좀
jom[t͡ɕo̞m]
The Korean word for 'kinda' is 좀 (jom).
The word 좀 is used to express that something is true to some extent or in some way.
Which one should you use?
While 좀 is common in informal contexts, you can also use 조금 to express 'kinda' informally. For more formal situations, use 다소 instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
좀 is an adverb that is placed before a verb or an adjective to indicate a degree of 'somewhat' or to soften the statement.
How do you pronounce it?
jom
Did you know?
- When someone is annoyed, they might use 좀 in a sharp tone to mean 'please just stop it' or 'enough already'.
- While 좀 means 'kinda' or 'a little', it is often used to describe something that is actually very large or intense to avoid sounding boastful or overly dramatic.
- When someone says 좀… and trails off, they are often using the word to signal that they are uncomfortable or disagreeing with you without being rude.
Examples in context
- 이 책은 좀 비싸.This book is kinda expensive.
- 이 책은 조금 비싸요.This book is a bit expensive.
- 그 영화는 다소 지루합니다.That movie is somewhat boring.
- 그 영화는 좀 지루해.That movie is kinda boring.
- 어쩐지 그 곳은 친구가 좋아할 만한 곳인 것 같다.Kinda feels like a place my friend would enjoy.
- 오늘 좀 바빠요.oneul jom bappayo.I'm kinda busy today.
- 그 영화는 좀 무서워요.geu yeonghwaneun jom museowoyo.That movie is kinda scary.
- 배가 좀 고파요.baega jom gopayo.I'm kinda hungry.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are talking about a movie they just watched.
- 수빈 Su-bin영화 어땠어?Yeonghwa eottaesseo?How was the movie?
- 지훈 Ji-hun음, 좀 지루했어.Eum, jom jiruhaesseo.Hmm, it was kinda boring.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말? 나는 재밌었는데.Jeongmal? Naneun jaemisseonneunde.Really? I thought it was fun.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럴 수도 있겠다.Geureol sudo itgetda.I guess that could be.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 좀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
