Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Dirty" in Korean: 더럽다
더럽다deoreopda
Dirty in Korean is 더럽다 (deoreopda). 더럽다 becomes 더러워요; 지저분하다 can also describe untidiness rather than dirt alone.
Dirty: an everyday statement
신발이 더러워요.sinbari deoreowoyo.
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How to pronounce 더럽다
Say it
deoreopda
/tʌɾʌp̚t͈a/
Read 더럽다 as deoreopda. The spoken form 더러워요 is deoreowoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Dirty" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 더럽다deoreopda | Dirty Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 더러워요deoreowoyo | Dirty (polite present) Use 더러워요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 더러워요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 더러웠어요deoreowosseoyo | Dirty (polite past) Use 더러웠어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 더러웠어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 더럽다 in real life
- 1Dirty: an everyday statement
신발이 더러워요.
sinbari deoreowoyo.
The shoes are dirty.
더러워요 is the present form of 더럽다.
- 2Dirty: a different situation
어제 바닥이 더러웠어요.
eoje badagi deoreowosseoyo.
The floor was dirty yesterday.
더러웠어요 is the past form of 더럽다.
- 3Dirty: a question or request
옷이 많이 더러워요?
osi mani deoreowoyo?
Are the clothes very dirty?
더러워요 is the present form of 더럽다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 더럽다
Incorrect: 더럽다.
Correct: 더러워요.
When practicing dirty, 더럽다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 더러워요.
Incorrect: 어제 더러워요.
Correct: 어제 더러웠어요.
When practicing dirty, for a completed event yesterday, use 더러웠어요; the present form 더러워요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
더럽다 becomes 더러워요; 지저분하다 can also describe untidiness rather than dirt alone. 더러워요 is the polite conversational form of 더럽다; 더러웠어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 더럽다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
신발이 더러워요.
sinbari deoreowoyo.
The shoes are dirty.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 바닥이 더러웠어요.
eoje badagi deoreowosseoyo.
The floor was dirty yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Dirty" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Dirty" in Korean
How do I use 더럽다 in polite speech?
더러워요 is the polite conversational form of 더럽다; 더러웠어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 더럽다 in a past-tense sentence?
더러웠어요 is the polite past form. 더럽다 becomes 더러워요; 지저분하다 can also describe untidiness rather than dirt alone.
What does 더러워요 mean here?
더러워요 is used for dirty. For example, 신발이 더러워요. means “The shoes are dirty.”
What should I remember about 더럽다?
더럽다 becomes 더러워요; 지저분하다 can also describe untidiness rather than dirt alone.
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