너무 빨라
neomu ppalla
In Korean, the phrase for "too fast" is 너무 빨라 (neomu ppalla).
The phrase is used to describe something that is moving or happening at a speed that is considered excessive.
Which one should you use?
The form 윽, 빨라! can be used to convey slight annoyance or surprise specifically because of the excessive speed.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase appropriate for use with strangers or people older than you, add the polite suffix –요 to the end to get 너무 빨라요. If you are a beginner, using the polite form 너무 빨라요 is safer to avoid sounding unintentionally rude.
How do you pronounce it?
neomu ppalla
Did you know?
- The term 빠르다 can be used metaphorically to describe a person's mental agility, such as how quickly someone understands a joke or grasps a new concept.
- While 너무 traditionally described negative extremes, it is now common in casual speech to use it for positive things, such as saying a movie is 'too' good.
- The adverb 너무 is rooted in the Middle Korean verb 넘다, which means 'to surpass' or 'to cross over' a boundary.
Examples in context
- 이 항공편은 너무 빠릅니다.This flight is too fast.
- 윽, 너무 빨라서 제대로 따라가지 못해.Argh, it's too fast, I can't keep up.
- 차가 너무 빨라.chaga neomu ppalla.The car is moving too fast.
- 말이 너무 빨라요.mari neomu ppallayo.You are speaking too fast.
- 인터넷이 너무 빨라.inteonesi neomu ppalla.The internet is too fast.
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Seo-yeon are watching a fast race.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo와, 저 차 진짜 너무 빨라!wa, jeo cha jinjja neomu ppalla!Wow, that car is really too fast!
- 서연 Seo-yeon그러게, 눈에 안 보여.geureoge, nune an boyeo.I know, I can't even see it.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo누가 이길 것 같아?nuga igil geot gata?Who do you think will win?
- 서연 Seo-yeon빨간 차가 이길 것 같아.ppalgan chaga igil geot gata.I think the red car will win.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 너무, CC BY-SA 4.0.
