빨리
ppalli[p͈a̠ʎʎi]
In Korean, the English phrase 'hurry' is expressed using 빨리 (ppalli).
While English often uses the verb 'to hurry', the Korean word 빨리 functions as an adverb meaning 'quickly'. It is used to express the need to hurry.
Meaning: to do things quickly (verb)
Which one should you use?
While '빨리' is the most common way to say 'hurry' or 'quickly', it functions as an adverb modifying a verb, whereas English often uses the verb 'to hurry' itself.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using 빨리 alone as a command is informal and can sound blunt or impatient. In polite settings, it should be paired with a verb and a polite ending like 빨리 하세요. Other formal ways to say 'Please hurry' include 서둘러주세요 and 서둘러 하세요. For an informal 'Hurry up!', you can use 서둘러.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 빨리 is an adverb meaning 'quickly' and is used to express the need to hurry.
How do you pronounce it?
ppalli
Did you know?
- The word 빨리 is the root of the cultural concept 빨리빨리 'ppalli-ppalli', which describes a national obsession with speed and efficiency in everything from food delivery to internet infrastructure.
- The word 빨리 has been part of the Korean language since at least 1447, appearing in one of the earliest extant texts of Middle Korean.
- South Korea's rapid economic development after the Korean War is often attributed to the 빨리빨리 culture, as the drive for speed helped the country industrialize faster than most other nations.
Examples in context
- 뭘 꾸물거리고 있는 거야. 빨리 가자.What are you lingering for? Hurry up and go.This sentence shows how to use 빨리 when telling someone to hurry up and go.Tatoeba #13250483 by qiwiwi, translation #2238868 by CM
- 빨리 와.Hurry back.This sentence uses 빨리 to tell someone to hurry back.Tatoeba #8368174 by Eunhee, translation #904804 by Trailsend
- 빨리 집에 가자.Hurry home.This sentence uses 빨리 to suggest hurrying home.Tatoeba #11105326 by intertime, translation #1841177 by CK
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are getting ready to leave for a movie.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 빨리 나와요!Do-hyeon ssi, ppalli nawayo!Do-hyeon, come out quickly!
- 도현 Do-hyeon지금 나가요.jigeum nagayo.I'm coming out now.
- 지은 Ji-eun영화가 곧 시작해요.yeonghwa-ga got sijak-haeyo.The movie starts soon.
- 도현 Do-hyeon미안해요, 정말 빨리 갈게요.mian-haeyo, jeongmal ppalli galgeyo.I'm sorry, I will go really quickly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 빨리, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
