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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 Things</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 Things</div>


__TOC__
Welcome to our lesson on "Describing Things"! This part of the Korean language is incredibly important because it allows you to express your thoughts and ideas about the world around you. Whether you're talking about the size of a building, the color of a dress, or the shape of a fruit, being able to describe things will enhance your communication skills and make your conversations much more engaging.


== Introduction ==
In this lesson, we will cover:


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.
* '''The role of adjectives in descriptions'''


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.
* '''Vocabulary related to size, color, and shape'''


Let's begin!
* '''How to form sentences using descriptive words'''


* '''Practice exercises to reinforce your learning'''


== Vocabulary ==
Let’s dive in and explore the colorful world of describing things in Korean!


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.
__TOC__


Below are some common words and their translations:
=== The Role of Adjectives in Descriptions ===
 
Adjectives are words that describe nouns. They provide information about the characteristics of a person, place, thing, or idea. In Korean, adjectives are used similarly to English but have their unique structure and conjugation.
 
==== Basic Structure of Adjectives ====
 
In Korean, adjectives can function as predicates (the part of a sentence that tells what the subject does or is) and are conjugated based on the tense of the sentence. For example:
 
* '''Present Tense''': The adjective remains in its base form.
 
* '''Past Tense''': The adjective is conjugated into a past form.
 
Here are some examples of common adjectives used to describe things:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
 
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
|-
| 크다 || keuda || big
| 크다 || keuda || big
|-
|-
| 작다 || jakda || small
| 작다 || jakda || small
|-
|-
| 높다 || nopda || tall
 
| 예쁘다 || yeppeuda || pretty
 
|-
|-
| 낮다 || nadda || short
 
| 못생기다 || motsaengida || ugly
 
|-
|-
| 짧다 || jjalbda || short (length)
 
| 길다 || gilda || long
 
|-
|-
| 길다 || gilda || long
 
| 짧다 || jjalbda || short
 
|-
 
| 밝다 || balgda || bright
 
|-
 
| 어두다 || eoduda || dark
 
|-
 
| 새롭다 || saeropda || new
 
|-
 
| 낡다 || nagda || old
 
|}
 
=== Vocabulary for Describing Size ===
 
When describing size, we often use the adjectives 크다 (big) and 작다 (small). But there are many more adjectives to express various sizes. Here are some additional vocabulary words related to size:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
|-
| 넓다 || neopda || wide
 
| 넓다 || neolbda || wide
 
|-
|-
| 좁다 || jobda || narrow
| 좁다 || jobda || narrow
|-
|-
| 빠르다 || ppareuda || fast
 
| 두껍다 || dukkeobda || thick
 
|-
|-
| 느리다 || neurida || slow
 
| 얇다 || yalbda || thin
 
|-
|-
| 예쁘다 || yeppeuda || pretty
 
| 큼직하다 || keumjikada || large
 
|-
|-
| 멋있다 || meositta || handsome/beautiful
 
| 미세하다 || misehada || tiny
 
|-
|-
| 흔하다 || heunhada || common
 
| 적당하다 || jeokdanghada || moderate
 
|-
|-
| 특별하다 || teukbyeolhada || special
 
| 굵다 || gulda || thick (in diameter)
 
|-
|-
| 새롭다 || saeropda || new
 
| 가늘다 || ganeulda || thin (in diameter)
 
|-
 
| 방대하다 || bangdaehada || enormous
 
|}
 
=== Vocabulary for Describing Color ===
 
Colors are another crucial aspect of describing things. Here are some basic color adjectives in Korean:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
 
| 빨간색 || ppalgansek || red
 
|-
|-
| 오래되다 || oraedoeda || old (object)
 
| 파란색 || paransek || blue
 
|-
|-
| 깨끗하다 || kkaekkethada || clean
 
| 초록색 || choroksek || green
 
|-
|-
| 더럽다 || deoreopda || dirty
 
| 노란색 || noransek || yellow
 
|-
|-
| 밝다 || balkda || bright
 
| 검은색 || geom-eunsek || black
 
|-
|-
| 어둡다 || eodupda || dark
 
| 흰색 || huinseok || white
 
|-
|-
| 예전의 || yejeonui || previous
 
| 주황색 || juhwangsek || orange
 
|-
|-
| 현재의 || hyeonjaeui || current
 
| 보라색 || borasek || purple
 
|-
 
| 분홍색 || bunhongsek || pink
 
|-
 
| 회색 || hoesaek || gray
 
|}
|}


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.
=== Vocabulary for Describing Shape ===


When describing shape, you can use these common adjectives:


== Descriptive Sentences ==
{| class="wikitable"


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.
! Korean !! Pronunciation !! English


To form a descriptive sentence, follow this pattern:
|-


[[Adjective]] + [[Noun]]
| 원형 || wonhyeong || round


Let's look at some examples:
|-


* 큰 고양이 (keun goyangi) - big cat
| 사각형 || sagak-hyeong || square
* 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.
| 직사각형 || jiksagak-hyeong || rectangle


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


| 삼각형 || samgak-hyeong || triangle


=== 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:
| 평면 || pyeongmyeon || flat


[[Noun1]]은/는 [[Adjective]](으)ㄴ [[Noun2]]보다 [[Adjective]](으)ㄴ/은 [[Noun3]]이다.
|-


Let's break down the pattern:
| 입체 || ipche || three-dimensional


* [[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:
| 구부러진 || gubureojin || curved


* 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.
| 뾰족한 || ppyojokhan || pointed


Now, let's move on to superlative sentences.
|-


| 넓적한 || neoljeokhan || broad


=== 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:
| 긴 || gin || long (shape)


[[Noun]] 중에서 가장 [[Adjective]](은/는) [[Noun]]이다.
|}


Let's break down the pattern:
=== Forming Sentences with Adjectives ===


* [[Noun]]: The noun we are comparing.
Now that we have a good grasp of adjectives, let's learn how to use them in sentences. The basic sentence structure in Korean is Subject-Object-Verb (SOV). When using adjectives, they often come before the noun they describe.
* 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:
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.
1. 이 사과는 크다. (This apple is big.)
* 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.
2. 그 집은 예쁘다. (That house is pretty.)
* 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.
3. 이 바지는 길다. (These pants are long.)
 
4. 저 꽃은 노란색이다. (That flower is yellow.)
 
5. 그 남자는 뚱뚱하다. (That man is fat.)
 
In these sentences, the adjectives describe the subject (the noun) directly.
 
=== Practice Exercises ===
 
Now it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Here are some exercises for you to practice what you've learned.
 
==== Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks ====
 
Fill in the blanks with the correct adjective from the vocabulary lists above.
 
1. 이 고양이는 ____. (This cat is ___.)
 
2. 그 책은 ____. (That book is ___.)
 
3. 저 나무는 ____. (That tree is ___.)
 
4. 이 의자는 ____. (This chair is ___.)
 
5. 그 구두는 ____. (Those shoes are ___.)
 
'''Answers:'''


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.
1. 예쁘다 (pretty)


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


3. 크다 (big)


== Cultural Insights ==
4. 길다 (long)


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.
5. 빨간색 (red)


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.
==== Exercise 2: Sentence Creation ====


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.
Create sentences using the following prompts.


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.
1. Describe your favorite fruit using size and color.


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.
2. Describe your favorite piece of clothing using shape and size.


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.
3. Describe a person you admire using an adjective for appearance.


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


1. 이 바나나는 노란색이고 크다. (This banana is yellow and big.)


== Practice Exercises ==
2. 이 티셔츠는 원형이고 짧다. (This t-shirt is round and short.)


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.
3. 그 여자는 예쁘고 똑똑하다. (That woman is pretty and smart.)


=== Exercise 1 ===
==== Exercise 3: Matching Adjectives with Nouns ====


Describe the following objects using the appropriate adjectives:
Match the adjectives to the nouns.


1. A big house
1. 큰      a. 사과
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 ===
2. 빨간색  b. 바지


Form comparative sentences using the given nouns and adjectives:
3. 예쁜    c. 꽃


1. Dog - friendly
4. 작은    d. 집
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 ===
5. 긴      e. 나무


Form superlative sentences using the given nouns and adjectives:
'''Answers:'''


1. Song - popular
1-a, 2-c, 3-d, 4-e, 5-b
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 4: Translate to Korean ====


Translate the following sentences into Korean.


== Exercise Solutions ==
1. The sky is blue.


=== Exercise 1 ===
2. The dog is small.


1. 큰 집 (keun jip)
3. This table is old.
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 ===
4. That car is new.


1. 개는 고양이보다 친절합니다. (Gae-neun goyang-i-boda chinjeolhamnida.)
5. The dress is pretty.
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 ===
'''Answers:'''


1. 노래 중에서 가장 유명한 노래입니다. (Nolae jung-eseo gajang yumyeonghan noraeyo.)
1. 하늘은 파란색이다.
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.)


2. 그 개는 작다.


== Conclusion ==
3. 이 테이블은 낡다.


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.
4. 저 차는 새롭다.


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.
5. 그 드레스는 예쁘다.


In the next lesson, we will explore another important aspect of Korean grammar. Stay tuned and keep up the great work!
==== Exercise 5: Describing Pictures ====
 
Look at the following pictures (imagine them or provide them) and describe them using at least three adjectives.
 
'''Sample Answer:'''
 
Picture of a flower: "이 꽃은 예쁘고 노란색이며 향기가 좋다." (This flower is pretty, yellow, and smells good.)
 
=== Conclusion ===
 
Congratulations on completing this lesson on describing things in Korean! You've learned essential vocabulary related to size, color, and shape, and you now know how to form sentences using adjectives. Keep practicing these concepts in your daily conversations, and you'll find that describing things in Korean becomes second nature.
 
Don't forget to review the vocabulary regularly and try using it in different contexts. The more you practice, the more confident you'll become in your Korean language journey!


{{#seo:
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|keywords=Korean grammar, describing things in Korean, Korean adjectives, comparative sentences in Korean, superlative sentences in Korean
|title=Korean Grammar: Describing Things
|description=In this lesson, you will learn Korean vocabulary related to describing things, such as size, color, and shape. You will learn how to form sentences using adjectives and other descriptive words.
 
|keywords=Korean adjectives, describing things in Korean, Korean vocabulary, size color shape, Korean grammar for beginners
 
|description=In this lesson, you will learn Korean vocabulary related to describing things, including size, color, and shape, and how to form sentences using adjectives.
 
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==Videos==
==Videos==
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===How to Describe Tastes in Korean! - YouTube===
===How to Describe Tastes in Korean! - YouTube===
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV86QN-sOwg</youtube>
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* [[Language/Korean/Grammar/Gender|Gender]]
* [[Language/Korean/Grammar/Gender|Gender]]




Latest revision as of 21:47, 31 July 2024

◀️ Describing People — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Comparatives and Superlatives ▶️

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Korean → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Describing Things

Welcome to our lesson on "Describing Things"! This part of the Korean language is incredibly important because it allows you to express your thoughts and ideas about the world around you. Whether you're talking about the size of a building, the color of a dress, or the shape of a fruit, being able to describe things will enhance your communication skills and make your conversations much more engaging.

In this lesson, we will cover:

  • The role of adjectives in descriptions
  • Vocabulary related to size, color, and shape
  • How to form sentences using descriptive words
  • Practice exercises to reinforce your learning

Let’s dive in and explore the colorful world of describing things in Korean!

The Role of Adjectives in Descriptions[edit | edit source]

Adjectives are words that describe nouns. They provide information about the characteristics of a person, place, thing, or idea. In Korean, adjectives are used similarly to English but have their unique structure and conjugation.

Basic Structure of Adjectives[edit | edit source]

In Korean, adjectives can function as predicates (the part of a sentence that tells what the subject does or is) and are conjugated based on the tense of the sentence. For example:

  • Present Tense: The adjective remains in its base form.
  • Past Tense: The adjective is conjugated into a past form.

Here are some examples of common adjectives used to describe things:

Korean Pronunciation English
크다 keuda big
작다 jakda small
예쁘다 yeppeuda pretty
못생기다 motsaengida ugly
길다 gilda long
짧다 jjalbda short
밝다 balgda bright
어두다 eoduda dark
새롭다 saeropda new
낡다 nagda old

Vocabulary for Describing Size[edit | edit source]

When describing size, we often use the adjectives 크다 (big) and 작다 (small). But there are many more adjectives to express various sizes. Here are some additional vocabulary words related to size:

Korean Pronunciation English
넓다 neolbda wide
좁다 jobda narrow
두껍다 dukkeobda thick
얇다 yalbda thin
큼직하다 keumjikada large
미세하다 misehada tiny
적당하다 jeokdanghada moderate
굵다 gulda thick (in diameter)
가늘다 ganeulda thin (in diameter)
방대하다 bangdaehada enormous

Vocabulary for Describing Color[edit | edit source]

Colors are another crucial aspect of describing things. Here are some basic color adjectives in Korean:

Korean Pronunciation English
빨간색 ppalgansek red
파란색 paransek blue
초록색 choroksek green
노란색 noransek yellow
검은색 geom-eunsek black
흰색 huinseok white
주황색 juhwangsek orange
보라색 borasek purple
분홍색 bunhongsek pink
회색 hoesaek gray

Vocabulary for Describing Shape[edit | edit source]

When describing shape, you can use these common adjectives:

Korean Pronunciation English
원형 wonhyeong round
사각형 sagak-hyeong square
직사각형 jiksagak-hyeong rectangle
삼각형 samgak-hyeong triangle
평면 pyeongmyeon flat
입체 ipche three-dimensional
구부러진 gubureojin curved
뾰족한 ppyojokhan pointed
넓적한 neoljeokhan broad
긴 gin long (shape)

Forming Sentences with Adjectives[edit | edit source]

Now that we have a good grasp of adjectives, let's learn how to use them in sentences. The basic sentence structure in Korean is Subject-Object-Verb (SOV). When using adjectives, they often come before the noun they describe.

Here are some examples:

1. 이 사과는 크다. (This apple is big.)

2. 그 집은 예쁘다. (That house is pretty.)

3. 이 바지는 길다. (These pants are long.)

4. 저 꽃은 노란색이다. (That flower is yellow.)

5. 그 남자는 뚱뚱하다. (That man is fat.)

In these sentences, the adjectives describe the subject (the noun) directly.

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Here are some exercises for you to practice what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

Fill in the blanks with the correct adjective from the vocabulary lists above.

1. 이 고양이는 ____. (This cat is ___.)

2. 그 책은 ____. (That book is ___.)

3. 저 나무는 ____. (That tree is ___.)

4. 이 의자는 ____. (This chair is ___.)

5. 그 구두는 ____. (Those shoes are ___.)

Answers:

1. 예쁘다 (pretty)

2. 작다 (small)

3. 크다 (big)

4. 길다 (long)

5. 빨간색 (red)

Exercise 2: Sentence Creation[edit | edit source]

Create sentences using the following prompts.

1. Describe your favorite fruit using size and color.

2. Describe your favorite piece of clothing using shape and size.

3. Describe a person you admire using an adjective for appearance.

Sample Answers:

1. 이 바나나는 노란색이고 크다. (This banana is yellow and big.)

2. 이 티셔츠는 원형이고 짧다. (This t-shirt is round and short.)

3. 그 여자는 예쁘고 똑똑하다. (That woman is pretty and smart.)

Exercise 3: Matching Adjectives with Nouns[edit | edit source]

Match the adjectives to the nouns.

1. 큰 a. 사과

2. 빨간색 b. 바지

3. 예쁜 c. 꽃

4. 작은 d. 집

5. 긴 e. 나무

Answers:

1-a, 2-c, 3-d, 4-e, 5-b

Exercise 4: Translate to Korean[edit | edit source]

Translate the following sentences into Korean.

1. The sky is blue.

2. The dog is small.

3. This table is old.

4. That car is new.

5. The dress is pretty.

Answers:

1. 하늘은 파란색이다.

2. 그 개는 작다.

3. 이 테이블은 낡다.

4. 저 차는 새롭다.

5. 그 드레스는 예쁘다.

Exercise 5: Describing Pictures[edit | edit source]

Look at the following pictures (imagine them or provide them) and describe them using at least three adjectives.

Sample Answer:

Picture of a flower: "이 꽃은 예쁘고 노란색이며 향기가 좋다." (This flower is pretty, yellow, and smells good.)

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations on completing this lesson on describing things in Korean! You've learned essential vocabulary related to size, color, and shape, and you now know how to form sentences using adjectives. Keep practicing these concepts in your daily conversations, and you'll find that describing things in Korean becomes second nature.

Don't forget to review the vocabulary regularly and try using it in different contexts. The more you practice, the more confident you'll become in your Korean language journey!

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 Tastes in Korean! - YouTube[edit | edit source]





Other Lessons[edit | edit source]




◀️ Describing People — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Comparatives and Superlatives ▶️

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