너무 달아
neomu dara
The phrase "so sweet" in Korean is 너무 달아 (neomu dara).
This phrase is used to describe food or drink that has a high sugar content. Although the word 너무 originally carried a negative connotation meaning "too much" or "excessively," in modern spoken Korean, it is commonly used as an intensifier meaning "very" or "so" in both positive and negative contexts.
Which one should you use?
While 너무 달아 is a common way to say "so sweet," you can also use 진짜 달다 to mean "really sweet" in an informal way. If you want to add an extra level of intensity to express that something is "extremely sweet," use 매우 달콤하다.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite when speaking to strangers or elders, add the suffix -요 to the end of the word to create 너무 달아요.
How do you pronounce it?
neomu dara
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific word, 단짠단짠, which describes the addictive cycle of eating something 'sweet' then 'salty'.
- If you are describing a person's personality as 'sweet' rather than food, you would not use the word 달다 used in this phrase.
- The word 너무 is derived from the verb 넘다, which means 'to surpass' or 'to cross over'.
Examples in context
- 정말 감사합니다. 이 과일은 아주 달콤합니다.Thank you very much. These fruits are very sweet.
- 그 사탕은 매우 달콤해서 맛있게 먹었어요.That candy was extremely sweet, and I enjoyed eating it.
- 이 케이크 너무 달아.i ke-i-keu neo-mu dal-a.This cake is so sweet.
- 음료수가 너무 달아.eum-ryo-su-ga neo-mu dal-a.The drink is so sweet.
- 초콜릿이 너무 달아.cho-kol-lit-i neo-mu dal-a.The chocolate is so sweet.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are trying a new dessert at a cafe.
- 지은 Ji-eun이 디저트 너무 달아.i di-jeo-teu neo-mu dal-a.This dessert is so sweet.
- 도현 Do-hyeon진짜? 나는 괜찮은데.jin-jja? na-neun gwaen-chan-eun-de.Really? It's okay to me.
- 지은 Ji-eun설탕을 너무 많이 넣었나 봐.seol-tang-eul neo-mu man-i neo-eot-na bwa.I think they put too much sugar in it.
- 도현 Do-hyeon커피랑 같이 먹어봐.keo-pi-rang gat-i meok-eo-bwa.Try eating it with coffee.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 너무, CC BY-SA 4.0.
