더 세게
deo sege
The English phrase "harder" can be translated into Korean as 더 세게 (deo sege).
더 세게 is used specifically to describe applying more physical force, strength or intensity to an action.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 더, which means "more" and 세게, which means "strongly" or "with force".
Which one should you use?
Use 더 세게 when you mean harder in terms of physical force or intensity. Do not use it if you mean "harder" in the sense of something being more difficult or complex, as that would require a different expression.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 세게 is the adverbial form of the adjective 세다 (to be strong), and it is used here to modify an action.
How do you pronounce it?
deo sege
Did you know?
- While 더 세게 describes physical force, the word for 'hard' in terms of difficulty is 어렵다. Using 더 세게 to describe a difficult exam would be understood as asking someone to physically strike the paper with more strength.
- The word 세게 comes from the adjective 세다, which can also mean 'to count' when used in a different context, such as 'counting money'.
- Depending on the context, saying 더 세게 can be an idiomatic way to tell someone to be more assertive or 'tougher' in a social confrontation, moving beyond literal physical force.
Examples in context
- 이 프로젝트를 더 힘들게 해야 돼요.You need to make this project harder.
- 요즘에 공부 좀 더 열심히 해야 돼!You need to study harder these days!
- 문을 더 세게 밀어 보세요.mun-eul deo se-ge mil-eo bo-se-yo.Try pushing the door harder.
- 공을 더 세게 던져야 해요.gong-eul deo se-ge deon-jyeo-ya hae-yo.You have to throw the ball harder.
- 더 세게 눌러 주세요.deo se-ge nul-leo ju-se-yo.Please press harder.
Example conversation
Subin is helping Dohyeon move a heavy box.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 더 세게 밀어 봐요.Do-hyeon ssi, deo se-ge mil-eo bwa-yo.Dohyeon, try pushing harder.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이렇게요? 정말 힘들어요.I-reok-ke-yo? Jeong-mal him-deul-eo-yo.Like this? It is really hard.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 조금만 더 세게 밀어요.Ne, jo-geum-man deo se-ge mil-eo-yo.Yes, push just a little harder.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이제 움직이기 시작했어요!I-je um-jik-i-gi si-jak-hae-sseo-yo!It's starting to move now!
