You’ve probably learned verbs, nouns, and the basics of sentence structure if you’re studying Korean. But to sound more natural and expressive, adverbs are where the magic happens. These little words add nuance, emotion, and clarity to your speaking. Here’s a simple guide to 10 essential Korean adverbs that will immediately boost how natural your Korean sounds.
1. 정말 (jeongmal) – Really / Truly
Use this when you want to emphasize sincerity or intensity. It works in both positive and negative contexts.
정말 예뻐요.
She’s really pretty.
정말 몰랐어요.
I really didn’t know.
2. 아주 (aju) – Very / Quite
Similar to 정말, but a bit more neutral. It’s common in everyday speech.
아주 맛있어요.
It’s very delicious.
3. 너무 (neomu) – Too / So
Even though 너무 literally translates to “too much,” it’s often used to simply mean “so” in a positive, casual way.
너무 좋아요!
I love it so much!
너무 추워요.
It’s too cold.
4. 항상 (hangsang) – Always
The standard adverb for describing habits or consistency.
저는 항상 아침에 커피를 마셔요.
I always drink coffee in the morning.
5. 자주 (jaju) – Often
Perfect for talking about frequency. Less formal than the English word “frequently.”
그 영화를 자주 봐요.
I watch that movie often.
6. 가끔 (gakkeum) – Sometimes
A must-know adverb to complete your frequency vocabulary.
가끔 운동해요.
I exercise sometimes.
7. 빨리 (ppalli) – Quickly / Fast
One of the first adverbs most students learn—and for good reason. Koreans use it all the time.
빨리 와!
Come quickly!
빨리 끝내자.
Let’s finish quickly.
8. 천천히 (cheoncheonhi) – Slowly
The opposite of 빨리. Useful when giving directions or talking to beginners.
천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Please speak slowly.
9. 절대 (jeoldae) – Never
Strong and absolute. Usually paired with negative verbs.
절대 포기하지 마!
Never give up!
10. 이미 (imi) – Already
A subtle but powerful word. It signals that something happened before the time of speaking.
이미 끝났어요.
It’s already finished.
Quick Tip: Adverb Placement
In Korean, adverbs come before the verb they modify. So instead of saying “I quickly run,” you’d say:
저는 빨리 달려요.
I run quickly.
Follow this pattern, and your sentences will sound much more natural.
