Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Short" in Korean: 키가 작다
키가 작다kiga jakda
Short in Korean is 키가 작다 (kiga jakda). 키가 작다 describes a person’s short height; 짧다 describes short length or duration instead.
Short: an everyday statement
그 사람은 키가 작아요.geu sarameun kiga jagayo.
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How to pronounce 키가 작다
Say it
kiga jakda
/kʰika tɕak̚t͈a/
Read 키가 작다 as kiga jakda. The spoken form 키가 작아요 is kiga jagayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Short" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 키가 작다kiga jakda | Short Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 키가 작아요kiga jagayo | Short (polite present) Use 키가 작아요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 키가 작아요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 키가 작았어요kiga jagasseoyo | Short (polite past) Use 키가 작았어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 키가 작았어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 키가 작다 in real life
- 1Short: an everyday statement
그 사람은 키가 작아요.
geu sarameun kiga jagayo.
That person is short.
키가 작아요 is the present form of 키가 작다.
- 2Short: a different situation
어릴 때는 키가 작았어요.
eoril ttaeneun kiga jagasseoyo.
I was short as a child.
키가 작았어요 is the past form of 키가 작다.
- 3Short: a question or request
반에서 키가 작아요?
baneseo kiga jagayo?
Are they short compared with the class?
키가 작아요 is the present form of 키가 작다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 키가 작다
Incorrect: 키가 작다.
Correct: 키가 작아요.
When practicing short, 키가 작다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 키가 작아요.
Incorrect: 어제 키가 작아요.
Correct: 어제 키가 작았어요.
When practicing short, for a completed event yesterday, use 키가 작았어요; the present form 키가 작아요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
키가 작다 describes a person’s short height; 짧다 describes short length or duration instead. 키가 작아요 is the polite conversational form of 키가 작다; 키가 작았어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 키가 작다
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 키가 작아요.
geu sarameun kiga jagayo.
That person is short.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어릴 때는 키가 작았어요.
eoril ttaeneun kiga jagasseoyo.
I was short as a child.
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 "Short" in Korean
How do I use 키가 작다 in polite speech?
키가 작아요 is the polite conversational form of 키가 작다; 키가 작았어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 키가 작다 in a past-tense sentence?
키가 작았어요 is the polite past form. 키가 작다 describes a person’s short height; 짧다 describes short length or duration instead.
What does 키가 작아요 mean here?
키가 작아요 is used for short. For example, 그 사람은 키가 작아요. means “That person is short.”
What should I remember about 키가 작다?
키가 작다 describes a person’s short height; 짧다 describes short length or duration instead.
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