너무 좋아
neomu joa
The English phrase "so good" is expressed in Korean as 너무 좋아 (neomu joa).
This expression is used to say that something is very pleasing or enjoyable. Depending on the context, 너무 좋아 can mean both "it is so good" (describing a thing) or "I like it so much" (expressing a feeling). You can also use the word 정말 to intensify an adjective when combining it with other expressions.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase 너무 좋아, the word 너무 (neomu) means "too much" or "so" and 좋아 (joa) means "is good" or "to like".
Which one should you use?
While 너무 좋아 can mean "I like it so much", it can also be used specifically to mean "it is so good". Other variations include 진짜 좋아 for "really good" or "awesomely good", and 엄청 좋아 to convey that something is incredibly good or excellent.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 너무 좋아 is informal and used with friends, siblings or people younger than you. To make the phrase polite and suitable for speaking to people you are not close with or those older than you, you can use the polite form 너무 좋아요 by adding the suffix 요 (yo) to the end.
How do you pronounce it?
neomu joa
Did you know?
- If you want to say something is 'so good' in a very cute or flirtatious way, you might change the pronunciation of 좋아 to sound more like 조아. This is a common way to use 'aegyo', or cute mannerisms, in speech.
- The word 너무 originally meant 'too much' in a negative sense, such as 'too hot' or 'too expensive'. It was once considered grammatically incorrect to use it for positive things, but this rule has since changed in modern Korean.
- If you are reacting to delicious food, simply saying 너무 좋아 might sound slightly strange to a native speaker, as they would more likely use words specifically describing the taste, such as 맛있어.
Examples in context
- Your artwork is 아주 멋있어요! (aju meo-ssit-eo-yo), you have great talent.Your artwork is so cool, you have great talent.
- 정말 맛있어요So delicious
- 날씨가 너무 좋아.nalssiga neomu joa.The weather is so good.
- 이 노래 너무 좋아.i norae neomu joa.This song is so good.
- 여행 가는 거 너무 좋아.yeohaeng ganeun geo neomu joa.Going on a trip is so good.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are visiting a beautiful park.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은, 여기 너무 좋아!Jieun, yeogi neomu joa!Jieun, this place is so good!
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아, 정말 아름답다.maja, jeongmal areumdapda.You're right, it's truly beautiful.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo우리 여기서 좀 쉴까?uri yeogiseo jom swilkka?Shall we rest here for a bit?
- 지은 Ji-eun응, 그러자.eung, geureoja.Yes, let's do that.
