똑바로
ttokbaro[t͈o̞k̚p͈a̠ɾo̞]
The English word 'straight' can be translated into Korean as 똑바로 (ttokbaro).
똑바로 is used to describe something that is not crooked or bent. It is applied to physical posture or the alignment of a line. Beyond physical descriptions, it is used figuratively to mean doing something 'properly' or 'correctly', such as telling someone to look at you 똑바로. In a different context, the related form 쭉 can be used metaphorically to mean continuously or without interruption.
Meaning: not crooked or bent (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 똑바로 emphasizes the physical posture or a straight line (not crooked), 곧장 is used specifically to mean 'directly' in terms of a path or route without stopping. For specialized contexts, the loanword 스트레이트 is used in specific contexts like poker (a straight) or hair styling (straight hair), rather than for physical posture.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
ttokbaro
Did you know?
- The word 똑바로 is built from the root 똑, which carries the sense of a single, clean stitch or a distinct line. This connects the idea of physical straightness to the precision of needlework.
- If you tell someone to look at you 똑바로, you are not just asking for eye contact. You are subtly telling them to be honest and look you in the eye without deception.
- The word 바로 inside 똑바로 can be used alone to mean 'immediately' or 'right now'.
Examples in context
- 똑바로 서!Stand straight!This sentence is useful for practicing the command to stand straight using 똑바로.Tatoeba #11597205 by cherryband, translation #2368553 by AlanF_US
- 똑바로 앉으세요.Sit up straight.This sentence is useful for practicing the polite request to sit up straight using 똑바로.Tatoeba #11597212 by cherryband, translation #63388 by CK
- 똑바로 서다To stand straightThis sentence is useful for learning the verb phrase to stand straight using 똑바로.
- 일직선으로 가세요Go straight.
- 계속해서 직진하세요Continue straight.
- 바로 직선으로 가주세요Please go straight.
- 쭉~ 가자!Let's go straight!
- 책을 쭉 읽었어I read the book straight through
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are walking down a street.
- 민준 Min-jun길을 똑바로 가야 해요.gil-eul ttok-ba-ro ga-ya hae-yo.We must go straight down the road.
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 저기 보이네요.ne, jeo-gi bo-i-ne-yo.Yes, I see it over there.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 똑바로 걸어요.Seo-yeon ssi, ttok-ba-ro geol-eo-yo.Seoyeon, walk straight ahead.
- 서연 Seo-yeon미안해요, 조금 졸려요.mi-an-hae-yo, jo-geum jol-lyeo-yo.Sorry, I am a little sleepy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 똑바로, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 똑바로, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
