거의
geoui[kʌ̹ɰi]
The English phrase 'almost' can be translated into Korean as 거의 (geoui). Wiktionary also lists 뻔하다 (ppeonhada).
Meaning: very close to (adv)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 거의 | geoui | [kʌ̹ɰi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [kʌ̹i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 뻔하다 | ppeonhada | [ˈp͈ɘ(ː)nɦa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [p͈ʌ̹nɦa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
adjective |
거의 is a common way to express 'almost' in Korean and is suitable for both spoken and written language.
Which one should you use?
While 거의 is a general adverb for 'almost', the adjective 뻔하다 is used specifically to describe being on the verge of a negative or undesirable event occurring.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something almost happened (usually a negative event), use the pattern -ㄹ 뻔했다 with a verb.
How do you pronounce it?
geoui
Did you know?
- While 거의 means 'almost', the adjective 뻔하다 can also mean that something is 'obvious' or 'plain to see' in a completely different context.
- The Middle Korean ancestor of 거의 was written as 거ᅀᅴ, featuring the obsolete letter ᅀ which disappeared from the language centuries ago.
- When using -ㄹ 뻔했다 to describe a disaster that almost happened, Koreans often add the exclamation 큰일 날 뻔했다 to emphasize the narrow escape.
Examples in context
- 난 거의 죽을 뻔 했다.I was almost killed.This sentence shows how to use 거의 when describing a near-death experience.Tatoeba #3674969 by okja, translation #2548399 by CK
- 이 강아지는 거의 사람같아.This dog is almost human.This sentence uses 거의 to compare a dog to a human.Tatoeba #8365025 by Eunhee, translation #48266 by CK
- 톰은 거의 매일 밤 취한다.Tom gets drunk almost every evening.This sentence uses 거의 to describe the frequency of an event.Tatoeba #13250480 by qiwiwi, translation #1094010 by CK
- 나는 거의 매일 운동합니다.I exercise almost every day.
- 거진 다 왔어.I am almost there.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are discussing a project at a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 프로젝트는 거의 다 됐나요?Minji-ssi, peurojekteu-neun geoui da dwaennayo?Minji, is the project almost done?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 거의 다 끝났어요.Ne, geoui da kkeunnatseoyo.Yes, it is almost finished.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 다행이네요.Jeongmal dahaeng-ineyo.That's a relief.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨도 조금만 더 힘내세요.Hyunwoo-ssi-do jogeumman deo himnaeseyo.You hang in there too, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “almost” translations and entries 거의, 뻔하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 거의, 뻔하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
