형용사
hyeong'yongsa[çʌ̹ŋjoŋsʰa̠]
The English word "adjective" is translated into Korean as 형용사 (hyeong'yongsa).
In a grammatical context, 형용사 refers to a word that modifies a noun or describes the referent of a noun.
Meaning: (grammar) a word that modifies a noun or describes a noun’s referent (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
hyeong'yongsa
Did you know?
- In Korean grammar, the term 형용사 is often used to refer to what English speakers call 'descriptive verbs'. This is because these words function like verbs by conjugating to indicate tense and mood.
- The word 형용사 is a Sino-Korean term composed of three Hanja characters. The first character, 形, means 'shape' and the second, 容, means 'appearance'.
- Because 형용사 behave like verbs, they can be conjugated to express tense, such as changing a descriptive word to the past tense to say 'it was beautiful'.
Examples in context
- 이 단어는 형용사예요.i daneoreun hyeongyong-sa-yeyo.This word is an adjective.
- 그 문장에는 형용사가 많아요.geu munjang-eneun hyeongyong-sa-ga manh-ayo.There are many adjectives in that sentence.
- 형용사를 사용해서 문장을 만드세요.hyeongyong-sa-reul sayong-haeseo munjang-eul mandeuseyo.Please make a sentence using an adjective.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are studying Korean grammar together.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 이 단어의 품사가 뭐예요?Dohyun ssi, i daneoui pumsaga mwoyeyo?Dohyun, what is the part of speech for this word?
- 도현 Do-hyeon제 생각에는 형용사인 것 같아요.Je saenggakeneun hyeongyongsain geot gatayo.I think it is an adjective.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요, 명사를 꾸며주고 있어요.Majayo, myeongsareul kkumyeojugo isseoyo.That's right, it is modifying a noun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이제 확실히 알겠어요.Ije hwaksilhi algesseoyo.Now I understand it clearly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “adjective” translations and entries 형용사, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 형용사, CC BY-SA 4.0.
