맑다
makda[ma̠k̚t͈a̠]
The English word 'sunny' can be translated into Korean as 맑다 (makda) or 화창하다.
Meaning: weather, day (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 맑다 | makda | [ma̠k̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 화창하다 | hwachanghada | [ɸwa̠t͡ɕʰa̠ŋɦa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both words are used to describe sunny or clear weather.
Which one should you use?
맑다 is used for both 'sunny' and 'clear' (as in a clear sky), whereas 화창하다 specifically emphasizes a bright, pleasant and sunny weather. 화창하다 carries a more positive, descriptive nuance of 'fair weather' or 'bright and sunny' compared to the more neutral 맑다.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use them in the polite present tense, use 맑아요 for 'it is sunny/clear' and 화창해요 for 'it is sunny/fair'. If you are using the words as adjectives to modify a noun, such as 'sunny day', use the form 맑은 for 맑다 and 화창한 for 화창하다.
How do you pronounce it?
makda
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 오늘 날씨가 화창해서 기분이 좋아요I feel great today because the weather is sunny.
- 날이 맑아서 나들이하기 좋아요It's nice to go out because the weather is sunny.
- 오늘은 해가 떴어. 같이 나갈까?It's sunny today. Shall we go out together?
- 아주 화창한 날A very sunny day
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are planning a walk.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 지금 밖이 맑아요.Minji ssi, jigeum bakki mak-ayo.Minji, it is sunny outside right now.
- 민지 Min-ji정말요? 같이 산책 갈까요?jeongmalyo? gachi sanchaek galkkayo?Really? Shall we go for a walk together?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 날씨가 아주 맑다.ne, nalssiga aju makda.Yes, the weather is very sunny.
- 민지 Min-ji좋아요. 지금 바로 나가요.joayo. jigeum baro nagayo.Sounds good. Let's go out right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunny” translations and entries 맑다, 화창하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 맑다, 화창하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
