Language/Korean/Grammar/Describing-People

◀️ Korean Cinema — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Describing Things ▶️

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

1. False

2. True

Exercise 6: Write a Paragraph

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

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

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

Choose the correct adjective to complete the sentence:

"그녀는 ________ (funny)."

a. 조용하다

b. 재미있다

c. 게으르다

Answer: b. 재미있다

Exercise 10: Role Play

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

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

• 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

  ---

Korean Culture and Customs

• Korean Etiquette
• Korean Holidays
• Korean Cuisine

  ---

Sentence Building

• Basic Verb Conjugation
• Question Words
• Connecting Verbs

  ---

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

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Food and Ingredients
• Drinks
• Cooking and Recipes

  ---

Korean Traditions

• Korean Weddings
• Korean Festivals
• Korean Games and Sports

  ---

Verb Tenses

• Past Tense
• Future Tense
• Progressive Tense

  ---

Travel and Sightseeing

• Travel Vocabulary
• Sightseeing Vocabulary
• Shopping Vocabulary

  ---

Korean Arts and Crafts

• Korean Calligraphy
• Korean Pottery
• Korean Paper Crafts

  ---

Conjunctions and Connectors

• Conjunctions
• Connectors
• Conditional Sentences

  ---

Health and Body

• Body Parts
• Health Vocabulary
• Exercise and Fitness Vocabulary

  ---

Korean Nature

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

Sources

• Learn Korean - Grammar - Apps on Google Play

Other Lessons

• Questions
• Describing Things
• Subject and Object Markers
• How to Use Have
• Korean Pronunciation
• Question Words
• Give your Opinion
• Comparatives and Superlatives
• Progressive Tense
• Future Tense

◀️ Korean Cinema — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Describing Things ▶️