Adverbs of degree play a crucial role in both English and Korean, but their usage can vary significantly between the two languages. Understanding these differences is essential for anyone looking to achieve fluency in Korean. In this article, we will dive deep into the nuances of adverbs of degree in Korean grammar, using examples to illustrate their proper usage. Adverbs of degree like “very” and “quite” help us to express intensity, frequency, and other levels of action or state. Let’s explore how these are used in Korean.
What Are Adverbs of Degree?
Adverbs of degree are words that modify adjectives or verbs to express the intensity or degree of an action or quality. In English, words like “very,” “quite,” “extremely,” and “barely” serve this purpose. Similarly, Korean has its own set of adverbs of degree. These words are essential for making your language sound natural and expressive.
Common Korean Adverbs of Degree
Here are some of the most common Korean adverbs of degree and their English equivalents:
1. 매우 (mae-u) – very
2. 아주 (a-ju) – very, extremely
3. 정말 (jeong-mal) – really, truly
4. 진짜 (jin-jja) – really, truly
5. 꽤 (kkwae) – quite, fairly
6. 너무 (neo-mu) – too, very
7. 상당히 (sang-dang-hi) – quite, considerably
8. 약간 (yak-kan) – slightly, a little
9. 조금 (jo-geum) – a little, slightly
10. 거의 (geo-ui) – almost, nearly
Usage of Adverbs of Degree
매우 (mae-u) and 아주 (a-ju)
Both “매우” and “아주” can be translated as “very” in English. They are used to intensify adjectives and verbs. While they are often interchangeable, “매우” is considered slightly more formal than “아주.”
Examples:
1. 매우 춥다 (mae-u chup-da) – It is very cold.
2. 아주 기쁘다 (a-ju gi-ppeu-da) – I am very happy.
정말 (jeong-mal) and 진짜 (jin-jja)
“정말” and “진짜” both mean “really” or “truly.” They can be used to emphasize both adjectives and verbs. “정말” is more formal, while “진짜” is more casual and often used in spoken Korean.
Examples:
1. 정말 맛있다 (jeong-mal ma-shit-da) – It is really delicious.
2. 진짜 재미있다 (jin-jja jae-mi-it-da) – It is really fun.
꽤 (kkwae) and 상당히 (sang-dang-hi)
“꽤” and “상당히” both translate to “quite” or “fairly.” These adverbs are used to describe something that is more than average but not to an extreme degree.
Examples:
1. 꽤 어렵다 (kkwae eo-ryeop-da) – It is quite difficult.
2. 상당히 좋다 (sang-dang-hi jo-ta) – It is considerably good.
너무 (neo-mu)
“너무” is an interesting adverb because it can mean both “too” and “very.” Context usually determines its meaning. While it originally means “too” (as in excessively), in colloquial Korean, it is often used to mean “very.”
Examples:
1. 너무 비싸다 (neo-mu bi-ssa-da) – It is too expensive.
2. 너무 예쁘다 (neo-mu ye-ppeu-da) – It is very pretty.
약간 (yak-kan) and 조금 (jo-geum)
“약간” and “조금” both mean “a little” or “slightly.” These are used to describe a small degree of something.
Examples:
1. 약간 피곤하다 (yak-kan pi-gon-ha-da) – I am slightly tired.
2. 조금 배고프다 (jo-geum bae-go-peu-da) – I am a little hungry.
거의 (geo-ui)
“거의” means “almost” or “nearly.” It is used to indicate that something is close to happening or being the case, but not quite there.
Examples:
1. 거의 다 왔다 (geo-ui da wat-da) – We are almost there.
2. 거의 끝났다 (geo-ui kkeut-nat-da) – It is nearly finished.
Position in a Sentence
In Korean, adverbs of degree typically come before the adjective or verb they modify. This is similar to their placement in English.
Examples:
1. 나는 매우 행복하다 (na-neun mae-u haeng-bok-ha-da) – I am very happy.
2. 그 책은 정말 재미있다 (geu chaek-eun jeong-mal jae-mi-it-da) – That book is really interesting.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
The level of formality in Korean is an important aspect to consider. Some adverbs of degree are more formal than others. For instance, “매우” and “정말” are more formal than “아주” and “진짜.” Knowing when to use each can help you sound more natural in different contexts.
Formal Situations
In formal settings, such as in the workplace or when speaking with someone older, you would use more formal adverbs of degree.
Examples:
1. 이 문제는 매우 중요합니다 (i mun-je-neun mae-u jung-yo-ham-ni-da) – This issue is very important.
2. 정말 감사합니다 (jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da) – Thank you very much.
Informal Situations
In casual settings, with friends or family, you can use more informal adverbs of degree.
Examples:
1. 이 영화 진짜 재미있어 (i yeong-hwa jin-jja jae-mi-it-seo) – This movie is really fun.
2. 너무 맛있어 (neo-mu ma-shit-seo) – It is very delicious.
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
Overusing “너무” (neo-mu)
One common mistake among Korean learners is the overuse of “너무.” While it is often used to mean “very” in colloquial speech, it still fundamentally means “too.” Overusing it can sometimes lead to misunderstandings.
Incorrect: 너무 예쁜 여자 (neo-mu ye-ppeun yeo-ja) – Too pretty girl (could imply excessively pretty, which might not be the intended meaning).
Correct: 아주 예쁜 여자 (a-ju ye-ppeun yeo-ja) – Very pretty girl.
Confusing “정말” (jeong-mal) and “진짜” (jin-jja)
While both “정말” and “진짜” mean “really,” using them interchangeably in formal situations can be problematic. “진짜” is too casual for formal settings.
Incorrect: 진짜 감사합니다 (jin-jja gam-sa-ham-ni-da) – Really thank you (too informal).
Correct: 정말 감사합니다 (jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da) – Really thank you.
Advanced Usage
Combining Adverbs of Degree
In some cases, you can combine adverbs of degree for added emphasis. This is more common in spoken Korean and can make your language sound more natural.
Examples:
1. 정말 너무 맛있다 (jeong-mal neo-mu ma-shit-da) – It is really very delicious.
2. 진짜 아주 예쁘다 (jin-jja a-ju ye-ppeu-da) – It is really very pretty.
Using Adverbs of Degree with Negatives
Adverbs of degree can also be used with negative sentences to soften or intensify the negation.
Examples:
1. 별로 안 춥다 (byeol-lo an chup-da) – It is not very cold.
2. 전혀 안 기쁘다 (jeon-hyeo an gi-ppeu-da) – I am not happy at all.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding, let’s try some practice exercises. Translate the following sentences into Korean using the appropriate adverbs of degree.
1. The movie is very interesting.
2. I am slightly tired.
3. It is too expensive.
4. She is really pretty.
5. The book is quite good.
Answers:
1. 그 영화는 아주 재미있다 (geu yeong-hwa-neun a-ju jae-mi-it-da).
2. 나는 약간 피곤하다 (na-neun yak-kan pi-gon-ha-da).
3. 그것은 너무 비싸다 (geu-geot-eun neo-mu bi-ssa-da).
4. 그녀는 정말 예쁘다 (geu-nyeo-neun jeong-mal ye-ppeu-da).
5. 그 책은 꽤 좋다 (geu chaek-eun kkwae jo-ta).
Conclusion
Understanding and using adverbs of degree correctly is vital for effective communication in Korean. These small but powerful words can greatly enhance your ability to express yourself clearly and naturally. By mastering the common adverbs of degree and being mindful of their formality and context, you will take a significant step toward fluency in Korean. Keep practicing, and soon enough, you will find yourself using these adverbs effortlessly in your daily conversations. Happy learning!
