온화한
onhwahan
The Korean word for gentle is 온화한 (onhwahan).
온화한 is used to describe someone who has a gentle and warm personality.
Meaning: soft and mild rather than hard or severe (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 온화한 refers to a mild temperament or climate, 부드러운 is used for physical softness or a gentle touch/texture.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form (the adjective base) is 온화하다, while 온화한 is the attributive form used to modify a noun. Additionally, the phrase 어린아이처럼 부드러운 means gentle like a child.
How do you pronounce it?
onhwahan
Did you know?
- While 온화한 describes a gentle person, Koreans use the word 순하다 to describe a gentle or docile animal, such as a calm dog.
- When describing a gentle breeze, Koreans use 산들바람, where 산들산들 is an ideophone mimicking the light, rhythmic movement of the wind.
- The character 화 in 온화한 means 'harmony' or 'peace'. Therefore, being 'gentle' in this sense is closely tied to the idea of being in a harmonious state.
Examples in context
- 우리 친구는 정말 부드러운 성격이에요. 상냥함의 전형적인 예시죠.Our friend has a really gentle personality. They are a typical example of kindness.
- 손길이 너무 부드러워요. 정말 온화한 느낌이에요.Your touch is so gentle. It feels really warm.
- 그는 성격이 매우 온화한 편이에요.geuneun seonggyeogi mae-u onhwahan pyeoni-eyo.He has a very gentle personality.
- 온화한 미소를 지으며 말했어요.onhwahan misoreul jieumyeo malhaesseoyo.He spoke with a gentle smile.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are talking about their new boss.
- 도현 Do-hyeon새로 오신 팀장님 인상이 어때요?saero osin timjangnim insang-i eottaeyo?What do you think of the new team leader's impression?
- 민지 Min-ji말투가 정말 온화한 분이시더라고요.maltuga jeongmal onhwahan bun-isideoragoyo.I noticed they are a person with a very gentle way of speaking.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 다행이네요. 무서운 분일까 봐 걱정했어요.jeongmal dahaeng-ineyo. museoun bun-ilkka bwa geokjeong-haesseoyo.That's a relief. I was worried they might be scary.
- 민지 Min-ji걱정 마세요. 아주 친절하신 것 같아요.geokjeong maseyo. aju chinjeolhasin geot gatayo.Don't worry. I think they are very kind.
