적절하다
jeokjeolhada[t͡ɕʌ̹k̚t͡ɕ͈ʌ̹ɾɦa̠da̠]
The English phrase 'appropriate' is translated into Korean as 적절하다 (jeokjeolhada) or 적당하다.
Meaning: peculiar, suitable, fit, proper (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 적절하다 | jeokjeolhada | [t͡ɕʌ̹k̚t͡ɕ͈ʌ̹ɾɦa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 적당하다 | jeokdanghada | [t͡ɕʌ̹k̚t͈a̠ŋɦa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both terms describe something that is suitable or fit, but they are used in different contexts. 적절하다 is a general term for something being appropriate, whereas 적당하다 refers to something being suitable in terms of amount or degree.
Which one should you use?
적절하다 is used when something is appropriate in terms of logic, correctness or social propriety (fitting). In contrast, 적당하다 is used when something is suitable in terms of quantity, degree or being 'just right', such as a temperature or an amount.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 적절하다 is an adjective that functions like a verb in Korean, meaning it often requires conjugation to connect to other parts of a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
jeokjeolhada
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, 적당히 (the adverb form of 적당하다) is used as a command to tell someone to 'stop' or 'knock it off' by suggesting they have reached a sufficient limit.
- While 적당하다 usually means 'appropriate', in casual conversation it can imply doing something 'half-heartedly' or just enough to get by without putting in full effort.
- The word 적절하다 is built from Hanja, Chinese characters, meaning 'to suit' and 'to join'. This highlights how the word is rooted in the idea of a concept or action fitting perfectly into a specific context or logical structure.
Examples in context
- 이 한복은 알맞은 자리에서 입는 게 좋아.It's good to wear this Hanbok in a suitable setting.
- 적절한 조치Appropriate measures
- 적당한 양An appropriate amount
Sources
- Wiktionary, “appropriate” translations and entries 적절하다, 적당하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 적당하다, 적절하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
