시원하다
siwonhada[ɕʰiwʌ̹nɦa̠da̠]
The English word refreshing is expressed in Korean as 시원하다 (siwonhada).
시원하다 is used to describe a feeling of being refreshing, cool or pleasant. This includes physical sensations like a cool breeze, but it also extends to a sense of relief or a refreshing feeling experienced after receiving a massage or eating hot soup.
Meaning: refreshing (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 시원하다 implies a pleasant or refreshing coolness, the word 차갑다 is used to describe a temperature that is neutral or even unpleasantly cold.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite present tense form of 시원하다 is 시원해요, which translates to "It is refreshing/cool".
How do you pronounce it?
siwonhada
Did you know?
- 시원하다 can be used to describe a personality or a way of speaking that is straightforward and candid. A person who speaks their mind without hesitation is described as having a 시원한 personality.
- Koreans often say 시원하다 while soaking in a steaming hot bath or sauna. In this context, it describes the 'refreshing' sensation of muscles relaxing and tension leaving the body despite the high heat.
- The modern word 시원하다 evolved from the Middle Korean form 싀훤ᄒᆞ다 found in texts from 1447. It originally combined a root for coolness with a light verb to create an adjective.
Examples in context
- 서울의 봄날은 상쾌하다.Spring days in Seoul are refreshing.
- 오늘은 시원한 바람이 불어서 기분이 좋다.Today, the cool breeze is blowing, and it feels refreshing.
- 이 음료는 마시면 개운해질 거야.If you drink this beverage, you'll feel refreshed.
- 여름에 먹는 수박은 상큼하고 시원하다.Watermelon eaten in summer is refreshing and cool.
- 이 음료는 시큼해서 상쾌해!This beverage is sour and refreshing!
- 바람이 시원하다The breeze is refreshing
- 이 냉면은 정말 시원하다.i naengmyeon-eun jeongmal siwonhada.This cold buckwheat noodles are really refreshing.
- 바닷바람이 아주 시원하다.badatbarami aju siwonhada.The sea breeze is very refreshing.
- 샤워를 하니까 시원하다.syaworeul hanikka siwonhada.It feels refreshing after taking a shower.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are sitting by the ocean on a hot summer day.
- 민지 Min-ji바닷바람이 정말 시원하다, 도현 씨.badatbarami jeongmal siwonhada, Dohyun-ssi.The sea breeze is really refreshing, Dohyun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아요, 민지 씨. 진짜 시원하네요.majayo, Minji-ssi. jinjja siwonhaneyo.You're right, Minji. It is truly refreshing.
- 민지 Min-ji우리 시원한 음료수 좀 마실까요?uri siwonhan eumryosu jom masilkkayo?Shall we drink some refreshing beverages?
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아요. 제가 사 올게요.joayo. jega sa olgeyo.Good idea. I will go buy them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 시원하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 시원하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
