An entire information for learners

Once you begin taking on-line Korean classes, one of many belongings you’ll be taught is the right way to use Korean adjectives. These are tremendous vital for describing issues and telling folks how you are feeling.

What makes Korean adjectives particular is that they work otherwise from English, as they behave extra like verbs. However don’t fear, this information will provide help to perceive how these phrases work in Korean, and shortly you’ll be utilizing them like a professional!

Easy methods to conjugate adjectives in Korean

Korean adjectives, often known as descriptive verbs “상태동사” (sangtaedongsa), perform very similar to adjectives in English.

Nevertheless, in Korean, we will classify adjectives into two teams:

1. Adjectives which might be handled as verbs
2. Nouns that turn into verbs

Every follows particular conjugation patterns which will appear difficult initially however turn into pure with apply.

Varieties of Korean adjectives

In Korean, there are two kinds of adjectives: people who perform like verbs and people derived from nouns.

Korean descriptive verbs will all the time finish in “-다” (-da), as in “작다” (jakda, small). Nevertheless, we are going to see totally different endings relating to nouns changing into adjectives. The most typical ones are “-롭다” (-ropta), “-스럽다” (-seureopta), and “-적” (-jeok).

Whether or not it’s a descriptive verb or a noun, what’s vital is conjugating the phrase accurately, primarily based on its final vowel.

Now, let’s dive into every kind of Korean adjective we will discover and its correct formation.

Korean descriptive verbs ending with “-다” (-da)

Korean descriptive verbs sometimes finish in “-다” (-da), like in “예쁘다” (yeppeuda, fairly), and their conjugation relies on the syllable’s last vowel or ending.

Meaning, when conjugating the verb, you take away “-다” (-da) and add the ending “-아요/어요/여요” (-ayo/eoyo/yeoyo) relying on the final syllable of the phrase.

Right here’s the way it works:

• If the final vowel is “아” (a) or “오” (o), we add “-아요” (-ayo)
• If the final vowel doesn’t finish in “아” (a) or “오” (o), we use “-어요” (-eoyo)
• If the adjective ends in “하다” (hada), we add “-여요” (yeoyo)

Let’s have a look at just a few examples:

• “작다” (jakda, to be small): The final vowel once we take away the stem “-다” (-da) is “ㅏ” (a), so we are going to add “-아요” (-ayo), as in “작아요” (jagayo)
• “예쁘다” (yeppeuda, to be fairly): For the reason that final vowel is “ㅡ” (eu), we use “-어요” (-eoyo), as in “예뻐요” (yeppeoyo)
• “행복하다” (haengbokkada, to be glad): On this case, it ends with “-하다” (-hada, to do), so we add “-여요” (-yeoyo), as in “행복해요” (haengbokkaeyo)

Korean nouns with the ending “-롭다” (-ropta)

One other kind of Korean descriptive verb we are going to see usually is the one ending with “-롭다” (-ropta). Including that ending to a noun exhibits that the adjective describes the noun’s high quality.

These verbs will all be conjugated equally, because the final vowel will all the time be “ㅗ” (o).

For instance:

• “자유롭다” (jayuropta, new) is fashioned with the noun “자유” (jayu, freedom) and “-롭다” (-ropta). It is going to be conjugated as “자유로워요” (jayurowoyo)
• “신비롭다” (sinbiropta, mysterious) is fashioned with the noun “신비” (sinbi, thriller) and “-롭다” (-ropta). It is going to be conjugated as “신비로워요” (sinbirowoyo)

Korean nouns with the ending “-스럽다” (-seureopta)

This ending turns nouns into descriptive verbs that painting one thing taking up qualities it doesn’t naturally have.

For instance, if we are saying a constructing is “신비스럽다” (sinbiseureopta, mysterious-like), we imply it has an charisma or feels mysterious, though a constructing itself can not actually be a thriller. The constructing creates that impression via its look or environment.

Listed here are some examples:

• “자연스럽다” (jayeonseureopta, natural-like) is fashioned with “자연” (jayeon, nature) and “-스럽다” (-seureopta). It conjugates as “자연스러워요” (jayeonseureowoyo)
• “사랑스럽다” (sarangseureopta, beautiful/lovable) is fashioned with “사랑” (sarang, love) and “-스럽다” (-seureopta). It conjugates as “사랑스러워요” (sarangseureowoyo)
• “고통스럽다” (gotongseureopta, painful) is fashioned with “고통” (gotong, ache) and “-스럽다” (-seureopta). It conjugates as “고통스러워요” (gotongseureowoyo)

Korean nouns with the ending with “-적” (-jeok)

The ending “-적” (-jeok) is primarily connected to Sino-Korean nouns (phrases of Chinese language origin) to rework them into adjective-like expressions. This sample is just like how English makes use of suffixes like “-al” or “-ic,” (for instance, logic – logical, science – scientific). To conjugate it, we should add the verb “이다” (ida, to be) after “-적.”

As an example, once we say one thing is “과학적이다” (gwahakjeogida, scientific), we imply it has traits or approaches related to science.

Listed here are extra examples:

• “논리적이다” (nollijeogida, logical) is fashioned with “논리” (nolli, logic) + “적” (jeok) + “이다” (ida). It conjugates as “논리적이에요” (nollijeogieyo)
• “적극적이다” (jeokgeukjeogida, energetic/proactive) is fashioned with “적극” (jeokgeuk, energetic) + “적” (jeok) + “이다” (ida). It conjugates as “적극적이에요” (jeokgeukjeogieyo)
• “현실적이다” (hyeonsiljeogida, lifelike) is fashioned with “현실” (hyeonsil, actuality) + “적” (jeok) + “이다” (ida). It conjugates as “현실적이에요” (hyeonsiljeogieyo)

Easy methods to use Korean adjectives in sentences

In Korean, identical to in English, we will use adjectives in two methods: both earlier than the noun (“a fairly flower”) or on the finish of the sentence (“the flower is fairly”). The massive distinction is that Korean adjectives change their kind relying on the place they’re within the sentence.

When the adjective comes on the finish of the sentence, we conjugate it like we’ve seen earlier than:

• “이 꽃이 예뻐요” (i kkochi yeppeoyo, this flower is fairly)
• “새 집이 커요” (sae jibi keoyo, the brand new home is huge)

Once we wish to put the adjective earlier than the noun, we first want to have a look at what sort of adjective we’ve got. Bear in mind, we’ve got seen that adjectives can finish in “-다” (-da), “-롭다” (-ropta), “-스럽다” (-seureopta), and “-적” (-jeok).

For normal adjectives that finish in “-다” (-da) , we add “-ㄴ/은” (-n/eun) to the stem of the phrase. For instance: “예쁘다” (yeppeuda) turns into “예쁜 꽃” (yeppeun kkot, fairly flower).

For adjectives that finish in “-롭다” (-ropta), we modify the ending to “-로운” (-roun). As an example, “자유롭다” (jayuropta) turns into “자유로운 나라” (jayuroun nara, free nation).

If the adjective ends in “-스럽다” (-seureopta), we modify the ending to “-스러운” (-seureoun). For example, “자연스럽다” (jayeonseureopta) turns into “자연스러운 대화” (jayeonseureoun daehwa, pure dialog).

Lastly, for adjectives that finish with “-적” (-jeok), we merely add “-인” (-in) on the finish. For instance: “논리적” (nollijeok) turns into “논리적인 답변” (nollijeogin dabbyeon, logical reply).

Record of the commonest Korean adjectives

Lastly, we’ve put collectively a Korean adjectives checklist so you can begin studying the commonest phrases utilized in every day conversations.

Korean adjectives: Subsequent steps

All through this information, we’ve explored the elemental elements of adjectives in Korean, from primary conjugation patterns to their use in sentences. We’ve additionally realized how descriptive verbs perform otherwise from English adjectives and the way they alter kind relying on their place in a sentence.

To actually grasp Korean adjectives and take your language abilities to the following degree, take into account complementing your research with Preply’s 1-on-1 lessons to be taught Korean on-line. With personalised consideration from skilled tutors, you may apply these ideas in actual conversations and begin gaining extra confidence in utilizing Korean adjectives naturally and successfully!