Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to laugh" in Korean: 웃다
웃다utda
to laugh in Korean is 웃다 (utda). 웃다 can mean laugh or smile; 크게 웃어요 makes an audible laugh clearer.
to laugh: an everyday statement
친구와 함께 웃어요.chinguwa hamkke useoyo.
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How to pronounce 웃다
Say it
utda
/ut̚t͈a/
Read 웃다 as utda. The spoken form 웃어요 is useoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to laugh" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 웃다utda | to laugh Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 웃어요useoyo | to laugh (polite present) Use 웃어요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 웃어요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 웃었어요useosseoyo | to laugh (polite past) Use 웃었어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 웃었어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 웃다 in real life
- 1to laugh: an everyday statement
친구와 함께 웃어요.
chinguwa hamkke useoyo.
I laugh with a friend.
웃어요 is the present form of 웃다.
- 2to laugh: a different situation
그 이야기를 듣고 웃었어요.
geu iyagireul deutgo useosseoyo.
I laughed when I heard that story.
웃었어요 is the past form of 웃다.
- 3to laugh: a question or request
왜 웃어요?
wae useoyo?
Why are you laughing?
웃어요 is the present form of 웃다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 웃다
Incorrect: 웃다.
Correct: 웃어요.
When practicing to laugh, 웃다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 웃어요.
Incorrect: 어제 웃어요.
Correct: 어제 웃었어요.
When practicing to laugh, for a completed event yesterday, use 웃었어요; the present form 웃어요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
웃다 can mean laugh or smile; 크게 웃어요 makes an audible laugh clearer. 웃어요 is the polite conversational form of 웃다; 웃었어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 웃다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
친구와 함께 웃어요.
chinguwa hamkke useoyo.
I laugh with a friend.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그 이야기를 듣고 웃었어요.
geu iyagireul deutgo useosseoyo.
I laughed when I heard that story.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to laugh" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to laugh" in Korean
How do I use 웃다 in polite speech?
웃어요 is the polite conversational form of 웃다; 웃었어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 웃다 in a past-tense sentence?
웃었어요 is the polite past form. 웃다 can mean laugh or smile; 크게 웃어요 makes an audible laugh clearer.
What does 웃어요 mean here?
웃어요 is used for to laugh. For example, 친구와 함께 웃어요. means “I laugh with a friend.”
What should I remember about 웃다?
웃다 can mean laugh or smile; 크게 웃어요 makes an audible laugh clearer.
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