Korean · Travel & Getting Around
"Near" in Korean: 가깝다
가깝다gakkapda
Near in Korean is 가깝다 (gakkapda). 가깝다 is a predicate for being near; 근처 is a nearby area as a noun.
Near: an everyday statement
역이 가까워요.yeogi gakkawoyo.
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How to pronounce 가깝다
Say it
gakkapda
/kak͈ap̚t͈a/
Read 가깝다 as gakkapda. The spoken form 가까워요 is gakkawoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Near" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 가깝다gakkapda | Near Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 가까워요gakkawoyo | Near (polite present) Use 가까워요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 가까워요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 가까웠어요gakkawosseoyo | Near (polite past) Use 가까웠어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 가까웠어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 가깝다 in real life
- 1Near: an everyday statement
역이 가까워요.
yeogi gakkawoyo.
The station is near.
가까워요 is the present form of 가깝다.
- 2Near: a different situation
예전 집은 학교와 가까웠어요.
yejeon jibeun hakgyowa gakkawosseoyo.
My old house was close to school.
가까웠어요 is the past form of 가깝다.
- 3Near: a question or request
여기서 가까워요?
yeogiseo gakkawoyo?
Is it close to here?
가까워요 is the present form of 가깝다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 가깝다
Incorrect: 가깝다.
Correct: 가까워요.
When practicing near, 가깝다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 가까워요.
Incorrect: 어제 가까워요.
Correct: 어제 가까웠어요.
When practicing near, for a completed event yesterday, use 가까웠어요; the present form 가까워요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
가깝다 is a predicate for being near; 근처 is a nearby area as a noun. 가까워요 is the polite conversational form of 가깝다; 가까웠어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led travel and directions study exercise: two sentences with 가깝다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
역이 가까워요.
yeogi gakkawoyo.
The station is near.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
예전 집은 학교와 가까웠어요.
yejeon jibeun hakgyowa gakkawosseoyo.
My old house was close to school.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
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FAQ
Common questions about "Near" in Korean
How do I use 가깝다 in polite speech?
가까워요 is the polite conversational form of 가깝다; 가까웠어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 가깝다 in a past-tense sentence?
가까웠어요 is the polite past form. 가깝다 is a predicate for being near; 근처 is a nearby area as a noun.
What does 가까워요 mean here?
가까워요 is used for near. For example, 역이 가까워요. means “The station is near.”
What should I remember about 가깝다?
가깝다 is a predicate for being near; 근처 is a nearby area as a noun.
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