Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to smile" in Korean: 미소 짓다
미소 짓다miso jitda
to smile in Korean is 미소 짓다 (miso jitda). 미소 짓다 specifies smiling; 짓다 is ㅅ-irregular and becomes 지어요 before a vowel.
to smile: an everyday statement
사진을 찍으며 미소 지어요.sajineul jjigeumyeo miso jieoyo.
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How to pronounce 미소 짓다
Say it
miso jitda
/miso tɕit̚t͈a/
Read 미소 짓다 as miso jitda. The spoken form 미소 지어요 is miso jieoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to smile" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 미소 짓다miso jitda | to smile Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 미소 지어요miso jieoyo | to smile (polite present) Use 미소 지어요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 미소 지어요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 미소 지었어요miso jieosseoyo | to smile (polite past) Use 미소 지었어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 미소 지었어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 미소 짓다 in real life
- 1to smile: an everyday statement
사진을 찍으며 미소 지어요.
sajineul jjigeumyeo miso jieoyo.
I smile while taking a photograph.
미소 지어요 is the present form of 미소 짓다.
- 2to smile: a different situation
그 말을 듣고 미소 지었어요.
geu mareul deutgo miso jieosseoyo.
I smiled when I heard those words.
미소 지었어요 is the past form of 미소 짓다.
- 3to smile: a question or request
살짝 미소 지어요?
saljjak miso jieoyo?
Shall we smile a little?
미소 지어요 is the present form of 미소 짓다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 미소 짓다
Incorrect: 미소 짓다.
Correct: 미소 지어요.
When practicing to smile, 미소 짓다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 미소 지어요.
Incorrect: 어제 미소 지어요.
Correct: 어제 미소 지었어요.
When practicing to smile, for a completed event yesterday, use 미소 지었어요; the present form 미소 지어요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
미소 짓다 specifies smiling; 짓다 is ㅅ-irregular and becomes 지어요 before a vowel. 미소 지어요 is the polite conversational form of 미소 짓다; 미소 지었어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 미소 짓다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
사진을 찍으며 미소 지어요.
sajineul jjigeumyeo miso jieoyo.
I smile while taking a photograph.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그 말을 듣고 미소 지었어요.
geu mareul deutgo miso jieosseoyo.
I smiled when I heard those words.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to smile" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to smile" in Korean
How do I use 미소 짓다 in polite speech?
미소 지어요 is the polite conversational form of 미소 짓다; 미소 지었어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 미소 짓다 in a past-tense sentence?
미소 지었어요 is the polite past form. 미소 짓다 specifies smiling; 짓다 is ㅅ-irregular and becomes 지어요 before a vowel.
What does 미소 지어요 mean here?
미소 지어요 is used for to smile. For example, 사진을 찍으며 미소 지어요. means “I smile while taking a photograph.”
What should I remember about 미소 짓다?
미소 짓다 specifies smiling; 짓다 is ㅅ-irregular and becomes 지어요 before a vowel.
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