필요하다
piryohada[pʰiɾjoɦa̠da̠]
The English phrase "need" is translated into Korean as 필요하다 (piryohada). Wiktionary also lists 요하다 (yohada).
Meaning: to have an absolute requirement for (verb)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 필요하다 | piryohada | [pʰiɾjoɦa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 요하다 | yohada | [joɦa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The most standard way to say "need" in Korean is by using the verb 필요하다. While English uses "need" as a transitive verb, the Korean form functions more like an adjective meaning "to be necessary" or "to be needed". The related noun 필요 can be used to refer to "something required".
Which one should you use?
필요하다 expresses a general need or necessity. In contrast, 요하다 is a more formal term typically used in compound words to mean "to require" or "to demand" a certain quality or action.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 필요하다 functions more like an adjective in Korean, meaning 'to be necessary' or 'to be needed', rather than a transitive verb like the English 'to need'.
How do you pronounce it?
piryohada
Did you know?
- The characters used in 필요 are Hanja (Chinese characters). The first character 必 means 'certainly' and the second 要 means 'essential', creating a concept of something that is 'certainly essential'.
- To express a need naturally, Koreans often flip the perspective from 'I need water' to 'Water is necessary to me'.
- The formal root 요 is a linguistic bridge shared with other East Asian languages, linking the Korean concept of 'requirement' to similar terms in Chinese or Japanese.
Examples in context
- 그들은 그 돈이 필요하다.They need the money.This sentence shows how to use 필요하다 to express needing money.Tatoeba #11105258 by intertime, translation #1829646 by Spamster
- 우리는 밀가루가 더 필요하다.We need more flour.This sentence shows how to use 필요하다 to express needing more flour.Tatoeba #11597116 by cherryband, translation #6063939 by mailohilohi
- 같이 대화할 누군가가 필요하다.I need somebody to talk to.This sentence shows how to use 필요하다 to express needing someone to talk to.Tatoeba #11106284 by intertime, translation #1898366 by CK
- 나는 물이 필요합니다I need water.
- 저는 가방이 필요합니다I need a bag.
- 우리는 도움이 필요합니다We need help.
- 저는 돈이 필요해요I need money.
- 그들은 돕기 위해 여러 가지 자원이 필요해요They need various resources to help.
- 뭐 필요해?What do you need?
- 도움 필요해?Do you need help?
- 자료가 필요해I need the data.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are studying in the library.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은, 펜이 하나 더 필요하다.Jieun, pen-i hana deo piryohada.Jieun, I need one more pen.
- 지은 Ji-eun내 가방에 여분 있어.Nae gabang-e yeobun isseo.I have a spare in my bag.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 고마워.Jeongmal gomawo.Thank you so much.
- 지은 Ji-eun아니야, 여기 있어.Aniya, yeogi isseo.No problem, here it is.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “need” translations and entries 필요하다, 요하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 요하다, 필요하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
