나는 똑똑하다
naneun ttokttokhada
The English phrase "I am smart" is expressed in Korean as 나는 똑똑하다 (naneun ttokttokhada).
The phrase is used to make a statement that the speaker possesses a high level of intelligence. The core verb used to express this is 똑똑하다, which means "to be smart" or "to be clever".
What does it mean word for word?
The word 똑똑하다 is an adjective that means "to be smart" or "to be clever".
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 똑똑하다 changes depending on the social context. To speak politely in everyday conversation, change the form to 똑똑해요. When speaking to someone of equal or lower social status, the form changes to 똑똑해. Additionally, to increase the level of politeness or formality, the subject 나는 should be replaced with 저는, as seen in the forms 저는 똑똑해요 or 저는 똑똑합니다.
How do you pronounce it?
naneun ttokttokhada
Did you know?
- The word 똑똑하다 can also be used to describe a clear and distinct voice or a crisp way of speaking, not just a person's brain power.
- While 똑똑하다 means smart, using it to describe yourself in a Korean social setting can often come across as boastful or socially awkward. It is much more common to use different adjectives or describe specific achievements instead.
- Korean adjectives like 똑똑하다 function more like verbs than English adjectives. In a sentence, they don't need a helping verb like 'to be' because the state of 'being smart' is built into the word itself.
Examples in context
- 저는 똑똑합니다. 제 전공은 컴퓨터 공학입니다.I am smart. My major is computer science.
- 나는 똑똑해. 나 수학 잘해.I am smart. I am good at math.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their test scores.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우야, 이번 시험 정말 어려웠지?Hyeonu-ya, ibeon siheom jeongmal eoryeowotji?Hyeonu, this exam was really hard, right?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 그런데 나는 똑똑하다.eung, geureonde naneun ttokttokhada.Yes, but I am smart.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 자신감이 넘치네!jeongmal jasingami neomchine!You are really full of confidence!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo당연하지, 나는 다 맞았어.dangyeonhaji, naneun da majasseo.Of course, I got everything right.
