Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 조금 | jogeum | [t͡ɕo̞ɡɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 좀 | jom | [t͡ɕo̞m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 약간 | yakgan | [ja̠k̚k͈a̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word 조금 is a common and versatile way to express 'a little' in Korean, used for quantities, amounts or degrees. The form 약간 is specifically used when describing a degree or a state, such as being slightly dangerous. Additionally, the particle 만 can be added to 조금 to create the meaning 'just a little' or 'only a little'.
Which one should you use?
While 조금 is versatile and can be used for quantities or time, 약간 is often used when describing a degree or state. The form 좀 is a common contraction of 조금 used in spoken language.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the context of making requests, using 좀 can function as a softener to make a command or request sound more polite and less blunt.
How do you pronounce it?
jogeum
When do people say it?
Using 좀 in a request can act as a way to soften the tone, making the speaker sound more polite and less direct when asking for something.
Did you know?
- Depending on the intonation, 좀 can be used as an exclamation of frustration or annoyance, similar to saying 'Give me a break' in English.
- Koreans may use 좀 when asking for something they want a lot of, simply because using the 'a little' softener makes the request feel less greedy.
- The word 약간 is a Sino-Korean word composed of characters meaning 'seeming' and 'how much'.
Examples in context
- 조금만 더 기다려 줘.Please wait just a little more.This example shows how to use 조금 to ask someone to wait just a little more.Tatoeba #4710350 by rainbow4us, translation #5099604 by chris3spice
- 톰은 약간 위험해 보여.Tom seems a little dangerous.This example demonstrates the use of 약간 to describe a degree of danger.Tatoeba #8396330 by Eunhee, translation #2713146 by CK
- 그냥 조금 졸린 것 같아.I guess I'm just a little sleepy.This example uses 조금 to express a degree of sleepiness.Tatoeba #6820159 by yesjustryan, translation #2330058 by CK
- 그릇에 조금만 더 담아주세요.Please put a little more in the bowl.
- 약간의 소음이 있었어요.There was a little noise.
- 이 상품은 약간 비싸요.This product is a little expensive.
- 다소 어려운 문제입니다.It is a rather difficult problem.
- 이것은 다소 특이한 주문입니다.This is a somewhat peculiar order.
- 조금만 더 기다려 줄래?Can you wait for just a little longer?
- 너무 많이 먹지 말고 조금만 드세요.Don't eat too much, just a little.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are at a cafe.
- 도현 Do-hyeon커피 좀 마실래요?keo-pi jom ma-sil-lae-yo?Would you like to drink some coffee?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 조금만 주세요.ne, jo-geum-man ju-se-yo.Yes, please give me just a little.
- 도현 Do-hyeon설탕도 조금 넣을까요?seol-tang-do jo-geum neo-eul-kka-yo?Shall I add a little sugar too?
- 지은 Ji-eun아니요, 괜찮아요.a-ni-yo, gwaen-chan-a-yo.No, that's okay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “a little” translations and entries 조금, 좀, 약간, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 약간, 조금, 좀, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
