Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Tall" in Korean: 키가 크다
키가 크다kiga keuda
Tall in Korean is 키가 크다 (kiga keuda). 키가 크다 literally describes height as big; 큰 alone does not always mean a tall person.
Tall: an everyday statement
동생은 키가 커요.dongsaengeun kiga keoyo.
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How to pronounce 키가 크다
Say it
kiga keuda
/kʰika kʰɯta/
Read 키가 크다 as kiga keuda. The spoken form 키가 커요 is kiga keoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Tall" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 키가 크다kiga keuda | Tall Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 키가 커요kiga keoyo | Tall (polite present) Use 키가 커요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 키가 커요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 키가 컸어요kiga keosseoyo | Tall (polite past) Use 키가 컸어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 키가 컸어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 키가 크다 in real life
- 1Tall: an everyday statement
동생은 키가 커요.
dongsaengeun kiga keoyo.
My younger sibling is tall.
키가 커요 is the present form of 키가 크다.
- 2Tall: a different situation
그때도 키가 컸어요.
geuttaedo kiga keosseoyo.
They were tall then too.
키가 컸어요 is the past form of 키가 크다.
- 3Tall: a question or request
친구가 키가 커요?
chinguga kiga keoyo?
Is your friend tall?
키가 커요 is the present form of 키가 크다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 키가 크다
Incorrect: 키가 크다.
Correct: 키가 커요.
When practicing tall, 키가 크다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 키가 커요.
Incorrect: 어제 키가 커요.
Correct: 어제 키가 컸어요.
When practicing tall, for a completed event yesterday, use 키가 컸어요; the present form 키가 커요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
키가 크다 literally describes height as big; 큰 alone does not always mean a tall person. 키가 커요 is the polite conversational form of 키가 크다; 키가 컸어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 키가 크다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
동생은 키가 커요.
dongsaengeun kiga keoyo.
My younger sibling is tall.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그때도 키가 컸어요.
geuttaedo kiga keosseoyo.
They were tall then too.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Tall" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Tall" in Korean
How do I use 키가 크다 in polite speech?
키가 커요 is the polite conversational form of 키가 크다; 키가 컸어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 키가 크다 in a past-tense sentence?
키가 컸어요 is the polite past form. 키가 크다 literally describes height as big; 큰 alone does not always mean a tall person.
What does 키가 커요 mean here?
키가 커요 is used for tall. For example, 동생은 키가 커요. means “My younger sibling is tall.”
What should I remember about 키가 크다?
키가 크다 literally describes height as big; 큰 alone does not always mean a tall person.
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