Korean · Emotions & Descriptions
"True" in Korean: 참
참cham
True in Korean is 참 (cham). 참 is a truth noun or a boolean value; 사실이에요 is often more natural for saying an everyday statement is true.
True: an everyday statement
이 명제는 참이에요.i myeongjeneun chamieyo.
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How to pronounce 참
Say it
cham
/tɕʰam/
Read 참 as cham. The spoken form 참이에요 is chamieyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"True" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 참cham | True Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 참이에요chamieyo | True (polite present) Use 참이에요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 참이에요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 참이었어요chamieosseoyo | True (polite past) Use 참이었어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 참이었어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 참 in real life
- 1True: an everyday statement
이 명제는 참이에요.
i myeongjeneun chamieyo.
This proposition is true.
참이에요 is the present form of 참.
- 2True: a different situation
그 조건은 참이었어요.
geu jogeoneun chamieosseoyo.
That condition was true.
참이었어요 is the past form of 참.
- 3True: a question or request
이 문장이 참이에요?
i munjangi chamieyo?
Is this statement true?
참이에요 is the present form of 참.
Mistakes English speakers make with 참
Incorrect: 참.
Correct: 참이에요.
When practicing true, 참 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 참이에요.
Incorrect: 어제 참이에요.
Correct: 어제 참이었어요.
When practicing true, for a completed event yesterday, use 참이었어요; the present form 참이에요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
참 is a truth noun or a boolean value; 사실이에요 is often more natural for saying an everyday statement is true. 참이에요 is the polite conversational form of 참; 참이었어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led emotions and descriptions study exercise: two sentences with 참
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 명제는 참이에요.
i myeongjeneun chamieyo.
This proposition is true.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그 조건은 참이었어요.
geu jogeoneun chamieosseoyo.
That condition was true.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"True" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "True" in Korean
How do I use 참 in polite speech?
참이에요 is the polite conversational form of 참; 참이었어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 참 in a past-tense sentence?
참이었어요 is the polite past form. 참 is a truth noun or a boolean value; 사실이에요 is often more natural for saying an everyday statement is true.
What does 참이에요 mean here?
참이에요 is used for true. For example, 이 명제는 참이에요. means “This proposition is true.”
What should I remember about 참?
참 is a truth noun or a boolean value; 사실이에요 is often more natural for saying an everyday statement is true.
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