Language/Korean/Grammar/Describing-Things

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Korean → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Describing Things

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the topic of describing things in Korean. Being able to accurately describe the size, color, and shape of objects is an essential skill in any language, and Korean is no exception. By mastering this grammar point, you will be able to express yourself more precisely and have more engaging conversations with native Korean speakers.

Throughout this lesson, we will cover the different vocabulary words used to describe things, as well as the grammar patterns and sentence structures necessary to form descriptive sentences. We will provide numerous examples to help you understand and apply what you've learned, and we will also delve into the cultural aspects related to describing things in Korean.

Let's begin!

Vocabulary

Before we dive into the grammar, let's first familiarize ourselves with some Korean vocabulary related to describing things. These words will be useful when forming descriptive sentences and expressing our thoughts about various objects.

Below are some common words and their translations:

Korean	Pronunciation	English Translation
크다	keuda	big
작다	jakda	small
높다	nopda	tall
낮다	nadda	short
짧다	jjalbda	short (length)
길다	gilda	long
넓다	neopda	wide
좁다	jobda	narrow
빠르다	ppareuda	fast
느리다	neurida	slow
예쁘다	yeppeuda	pretty
멋있다	meositta	handsome/beautiful
흔하다	heunhada	common
특별하다	teukbyeolhada	special
새롭다	saeropda	new
오래되다	oraedoeda	old (object)
깨끗하다	kkaekkethada	clean
더럽다	deoreopda	dirty
밝다	balkda	bright
어둡다	eodupda	dark
예전의	yejeonui	previous
현재의	hyeonjaeui	current

Take your time to familiarize yourself with these words and their pronunciations. They will be the building blocks for the descriptive sentences we will learn in the next sections.

Descriptive Sentences

Now that we have a good foundation of vocabulary words, let's move on to forming descriptive sentences in Korean. Descriptive sentences are structured in a similar way to English, with the adjective preceding the noun it describes.

To form a descriptive sentence, follow this pattern:

Adjective + Noun

Let's look at some examples:

• 큰 고양이 (keun goyangi) - big cat
• 작은 개 (jageun gae) - small dog
• 높은 산 (nop-eun san) - tall mountain
• 낮은 테이블 (nad-eun teibeul) - short table
• 짧은 치마 (jjalb-eun chima) - short skirt
• 긴 다리 (gin dali) - long legs
• 넓은 방 (neolb-eun bang) - wide room
• 좁은 길 (job-eun gil) - narrow road
• 빠른 차 (ppaleun cha) - fast car
• 느린 기차 (neulin gicha) - slow train
• 예쁜 꽃 (yeppeun kkot) - pretty flower
• 멋있는 남자 (meosissneun namja) - handsome man
• 흔한 음식 (heunhan eumsig) - common food
• 특별한 경험 (teukbyeolhan gyeongheom) - special experience
• 새로운 아이디어 (saeroun aideo) - new idea
• 오래된 건물 (oraedoen geonmul) - old building
• 깨끗한 방 (kkaekkethan bang) - clean room
• 더러운 옷 (deoreoun ot) - dirty clothes
• 밝은 별 (balgeun byeol) - bright star
• 어두운 밤 (eodun bam) - dark night
• 예전의 사진 (yejeonui sajin) - previous photo
• 현재의 상황 (hyeonjaeui sanghwang) - current situation

As you can see, the adjective comes before the noun it describes. This is a straightforward and simple structure that allows us to express our thoughts about various objects and their characteristics.

Remember to pay attention to the pronunciation of the words and practice saying them out loud. It will help you become more comfortable with the language and improve your conversational skills.

Now, let's move on to some more advanced grammar patterns that will allow us to provide more detailed descriptions.

Comparative Sentences

In addition to simply describing things, we often find ourselves comparing two or more objects. To form comparative sentences in Korean, we use the following pattern:

Noun1은/는 Adjective(으)ㄴ Noun2보다 Adjective(으)ㄴ/은 Noun3이다.

Let's break down the pattern:

• Noun1: The first noun we are comparing.
• 은/는: The topic marker, used depending on the noun's role in the sentence.
• Adjective(으)ㄴ: The adjective describing the characteristics of the nouns.
• Noun2: The second noun we are comparing to.
• 보다: The particle indicating comparison.
• Adjective(으)ㄴ/은: The adjective form agreeing with the noun.
• Noun3: An additional noun for comparison.
• 이다: The copula verb "to be."

Let's see some examples:

• 나는 고양이보다 개가 더 예뻐요. (Naneun goyang-i boda gaega deo yeppeoyo.) - I think dogs are prettier than cats.
• 이 책은 저 책보다 더 재미있어요. (I chaeg-eun jeo chaegboda deo jaemiisseoyo.) - This book is more interesting than that book.
• 여름은 겨울보다 더 덥습니다. (Yeoreum-eun gyeoulboda deo deobsseumnida.) - Summer is hotter than winter.
• 이 방은 저 방보다 더 큽니다. (I bang-eun jeo bangboda deo keumnida.) - This room is bigger than that room.
• 이 음식은 저 음식보다 더 맛있어요. (I eumsig-eun jeo eumsigboda deo masisseoyo.) - This food is more delicious than that food.

Comparative sentences allow us to express the differences between objects and provide a more nuanced description. By using the comparative form of adjectives, we can compare various characteristics and preferences.

Now, let's move on to superlative sentences.

Superlative Sentences

Superlative sentences allow us to express the highest or lowest degree of a characteristic among a group of objects. To form superlative sentences in Korean, we use the following pattern:

Noun 중에서 가장 Adjective(은/는) Noun이다.

Let's break down the pattern:

• Noun: The noun we are comparing.
• 중에서: Among.
• 가장: The superlative marker meaning "the most."
• Adjective(은/는): The adjective describing the characteristic of the noun.
• Noun: The noun we are comparing.

Here are some examples:

• 이 영화는 다른 영화 중에서 가장 재미있어요. (I yeonghwaneun daleun yeonghwajung-eseo gajang jaemiisseoyo.) - This movie is the most interesting among other movies.
• 그 노래는 모든 노래 중에서 가장 아름답습니다. (Geu nolaeneun modeun nolae jung-eseo gajang aleumdabseumnida.) - That song is the most beautiful among all songs.
• 이 호텔은 여기 호텔 중에서 가장 비싸요. (I hotel-eun yeogi hotel jung-eseo gajang bissayo.) - This hotel is the most expensive among the hotels here.
• 이 공원은 도시 공원 중에서 가장 큽니다. (I gong-woneun dosi gongwon jung-eseo gajang keumnida.) - This park is the biggest among the city parks.
• 그 친구는 학교 친구 중에서 가장 잘 생겼어요. (Geu chinguneun hakgyo chingu jung-eseo gajang jal saenggyeosseoyo.) - That friend is the most good-looking among the school friends.

Superlative sentences allow us to emphasize the extreme qualities of a particular object and compare it to others in a group. It's a great way to highlight preferences and opinions.

Now that we have covered the grammar patterns for describing things, let's explore some cultural aspects related to describing things in Korean.

Cultural Insights

Korea has a rich cultural heritage, and this is reflected in the language and the way Koreans describe things. Understanding the cultural nuances can help you communicate more effectively and appreciate the depth of the language.

One interesting cultural aspect related to describing things in Korean is the concept of "hanbok colors." Hanbok is the traditional Korean clothing worn on special occasions, such as weddings and holidays. The colors used in hanbok have symbolic meanings and are often associated with different emotions and characteristics.

For example, the color red (빨강, ppalgang) is considered a vibrant and energetic color. It symbolizes passion, joy, and celebration. On the other hand, blue (파랑, parang) is associated with calmness, tranquility, and elegance. Yellow (노랑, norang) represents warmth, happiness, and positivity. These colors are not only used in hanbok but also in various aspects of Korean culture, such as traditional paintings and architecture.

Another interesting cultural aspect is the importance of hierarchy and politeness in Korean society. When describing someone's appearance or characteristics, it is common to use honorific language and respectful terms. For example, instead of simply saying "beautiful" (예쁘다, yeppeuda), Koreans might use the phrase "very beautiful" (아주 예쁘다, aju yeppeuda) or add a polite suffix to the adjective.

This emphasis on politeness and respect extends to the way Koreans describe objects as well. When talking about someone else's possessions or belongings, it is considered polite to use honorific language and show respect. For example, instead of saying "old house" (오래된 집, oraedoen jip), Koreans might say "respectable old house" (고귀한 오래된 집, gogwihan oraedoen jip). This reflects the deep-rooted cultural values of respect and consideration for others.

By understanding these cultural nuances, you can navigate conversations more effectively and show respect for Korean culture and customs. It's always a good idea to be aware of the cultural context when describing things or expressing your thoughts in Korean.

Now, let's move on to some practice exercises to solidify your understanding of the topic.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce what you have learned in this lesson, here are some practice exercises for you to complete. Try to use the vocabulary and grammar patterns we have covered to describe the given objects or situations.

Exercise 1

Describe the following objects using the appropriate adjectives:

1. A big house 2. A small car 3. A tall tree 4. A short pencil 5. A long bridge 6. A wide river 7. A narrow street 8. A fast train 9. A slow computer 10. A pretty flower

Exercise 2

Form comparative sentences using the given nouns and adjectives:

1. Dog - friendly 2. Cat - independent 3. Summer - hot 4. Winter - cold 5. Book - interesting 6. Movie - exciting 7. Park - beautiful 8. City - crowded 9. Mountain - high 10. Beach - relaxing

Exercise 3

Form superlative sentences using the given nouns and adjectives:

1. Song - popular 2. Restaurant - delicious 3. Movie - funny 4. City - busy 5. Book - informative 6. Park - peaceful 7. Beach - beautiful 8. Museum - educational 9. Mountain - challenging 10. Hotel - luxurious

Take your time to complete the exercises and refer back to the vocabulary and grammar patterns as needed. Once you have finished, you can check your answers below.

Exercise Solutions

Exercise 1

1. 큰 집 (keun jip) 2. 작은 차 (jageun cha) 3. 키가 큰 나무 (kiga keun namu) 4. 짧은 연필 (jjalbeun yeonpil) 5. 긴 다리 (gin dari) 6. 넓은 강 (neolbeun gang) 7. 좁은 거리 (jobeun geori) 8. 빠른 기차 (ppareun gicha) 9. 느린 컴퓨터 (neurin keomp-yuteo) 10. 예쁜 꽃 (yeppeun kkot)

Exercise 2

1. 개는 고양이보다 친절합니다. (Gae-neun goyang-i-boda chinjeolhamnida.) 2. 고양이는 개보다 독립적입니다. (Goyang-i-neun gae-boda dongnipjeogimnida.) 3. 여름은 겨울보다 더 더워요. (Yeoreum-eun gyeoul-boda deo deowoyo.) 4. 겨울은 여름보다 더 추워요. (Gyeoul-eun yeoreum-boda deo chuwoyo.) 5. 책은 영화보다 더 흥미로워요. (Chaeg-eun yeonghwa-boda deo heungmirowoyo.) 6. 영화는 책보다 더 재미있어요. (Yeonghwa-neun chaeg-boda deo jaemiisseoyo.) 7. 공원은 도시보다 더 아름답습니다. (Gong-won-eun dosi-boda deo aleumdabseumnida.) 8. 도시는 공원보다 더 붐비요. (Dosi-neun gong-won-boda deo bumbiyo.) 9. 산은 해변보다 더 높아요. (San-eun haebeon-boda deo nopayo.) 10. 해변은 산보다 더 편해요. (Haebeon-eun san-boda deo pyeonhaeyo.)

Exercise 3

1. 노래 중에서 가장 유명한 노래입니다. (Nolae jung-eseo gajang yumyeonghan noraeyo.) 2. 식당 중에서 가장 맛있는 식당입니다. (Sikdang jung-eseo gajang masinneun sikdangimnida.) 3. 영화 중에서 가장 재미있는 영화입니다. (Yeonghwa jung-eseo gajang jaemiisseun yeonghwaimnida.) 4. 도시 중에서 가장 붐비는 도시입니다. (Dosi jung-eseo gajang bumbineun dosimnida.) 5. 책 중에서 가장 유익한 책입니다. (Chaeg jung-eseo gajang yuikhan chaegimnida.) 6. 공원 중에서 가장 평화로운 공원입니다. (Gong-won jung-eseo gajang pyeonghwaroun gongwonimnida.) 7. 해변 중에서 가장 아름다운 해변입니다. (Haebeon jung-eseo gajang aleumdawoon haebeonimnida.) 8. 박물관 중에서 가장 교육적인 박물관입니다. (Bakmulgwan jung-eseo gajang gyoyukjeogin bakmulgwanimnida.) 9. 산 중에서 가장 힘든 산입니다. (San jung-eseo gajang himdeun sanimnida.) 10. 호텔 중에서 가장 호화로운 호텔입니다. (Hotel jung-eseo gajang hohwaroun hotelimnida.)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on describing things in Korean. You have learned how to form descriptive sentences using adjectives and how to compare objects using comparative and superlative sentences. You have also gained insights into the cultural aspects related to describing things in Korean.

Keep practicing and reviewing the vocabulary and grammar patterns to reinforce your understanding. Try to incorporate these new skills into your everyday conversations and explore more opportunities to describe the world around you in Korean.

In the next lesson, we will explore another important aspect of Korean grammar. Stay tuned and keep up the great work!

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Korean Alphabets

• Reading and writing Korean Alphabets
• Korean Pronunciation
• Subject and Object Markers

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself
• Family and Friends

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Korean Culture and Customs

• Korean Etiquette
• Korean Holidays
• Korean Cuisine

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Sentence Building

• Basic Verb Conjugation
• Question Words
• Connecting Verbs

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Daily Routine

• Daily Activities
• Means of Transportation
• Weather and Seasons

  ---

Korean Pop Culture

• Korean Dramas
• Korean Music
• Korean Cinema

  ---

Describing People and Things

• Describing People
• Describing Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

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Food and Drinks

• Food and Ingredients
• Drinks
• Cooking and Recipes

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Korean Traditions

• Korean Weddings
• Korean Festivals
• Korean Games and Sports

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Verb Tenses

• Past Tense
• Future Tense
• Progressive Tense

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Travel and Sightseeing

• Travel Vocabulary
• Sightseeing Vocabulary
• Shopping Vocabulary

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Korean Arts and Crafts

• Korean Calligraphy
• Korean Pottery
• Korean Paper Crafts

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Conjunctions and Connectors

• Conjunctions
• Connectors
• Conditional Sentences

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Health and Body

• Body Parts
• Health Vocabulary
• Exercise and Fitness Vocabulary

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Korean Nature

• Korean National Parks
• Korean Folk Villages
• Korean Eco-Friendly Practices

Other Lessons

• Plurals
• Conditional Mood
• Negation
• Nouns
• Comparatives and Superlatives
• Describing People
• Basic Verb Conjugation
• Conditional Sentences
• How to Use Have
• Gender

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