Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Smart" in Korean: 똑똑하다
똑똑하다ttokttokhada
Smart in Korean is 똑똑하다 (ttokttokhada). 똑똑하다 describes intelligence; 똑똑 also represents knocking in another context.
Smart: an everyday statement
그 아이는 똑똑해요.geu aineun ttokttokaeyo.
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How to pronounce 똑똑하다
Say it
ttokttokhada
/t͈ok̚t͈okʰata/
Read 똑똑하다 as ttokttokhada. The spoken form 똑똑해요 is ttokttokaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Smart" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 똑똑하다ttokttokhada | Smart Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 똑똑해요ttokttokaeyo | Smart (polite present) Use 똑똑해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 똑똑해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 똑똑했어요ttokttokaesseoyo | Smart (polite past) Use 똑똑했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 똑똑했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 똑똑하다 in real life
- 1Smart: an everyday statement
그 아이는 똑똑해요.
geu aineun ttokttokaeyo.
That child is smart.
똑똑해요 is the present form of 똑똑하다.
- 2Smart: a different situation
그 학생은 어릴 때도 똑똑했어요.
geu haksaengeun eoril ttaedo ttokttokaesseoyo.
That student was smart even as a child.
똑똑했어요 is the past form of 똑똑하다.
- 3Smart: a question or request
그 사람이 똑똑해요?
geu sarami ttokttokaeyo?
Is that person smart?
똑똑해요 is the present form of 똑똑하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 똑똑하다
Incorrect: 똑똑하다.
Correct: 똑똑해요.
When practicing smart, 똑똑하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 똑똑해요.
Incorrect: 어제 똑똑해요.
Correct: 어제 똑똑했어요.
When practicing smart, for a completed event yesterday, use 똑똑했어요; the present form 똑똑해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
똑똑하다 describes intelligence; 똑똑 also represents knocking in another context. 똑똑해요 is the polite conversational form of 똑똑하다; 똑똑했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 똑똑하다
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 아이는 똑똑해요.
geu aineun ttokttokaeyo.
That child is smart.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그 학생은 어릴 때도 똑똑했어요.
geu haksaengeun eoril ttaedo ttokttokaesseoyo.
That student was smart even 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 "Smart" in Korean
How do I use 똑똑하다 in polite speech?
똑똑해요 is the polite conversational form of 똑똑하다; 똑똑했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 똑똑하다 in a past-tense sentence?
똑똑했어요 is the polite past form. 똑똑하다 describes intelligence; 똑똑 also represents knocking in another context.
What does 똑똑해요 mean here?
똑똑해요 is used for smart. For example, 그 아이는 똑똑해요. means “That child is smart.”
What should I remember about 똑똑하다?
똑똑하다 describes intelligence; 똑똑 also represents knocking in another context.
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