Which one should you use?
While 조용한 is an adjective describing a state, the phrase 조용히 해 is a command used to tell someone to be quiet. For a more literary or poetic sense of quiet, such as a profound or serene silence in nature, you can use the synonym 고요한.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
조용히 해 is an informal way to say "Be quiet," whereas 조용히 하세요 is a more polite way to say "Please be quiet." For formal situations, you can use 조용히 해 주세요 to mean "Please be quiet," or the even more formal 소리를 내지 않도록 해 주세요 to mean "Please refrain from making any noise."
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of the adjective is 조용하다, meaning "to be quiet." The form 조용한 is the specific adjective form used to modify a noun. To change the adjective into the adverb "quietly," you change the ending to 조용히.
How do you pronounce it?
joyonghan
Did you know?
- When telling someone to be quiet using 조용히 해, Koreans sometimes accompany the phrase with a gesture of placing a finger over the lips, but doing this to a superior is considered very rude.
- In a library or a quiet zone, you might see signs using the word 정숙, which translates to 'quiet' or 'silence' but carries a connotation of maintaining dignity and decorum.
- The adverb 조용히 is often used in the phrase 조용히 가다, which can literally mean 'to go quietly' but is also used idiomatically to describe leaving a place unnoticed or secretly.
Examples in context
- 톰은 아주 조용한 사람이야.Tom is a very quiet person.This example shows how to use 조용한 to describe a person.Tatoeba #8357768 by Eunhee, translation #6531451 by CK
- 조용한 고양이가 쥐를 잡는다.The quiet cat caught the mouse.This example shows how to use 조용한 to describe an animal.Tatoeba #2655695 by KoreanBeaver, translation #3858098 by drkdrk15
- 다들 조용히 해 주세요.Everyone, please be quiet.
- 조용히 잠깐만 해 줄래?Can you be quiet for a moment?
- 조용한 카페에서 공부해요.joyohan kapeeseo gongbuhaeyo.I study in a quiet cafe.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are choosing a place to study.
- 지훈 Ji-hun우리 어디 갈까?uri eodi galkka?Where shall we go?
- 서연 Seo-yeon조용한 곳이 좋아요.joyohan gosi joayo.A quiet place is good.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 이 카페 어때?geureom i kape eottae?Then how about this cafe?
- 서연 Seo-yeon그래, 여기가 딱이다!geurae, yeogiga ttakida!Okay, this is perfect!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
