Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Good" in Korean: 좋다
좋다jota
Good in Korean is 좋다 (jota). 좋다 describes something as good; 좋아하다 means like something and takes an object.
Good: an everyday statement
이 방법이 좋아요.i bangbeobi joayo.
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How to pronounce 좋다
Say it
jota
/tɕotʰa/
Read 좋다 as jota. The spoken form 좋아요 is joayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Good" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 좋다jota | Good Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 좋아요joayo | Good (polite present) Use 좋아요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 좋아요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 좋았어요joasseoyo | Good (polite past) Use 좋았어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 좋았어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 좋다 in real life
- 1Good: an everyday statement
이 방법이 좋아요.
i bangbeobi joayo.
This method is good.
좋아요 is the present form of 좋다.
- 2Good: a different situation
어제 날씨가 좋았어요.
eoje nalssiga joasseoyo.
The weather was good yesterday.
좋았어요 is the past form of 좋다.
- 3Good: a question or request
이 자리가 좋아요?
i jariga joayo?
Is this seat good?
좋아요 is the present form of 좋다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 좋다
Incorrect: 좋다.
Correct: 좋아요.
When practicing good, 좋다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 좋아요.
Incorrect: 어제 좋아요.
Correct: 어제 좋았어요.
When practicing good, for a completed event yesterday, use 좋았어요; the present form 좋아요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
좋다 describes something as good; 좋아하다 means like something and takes an object. 좋아요 is the polite conversational form of 좋다; 좋았어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 좋다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
이 방법이 좋아요.
i bangbeobi joayo.
This method is good.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 날씨가 좋았어요.
eoje nalssiga joasseoyo.
The weather was good yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Good" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Good" in Korean
How do I use 좋다 in polite speech?
좋아요 is the polite conversational form of 좋다; 좋았어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 좋다 in a past-tense sentence?
좋았어요 is the polite past form. 좋다 describes something as good; 좋아하다 means like something and takes an object.
What does 좋아요 mean here?
좋아요 is used for good. For example, 이 방법이 좋아요. means “This method is good.”
What should I remember about 좋다?
좋다 describes something as good; 좋아하다 means like something and takes an object.
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