Adjectives are an essential part of any language as they allow you to describe people, places and things. In Korean, adjectives are a little different than in Western languages, but they are just as important. Here are 17 common Korean adjectives you should learn if you're starting to study the language.
1. 좋다 (jot): This is the Korean adjective for "good". Can be used to describe anything you find pleasing or high quality. For example, you can say "이 영화는 좋다" (i yeonghwa-neun jota), which means "This movie is good".
2. 나쁘다 (nappeuda): This is the opposite of 좋다, and means "bad". You can use it to express dissatisfaction with something. For example, "그 음식은 나쁘다" (geu eumsig-eun nappeuda) means "This food is bad".
3. 크다 (keuda): This adjective means "big". Can be used to describe the physical size of something. For example, "그 집은 크다" (geu jib-eun keuda) means "That house is big".
4. 작다 (jakda): This is the opposite of 크다, and means "small". Can be used to describe something small in size. For example, "이 강아지는 작다" (i gangaji-neun jakda) means "This puppy is small".
5. 많다 (manda): This adjective means "many" or "many". Can be used to describe a large amount of something. For example, "나는 돈이 많다" (na-neun doni manda) means "I have a lot of money".
6. 적다 (jeokda): This is the opposite of 많다, and means "little" or "few". Can be used to describe a small amount of something. For example, "나는 시간이 적다" (na-neun sigani jeokda) means "I have little time".
7. 빠르다 (ppareuda): This adjective means "fast". Can be used to describe something or someone that moves quickly. For example, "그 차는 빠르다" (geu cha-neun ppareuda) means "That car is fast".
8. 느리다 (neurida): This is the opposite of 빠르다, and means "slow". Can be used to describe something or someone that moves slowly. For example, "그 거북이는 느리다" (geu geobugi-neun neurida) means "That turtle is slow".
9. 예쁘다 (yeppeuda): This adjective means "beautiful". Can be used to describe people, animals, objects, etc. For example, "그 여자는 예쁘다" (geu yeoja-neun yeppeuda) means "That woman is beautiful".
10. 못생기다 (motsaenggida): This is the opposite of 예쁘다, and means "ugly". Can be used to describe people, animals, objects, etc. For example, "그 남자는 못생겼다" (geu namja-neun motsaenggyeotda) means "That man is ugly".
11. 행복하다 (haengbokhada): This adjective means "happy". Can be used to describe an emotional state. For example, "나는 행복하다" (na-neun haengbokhada) means "I am happy".
12. 슬프다 (seulpeuda): This is the opposite of 행복하다, and means "sad". Can be used to describe an emotional state. For example, "나는 슬프다" (na-neun seulpeuda) means "I'm sad".
13. 재미있다 (jaemiitda): This adjective means "fun" or "interesting". Can be used to describe something you find enjoyable or interesting. For example, "이 책은 재미있다" (i chaeg-eun jaemiitda) means "This book is interesting".
14. 지루하다 (jiruhada): This is the opposite of 재미있다, and means "boring". Can be used to describe something that you find dull or dull. For example, "그 강의는 지루하다" (geu gang-ui-neun jiruhada) means "That lecture is boring".
15. 어렵다 (eoryeopda): This adjective means "difficult". Can be used to describe something you find challenging or complicated. For example, "이 문제는 어렵다" (i munje-neun eoryeopda) means "This problem is difficult".
16. 쉽다 (swipda): This is the opposite of 어렵다, and means "easy". Can be used to describe something you find simple or uncomplicated. For example, "이 레시피는 쉽다" (i resipi-neun swipda) means "This recipe is easy".
17. 따뜻하다 (ttatteuthada): This adjective means "hot". Can be used to describe the temperature of something. For example, "이 커피는 따뜻하다" (i keopi-neun ttatteuthada) means "This coffee is hot".
These are just a few of the many adjectives you will come across when learning Korean. Learning to use them correctly can help you express your ideas and feelings more effectively in Korean. So keep practicing and expanding your vocabulary!
