Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 바닥 | badak | [pɐdɐk̚] (Busan, narrow) [pa̠da̠k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 밑 | mit | [mit̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the word for 'bottom' changes depending on whether you are referring to a physical surface, a position underneath an object or a metaphorical low point. 바닥 is used for the surface of the bottom, such as a floor or the base of a container and can also describe reaching 'rock bottom' in a metaphorical sense. The word 밑 is used to describe the position or space underneath or under an object. For general directions or parts, you might use 아래쪽 for the lower part or direction or 아래 to mean 'under' or 'below'.
Which one should you use?
The choice between words depends on the specific context of 'bottom'. Use 바닥 when referring to a surface, such as the floor or the bottom of a container. In contrast, use 밑 when you want to describe the space or position underneath an object. While 바닥 refers to the surface itself, 밑 focuses on the location 'underneath'.
How do you pronounce it?
badak
Did you know?
- Because Korean is a floor-sitting culture, 바닥 is used in many idiomatic expressions regarding stability and foundations that English speakers would use 'ground' or 'base' for.
- The word 바닥 might be an ancestral relative of the Korean word for 'sea', which is 바다.
Examples in context
- 저 사람은 인생의 바닥을 쳤어. 아내는 떠났지, 직업도 잃었지, 심지어 알코올 중독자야. 가장 끔찍한 건 뭐냐면 내가 그를 알고 있다는 사실이야–그 인간은 5 년 전 까지만 해도 내 상사였거든.That man has hit bottom: his wife has left him, he's lost his job, and he's an alcoholic. The worst is that I know him–he used to be my boss five years ago.This sentence shows how 바닥 can be used metaphorically to describe hitting the lowest point in a person's life.Tatoeba #8375050 by Eunhee, translation #703339 by papabear
- 신발 바닥Bottom of the shoes, sole of the shoesThis phrase uses 바닥 to refer to the physical surface or sole of a shoe.
- 문서의 하단에 서명해주세요.Please sign at the bottom of the document.
- 그릇의 밑에서 무얼 찾고 계세요?What are you looking for under the plate?
- 이 쇼핑몰은 건물의 아래쪽에 있어요.This shop is located at the bottom of the building.
- 바닥에On the bottom / on the floor
- 방 바닥이 아주 차가워요.bang badari aju chagawoyo.The room floor is very cold.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hoon are sitting in a living room.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 바닥에 앉을까요?Ji-hun ssi, badage anjeulkkayo?Ji-hoon, shall we sit on the floor?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 괜찮아요. 앉으세요.Ne, gwaenchannayo. Anjeuseyo.Yes, it's fine. Please sit.
- 지은 Ji-eun바닥이 좀 딱딱하네요.Badari jom ttakttakhaneyo.The floor is a bit hard.
- 지훈 Ji-hun방석을 가져올까요?Bangseogeul gajyeoolkkayo?Shall I bring a cushion?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bottom” translations and entries 바닥, 밑, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 밑, 바닥, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
