동의하다
dong'uihada[to̞ŋɰiɦa̠da̠]
The English phrase 'agree' is translated into Korean as 동의하다 (dong'uihada).
동의하다 is used to express being in harmony about an opinion, being in unison or being united with others.
Meaning: to be in harmony about an opinion, be in unison or concord, be united (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the noun 동의, which means 'agreement' or 'consent', combined with the verb-forming component to create the full verb.
Which one should you use?
While 동의하다 means to agree with a statement or opinion, the related term 찬성하다 is used specifically when you are 'in favor' of a particular proposal or a motion.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes its ending depending on the level of politeness required: 동의해요 is the polite form, while 동의합니다 is the formal, high-respect version.
How do you pronounce it?
dong'uihada
Did you know?
- When Koreans strongly agree with someone, they might use the expression 격하게 동의하다, which translates to 'agreeing violently'. This is a modern slang term used to show intense enthusiasm.
- In Korean social dynamics, people often avoid using 동의하다 directly to prevent seeming too assertive. Instead, they may use a nodding gesture or a soft 'yes' sound like 네 to signal agreement without a formal declaration.
- The word 동의 is composed of two Hanja characters meaning 'same' and 'intention'. This highlights the cultural value of 'ib-chi', where minds and hearts are aligned in the same direction.
Examples in context
- 친구: 오늘 영화 보러 갈까요? 당신: 그래요. 좋아요.Friend: Should we go watch a movie today? You: Yeah. Sounds good.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 동의하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 동의하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
