못되다
motdoeda[ˈmo̞(ː)t̚t͈we̞da̠]
To say someone is mean in Korean, use 못되다 (motdoeda).
The term 못되다 is used to describe a person's personality or behavior as being unkind, wicked or unpleasant.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 못, meaning 'not' and 되다, meaning 'to become' or 'to be'. Literally, it means 'to not be good' or 'to have become bad'.
Which one should you use?
While 못되다 describes general unkindness or wickedness, you may also use 심술궂다 to describe someone who is mean specifically in a spiteful way or who has a bad temper.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to use 'mean' as an adjective to describe a noun directly, use the form 못된. To express that someone was mean in the past, use the past tense form 못됐다.
How do you pronounce it?
motdoeda
Did you know?
- If you use 못됐다 to describe a situation rather than a person, it can shift from meaning 'mean' to meaning 'unfortunate' or 'pitiful'.
- In older Korean literature, 못되다 was often used to describe objects that were poorly made or failed to reach their intended form, not just people with bad personalities.
- When calling a child 못된 in a playful or teasing tone, it can sometimes function as a term of endearment similar to calling a child a 'little rascal'.
Examples in context
- 그 사람은 냉정해서 다른 사람들을 상처받게 해요.That person is mean and hurts other people's feelings.
- 그 사람은 필요 이상으로 신경질나서 때로는 굉장히 신랄하게 말해요.That person is overly sensitive and sometimes speaks very harshly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 못되다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
