느리다
neurida[nɯɾida̠]
To be slow in Korean is 느리다 (neurida).
느리다 is used to describe something that moves or happens at a low speed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on how it is used in a sentence. The dictionary form 느리다 is used in written texts, such as newspapers or books or when speaking to oneself. In everyday conversation, the adjective conjugates to 느려요 to express the polite informal style. To use slow as an adjective directly before a noun, change the form to 느린 (for example, 느린 차 – a slow car). Other related adverbial forms include 천천히 (slowly), 느리게 (slowly, in a slow manner) and 점점 (gradually).
How do you pronounce it?
neurida
Did you know?
- The word 느리다 was first recorded as 늘의〮다〮 in the 1447 text Seokbo sangjeol, one of the earliest works using the Hangul alphabet.
- Calling a person 느리다 does not just describe their walking speed but often implies they lack a sense of urgency or are slow on the uptake.
- Korean uses a distinct word 둔하다 instead of 느리다 when describing someone who is slow-witted or dim-witted.
Examples in context
- 그 프로그램은 컴퓨터를 느리게 해요.That program slows down the computer.
- 핸드폰이 점점 느려져.My phone is getting slower.
- 속도가 느려요.The speed is slow.
- 인터넷이 너무 느리다.inteones-i neomu neurida.The internet is too slow.
- 거북이는 움직임이 느리다.geobugineun umjigimi neurida.Turtles are slow in movement.
- 작업 속도가 너무 느리다.jageop sokdoga neomu neurida.The work speed is too slow.
Example conversation
Jieun and Minjun are waiting for a slow elevator.
- 지은 Ji-eun엘리베이터가 정말 느리다.ellibeiteoga jeongmal neurida.The elevator is really slow.
- 민준 Min-jun그러게요, 한참 기다려야겠어요.geureogeyo, hancham gidaryeoyagesseoyo.I agree, we'll have to wait a while.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준 씨, 계단으로 갈까요?Minjun ssi, gyedaneuro galkkayo?Minjun, shall we take the stairs?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 그게 더 빠를 것 같아요.ne, geuge deo ppareul geot gatayo.Yes, I think that would be faster.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 느리다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 느리다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
