크다
keuda[kxɯda̠]
The English word "big" is translated into Korean as 크다 (keuda). Wiktionary also lists 큰 (keun).
Meaning: of a great size (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 크다 | keuda | [kxɯda̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 큰 | keun | [kxɯn] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | determiner |
The term is used to describe things of a great size. To emphasize the scale or size of something, you can add the word 정말 (really) before the adjective.
Which one should you use?
The dictionary form 크다 is used as a predicate to state that something is big. In contrast, the form 큰 is a determiner used to modify a noun directly, such as in the phrase "big house".
How does it change in a sentence?
To say that something 'is big', use the predicate forms: 커요 for polite speech and 커 for informal speech. To modify a noun directly (e.g., 'a big mistake'), use the determiner form 큰.
How do you pronounce it?
keuda
Did you know?
- In Korean, 크다 is used for both physical size and volume, so it describes both a 'big' building and a 'loud' voice.
- The word 크다 can also be used as a verb meaning 'to grow up' when talking about a person's development.
- The ancient form of the word, recorded in the 1103 text 계림유사, was documented as *huku-n.
Examples in context
- 너 큰 실수 하는 거야.You're making a big mistake.This sentence shows how to use the determiner 큰 to describe a mistake.Tatoeba #11105245 by intertime, translation #1808157 by Spamster
- 그들은 큰 집에서 산다.They live in a big house.This sentence illustrates using the determiner 큰 to modify a house.Tatoeba #11107059 by intertime, translation #3763423 by cromwellt
- 이게 큰 문제일 것 같진 않은데.I don't think it's a big problem.This sentence demonstrates the use of the determiner 큰 to describe a problem.Tatoeba #8361799 by Eunhee, translation #5263819 by dynamo
- 대형 쇼핑몰Big shopping mall
- 대형 기업Big corporation
- 큰 집Big house
- 큰 차Big car
- 커다란 꽃Big flower
- 커다란 사랑Big love
- 큼직한 사과Big apple
- 그는 정말 큰 개를 키워요.He raises a really big dog.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are looking at a new piece of furniture in a store.
- 민준 Min-jun민지야, 저 소파 진짜 크다!Minji-ya, jeo sopa jinjja keuda!Minji, that sofa is really big!
- 민지 Min-ji맞아, 우리 집에 두기에는 너무 커.Maja, uri jibe dugieneun neomu keo.Right, it's too big to put in our house.
- 민준 Min-jun그럼 조금 더 작은 걸 찾아볼까?Geureom jogeum deo jageun geol chajabolkka?Then should we look for a slightly smaller one?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 그게 좋겠어.Eung, geuge jogetseo.Yes, that would be better.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “big” translations and entries 크다, 큰, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 크다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
