Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Surprised" in Korean: 놀라다
놀라다nollada
Surprised in Korean is 놀라다 (nollada). 놀라다 means become surprised; 놀랐어요 commonly reports the reaction that has just happened.
Surprised: an everyday statement
큰 소리를 들으면 놀라요.keun sorireul deureumyeon nollayo.
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How to pronounce 놀라다
Say it
nollada
/nolɾata/
Read 놀라다 as nollada. The spoken form 놀라요 is nollayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Surprised" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 놀라다nollada | Surprised Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 놀라요nollayo | Surprised (polite present) Use 놀라요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 놀라요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 놀랐어요nollasseoyo | Surprised (polite past) Use 놀랐어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 놀랐어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 놀라다 in real life
- 1Surprised: an everyday statement
큰 소리를 들으면 놀라요.
keun sorireul deureumyeon nollayo.
I get startled when I hear a loud sound.
놀라요 is the present form of 놀라다.
- 2Surprised: a different situation
그 소식을 듣고 놀랐어요.
geu sosigeul deutgo nollasseoyo.
I was surprised when I heard that news.
놀랐어요 is the past form of 놀라다.
- 3Surprised: a question or request
그런 말을 들으면 놀라요?
geureon mareul deureumyeon nollayo?
Do you get surprised when you hear that?
놀라요 is the present form of 놀라다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 놀라다
Incorrect: 놀라다.
Correct: 놀라요.
When practicing surprised, 놀라다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 놀라요.
Incorrect: 어제 놀라요.
Correct: 어제 놀랐어요.
When practicing surprised, for a completed event yesterday, use 놀랐어요; the present form 놀라요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
놀라다 means become surprised; 놀랐어요 commonly reports the reaction that has just happened. 놀라요 is the polite conversational form of 놀라다; 놀랐어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 놀라다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
큰 소리를 들으면 놀라요.
keun sorireul deureumyeon nollayo.
I get startled when I hear a loud sound.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그 소식을 듣고 놀랐어요.
geu sosigeul deutgo nollasseoyo.
I was surprised when I heard that news.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Surprised" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Surprised" in Korean
How do I use 놀라다 in polite speech?
놀라요 is the polite conversational form of 놀라다; 놀랐어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 놀라다 in a past-tense sentence?
놀랐어요 is the polite past form. 놀라다 means become surprised; 놀랐어요 commonly reports the reaction that has just happened.
What does 놀라요 mean here?
놀라요 is used for surprised. For example, 큰 소리를 들으면 놀라요. means “I get startled when I hear a loud sound.”
What should I remember about 놀라다?
놀라다 means become surprised; 놀랐어요 commonly reports the reaction that has just happened.
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