Korean · Food & Drink
"Sweet" in Korean: 달다
달다dalda
Sweet in Korean is 달다 (dalda). 달다 describes a sweet taste; the ㄹ remains in 달아요 but drops before certain other endings.
Sweet: an everyday statement
이 차는 달아요.i chaneun darayo.
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How to pronounce 달다
Say it
dalda
/talta/
Read 달다 as dalda. The spoken form 달아요 is darayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Sweet" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 달다dalda | Sweet Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 달아요darayo | Sweet (polite present) Use 달아요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 달아요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 달았어요darasseoyo | Sweet (polite past) Use 달았어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 달았어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 달다 in real life
- 1Sweet: an everyday statement
이 차는 달아요.
i chaneun darayo.
This tea is sweet.
달아요 is the present form of 달다.
- 2Sweet: a different situation
케이크가 너무 달았어요.
keikeuga neomu darasseoyo.
The cake was too sweet.
달았어요 is the past form of 달다.
- 3Sweet: a question or request
이 과일이 달아요?
i gwairi darayo?
Is this fruit sweet?
달아요 is the present form of 달다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 달다
Incorrect: 달다.
Correct: 달아요.
When practicing sweet, 달다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 달아요.
Incorrect: 어제 달아요.
Correct: 어제 달았어요.
When practicing sweet, for a completed event yesterday, use 달았어요; the present form 달아요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
달다 describes a sweet taste; the ㄹ remains in 달아요 but drops before certain other endings. 달아요 is the polite conversational form of 달다; 달았어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led food and drink study exercise: two sentences with 달다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
이 차는 달아요.
i chaneun darayo.
This tea is sweet.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
케이크가 너무 달았어요.
keikeuga neomu darasseoyo.
The cake was too sweet.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Sweet" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Sweet" in Korean
How do I use 달다 in polite speech?
달아요 is the polite conversational form of 달다; 달았어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 달다 in a past-tense sentence?
달았어요 is the polite past form. 달다 describes a sweet taste; the ㄹ remains in 달아요 but drops before certain other endings.
What does 달아요 mean here?
달아요 is used for sweet. For example, 이 차는 달아요. means “This tea is sweet.”
What should I remember about 달다?
달다 describes a sweet taste; the ㄹ remains in 달아요 but drops before certain other endings.
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