Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"Terrible" in Korean: 끔찍하다
끔찍하다kkeumjjikhada
Terrible in Korean is 끔찍하다 (kkeumjjikhada). 끔찍하다 is a strong negative description such as horrible; use it carefully for a person or their work.
Terrible: an everyday statement
이 소리는 끔찍해요.i sorineun kkeumjjikaeyo.
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How to pronounce 끔찍하다
Say it
kkeumjjikhada
/k͈ɯmtɕ͈ikʰata/
Read 끔찍하다 as kkeumjjikhada. The spoken form 끔찍해요 is kkeumjjikaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Terrible" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 끔찍하다kkeumjjikhada | Terrible Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 끔찍해요kkeumjjikaeyo | Terrible (polite present) Use 끔찍해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 끔찍해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 끔찍했어요kkeumjjikaesseoyo | Terrible (polite past) Use 끔찍했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 끔찍했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 끔찍하다 in real life
- 1Terrible: an everyday statement
이 소리는 끔찍해요.
i sorineun kkeumjjikaeyo.
This sound is terrible.
끔찍해요 is the present form of 끔찍하다.
- 2Terrible: a different situation
어제 경험은 끔찍했어요.
eoje gyeongheomeun kkeumjjikaesseoyo.
Yesterday’s experience was horrible.
끔찍했어요 is the past form of 끔찍하다.
- 3Terrible: a question or request
상황이 그렇게 끔찍해요?
sanghwangi geureoke kkeumjjikaeyo?
Is the situation that terrible?
끔찍해요 is the present form of 끔찍하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 끔찍하다
Incorrect: 끔찍하다.
Correct: 끔찍해요.
When practicing terrible, 끔찍하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 끔찍해요.
Incorrect: 어제 끔찍해요.
Correct: 어제 끔찍했어요.
When practicing terrible, for a completed event yesterday, use 끔찍했어요; the present form 끔찍해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
끔찍하다 is a strong negative description such as horrible; use it carefully for a person or their work. 끔찍해요 is the polite conversational form of 끔찍하다; 끔찍했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 끔찍하다
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 소리는 끔찍해요.
i sorineun kkeumjjikaeyo.
This sound is terrible.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 경험은 끔찍했어요.
eoje gyeongheomeun kkeumjjikaesseoyo.
Yesterday’s experience was horrible.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Terrible" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Terrible" in Korean
How do I use 끔찍하다 in polite speech?
끔찍해요 is the polite conversational form of 끔찍하다; 끔찍했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 끔찍하다 in a past-tense sentence?
끔찍했어요 is the polite past form. 끔찍하다 is a strong negative description such as horrible; use it carefully for a person or their work.
What does 끔찍해요 mean here?
끔찍해요 is used for terrible. For example, 이 소리는 끔찍해요. means “This sound is terrible.”
What should I remember about 끔찍하다?
끔찍하다 is a strong negative description such as horrible; use it carefully for a person or their work.
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