Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 새롭다 | saeropda | [sʰɛɾo̞p̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [sʰe̞ɾo̞p̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 뉴 | nyu | [ɲu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 새 | sae | [sʰɛ(ː)] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [sʰe̞(ː)] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
prefix |
The prefix 새 is placed directly before nouns to mean 'new', such as 'new clothes' or 'new house'. The syllable 뉴 is a phonetic loanword from the English word 'new' and is primarily used in modern contexts like branding, technology or pop culture.
Which one should you use?
While 새롭다 is the dictionary form of the adjective, 새로운 is the specific form used when the adjective directly precedes a noun, such as 'a new friend'. The short form 새 acts as a prefix or modifier placed before nouns. For a more formal emphasis on something being the 'latest' or 'most up-to-date', use 최신(最新). To convey a sense of 'brand-new' or 'fresh' in a formal way, use 새로운.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe an action being performed 'newly' or 'anew', use the adverbial form 새로, such as 'to make something anew' (새로 만들다).
How do you pronounce it?
saeropda
Did you know?
- The word for 'new' 새 sounds exactly like the word for 'bird'. In historical texts, it specifically referred to a 'sparrow'.
Examples in context
- 새해 복 많이 받아.Happy New Year!This example shows the use of 새 in a traditional greeting for the New Year.Tatoeba #8418566 by Eunhee, translation #361350 by blay_paul
- 너 새차 색깔이 뭐야?What color is your new car?This example demonstrates using 새 to modify a noun like 'car'.Tatoeba #6318472 by solar0425, translation #6267279 by CK
- 차를 새로 살 생각이다.I think I'll buy a new car.This example shows how to use 새 in the context of buying something new.Tatoeba #11106413 by intertime, translation #1318679 by CK
- 신차New car
- 최신 핸드폰New phone
- 최신 기술New technology
- 새로운 옷New clothes
- 새로운 시작New beginning
- 새로 나온 영화New movie
- 신규 상점New store
- 신규 정책New policy
- 새 직장에 취직했어요.I got a new job.
- 최신 핸드폰을 샀어요.I bought a new phone.
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hoon are discussing a modern art exhibit.
- 지은 Ji-eun이 그림은 정말 새롭다.i geurimeun jeongmal saeropda.This painting is truly new.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아, 분위기가 아주 색다르네.maja, bunwigiga aju saekdareune.Right, the atmosphere is very unique.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨도 그렇게 생각해요?jihoon ssido geureoke saenggakhaeyo?Do you think so too, Ji-hoon?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 아주 신선한 느낌이에요.ne, aju sinseonhan neukkimieyo.Yes, it feels very fresh.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “new” translations and entries 새롭다, 뉴, 새, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 새, 새롭다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
