Just like how adjectives are used in English, Korean adjectives are that fun little thing that can make an otherwise dull sentence pop out with color and character. We imagine trying to come up with sentences without using any would often come across as quite flat and lifeless.
By equipping yourself with a diverse range of Korean adjective knowledge, you’re one step further into mastering a new language. On top of that, you’ve learned tons of words to dress up and add depth to your sentences.
In this lesson, we will teach you a little bit about how to use Korean adjectives and give you a list of the most common ones. To further help you understand how they are used, we have also prepared some sample sentences for you to view and take notes on. Let’s get learning!
Contents
What are Korean adjectives (Descriptive verbs)?
Just like in other languages, a Korean adjective also describes whether a noun is big or small, young or old, cheap or expensive, and so on. And just like with Korean verbs, there are also irregular adjectives in the Korean language.
How do you say “Korean adjectives” in Korean?
The word for “adjective” in the Korean language is 형용사 (hyeongyongsa). You can use it whenever you are talking about adjectives in general.
How to conjugate adjectives in Korean
Adjectives in Korean need to be conjugated when in use; instead of picking the Korean word out of a Korean dictionary and directly placing it into a sentence as you first saw it. After all, these conjugations give a more precise meaning to the Korean word.
We already have a blog post introducing you to the basic rules of Korean conjugation, but we’ll go over how to specifically conjugate Korean adjectives below.
- The basic way to conjugate a Korean adjective is by removing 다 from the word. You will then be left with the verb stem.
- The next step is to add the appropriate ending (~ㄴ/은/는) to the verb stem. This depends if the verb stem ends in a vowel or consonant.
- If the verb stem ends with a consonant, you will add ~은 or ~는. ~는 typically only follows after the verb stem ends in the letter ㅅ or ㅆ.
- In the case of a vowel, ~ㄴ is added to the verb stem.
- Note that typically Korean adjectives ending with ~적, such as religious (종교적 | jonggyojeok) are written with ~인 conjugation.
Conjugating irregular Korean adjectives
In the case of the aforementioned irregular Korean adjectives, here’s how to conjugate them.
- If the adjective stem ends in ㅂ, drop the ㅂ, and add ~운.
- If the adjective stem ends in ㄹ, the ㄹ gets dropped, and ~ㄴ is added to the stem, treating the word stem sort of like it ends in a vowel.
- Note that not all of the adjective stems ending in ㅂ are irregular descriptive verbs.
- Also, in some cases, when the adjective stems end in ㅎ, it will get dropped, and the stem gets treated as if it ends in a vowel. However, in some cases, the ㅎ remains, and the ~은 ending gets added instead.
Korean adjectives in their different forms
As you learn Korean further, you’ll notice that there are also situations where you can use the adjective in its basic form or dictionary form.
This is possible in situations where the Korean adjective comes after a noun, although typically only in certain types of written text. You might get to use it in an academic article but might look a little funny using it in a text conversation with a friend.
In many ways, conjugating Korean adjectives work the same way as conjugating a verb would. In fact, if we get technical with it, Korean adjectives are actually descriptive verbs derived from their base form, which is the infinitive verb form. They simply gain the form of a Korean adjective through correct conjugations.
Thus, in the Korean language, rather than separate Korean verbs and adjectives, there are action verbs (verbs) and descriptive verbs (adjectives). Some action verbs are also possible to shape into descriptive verbs by using them together with certain descriptive words.
Conjugated Korean adjectives list
Below are different examples of conjugated Korean adjectives to help you better understand the concept above.
| English | Verb Form | Conjugated Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| Happy | 행복하다 (haengbokada) | 행복한 (haengbokan) |
| Salty | 짜다 (jjada) | 짠 (jjan) |
| Blue | 파랗다 (parata) | 파란 (paran) |
| Good | 좋다 (jota) | 좋은 (joeun) |
| Small | 작다 (jakda) | 작은 (jageun) |
| Cool | 멋있다 (meositda) | 멋있는 (meosinneun) |
| Fun | 재미있다 (jaemiitda) | 재미있는 (jaemiinneun) |
| Hot | 덥다 (deopda) | 더운 (deoun) |
| Easy | 쉽다 (swipda) | 쉬운 (swiun) |
| Far | 멀다 (meolda) | 먼 (meon) |
| Rare | 드물다 (deumulda) | 드문 (deumun) |
| Attractive | 매력적 (maeryeokjeok) | 매력적인 (maeryeokjeogin) |
| Economical | 경제적 (gyeongjejeok) | 경제적인 (gyeongjejeogin) |
How to use Korean adjectives in sentences
There are two positions you can place the Korean adjective in a sentence: before or after the noun. Its placement determines the way it is conjugated.
- The adjective appears before the noun. If the adjective appears before the noun, for example, you are describing “a small house,” you will conjugate the adjective as shown above. This means that if a stem ends in a consonant, you can add ~은. If the stem ends in a vowel, you can add ~ㄴ, and then the irregular adjectives have their own ending.
- The adjective appears after the noun. In these cases, what you are saying is closer to “the house is small.” Here you can just use the dictionary form if it is in written text or used among close friends, or follow the regular conjugation of the different tenses. You can use either the present, past, or future tense with adjectives.
Most common Korean adjectives
Finally, here is the most useful and basic Korean adjectives list for you to learn. We’ve presented them in their dictionary form, but with the above directions, you will be able to use them in sentences. Below we’ve also included a few sample sentences to further illustrate how Korean adjectives act in sentences.
Korean adjectives – Colors
Below are Korean adjectives for colors. These adjectives can help you describe nouns easier, just as “blue eyes,” “yellow dress,” “black hair,” etc.
| English | Korean |
|---|---|
| Black | 검정색 (geomjeongsaek) |
| Blue | 파랑색 (parangsaek) 파랗다 (parata) |
| Brown | 갈색 (galsaek) |
| Gray | 회색 (hoesaek) |
| Green | 초록색 (choroksaek) |
| Orange | 주황색 (juhwangsaek) |
| Purple | 보라색 (borasaek) |
| Red | 빨간색 (ppalgansaek) 빨갛다 (ppalgata) |
| White | 하얀색 (hayansaek) 하얗다 (hayata) |
| Yellow | 노랑색 (norangsaek) |
You can also learn what more colors in Korean are called with our article on the topic. Note that while colors also count as adjectives, in the Korean language, they are not seen as descriptive verbs, unlike most other adjectives.
Korean adjectives – Distances, Sizes, and Shapes
If you’d like to describe nouns based on their dimensions, distances, sizes, and shapes, then you can familiarize the Korean adjectives list below.
| English | Korean |
|---|---|
| Big | 크다 (keuda) |
| Far | 멀다 (meolda) |
| Heavy | 무겁다 (mugeopda) |
| High | 높다 (nopda) |
| Light | 가볍다 (gabyeopda) |
| Little | 적다 (jeokda) |
| Long | 기다 (gida) |
| Low | 낮다 (natda) |
| Narrow | 좁다 (jopda) |
| Near | 가깝다 (gakkapda) |
| Round | 동그랗다 (donggeurata) |
| Sharp, pointed | 뾰족하다 (ppyojokada) |
| Sharp, pointed | 날카롭다 (nalkaropda) |
| Short | 짧다 (jjalda) |
| Short (in height) | 키가 작다 (kiga jakda) |
| Small | 작다 (jakda) |
| Soft | 부드럽다 (budeureopda) |
| Square | 정사각형 (jeongsagakyeong) |
| Square | 네모낳다 (nemonata) |
| Straight | 일자형 (iljahyeong) |
| Tall | 키가 크다 (kiga keuda) |
| Tiny | 아주 작다 (aju jakda) |
| Tough | 질기다 (jilgida) |
| Triangular | 삼각형 (samgakyeong) |
| Triangular | 세모낳다 (semonata) |
| Wide | 넓다 (neolda) |
Korean adjectives – Qualities and Situations
Korean adjectives can be used to describe the weather, a person, qualities, and situations. These words can help readers and listeners have a clearer picture of them.
In this section, you’ll learn the different adjectives in Korean that you can use to describe words for qualities of a person or weather, and other situations.
| English | Korean |
|---|---|
| Able | 할 수 있다 (hal su itda) |
| Abnormal | 비정상적 (bijeongsangjeok) |
| Accidental | 우연하다 (uyeonhada) |
| Adventurous | 모험적 (moheomjeok) |
| Alright | 괜찮다 (gwaenchanta) |
| Animated, brisk | 활발하다 (hwalbalhada) |
| Annoying | 짜증스럽다 (jjajeungseureopda) |
| Attractive, charming | 매력적 (maeryeokjeok) |
| Automatic | 자동적 (jadongjeok) |
| Available | 구할 수 있다 (guhal su itda) |
| Bad | 나쁘다 (nappeuda) |
| Bad | 불쾌하다 (bulkwaehada) |
| Beautiful | 아름답다 (areumdapda) |
| Beautiful (typically a man's action) | 멋지다 (meotjida) |
| Best | 제일 좋다 (jeil jota) |
| Bleak | 아슬아슬하다 (aseulaseulhada) |
| Blind | 맹목적 (maengmokjeok) |
| Blushing | 얼굴이 빨개지다 (eolguri ppalgaejida) |
| Bold | 대담하다 (daedamhada) |
| Boring | 지루하다 (jiruhada) |
| Bright | 밝다 (balda) |
| Central | 중심되다 (jungsimdoeda) |
| Certain | 확실하다 (hwaksilhada) |
| Cheap | 싸다 (ssada) |
| Chilly, frosty | 싸늘하다 (ssaneulhada) |
| Chronic | 고질적 (gojiljeok) |
| Chubby | 통통하다 (tongtonghada) |
| Circular | 둥그다 (dunggeuda) |
| Clean | 깨끗하다 (kkaekkeuthada) |
| Clear | 분명하다 (bunmyeonghada) |
| Closed | 닫히다 (datida) |
| Cold | 차갑다 (chagapda) |
| Cold (weather) | 춥다 (chupda) |
| Comfortable | 편안하다 (pyeonanhada) |
| Common | 흔하다 (heunhada) |
| Complete | 전적 (jeonjeok) |
| Complicated, crowded, jammed | 복잡하다 (bokjapada) |
| Continuous | 지속적 (jisokjeok) |
| Convenient, easy | 편하다 (pyeonhada) |
| Convenient | 편리하다 (pyeollihada) |
| Cool (in appearance) | 멋있다 (meositda) |
| Correct | 올바르다 (olbareuda) |
| Creepy, ghostly, spooky | 으스스하다 (euseuseuhada) |
| Crucial | 결정적이다 (gyeoljeongjeogida) |
| Curly | 곱슬곱슬하다 (gopseulgopseulhada) |
| Cute | 귀엽다 (gwiyeopda) |
| Damp | 축축하다 (chukchukada) |
| Dangerous | 위험하다 (wiheomhada) |
| Dark | 어둡다 (eodupda) |
| Dead | 죽다 (jukda) |
| Dear | 극진하다 (geukjinhada) |
| Deceiving | 기만적 (gimanjeok) |
| Democratic | 민주 적이다 (minju jeogida) |
| Detailed | 자세하다 (jasehada) |
| Detailed | 구체적 (guchejeok) |
| Detailed, meticulous, close | 면밀하다 (myeonmilhada) |
| Different | 다르다 (dareuda) |
| Difficult | 어렵다 (eoryeopda) |
| Dirty | 더럽다 (deoreopda) |
| Dry | 건조하다 (geonjohada) |
| Early | 이르다 (ireuda) |
| Easy | 쉽다 (swipda) |
| Economical | 경제적이다 (gyeongjejeogida) |
| Elegant, sophisticated, refined | 고상하다 (gosanghada) |
| Elegant, graceful | 우아하다 (uahada) |
| Empty | 비다 (bida) |
| Endless | 끝없다 (kkeuteopda) |
| Enjoyable | 즐겁다 (jeulgeopda) |
| Enormous | 막대하다 (makdaehada) |
| Exact | 정확하다 (jeonghwakada) |
| Exciting | 신이 나다 (sini nada) |
| Expensive | 비싸다 (bissada) |
| Faint, dim | 희미하다 (huimihada) |
| Faithful | 충실하다 (chungsilhada) |
| Famous | 유명하다 (yumyeonghada) |
| Famous | 뛰어나다 (ttwieonada) |
| Fast | 빠르다 (ppareuda) |
| Fat, overweight | 뚱뚱하다 (ttungttunghada) |
| Fatal | 치명적 (chimyeongjeok) |
| Fierce, wild, stormy | 사납다 (sanapda) |
| Formal | 공식적 (gongsikjeok) |
| Fresh | 신선하다 (sinseonhada) |
| Full | 가득하다 (gadeukada) |
| Fun, interesting | 재미있다 (jaemiitda) |
| Fundamental | 기본적 (gibonjeok) |
| Good | 좋다 (jota) |
| General | 일반적 (ilbanjeok) |
| Good looking, handsome | 잘생기다 (jalsaenggida) |
| Great, enormous | 엄청나다 (eomcheongnada) |
| Great | 대단하다 (daedanhada) |
| Hard | 딱딱하다 (ttakttakada) |
| Hasty | 황급하다 (hwanggeupada) |
| Horrible, terrible | 끔찍하다 (kkeumjjikada) |
| Hot | 뜨겁다 (tteugeopda) |
| Hot (weather) | 덥다 (deopda) |
| Huge | 거대하다 (geodaehada) |
| Damp, moist, humid | 습하다 (seupada) |
| Ideal | 이상적이다 (isangjeogida) |
| Important | 중요하다 (jungyohada) |
| Impossible | 불가능하다 (bulganeunghada) |
| Inconvenient | 불편하다 (bulpyeonhada) |
| Inexpensive | 값싸다 (gapssada) |
| Informal | 비공식적 (bigongsik) |
| Innovative | 획기적 (hoekgijeok) |
| Intentional | 의도적 (uidojeok) |
| International | 국제적이다 (gukjejeogida) |
| Late | 늦다 (neutda) |
| Legal | 합법적이다 (hapbeopjeogida) |
| Long-term | 장기적 (jangijeok) |
| Loose | 풀리다 (pullida) |
| Lovely | 사랑스럽다 (sarangseureopda) |
| Lucky, fortunate | 다행스럽다 (dahaengseureopda) |
| Mad | 미치다 (michida) |
| Major | 중대하다 (jungdaehada) |
| Manual | 수동적 (sudongjeok) |
| Married | 결혼을 하다 (gyeolhoneul hada) |
| Messy | 지저분하다 (jijeobunhada) |
| Messy | 엉만이다 (eongmanida) |
| Miraculous | 기적적 (gijeokjeok) |
| Moist | 촉촉하다 (chokchokada) |
| Much | 많다 (manta) |
| National | 전국적이다 (jeongukjeogida) |
| Natural | 정상적이다 (jeongsangjeogida) |
| Natural | 자연스럽다 (jayeonseureopda) |
| Necessary | 필요하다 (pillyohada) |
| New | 새롭다 (saeropda) |
| Noisy | 시끄럽다 (sikkeureopda) |
| Not interesting | 재미없다 (jaemieopda) |
| Old | 오래되다 (oraedoeda) |
| Only | 유일하다 (yuilhada) |
| Open | 열려 있다 (yeollyeo itda) |
| Ordinary | 평범하다 (pyeongbeomhada) |
| Painful | 아프다 (apeuda) |
| Painless | 고통 없다 (gotong eopda) |
| Past | 지나가다 (jinagada) |
| Perfect, complete, full | 완전하다 (wanjeonhada) |
| Personal | 사적 (sajeok) |
| Physical | 물질적 (muljiljeok) |
| Physical | 신체적 (sinchejeok) |
| Pleasant, enjoyable | 즐겁다 (jeulgeopda) |
| Popular | 인기 있다 (ingi itda) |
| Possible | 가능하다 (ganeunghada) |
| Powerful | 강하다 (ganghada) |
| Pretty | 예쁘다 (yeppeuda) |
| Pretty | 이쁘다 (ippeuda) |
| Psychological | 심리적 (simnijeok) |
| Qualitative | 질적 (jiljeok) |
| Rare | 드물다 (deumulda) |
| Ready | 준비가 되다 (junbiga doeda) |
| Real | 실재하다 (siljaehada) |
| Refreshing, cool | 시원하다 (siwonhada) |
| Regular, periodic | 주기적 (jugijeok) |
| Regular, even | 고르다 (goreuda) |
| Relative | 상대적 (sangdaejeok) |
| Religious | 종교적 (jonggyojeok) |
| Rich | 풍족하다 (pungjokada) |
| Right | 맞다 (matda) |
| Right | 정확하다 (jeonghwakada) |
| Rough | 거치다 (geochida) |
| Safe | 안전하다 (anjeonhada) |
| Same, similar | 같다 (gatda) |
| Scary | 무섭다 (museopda) |
| Serious | 심각하다 (simgakada) |
| Short-term | 단기적 (dangijeok) |
| Sick | 병들다 (byeongdeulda) |
| Silent | 고요하다 (goyohada) |
| Similar | 비슷하다 (biseuthada) |
| Simple, easy, brief | 간단하다 (gandanhada) |
| Simple | 단순하다 (dansunhada) |
| Simple, easy | 용이하다 (yongihada) |
| Single | 미혼 (mihon) |
| Skinny | 깡마르다 (kkangmareuda) |
| Slim | 날씬하다 (nalssinhada) |
| Slippery | 미끄럽다 (mikkeureopda) |
| Slow | 느리다 (neurida) |
| Slow | 느릿느릿하다 (neurinneurithada) |
| Smooth | 매끈하다 (maekkeunhada) |
| Special | 특별하다 (teukbyeolhada) |
| Strenuous, hard | 힘들다 (himdeulda) |
| Strong | 강력하다 (gangnyeokada) |
| Sturdy | 튼튼하다 (teunteunhada) |
| Successful | 성공적 (seonggongjeok) |
| Suspicious | 의심이 많다 (uisimi manta) |
| Talented, gifted | 재능이 있다 (jaeneungi itda) |
| Tentative | 시험적 (siheomjeok) |
| Thick | 두껍다 (dukkeopda) |
| Thin | 얇다 (yalda) |
| Thrilling | 흥분되다 (heungbundoeda) |
| Tidy | 깔끔하다 (kkalkkeumhada) |
| Tight | 단단하다 (dandanhada) |
| Traditional | 전통적 (jeontongjeok) |
| Ugly | 못생기다 (motsaenggida) |
| Unfortunate, sorry | 유감스럽다 (yugamseureopda) |
| Uninteresting | 재미없다 (jaemieopda) |
| Unstable (weather) | 변덕스럽다 (byeondeokseureopda) |
| Urgent | 급하다 (geupada) |
| Useful | 유용하다 (yuyonghada) |
| Useless | 소용없다 (soyongeopda) |
| Various | 다양하다 (dayanghada) |
| Weird, strange | 이상하다 (isanghada) |
| Well-built | 체격이 좋다 (chegyeogi jota) |
| Wet | 젖다 (jeotda) |
| Wrong | 잘못되다 (jalmotdoeda) |
| Wrong | 틀리다 (teullida) |
Would you also love to find out how to describe different weathers and seasons? Head over to our article about Weather and Seasons in Korean!
Korean adjectives – Traits, feelings, and moods
Here are adjectives in the Korean language to describe someone’s traits, feelings, and moods. You can better express whether you’re happy, sad, or any emotions that you currently feel. If you’re saying these through text, you can even pair these words with emoticons to express yourself better.
| English | Korean |
|---|---|
| Absentminded, blank, abstracted | 망연하다 (mangyeonhada) |
| Active | 적극적 (jeokgeukjeok) |
| Active, energetic | 활기차다 (hwalgichada) |
| Alert | 기민하다 (giminhada) |
| Amused | 재미있어 하다 (jaemiisseo hada) |
| Angry | 화나다 (hwanada) |
| Annoyed | 짜증나다 (jjajeungnada) |
| Anxious | 불안하다 (buranhada) |
| Arrogant | 거만하다 (geomanhada) |
| Awkward | 어섹하다 (eosekhada) |
| Bashful | 부끄럽다 (bukkeureopda) |
| Boastful | 자랑스럽다 (jarangseureopda) |
| Bored | 심심하다 (simsimhada) |
| Brave | 씩씩하다 (ssikssikada) |
| Brave | 용감하다 (yonggamhada) |
| Busy | 바쁘다 (bappeuda) |
| Calm | 침착하다 (chimchakada) |
| Calm, still, hushed | 고요하다 (goyohada) |
| Careful | 조심하다 (josimhada) |
| Careful | 꼼꼼하다 (kkomkkomhada) |
| Cautious | 조심스럽다 (josimseureopda) |
| Cautious | 신중하다 (sinjunghada) |
| Cheerful | 쾌활하다 (kwaehwalhada) |
| Cheerful | 유쾌하다 (yukwaehada) |
| Clever | 영리하다 (yeongnihada) |
| Clumsy | 서투르다 (seotureuda) |
| Comfortable | 편하다 (pyeonhada) |
| Concerned, worried, troubled | 근심스럽다 (geunsimseureopda) |
| Confused | 혼란스럽다 (hollanseureopda) |
| Cool | 쿨하다 (kulhada) |
| Cooperative | 협동적 (hyeopdongjeok) |
| Courageous | 용기있다 (yonggiitda) |
| Cowardly | 겁이 많다 (geobi manta) |
| Cruel | 잔인하다 (janinhada) |
| Curious | 궁금하다 (gunggeumhada) |
| Defiant | 도전적 (dojeonjeok) |
| Delicate | 연약하다 (yeonyakada) |
| Depressed | 우울하다 (uulhada) |
| Determined | 단호하다 (danhohada) |
| Diligent | 부지런하다 (bujireonhada) |
| Dramatic | 극적 (geukjeok) |
| Eager | 절절하다 (jeoljeolhada) |
| Embarrassed | 당황하다 (danghwanghada) |
| Energetic | 정력을 요하다 (jeongnyeogeul yohada) |
| Enthusiastic | 열정적 (yeoljeongjeok) |
| Envious | 부럽다 (bureopda) |
| Excited | 신나다 (sinnada) |
| Fancy, showy | 화려하다 (hwaryeohada) |
| Feeling stressed out | 스트레스 받다 (seuteureseu batda) |
| Ferocious, fierce, vehement, violent | 맹렬하다 (maengnyeolhada) |
| Fervent, devout | 열렬하다 (yeollyeolhada) |
| Fervent, enthusiastic, wild | 열광적 (yeolgwangjeok) |
| Free | 자유롭다 (jayuropda) |
| Free (idle) | 한가하다 (hangahada) |
| Full | 배부르다 (baebureuda) |
| Funny, hilarious | 우습다 (useupda) |
| Generous | 후하다 (huhada) |
| Generous | 관대하다 (gwandaehada) |
| Glad, pleased, delighted | 기쁘다 (gippeuda) |
| Good-humored | 상냥하다 (sangnyanghada) |
| Happy | 행복하다 (haengbokhada) |
| Hard-working | 근면하다 (geunmyeonhada) |
| Hard-working | 부지런히 일하다 (bujireonhi ilhada) |
| Healthy | 건강하다 (geonganghada) |
| Helpful | 도움이 되다 (doumi doeda) |
| Helpless | 무력하다 (muryeokada) |
| Honest, frank | 솔직하다 (soljikada) |
| Humble | 천하다 (cheonhada) |
| Hungry | 배고프다 (baegopeuda) |
| Hungry | 배가 고프다 (baega gopeuda) |
| Indifferent, ignorant | 무관심하다 (mugwansimhada) |
| Innocent, naive | 천진난만하다 (cheonjinnanmanhada) |
| Instinctive | 본능적 (bonneungjeok) |
| Jealous | 질투하다 (jiltuhada) |
| Kind, friendly | 친절하다 (chinjeolhada) |
| Lazy | 게으르다 (geeureuda) |
| Lazy, relaxed | 느긋하다 (neugeuthada) |
| Lazy | 여유롭다 (yeoyuropda) |
| Lonely | 외롭다 (oeropda) |
| Loud | 시끄럽다 (sikkeureopda) |
| Mean | 비열하다 (biyeolhada) |
| Naughty | 버릇없다 (beoreuseopda) |
| Nervous | 불안해 하다 (buranhae hada) |
| Nice | 착하다 (chakada) |
| Obedient | 순순하다 (sunsunhada) |
| Old | 늙다 (neulda) |
| Outgoing | 사교적이다 (sagyojeogida) |
| Polite | 공손하다 (gongsonhada) |
| Poor | 가난하다 (gananhada) |
| Quiet | 조용하다 (joyonghada) |
| Relaxed | 여유 있다 (yeoyu itda) |
| Rich | 돈 많다 (don manta) |
| Rich | 부유하다 (buyuhada) |
| Rude | 무례하다 (muryehada) |
| Sad | 슬프다 (seulpeuda) |
| Scared | 무섭다 (museopda) |
| Selfish | 이기적이다 (igijeogida) |
| Serious | 진지하다 (jinjihada) |
| Shy | 수줍다 (sujupda) |
| Sleepy, drowsy | 졸리다 (jollida) |
| Smart | 똑똑하다 (ttokttokada) |
| Social | 사회적이다 (sahoejeogida) |
| Sorrowful, grief-stricken | 비통하다 (bitonghada) |
| Strict | 엄격하다 (eomgyeokada) |
| Strong | 강하다 (ganghada) |
| Stupid | 멍청하다 (meongcheonghada) |
| Surprised | 놀라다 (nollada) |
| Tired | 피곤하다 (pigonhada) |
| Thirsty | 목이 마르다 (mogi mareuda) |
| Thoughtful | 생각이 깊다 (saenggagi gipda) |
| Uncomfortable | 불편하다 (bulpyeonhada) |
| Weak | 약하다 (yakada) |
| Well-behaved | 예의 바르다 (yeui bareuda) |
| Worried, concerned | 걱정하다 (geokjeonghada) |
| Young | 젊다 (jeolda) |
“Funny” in Korean
To describe something as “funny” in Korean, just like Korean jokes or comedy movies, you can say 우습다 (useupda). This word can also mean “hilarious.”
“Nice” in Korean
The Korean word for “nice” is 착하다 (chakada). You can use this to describe someone kind or good-hearted. For instance, if you asked for someone’s help and someone offered you assistance, then this word can describe them.
“Sleepy” in Korean
The word for “sleepy” in Korean is 졸리다 (jollida). But if you mean to say “tired,” you can use the term 피곤하다 (pigonhada) instead.
“Mean” in Korean
The word for “mean” in Korean is 비열하다 (biyeolhada),
Korean adjectives – Tastes
Here are some adjectives in Korean to help with describing nouns with certain tastes and textures. These adjectives will come in handy if you’d like to describe what a certain Korean dish tastes like for you.
| English | Korean |
|---|---|
| Bitter | 쓰다 (sseuda) |
| Bland, tasteless | 싱겁다 (singgeopda) |
| Chewy | 쫄깃쫄깃하다 (jjolgitjjolgithada) |
| Crispy | 바삭바삭하다 (basakbasakhada) |
| Delicious | 맛있다 (masitda) |
| Disgusting | 역겹다 (yeokgyeopda) |
| Fermented | 발효되다 (balhyodoeda) |
| Fishy | 비리다 (birida) |
| Flat | 김빠지다 (gimppajida) |
| Greasy | 느끼하다 (neukkihada) |
| Not delicious | 맛없다 (mateopda) |
| Fatty, greasy, oily | 기름지다 (gireumjida) |
| Salty | 짜다 (jjada) |
| Sour | 시다 (sida) |
| Sour | 시큼하다 (sikeumhada) |
| Spicy | 매콤하다 (maekomhada) |
| Spicy | 맵다 (maepda) |
| Stale | 신선하지 않다 (seonseonhaji anta) |
| Sweet | 달콤하다 (dalkomhada) |
| Sweet | 달다 (dalda) |
| Soft, tender, ripe | 말랑하다 (mallanghada) |
Sample sentences for Korean adjectives
To get you properly started with using Korean adjectives in sentences, here is an ample amount of examples of Korean sentences. You can study each sentence and its meaning for you to understand how to use adjectives in the Korean language better.
우리 고양이는 너무 귀엽지? (uri goyangineun neomu gwiyeopji?)
비싼 프라다 가방을 사고 싶어요. (bissan peurada gabangeul sago sipeoyo.)
I want to buy an expensive Prada bag.
그 발코니가 되게 넓어요. (geu balkoniga doege neolbeoyo.)
The balcony is very wide.
북유럽에서는 여름에 거의 자정까지 바깥 날씨가 밝다. (bungnyureobeseoneun yeoreume geoui jajeongkkaji bakkat nalssiga balda.)
In Northern Europe, it is light outside until almost midnight in the summer.
와, 한라산을 오르는 게 이렇게 힘든 줄은 몰랐네. (wa, hallasaneul oreuneun ge ireoke himdeun jureun mollanne.)
Whoa, I did not realize it was this hard to hike up Hallasan.
오늘 정말 높은 굽의 신발을 신고 싶어요. (oneul jeongmal nopeun gubui sinbareul singo sipeoyo.)
Today I want to wear shoes with really high heels.
제일 가까운 병원은 어디예요? (jeil gakkaun byeongwoneun eodiyeyo?)
Where is the nearest hospital?
미국에서 한국까지 너무 멀어요. 비행시간은 13시간이 넘네요! (migugeseo hangukkkaji neomu meoreoyo. bihaengsiganeun 13sigani neomneyo!)
The USA is really far from South Korea. The flight time is over 13 hours!
나는 긴 머리가 갖고 있는것 좋아요. (naneun gin meoriga gatgo inneungeot joayo.)
I like having long hair.
그 사람은 기쁜 사람인가요? (geu sarameun gippeun saramingayo?)
I wonder if that person is pleased?
세계에서 가장 아름다운 곳이 어디라고 생각하나요? (segyeeseo gajang areumdaun gosi eodirago saenggakanayo?)
Where do you think is the most beautiful place in the world?
그 영화가 생각보다 더 괜찮았네. (geu yeonghwaga saenggakboda deo gwaenchananne.)
That movie was nicer than I thought it would be.
나는 놀라서 크게 소리를 질렀다. (naneun nollaseo keuge sorireul jilleotda.)
이 수업이 너무 지루해. (i sueobi neomu jiruhae.)
This class is so boring.
내일 편안한 옷을 입고 오세요. (naeil pyeonanhan oseul ipgo oseyo.)
Please wear comfortable clothes tomorrow.
아! 방금 발목을 삐었어요. 너무 아파요! (a! banggeum balmogeul ppieosseoyo. neomu apayo!)
Oh! I just sprained my ankle. It hurts so much!
저는 파랑색을 제일 좋아해요. (jeoneun parangsaegeul jeil joahaeyo.)
그 하얀 집은 엄청 예쁘지 아닌가요? (geu hayan jibeun eomcheong yeppeuji aningayo?)
Isn’t that white house really pretty?
한국에서 단 빵은 인기가 많아요. (hangugeseo dan ppangeun ingiga manayo.)
Sweet bread is popular in South Korea.
Sample Conversation:
당신의 남동생은 아주 조용한 사람인것 같아요. (dangsinui namdongsaengeun aju joyonghan saramingeot gatayo.)
Your brother seems to be a very quiet person.
A: 클럽에 갈래요? (keulleobe gallaeyo?)
Wanna go to a club?
B: 미안해요, 복잡한 장소들은 안좋아해요. (mianhaeyo, bokjapan jangsodeureun anjoahaeyo.)
I’m sorry, I don’t like crowded places.
A: 토마스 씨, 들 수 있는 가장 무거운 무게는 뭐예요? (tomaseu ssi, deul su inneun gajang mugeoun mugeneun mwoyeyo?)
Thomas, what is the heaviest weight that you can lift?
B: 스쿼트에서 100kg을 들 수 있어요. (seukwoteueseo 100kgeul deul su isseoyo.)
I can lift 100kg in squats.
A: 너도 어제 숙제가 유난히 어렵다고 생각했니? (neodo eoje sukjega yunanhi eoryeopdago saenggakaenni?)
Did you think yesterday’s homework was unusually difficult?
B: 안 그래? 너무 쉬운 줄 알았어. (an geurae? neomu swiun jul arasseo.)
It wasn’t, though? I thought it was super easy!
Wrap Up
Wow! That are so many new cool Korean adjectives and words for you to learn today! If you are still in the mood to widen your Korean vocabulary today after that mammoth of a list of Korean adjectives, why not check out our more general list of most popular Korean words? Can’t go wrong with this resource in learning Korean!
Also, below in the comments, we’d love to know what your most commonly used Korean adjectives are. Perhaps you could try to showcase them by using Korean adjectives only? We’re excited to know the most popular adjectives used as we learn Korean these days!
Why do Koreans sometimes use ~ineun to conjugate some adjectives?
Hi, ~이는 can be often found in verbs that ends with 이다. For example, 반짝이는 별 (=twinkling start) is from the verb 반짝이다 (to twinkle). If there is an adjective that has letter 이 at the end of the roots, you would add 는 after it and then you will also have ~이는.
How do I conjugate the adjectives based on tense?
Hi Nari, you can conjugate adjectives in the same way you do with the verbs. For example, for the past tense, use -았어요 (asseoyo) and 었어요 (eosseoyo), like 걸었어요 for “walked”, 길었어요 for “was long.”
To learn more about that, you can check out our article Korean Conjugation – How to Use Verbs & Adjectives