Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 옳다 | olta | [o̞ɭtʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 맞다 | matda | [ma̠t̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 바르다 | bareuda | [pa̠ɾɯda̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 정확하다 | jeonghwakhada | [ˈt͡ɕɘ(ː)ŋβwa̠kʰa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
While these terms all share the meaning of being 'correct', they are used in distinct ways. Use 맞다 for factual correctness or confirming an answer, 옳다 for moral righteousness, 정확하다 for precision and accuracy in data or details and 바르다 for physical straightness or upright character. If you need to describe the act of making something that was previously wrong into something right, you can use the verb 교정하다.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on what kind of 'correctness' you are describing: 맞다 is the most common way to state that a fact or an answer is correct. 옳다 shifts the meaning toward being morally right or righteous. 정확하다 is used when you want to emphasize precision, such as being accurate with measurements or specific data. Finally, 바르다 can refer to being physically straight, like a line or being an upright person.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 'correct' as an adjective to modify a noun, such as in the phrase 'the correct answer', you should use the form 맞는.
How do you pronounce it?
olta
When do people say it?
In a conversation, if you want to agree with someone by saying 'That's correct' or 'That's right' in a polite manner, you would typically use the polite form 맞아요.
Did you know?
- While 바르다 means 'correct' or 'straight', it is also the verb used for the act of spreading something, such as applying jam to bread or cream to skin.
- The word 옳다 is believed to be related to the Mongolian word 'ortoj' and the Manchu word 'uru', both of which mean 'true'.
- The word 맞다 can also be used in the context of physical sensation, such as 'to be hit by' or 'to be struck by' something like rain or wind.
Examples in context
- 이 정답은 맞아요.This answer is correct.
- 그 문장은 맞습니다.That sentence is correct.
- 네, 그렇습니다.Yes, that is correct.
- 그거 맞아?Is that correct?
- 그 문제 정답이야?Is that the correct answer to the problem?
- 그의 생각은 옳다.geu-ui saeng-gak-eun ol-ta.His thought is correct.
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are discussing a moral dilemma.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 제 생각이 옳을까요?Ji-hun ssi, je saeng-gak-i ol-eul-kka-yo?Jihun, do you think my thinking is correct?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 민지 씨 말이 옳아요.ne, Min-ji ssi mal-i ol-a-yo.Yes, what you are saying is correct, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 그렇게 생각하시나요?jeong-mal geu-reoh-ge saeng-gak-ha-si-na-yo?Do you really think so?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 충분히 옳다고 봐요.ne, chung-bun-hi ol-da-go bwa-yo.Yes, I see it as being entirely correct.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “correct” translations and entries 옳다, 맞다, 바르다, 정확하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 맞다, 바르다, 옳다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
