Korean · Vocabulary

Korean Opposites

One of the fastest ways to build Korean vocabulary is to learn words in opposite pairs. When you know one word you already halfway know its opposite. Here are the most useful Korean opposite pairs for beginners.

M
Mia · phrasesbymia.com · 8 min read

Why Learn Opposites Together

Learning words in pairs doubles your vocabulary instantly. When you know big you already half-know small. Here are the most useful Korean opposite pairs.

Size and Amount

크다
keuda
Big
작다
jakda
Small
많다
manta
Many
적다
jeokda
Few
길다
gilda
Long
짧다
jjalda
Short
높다
nopda
High
낮다
natda
Low
넓다
neolda
Wide
좁다
jopda
Narrow

Quality and State

좋다
jota
Good
나쁘다
nappeuda
Bad
쉽다
swipda
Easy
어렵다
oryeopda
Difficult
빠르다
ppareuda
Fast
느리다
neurida
Slow
새롭다
saeropda
New
오래되다
oraedoeda
Old
깨끗하다
kkaekkeuthada
Clean
더럽다
deoropda
Dirty
비싸다
bissada
Expensive
싸다
ssada
Cheap
조용하다
joyonghada
Quiet
시끄럽다
sikkeureopda
Noisy
강하다
ganghada
Strong
약하다
yakada
Weak
무겁다
mugeopda
Heavy
가볍다
gbyeopda
Light
딱딱하다
ttakttakada
Hard
부드럽다
budeureupda
Soft

Temperature and Comfort

덥다
deopda
Hot
춥다
chupda
Cold
따뜻하다
ttatteutada
Warm
시원하다
siwonhada
Cool
편하다
pyeonhada
Comfortable
불편하다
bulpyeonhada
Uncomfortable

Emotions

행복하다
haengbokhada
Happy
슬프다
seulpeuda
Sad
재미있다
jaemiitda
Interesting
재미없다
jaemieopda
Boring
배고프다
baegopda
Hungry
배부르다
baebureuda
Full
피곤하다
pigonhada
Tired
활기차다
hwalgichada
Energetic

Direction and Position

위
wi
Above / Up
아래
arae
Below / Down
앞
ap
Front
뒤
dwi
Back
왼쪽
oenjjok
Left
오른쪽
oreunjjok
Right
안
an
Inside
밖
bak
Outside
처음
cheoeum
Beginning
끝
kkeut
End

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