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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Korean|Korean]]  → [[Language/Korean/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Korean/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Describing People</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Korean|Korean]]  → [[Language/Korean/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Korean/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Describing People</div>
Welcome to today's lesson on describing people in Korean! This topic is not just about learning a set of vocabulary words; it's about enriching your ability to communicate and express yourself. Describing people is an essential skill in any language, and in Korean, it opens up a world of possibilities to connect with others. Whether you’re talking about friends, family, or even celebrities, knowing how to use adjectives effectively will enhance your conversations and allow you to share your thoughts and impressions clearly.
In this lesson, we will cover the following topics:


__TOC__
__TOC__


Introduction:
=== Introduction to Describing People ===
Describing people is an essential skill in any language, as it allows us to communicate and understand others more effectively. In the Korean language, being able to describe people's physical appearance and personality is particularly important, as it helps us form a more comprehensive understanding of the individuals we interact with. In this lesson, we will teach you how to use adjectives to form descriptive sentences in Korean. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently describe people in Korean, both in terms of their appearance and their personality traits.


== Describing Physical Appearance ==
In Korean, just like in English, we use adjectives to describe both physical appearances and personality traits. This lesson is designed for complete beginners, so we’ll start from the basics and work our way up to more complex structures.


When describing someone's physical appearance in Korean, we often use adjectives to provide detailed information. Adjectives in Korean generally come after the noun they modify, which is different from English. Let's take a look at some commonly used adjectives for describing physical appearance:
==== Physical Appearance ====


=== Adjectives for Describing Height ===
We’ll begin by discussing how to describe physical attributes such as height, weight, hair color, and eye color. Understanding these terms will help you paint a vivid picture of someone in your conversations.


Here are some adjectives to describe height in Korean:
==== Personality Traits ====
 
Next, we’ll explore adjectives that describe personality traits. From cheerful and friendly to shy and reserved, knowing how to articulate someone’s character in Korean is invaluable.
 
==== Sentence Structure ====
 
We will also cover the basic sentence structures used in descriptions, including the use of the verb "to be" (이다) and how to form coherent sentences that flow naturally.
 
=== Examples of Describing People ===
 
Now, let’s dive into some specific examples! Below are tables with various adjectives used to describe people.
 
==== Physical Appearance Examples ====


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| 키가 크다 || ki-ga keu-da || tall
 
| 키가 크다 || ki-ga keu-da || tall
 
|-
|-
| 키가 작다 || ki-ga jak-da || short
 
| 키가 작다 || ki-ga jak-da || short
 
|-
|-
| 중간 키 || joong-gan ki || average height
 
| 날씬하다  || nal-ssin-ha-da || slim
 
|-
|-
| 키가 비슷하다 || ki-ga bi-seut-ha-da || similar height
|}


Example sentences:
| 통통하다  || tong-tong-ha-da || chubby
# 그 사람은 키가 크다. (Geu sa-ram-eun ki-ga keu-da) - That person is tall.
# 그녀는 키가 작다. (Geu-nyeo-neun ki-ga jak-da) - She is short.
# 저는 중간 키입니다. (Jeo-neun joong-gan ki-im-ni-da) - I am of average height.
# 그들은 키가 비슷해요. (Geu-deul-eun ki-ga bi-seut-hae-yo) - They have similar heights.


=== Adjectives for Describing Hair Color ===
|-


Hair color can be an important aspect of someone's appearance. Here are some adjectives to describe hair color in Korean:
| 머리가 길다  || meo-ri-ga gil-da || long hair


{| class="wikitable"
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| 검은 머리 || geom-eun meo-ri || black hair
 
| 머리가 짧다  || meo-ri-ga jjal-da || short hair
 
|-
|-
| 갈색 머리 || gal-saek meo-ri || brown hair
 
| 갈색 머리 || gal-saek meo-ri || brown hair
 
|-
|-
| 금발 || geum-bal || blonde hair
 
| 검은 머리  || geo-meun meo-ri || black hair
 
|-
|-
| 노란 머리 || no-ran meo-ri || yellow hair
 
| 파란 눈  || pa-ran nun || blue eyes
 
|-
|-
| 빨간 머리 || ppal-gan meo-ri || red hair
|-
| 회색 머리 || hoe-saek meo-ri || gray hair
|}


Example sentences:
| 갈색 눈  || gal-saek nun || brown eyes
# 그 사람은 검은 머리를 가지고 있어요. (Geu sa-ram-eun geom-eun meo-ri-reul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - That person has black hair.
# 그녀는 갈색 머리를 가지고 있어요. (Geu-nyeo-neun gal-saek meo-ri-reul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - She has brown hair.
# 그 아이는 금발이에요. (Geu a-i-neun geum-bal-i-e-yo) - That child has blonde hair.
# 저는 빨간 머리를 가지고 있지 않아요. (Jeo-neun ppal-gan meo-ri-reul ga-ji-go it-ji-anh-a-yo) - I don't have red hair.
# 그녀의 머리는 회색이에요. (Geu-nyeo-eui meo-ri-neun hoe-saek-i-e-yo) - Her hair is gray.


=== Adjectives for Describing Eye Color ===
|}


Eye color is another important aspect of someone's physical appearance. Here are some adjectives to describe eye color in Korean:
==== Personality Trait Examples ====


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| 검은 눈 || geom-eun nun || black eyes
 
| 친절하다  || chin-jeol-ha-da || kind
 
|-
|-
| 갈색 눈 || gal-saek nun || brown eyes
 
| 재미있다  || jae-mi-it-da || funny
 
|-
|-
| 파란 눈 || pa-ran nun || blue eyes
 
| 조용하다  || jo-yong-ha-da || quiet
 
|-
|-
| 녹색 눈 || nok-saek nun || green eyes
|}


Example sentences:
| 똑똑하다  || ttok-ttok-ha-da || smart
# 그 사람은 검은 눈을 가지고 있어요. (Geu sa-ram-eun geom-eun nun-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - That person has black eyes.
# 그녀는 갈색 눈을 가지고 있어요. (Geu-nyeo-neun gal-saek nun-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - She has brown eyes.
# 그 아이는 파란 눈을 가지고 있어요. (Geu a-i-neun pa-ran nun-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - That child has blue eyes.
# 저는 녹색 눈을 가지고 있지 않아요. (Jeo-neun nok-saek nun-eul ga-ji-go it-ji-anh-a-yo) - I don't have green eyes.


=== Adjectives for Describing Facial Features ===
|-


When describing someone's facial features, we can use a variety of adjectives. Here are some commonly used ones:
| 게으르다  || ge-eu-reu-da || lazy


{| class="wikitable"
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| 예쁜 얼굴 || ye-ppeun eol-gul || pretty face
 
| 활발하다  || hwal-bal-ha-da || active
 
|-
|-
| 멋진 얼굴 || meot-jin eol-gul || handsome face
 
| 친근하다  || chin-geun-ha-da || friendly
 
|-
|-
| 작은 코 || jak-eun ko || small nose
 
| 겸손하다  || gyeom-son-ha-da || humble
 
|-
|-
| 큰 입술 || keun ip-sul || big lips
 
| 신중하다  || sin-jung-ha-da || cautious
 
|-
|-
| 예쁜 눈썹 || ye-ppeun nun-sseop || beautiful eyebrows
 
|-
| 용감하다  || yong-gam-ha-da || brave
| 날카로운 턱 || nal-ka-ro-un teok || sharp jawline
 
|-
| 밝은 미소 || bal-keun mi-so || bright smile
|}
|}


Example sentences:
=== Forming Descriptive Sentences ===
# 그녀는 예쁜 얼굴을 가지고 있어요. (Geu-nyeo-neun ye-ppeun eol-gul-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - She has a pretty face.
 
# 그 사람은 멋진 얼굴을 가지고 있어요. (Geu sa-ram-eun meot-jin eol-gul-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - That person has a handsome face.
To create full sentences that describe someone, we use the structure:  
# 저는 작은 코를 가지고 있어요. (Jeo-neun jak-eun ko-reul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - I have a small nose.
 
# 그녀는 큰 입술을 가지고 있어요. (Geu-nyeo-neun keun ip-sul-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - She has big lips.
'''[Subject] + [Adjective] + [이다]'''
# 그 아이는 예쁜 눈썹을 가지고 있어요. (Geu a-i-neun ye-ppeun nun-sseop-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - That child has beautiful eyebrows.
 
# 그 사람은 날카로운 턱을 가지고 있어요. (Geu sa-ram-eun nal-ka-ro-un teok-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - That person has a sharp jawline.
For example:
# 그녀는 밝은 미소를 가지고 있어요. (Geu-nyeo-neun bal-keun mi-so-reul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - She has a bright smile.
 
* '''그녀는 키가 크다.''' (She is tall.)
 
* '''그는 재미있다.''' (He is funny.)
 
In these examples:
 
* "그녀는" (she) and "그는" (he) are the subjects.
 
* "키가 크다" (is tall) and "재미있다" (is funny) are the descriptive parts.
 
Let’s practice a few more sentences to solidify your understanding:
 
1. 그녀는 날씬하다. (She is slim.)
 
2. 그는 똑똑하다. (He is smart.)
 
3. 그들은 친절하다. (They are kind.)
 
=== Exercises ===
 
Now that we have covered the basics, let’s put your knowledge to the test! Below are ten exercises designed to help you practice describing people.
 
==== Exercise 1: Translation ====
 
Translate the following sentences into Korean:
 
1. She is short.
 
2. He has brown hair.
 
3. They are friendly.
 
''Answers:''
 
1. 그녀는 작다.
 
2. 그는 갈색 머리이다.
 
3. 그들은 친근하다.
 
==== Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks ====
 
Complete the sentences with the correct adjective:
 
1. 그 친구는 ________ (funny).
 
2. 그녀는 ________ (tall).
 
3. 그들은 ________ (kind).
 
''Answers:''
 
1. 재미있다
 
2. 키가 크다
 
3. 친절하다
 
==== Exercise 3: Matching ====
 
Match the Korean adjectives with their English translations:
 
1. 게으르다
 
2. 용감하다
 
3. 조용하다
 
a. lazy 
 
b. brave 
 
c. quiet 
 
''Answers:''
 
1 - a, 2 - b, 3 - c
 
==== Exercise 4: Descriptive Sentence Creation ====
 
Create descriptive sentences using the adjectives provided:
 
1. (활발하다, 그녀)
 
2. (날씬하다, 그는)
 
''Answers:''
 
1. 그녀는 활발하다. (She is active.)
 
2. 그는 날씬하다. (He is slim.)
 
==== Exercise 5: True or False ====
 
Determine if the following statements are true or false:
 
1. "그녀는 똑똑하다" means "She is lazy."
 
2. "그는 키가 작다" means "He is short."
 
''Answers:''


== Describing Personality ==
1. False


In addition to describing people's physical appearance, it is also important to be able to describe their personality in Korean. Here are some adjectives commonly used to describe personality traits:
2. True


=== Positive Personality Traits ===
==== Exercise 6: Write a Paragraph ====


When describing someone's positive personality traits, we can use adjectives such as:
Write a short paragraph describing a family member or friend using at least three adjectives.


{| class="wikitable"
''Example Answer:''
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
내 친구는 키가 크고 날씬하며 친절하다. (My friend is tall, slim, and kind.)
| 착한 || chak-han || kind
 
|-
==== Exercise 7: Listening Comprehension ====
| 친절한 || chin-jeol-han || friendly
 
|-
Listen to a short description and write down the adjectives used.
| 낙천적인 || nak-cheon-jeok-in || optimistic
 
|-
''Example Answer:''
| 유쾌한 || yu-kwae-han || cheerful
 
|-
(You would create an audio clip for this exercise.)
| 정직한 || jeong-jik-han || honest
|-
| 충실한 || chung-sil-han || loyal
|-
| 온순한 || on-sun-han || gentle
|}


Example sentences:
==== Exercise 8: Group Activity ====
# 그 사람은 착한 사람이에요. (Geu sa-ram-eun chak-han sa-ram-i-e-yo) - That person is kind.
# 그녀는 친절한 사람이에요. (Geu-nyeo-neun chin-jeol-han sa-ram-i-e-yo) - She is friendly.
# 그 아이는 낙천적인 성격을 가지고 있어요. (Geu a-i-neun nak-cheon-jeok-in seong-gyeok-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - That child has an optimistic personality.
# 저는 유쾌한 성격을 가지고 있어요. (Jeo-neun yu-kwae-han seong-gyeok-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - I have a cheerful personality.
# 그 사람은 정직한 사람이에요. (Geu sa-ram-eun jeong-jik-han sa-ram-i-e-yo) - That person is honest.
# 그녀는 충실한 사람이에요. (Geu-nyeo-neun chung-sil-han sa-ram-i-e-yo) - She is loyal.
# 그녀는 온순한 성격을 가지고 있어요. (Geu-nyeo-neun on-sun-han seong-gyeok-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - She has a gentle personality.


=== Negative Personality Traits ===
In pairs, take turns describing each other using at least five adjectives.


When describing negative personality traits, we can use adjectives such as:
''Example Answer:''


{| class="wikitable"
"나는 친구가 재미있고 친절하다고 생각해." (I think my friend is funny and kind.)
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| 신경질적인 || sin-gyeong-jil-jeok-in || irritable
|-
| 시끄러운 || si-kkeu-reo-un || noisy
|-
| 게으른 || ge-eu-reun || lazy
|-
| 건방진 || geon-bang-jin || arrogant
|-
| 신중하지 못한 || sin-jung-ha-ji mot-han || careless
|-
| 자기중심적인 || ja-gi-jung-sim-jeok-in || self-centered
|-
| 우유부단한 || u-yu-bu-dan-han || indecisive
|}


Example sentences:
==== Exercise 9: Vocabulary Quiz ====
# 그 사람은 신경질적인 사람이에요. (Geu sa-ram-eun sin-gyeong-jil-jeok-in sa-ram-i-e-yo) - That person is irritable.
# 그녀는 시끄러운 사람이에요. (Geu-nyeo-neun si-kkeu-reo-un sa-ram-i-e-yo) - She is noisy.
# 그 아이는 게으른 성격을 가지고 있어요. (Geu a-i-neun ge-eu-reun seong-gyeok-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - That child has a lazy personality.
# 저는 건방진 사람이 아니에요. (Jeo-neun geon-bang-jin sa-ram-i a-ni-e-yo) - I am not an arrogant person.
# 그 사람은 신중하지 못한 사람이에요. (Geu sa-ram-eun sin-jung-ha-ji mot-han sa-ram-i-e-yo) - That person is careless.
# 그녀는 자기중심적인 사람이에요. (Geu-nyeo-neun ja-gi-jung-sim-jeok-in sa-ram-i-e-yo) - She is self-centered.
# 그녀는 우유부단한 성격을 가지고 있어요. (Geu-nyeo-neun u-yu-bu-dan-han seong-gyeok-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo) - She has an indecisive personality.


== Cultural Insights ==
Choose the correct adjective to complete the sentence:


In Korean culture, physical appearance is often highly valued, and people may pay close attention to their own and others' appearance. It is common for individuals to take care of their physical appearance, such as dressing well and maintaining good grooming habits. In terms of personality, Koreans often value traits such as kindness, respectfulness, and humility. These traits are seen as important in maintaining harmonious relationships and showing proper etiquette.
"그녀는 ________ (funny)."


It is also worth noting that beauty standards in Korea may differ from those in other countries. In Korean society, certain physical features such as pale skin, double eyelids, and a V-shaped face are often considered attractive. This cultural preference for specific features has led to the popularity of cosmetic surgeries and beauty products in Korea.
a. 조용하다 


Korean idioms and proverbs related to physical appearance and personality can provide further insights into the cultural significance of these aspects. For example, the idiom "눈이 넓다" (nun-i neol-da), which literally translates to "having wide eyes," is used to describe someone who is open-minded and has a broad perspective. Similarly, the proverb "얼굴은 거울이다" (eol-gul-eun geo-ul-i-da), meaning "the face is a mirror," emphasizes the importance of one's appearance in reflecting their character.
b. 재미있다 


== Practice Exercises ==
c. 게으르다 


Now, let's practice what we've learned! Complete the following exercises by describing the physical appearance and personality of the individuals mentioned.
''Answer:'' b. 재미있다


Exercise 1: Describe the physical appearance of the following people using the given adjectives.
==== Exercise 10: Role Play ====


* Person 1: tall, black hair
Role-play a scenario where you describe a famous person using at least five adjectives.
* Person 2: short, brown eyes
* Person 3: average height, blonde hair
* Person 4: similar height, gray hair


Exercise 2: Describe the personality of the following people using the given adjectives.
''Example Answer:''


* Person 1: kind, friendly
"나는 방탄소년단의 RM을 좋아해. 그는 똑똑하고 용감하며 멋있다." (I like BTS's RM. He is smart, brave, and cool.)
* Person 2: optimistic, cheerful
* Person 3: honest, loyal
* Person 4: gentle, self-centered


Exercise 1 Solutions:
=== Conclusion ===
* Person 1: 그 사람은 키가 크고 검은 머리를 가지고 있어요. (Geu sa-ram-eun ki-ga keu-go geom-eun meo-ri-reul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo)
* Person 2: 그녀는 키가 작고 갈색 눈을 가지고 있어요. (Geu-nyeo-neun ki-ga jak-go gal-saek nun-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo)
* Person 3: 그 아이는 중간 키이고 금발을 가지고 있어요. (Geu a-i-neun joong-gan ki-i-go geum-bal-eul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo)
* Person 4: 그들은 키가 비슷하고 회색 머리를 가지고 있어요. (Geu-deul-eun ki-ga bi-seut-ha-go hoe-saek meo-ri-reul ga-ji-go is-seo-yo)


Exercise 2 Solutions:
Congratulations! You have now learned how to describe people's physical appearance and personality in Korean. This is a crucial skill that will serve you well in your journey to becoming fluent in the language. Keep practicing these structures and vocabulary, and don’t forget to have fun while doing so!
* Person 1: 그 사람은 착한 사람이에요. (Geu sa-ram-eun chak-han sa-ram-i-e-yo)
* Person 2: 그녀는 낙천적이고 유쾌한 사람이에요. (Geu-nyeo-neun nak-cheon-jeok-i-go yu-kwae-han sa-ram-i-e-yo)
* Person 3: 그 아이는 정직하고 충실한 사람이에요. (Geu a-i-neun jeong-jik-ha-go chung-sil-han sa-ram-i-e-yo)
* Person 4: 그녀는 온순하고 자기중심적인 사람이에요. (Geu-nyeo-neun on-sun-ha-go ja-gi-jung-sim-jeok-in sa-ram-i-e-yo)


Keep practicing to improve your skills in describing people's physical appearance and personality in Korean!
Remember, the more you practice, the more natural it will feel to describe people in Korean. Happy learning!


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Korean Grammar → Describing People
|title=Korean Grammar → Describing People
|keywords=Korean grammar, describing people, Korean adjectives, Korean physical appearance, Korean personality traits
 
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to describe people's physical appearance and personality in Korean. You will learn how to use adjectives to form descriptive sentences. Practice exercises are included to reinforce your understanding. Get ready to enhance your Korean language skills!
|keywords=Korean language, describing people, Korean adjectives, Korean grammar, beginner Korean, Korean vocabulary
 
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to describe people's physical appearance and personality in Korean using adjectives and proper sentence structures.
 
}}
}}


{{Korean-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}
{{Template:Korean-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}


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[[Category:0-to-A1-Course]]
[[Category:0-to-A1-Course]]
[[Category:Korean-0-to-A1-Course]]
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<span gpt></span> <span model=gpt-3.5-turbo-16k></span> <span temperature=0.7></span>
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==Videos==
==Videos==
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===Describe Appearance in Korean - YouTube===
===Describe Appearance in Korean - YouTube===
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hyMyfkMHAE</youtube>
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hyMyfkMHAE</youtube>




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==Sources==
==Sources==
* [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appcool.learnkorean&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn Korean - Grammar - Apps on Google Play]
* [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appcool.learnkorean&hl=en_US&gl=US Learn Korean - Grammar - Apps on Google Play]




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* [[Language/Korean/Grammar/Progressive-Tense|Progressive Tense]]
* [[Language/Korean/Grammar/Progressive-Tense|Progressive Tense]]
* [[Language/Korean/Grammar/Future-Tense|Future Tense]]
* [[Language/Korean/Grammar/Future-Tense|Future Tense]]




Latest revision as of 21:47, 31 July 2024

◀️ Korean Cinema — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Describing Things ▶️

Korean-Language-PolyglotClub.png
Korean → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Describing People

Welcome to today's lesson on describing people in Korean! This topic is not just about learning a set of vocabulary words; it's about enriching your ability to communicate and express yourself. Describing people is an essential skill in any language, and in Korean, it opens up a world of possibilities to connect with others. Whether you’re talking about friends, family, or even celebrities, knowing how to use adjectives effectively will enhance your conversations and allow you to share your thoughts and impressions clearly.

In this lesson, we will cover the following topics:

Introduction to Describing People[edit | edit source]

In Korean, just like in English, we use adjectives to describe both physical appearances and personality traits. This lesson is designed for complete beginners, so we’ll start from the basics and work our way up to more complex structures.

Physical Appearance[edit | edit source]

We’ll begin by discussing how to describe physical attributes such as height, weight, hair color, and eye color. Understanding these terms will help you paint a vivid picture of someone in your conversations.

Personality Traits[edit | edit source]

Next, we’ll explore adjectives that describe personality traits. From cheerful and friendly to shy and reserved, knowing how to articulate someone’s character in Korean is invaluable.

Sentence Structure[edit | edit source]

We will also cover the basic sentence structures used in descriptions, including the use of the verb "to be" (이다) and how to form coherent sentences that flow naturally.

Examples of Describing People[edit | edit source]

Now, let’s dive into some specific examples! Below are tables with various adjectives used to describe people.

Physical Appearance Examples[edit | edit source]

Korean Pronunciation English
키가 크다 ki-ga keu-da tall
키가 작다 ki-ga jak-da short
날씬하다 nal-ssin-ha-da slim
통통하다 tong-tong-ha-da chubby
머리가 길다 meo-ri-ga gil-da long hair
머리가 짧다 meo-ri-ga jjal-da short hair
갈색 머리 gal-saek meo-ri brown hair
검은 머리 geo-meun meo-ri black hair
파란 눈 pa-ran nun blue eyes
갈색 눈 gal-saek nun brown eyes

Personality Trait Examples[edit | edit source]

Korean Pronunciation English
친절하다 chin-jeol-ha-da kind
재미있다 jae-mi-it-da funny
조용하다 jo-yong-ha-da quiet
똑똑하다 ttok-ttok-ha-da smart
게으르다 ge-eu-reu-da lazy
활발하다 hwal-bal-ha-da active
친근하다 chin-geun-ha-da friendly
겸손하다 gyeom-son-ha-da humble
신중하다 sin-jung-ha-da cautious
용감하다 yong-gam-ha-da brave

Forming Descriptive Sentences[edit | edit source]

To create full sentences that describe someone, we use the structure:

[Subject] + [Adjective] + [이다]

For example:

  • 그녀는 키가 크다. (She is tall.)
  • 그는 재미있다. (He is funny.)

In these examples:

  • "그녀는" (she) and "그는" (he) are the subjects.
  • "키가 크다" (is tall) and "재미있다" (is funny) are the descriptive parts.

Let’s practice a few more sentences to solidify your understanding:

1. 그녀는 날씬하다. (She is slim.)

2. 그는 똑똑하다. (He is smart.)

3. 그들은 친절하다. (They are kind.)

Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that we have covered the basics, let’s put your knowledge to the test! Below are ten exercises designed to help you practice describing people.

Exercise 1: Translation[edit | edit source]

Translate the following sentences into Korean:

1. She is short.

2. He has brown hair.

3. They are friendly.

Answers:

1. 그녀는 작다.

2. 그는 갈색 머리이다.

3. 그들은 친근하다.

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

Complete the sentences with the correct adjective:

1. 그 친구는 ________ (funny).

2. 그녀는 ________ (tall).

3. 그들은 ________ (kind).

Answers:

1. 재미있다

2. 키가 크다

3. 친절하다

Exercise 3: Matching[edit | edit source]

Match the Korean adjectives with their English translations:

1. 게으르다

2. 용감하다

3. 조용하다

a. lazy

b. brave

c. quiet

Answers:

1 - a, 2 - b, 3 - c

Exercise 4: Descriptive Sentence Creation[edit | edit source]

Create descriptive sentences using the adjectives provided:

1. (활발하다, 그녀)

2. (날씬하다, 그는)

Answers:

1. 그녀는 활발하다. (She is active.)

2. 그는 날씬하다. (He is slim.)

Exercise 5: True or False[edit | edit source]

Determine if the following statements are true or false:

1. "그녀는 똑똑하다" means "She is lazy."

2. "그는 키가 작다" means "He is short."

Answers:

1. False

2. True

Exercise 6: Write a Paragraph[edit | edit source]

Write a short paragraph describing a family member or friend using at least three adjectives.

Example Answer:

내 친구는 키가 크고 날씬하며 친절하다. (My friend is tall, slim, and kind.)

Exercise 7: Listening Comprehension[edit | edit source]

Listen to a short description and write down the adjectives used.

Example Answer:

(You would create an audio clip for this exercise.)

Exercise 8: Group Activity[edit | edit source]

In pairs, take turns describing each other using at least five adjectives.

Example Answer:

"나는 친구가 재미있고 친절하다고 생각해." (I think my friend is funny and kind.)

Exercise 9: Vocabulary Quiz[edit | edit source]

Choose the correct adjective to complete the sentence:

"그녀는 ________ (funny)."

a. 조용하다

b. 재미있다

c. 게으르다

Answer: b. 재미있다

Exercise 10: Role Play[edit | edit source]

Role-play a scenario where you describe a famous person using at least five adjectives.

Example Answer:

"나는 방탄소년단의 RM을 좋아해. 그는 똑똑하고 용감하며 멋있다." (I like BTS's RM. He is smart, brave, and cool.)

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have now learned how to describe people's physical appearance and personality in Korean. This is a crucial skill that will serve you well in your journey to becoming fluent in the language. Keep practicing these structures and vocabulary, and don’t forget to have fun while doing so!

Remember, the more you practice, the more natural it will feel to describe people in Korean. Happy learning!

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Korean Alphabets


Greetings and Introductions


Korean Culture and Customs


Sentence Building


Daily Routine


Korean Pop Culture


Describing People and Things


Food and Drinks


Korean Traditions


Verb Tenses


Travel and Sightseeing


Korean Arts and Crafts


Conjunctions and Connectors


Health and Body


Korean Nature

Videos[edit | edit source]

How to describe physical appearance in Korean? - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Describe Appearance in Korean - YouTube[edit | edit source]



Sources[edit | edit source]



Other Lessons[edit | edit source]




◀️ Korean Cinema — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Describing Things ▶️

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