modifier?
Here are some examples of Korean adjectives used in sentences, conjugated in the present tense (polite form):
크다 (keuda) - 커요 (keoyo)
이 사과는 커요. (This apple is big.)
작다 (jakda) - 작아요 (jakayo)
그 고양이는 작아요. (That cat is small.)
좋다 (johta) - 좋아요 (joayo)
이 영화는 좋아요. (This movie is good.)
나쁘다 (nappeuda) - 나빠요 (napayo)
그 날씨는 나빠요. (The weather is bad.)
빠르다 (ppareuda) - 빨라요 (ppallayo)
그는 정말 빨라요. (He is really fast.)
느리다 (neurida) - 느려요 (neuryeoyo)
이 차는 느려요. (This car is slow.)
새롭다 (saeropda) - 새로워요 (saerowoyo)
이 책은 새로워요. (This book is new.)
오래되다 (oraedaeda) - 오래돼요 (oraedoeyo)
이 건물은 오래돼요. (This building is old.)
가볍다 (gabyeopda) - 가벼워요 (gabyeowoyo)
이 가방은 가벼워요. (This bag is light.)
무겁다 (mugeopda) - 무거워요 (mugeowoyo)
이 상자는 무거워요. (This box is heavy.)
재미있다 (jaemiitda) - 재미있어요 (jaemiisseoyo)
이 게임은 재미있어요. (This game is interesting.)
재미없다 (jaemi eopda) - 재미없어요 (jaemi eopseoyo)
그 수업은 재미없어요. (That class is boring.)
깨끗하다 (kkaekkeuthada) - 깨끗해요 (kkaekkeutaeyo)
이 방은 깨끗해요. (This room is clean.)
더럽다 (deoreopda) - 더러워요 (deoreowoyo)
그 길은 더러워요. (That road is dirty.)
따뜻하다 (ttatteuthada) - 따뜻해요 (ttatteuthaeyo)
오늘 날씨는 따뜻해요. (Today's weather is warm.)
차갑다 (chagapda) - 차가워요 (chagawoyo)
이 물은 차가워요. (This water is cold.)
길다 (gilda) - 길어요 (gileoyo)
이 길은 길어요. (This road is long.)
짧다 (jjalbda) - 짧아요 (jjalayo)
내 치마는 짧아요. (My skirt is short.)
어두다 (eoduda) - 어두워요 (eoduwayo)
이 방은 어두워요. (This room is dark.)
밝다 (balgda) - 밝아요 (balgayo)
그 방은 밝아요. (That room is bright.)
편하다 (pyeonhada) - 편해요 (pyeonhaeyo)
이 의자는 편해요. (This chair is comfortable.)
불편하다 (bulpyeonhada) - 불편해요 (bulpyeonhaeyo)
그 신발은 불편해요. (Those shoes are uncomfortable.)
친절하다 (chinjeolhada) - 친절해요 (chinjeolhaeyo)
그녀는 매우 친절해요. (She is very kind.)
냉정하다 (naengjeonghada) - 냉정해요 (naengjeonghaeyo)
그는 냉정해요. (He is calm/cold emotionally.)
성실하다 (seongsilhada) - 성실해요 (seongsilhaeyo)
그는 성실해요. (He is diligent.)
게으르다 (geureuda) - 게을러요 (geureureoyo)
그는 게을러요. (He is lazy.)
똑똑하다 (ttokttokhada) - 똑똑해요 (ttokttokhaeyo)
그녀는 똑똑해요. (She is smart/clever.)
어리다 (eorida) - 어려요 (eorieoyo)
그는 아직 어려요. (He is still young.)
늙다 (neulgda) - 늙어요 (neuleoyo)
나무가 늙어요. (The tree is old.)
Which of the following sentences uses the adjective correctly?