좋다
jota[ˈt͡ɕo̞(ː)tʰa̠]
The English phrase "something is good" is expressed in Korean as 좋다 (jota).
In Korean, 좋다 functions as an adjective meaning "to be good" rather than a verb meaning "to like."
Which one should you use?
While 좋다 is the dictionary form, you will use different versions depending on the situation. For example, 좋아 is used for informal or casual contexts, while 좋습니다 is used in formal situations. If you wish to emphasize that something is excellent or very good, you can use 아주 좋습니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on how it is used in a sentence. To use 좋다 as an adjective to modify a noun (for example, to say "a good [noun]"), it changes to the form 좋은.
How do you pronounce it?
jota
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 좋다 to mean "to like" something. However, 좋다 actually means "to be good." To say "I like it," you should use 좋아하다 instead.
Did you know?
- In Korean, saying 좋아 can be a way to agree to a suggestion or give permission, similar to saying 'Okay' or 'Sounds good' in English.
- One of the earliest records of 좋다 from 1103 was used in a phrase meaning 'you have a good face'. This shows the word was used to describe physical appearance and impressions long ago.
- Because 좋다 describes a state of being, Koreans often omit the subject of the sentence entirely if the context is clear, simply saying 좋아 to mean 'It is good'.
Examples in context
- 이 옷 정말 예뻐요This dress is really beautiful
- 날씨가 정말 좋다.nalssiga jeongmal jota.The weather is really good.
- 이 책은 아주 좋다.i chaegun aju jota.This book is very good.
- 그 아이디어가 정말 좋다.geu aidieoga jeongmal jota.That idea is really good.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are at a cafe.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 여기 커피 맛이 좋다.Dohyun ssi, yeogi keopi masi jota.Dohyun, the coffee here tastes good.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맞아요. 정말 맛있네요.majayo. jeongmal masitneyo.You're right. It's really delicious.
- 수빈 Su-bin음악도 좋아서 마음에 들어요.eumakdo joaseo maeume deureoyo.The music is good too, so I like it.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저도 이 카페가 아주 좋아요.jeodo i kapega ajo joayo.I like this cafe very much too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 좋다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 좋다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
