Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Busy" in Korean: 바쁘다
바쁘다bappeuda
Busy in Korean is 바쁘다 (bappeuda). 바쁘다 loses ㅡ in 바빠요; describe a busy schedule rather than a crowded space.
Busy: an everyday statement
오늘은 바빠요.oneureun bappayo.
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How to pronounce 바쁘다
Say it
bappeuda
/pap͈ɯta/
Read 바쁘다 as bappeuda. The spoken form 바빠요 is bappayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Busy" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 바쁘다bappeuda | Busy Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 바빠요bappayo | Busy (polite present) Use 바빠요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 바빠요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 바빴어요bappasseoyo | Busy (polite past) Use 바빴어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 바빴어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 바쁘다 in real life
- 1Busy: an everyday statement
오늘은 바빠요.
oneureun bappayo.
I am busy today.
바빠요 is the present form of 바쁘다.
- 2Busy: a different situation
지난주에 많이 바빴어요.
jinanjue mani bappasseoyo.
I was very busy last week.
바빴어요 is the past form of 바쁘다.
- 3Busy: a question or request
내일도 바빠요?
naeildo bappayo?
Are you busy tomorrow too?
바빠요 is the present form of 바쁘다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 바쁘다
Incorrect: 바쁘다.
Correct: 바빠요.
When practicing busy, 바쁘다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 바빠요.
Incorrect: 어제 바빠요.
Correct: 어제 바빴어요.
When practicing busy, for a completed event yesterday, use 바빴어요; the present form 바빠요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
바쁘다 loses ㅡ in 바빠요; describe a busy schedule rather than a crowded space. 바빠요 is the polite conversational form of 바쁘다; 바빴어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 바쁘다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
오늘은 바빠요.
oneureun bappayo.
I am busy today.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
지난주에 많이 바빴어요.
jinanjue mani bappasseoyo.
I was very busy last week.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Busy" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Busy" in Korean
How do I use 바쁘다 in polite speech?
바빠요 is the polite conversational form of 바쁘다; 바빴어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 바쁘다 in a past-tense sentence?
바빴어요 is the polite past form. 바쁘다 loses ㅡ in 바빠요; describe a busy schedule rather than a crowded space.
What does 바빠요 mean here?
바빠요 is used for busy. For example, 오늘은 바빠요. means “I am busy today.”
What should I remember about 바쁘다?
바쁘다 loses ㅡ in 바빠요; describe a busy schedule rather than a crowded space.
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