느린
neurin[nɯɾin]
The Korean word for "slow" is 느린 (neurin). Wiktionary also lists 느리다 (neurida).
Meaning: not quick in motion (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 느린 | neurin | [nɯɾin] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 느리다 | neurida | [nɯɾida̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | predicative |
The term is used to describe something that is not quick in motion.
Which one should you use?
느린 is the adjectival form used to modify a noun directly, such as "a slow person." In contrast, 느리다 is the dictionary form used as a predicate at the end of a sentence to mean "to be slow." Additionally, the reduplicated form 느릿느릿 acts as an adverb to describe a slow, dragging or sluggish motion.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 느린 is the attributive form used to modify a noun. The form 느리다 is the dictionary form used as a predicate at the end of a sentence. For polite speech, the predicate 느리다 conjugates to 느려요.
How do you pronounce it?
neurin
Did you know?
- When someone is being 'slow' to understand a social cue, a Korean speaker might use the phrase 눈치가 느리다, literally saying their 'sense of the situation' is slow.
- In Middle Korean, the word appeared as 늘의〮다〮, showing how the spelling and pronunciation have shifted significantly over six centuries.
- The adverb 느릿느릿 uses reduplication to mimic the actual feeling of a slow motion, a common feature in Korean called 'mimetic words' that visually or auditorily describe a state.
Examples in context
- 회의를 천천히 진행해주세요.Please proceed with the meeting slowly.
- 이 문제는 다른 문제들에 비해 느리게 해결되었습니다.This problem was solved slowly compared to other problems.
- 그 친구는 항상 느려서 놀리기 좋아해요.We like to tease that friend because they're always slow.
- 느린 거북이는 아주 유명해요.neurin geobugineun aju yumyeonghaeyo.The slow turtle is very famous.
- 인터넷이 너무 느린 것 같아요.inteonesi neomu neurin geot gatayo.I think the internet is too slow.
- 그는 걸음이 느린 편이에요.geuneun georeumi neurin pyeonieyo.He tends to have a slow walking pace.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are walking together.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 걸음이 너무 느린 것 같아요.Dohyun ssi, georeumi neomu neurin geot gatayo.Dohyun, I think your pace is too slow.
- 도현 Do-hyeon죄송해요. 제가 좀 느리네요.joesonghaeyo. jega jom neurineyo.Sorry. I'm a bit slow.
- 민지 Min-ji괜찮아요. 천천히 같이 가요.gwaenchanayo. cheoncheonhi gachi gayo.It's okay. Let's go together slowly.
- 도현 Do-hyeon감사합니다, 민지 씨.gamsahamnida, Minji ssi.Thank you, Minji.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slow” translations and entries 느린, 느리다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 느리다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
