더 좋은
deo jo'eun
The English word "better" is expressed in Korean as 더 좋은 (deo jo'eun).
더 좋은 is the comparative form of the adjective "good" or "well". You may also encounter related phrases like 더 좋아지다 to express the idea that something is getting better.
Meaning: comparative of the adjectives good or well (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is composed of the adverb 더 (more) and the adjective 좋은 (good/well).
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, which uses the single word "better", Korean expresses the comparative by adding the adverb 더 (more) before the adjective 좋은 (good).
How do you pronounce it?
deo jo'eun
Did you know?
- When wishing someone a 'better' or faster recovery from illness, Koreans use the phrase 쾌차하시길 바랍니다, which avoids the literal word for 'better' in favor of a formal term for 'rapid recovery'.
- The word 더 was recorded as early as 1447 in the Seokbo sangjeol, one of the earliest texts written using the Korean alphabet.
- If you want to say 'better' regarding a person's health or a wound, you would use 낫다 (to recover) instead of the adjective 좋다.
Examples in context
- 왜 톰이 메리보다 더 좋은 선택이야?Why is Tom a better choice than Mary?This sentence is useful for asking why someone is a better choice than someone else using 더 좋은.Tatoeba #8367160 by Eunhee, translation #8348664 by CK
- 인민들에게 더 좋은 의료상혜택을 안겨주자!Let us provide people with better medical benefits!This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to provide people with better medical benefits using 더 좋은.Tatoeba #11813686 by Fenrir, translation #11813687 by Fenrir
- 나의 한국어 실력이 더 좋아지고 있어요.My Korean language skills are getting better.
- 한국 음식의 맛이 최근에 더 나아졌어요.The taste of Korean food has improved recently.
- 한국의 IT 산업은 더 발전하고 있어요.The IT industry in Korea is getting better.
- 이 음악은 점점 더 좋아져.This music is getting better and better.
- 나의 게임 실력은 조금씩 더 나아져.My gaming skills are gradually getting better.
- 이게 더 좋은 방법이에요.ige deo joheun bangbeobieyo.This is a better way.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are looking at two different laptops at a store.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 이 노트북이 더 좋은 것 같아요.Jieun ssi, i noteubuk-i deo joeun geot gatayo.Jieun, I think this laptop is better.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말요? 가격은 확인해 봤어요?Jeongmallyo? Gagyeoneun hwaginhae bwasseoyo?Really? Did you check the price?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 가격도 더 좋은 조건이에요.Ne, gagyeokdo deo joeun jogeone-yo.Yes, the price is a better deal too.
- 지은 Ji-eun그럼 그걸로 구매해요.Geureom geugeollo gumaehaeyo.Then let's buy that one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “better” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 더, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
