Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Bad" in Korean: 나쁘다
나쁘다nappeuda
Bad in Korean is 나쁘다 (nappeuda). 나쁘다 becomes 나빠요; 안 좋다 is a common gentler way of describing something as not good.
Bad: an everyday statement
오늘 기분이 나빠요.oneul gibuni nappayo.
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How to pronounce 나쁘다
Say it
nappeuda
/nap͈ɯta/
Read 나쁘다 as nappeuda. The spoken form 나빠요 is nappayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Bad" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 나쁘다nappeuda | Bad Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 나빠요nappayo | Bad (polite present) Use 나빠요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 나빠요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 나빴어요nappasseoyo | Bad (polite past) Use 나빴어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 나빴어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 나쁘다 in real life
- 1Bad: an everyday statement
오늘 기분이 나빠요.
oneul gibuni nappayo.
I am in a bad mood today.
나빠요 is the present form of 나쁘다.
- 2Bad: a different situation
어제 날씨가 나빴어요.
eoje nalssiga nappasseoyo.
The weather was bad yesterday.
나빴어요 is the past form of 나쁘다.
- 3Bad: a question or request
상태가 많이 나빠요?
sangtaega mani nappayo?
Is the condition very bad?
나빠요 is the present form of 나쁘다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 나쁘다
Incorrect: 나쁘다.
Correct: 나빠요.
When practicing bad, 나쁘다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 나빠요.
Incorrect: 어제 나빠요.
Correct: 어제 나빴어요.
When practicing bad, for a completed event yesterday, use 나빴어요; the present form 나빠요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
나쁘다 becomes 나빠요; 안 좋다 is a common gentler way of describing something as not good. 나빠요 is the polite conversational form of 나쁘다; 나빴어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 나쁘다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
오늘 기분이 나빠요.
oneul gibuni nappayo.
I am in a bad mood today.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 날씨가 나빴어요.
eoje nalssiga nappasseoyo.
The weather was bad yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Bad" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Bad" in Korean
How do I use 나쁘다 in polite speech?
나빠요 is the polite conversational form of 나쁘다; 나빴어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 나쁘다 in a past-tense sentence?
나빴어요 is the polite past form. 나쁘다 becomes 나빠요; 안 좋다 is a common gentler way of describing something as not good.
What does 나빠요 mean here?
나빠요 is used for bad. For example, 오늘 기분이 나빠요. means “I am in a bad mood today.”
What should I remember about 나쁘다?
나쁘다 becomes 나빠요; 안 좋다 is a common gentler way of describing something as not good.
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