Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Serious" in Korean: 진지하다
진지하다jinjihada
Serious in Korean is 진지하다 (jinjihada). 진지하다 describes a sincere serious attitude; 심각하다 describes a severe situation.
Serious: an everyday statement
지금은 진지해요.jigeumeun jinjihaeyo.
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How to pronounce 진지하다
Say it
jinjihada
/tɕintɕihata/
Read 진지하다 as jinjihada. The spoken form 진지해요 is jinjihaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Serious" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 진지하다jinjihada | Serious Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 진지해요jinjihaeyo | Serious (polite present) Use 진지해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 진지해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 진지했어요jinjihaesseoyo | Serious (polite past) Use 진지했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 진지했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 진지하다 in real life
- 1Serious: an everyday statement
지금은 진지해요.
jigeumeun jinjihaeyo.
I am serious now.
진지해요 is the present form of 진지하다.
- 2Serious: a different situation
그 대화는 진지했어요.
geu daehwaneun jinjihaesseoyo.
That conversation was serious.
진지했어요 is the past form of 진지하다.
- 3Serious: a question or request
정말 진지해요?
jeongmal jinjihaeyo?
Are you really serious?
진지해요 is the present form of 진지하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 진지하다
Incorrect: 진지하다.
Correct: 진지해요.
When practicing serious, 진지하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 진지해요.
Incorrect: 어제 진지해요.
Correct: 어제 진지했어요.
When practicing serious, for a completed event yesterday, use 진지했어요; the present form 진지해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
진지하다 describes a sincere serious attitude; 심각하다 describes a severe situation. 진지해요 is the polite conversational form of 진지하다; 진지했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 진지하다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
지금은 진지해요.
jigeumeun jinjihaeyo.
I am serious now.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그 대화는 진지했어요.
geu daehwaneun jinjihaesseoyo.
That conversation was serious.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Serious" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Serious" in Korean
How do I use 진지하다 in polite speech?
진지해요 is the polite conversational form of 진지하다; 진지했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 진지하다 in a past-tense sentence?
진지했어요 is the polite past form. 진지하다 describes a sincere serious attitude; 심각하다 describes a severe situation.
What does 진지해요 mean here?
진지해요 is used for serious. For example, 지금은 진지해요. means “I am serious now.”
What should I remember about 진지하다?
진지하다 describes a sincere serious attitude; 심각하다 describes a severe situation.
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