Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Honest" in Korean: 정직하다
정직하다jeongjikhada
Honest in Korean is 정직하다 (jeongjikhada). 정직하다 describes honesty or integrity; 솔직하다 often emphasizes speaking frankly.
Honest: an everyday statement
그 사람은 정직해요.geu sarameun jeongjikaeyo.
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How to pronounce 정직하다
Say it
jeongjikhada
/tɕʌŋtɕikʰata/
Read 정직하다 as jeongjikhada. The spoken form 정직해요 is jeongjikaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Honest" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 정직하다jeongjikhada | Honest Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 정직해요jeongjikaeyo | Honest (polite present) Use 정직해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 정직해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 정직했어요jeongjikaesseoyo | Honest (polite past) Use 정직했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 정직했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 정직하다 in real life
- 1Honest: an everyday statement
그 사람은 정직해요.
geu sarameun jeongjikaeyo.
That person is honest.
정직해요 is the present form of 정직하다.
- 2Honest: a different situation
그 답변은 정직했어요.
geu dapbyeoneun jeongjikaesseoyo.
That answer was honest.
정직했어요 is the past form of 정직하다.
- 3Honest: a question or request
항상 정직해요?
hangsang jeongjikaeyo?
Are you always honest?
정직해요 is the present form of 정직하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 정직하다
Incorrect: 정직하다.
Correct: 정직해요.
When practicing honest, 정직하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 정직해요.
Incorrect: 어제 정직해요.
Correct: 어제 정직했어요.
When practicing honest, for a completed event yesterday, use 정직했어요; the present form 정직해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
정직하다 describes honesty or integrity; 솔직하다 often emphasizes speaking frankly. 정직해요 is the polite conversational form of 정직하다; 정직했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 정직하다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
그 사람은 정직해요.
geu sarameun jeongjikaeyo.
That person is honest.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그 답변은 정직했어요.
geu dapbyeoneun jeongjikaesseoyo.
That answer was honest.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Honest" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Honest" in Korean
How do I use 정직하다 in polite speech?
정직해요 is the polite conversational form of 정직하다; 정직했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 정직하다 in a past-tense sentence?
정직했어요 is the polite past form. 정직하다 describes honesty or integrity; 솔직하다 often emphasizes speaking frankly.
What does 정직해요 mean here?
정직해요 is used for honest. For example, 그 사람은 정직해요. means “That person is honest.”
What should I remember about 정직하다?
정직하다 describes honesty or integrity; 솔직하다 often emphasizes speaking frankly.
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