Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Happy" in Korean: 행복하다
행복하다haengbokhada
Happy in Korean is 행복하다 (haengbokhada). 행복하다 describes happiness as a state; 기쁘다 often focuses on being pleased by something.
Happy: an everyday statement
가족과 함께 있어서 행복해요.gajokgwa hamkke isseoseo haengbokaeyo.
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How to pronounce 행복하다
Say it
haengbokhada
/hɛŋpokʰata/
Read 행복하다 as haengbokhada. The spoken form 행복해요 is haengbokaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Happy" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 행복하다haengbokhada | Happy Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 행복해요haengbokaeyo | Happy (polite present) Use 행복해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 행복해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 행복했어요haengbokaesseoyo | Happy (polite past) Use 행복했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 행복했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 행복하다 in real life
- 1Happy: an everyday statement
가족과 함께 있어서 행복해요.
gajokgwa hamkke isseoseo haengbokaeyo.
I am happy to be with my family.
행복해요 is the present form of 행복하다.
- 2Happy: a different situation
어제 정말 행복했어요.
eoje jeongmal haengbokaesseoyo.
I was really happy yesterday.
행복했어요 is the past form of 행복하다.
- 3Happy: a question or request
지금 행복해요?
jigeum haengbokaeyo?
Are you happy now?
행복해요 is the present form of 행복하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 행복하다
Incorrect: 행복하다.
Correct: 행복해요.
When practicing happy, 행복하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 행복해요.
Incorrect: 어제 행복해요.
Correct: 어제 행복했어요.
When practicing happy, for a completed event yesterday, use 행복했어요; the present form 행복해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
행복하다 describes happiness as a state; 기쁘다 often focuses on being pleased by something. 행복해요 is the polite conversational form of 행복하다; 행복했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 행복하다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
가족과 함께 있어서 행복해요.
gajokgwa hamkke isseoseo haengbokaeyo.
I am happy to be with my family.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 정말 행복했어요.
eoje jeongmal haengbokaesseoyo.
I was really happy yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Happy" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Happy" in Korean
How do I use 행복하다 in polite speech?
행복해요 is the polite conversational form of 행복하다; 행복했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 행복하다 in a past-tense sentence?
행복했어요 is the polite past form. 행복하다 describes happiness as a state; 기쁘다 often focuses on being pleased by something.
What does 행복해요 mean here?
행복해요 is used for happy. For example, 가족과 함께 있어서 행복해요. means “I am happy to be with my family.”
What should I remember about 행복하다?
행복하다 describes happiness as a state; 기쁘다 often focuses on being pleased by something.
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