In Korean, expressing different degrees of “bad” can be quite useful in daily conversations. Whether you want to describe a terrible situation, criticize someone’s behavior, or simply want to convey your dissatisfaction, knowing how to say “very bad” in Korean will come in handy. In this guide, we’ll explore various ways to express “very bad” in both formal and informal settings in the Korean language, along with some tips and examples.
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions for Very Bad
When speaking in formal settings or using polite language, you can choose from a range of expressions to convey the idea of something being “very bad.” Let’s take a look at some formal ways to express this:
1. 아주 나쁘다 (ajoo nappeuda)
This phrase is a straightforward way to say “very bad” in formal Korean. It can be used to describe situations, actions, or even things. Here are a couple of examples:
이번 시험 결과는 아주 나빴어요. (Ibeon siheom gyehoreun ajoo nappasseoyo.)
The results of this exam were very bad.
그 옷은 아주 나뻐요. (Geu otteun ajoo nappaeyo.)
That outfit is very bad.
2. 엄청 좋지 않다 (eomcheong joji anhda)
Using “엄청” (eomcheong) means “extremely” in English, so by combining it with “좋지 않다” (joji anhda), which means “not good,” you can express “very bad” in a more formal way. Here are a few examples:
어제 회의 결과는 엄청 좋지 않았어요. (Eoje hoeui gyehoreun eomcheong joji anasseoyo.)
The results of yesterday’s meeting were very bad.
그 영화는 엄청 구리지 않니? (Geu yeonghwaneun eomcheong guriji anhni?)
Isn’t that movie extremely bad?
Informal Expressions for Very Bad
When speaking in informal settings or using casual language, the expressions for “very bad” become more relaxed and colloquial. Let’s explore a few ways to say “very bad” informally:
1. 너무 못하다 (neomu mothada)
Using “너무” (neomu) meaning “too” or “very,” along with “못하다” (mothada) which means “bad” or “not good,” you can express “very bad” casually. Here are a few examples:
오늘 너무 못했어. (Oneul neomu mothaeosseo.)
I did really badly today.
그 음식 정말 너무 못해. (Geu eumsik jeongmal neomu mothae.)
That food is really bad.
2. 진짜 별로다 (jinjja byeollo da)
This expression uses “진짜” (jinjja), which means “really,” along with “별로다” (byeollo da), meaning “not good” or “not great.” By combining these two phrases, you can convey the idea of something being “very bad” casually:
오늘 웹사이트 성능이 진짜 별로였어. (Oneul web saiteu seongneungi jinjja byeolloyeosseo.)
The website performance was really bad today.
나 이번 시험 진짜 별로였어. (Na ibeon siheom jinjja byeolloyeosseo.)
I did really bad on this exam.
Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips to help you express “very bad” effectively in Korean:
1. Emphasize with body language
When you want to emphasize that something is “very bad,” you can use appropriate body language. Shaking your head, frowning, or using hand gestures can enhance your expression.
2. Match the intensity
Depending on the intensity of the situation or your level of dissatisfaction, you can adjust the level of intensity in your choice of words. For instance, using stronger adverbs like “정말” (jeongmal) meaning “really” or “진짜” (jinjja) meaning “truly” can intensify the meaning of “very bad.”
3. Be mindful of the context
When choosing between formal and informal expressions, consider the context in which you’re speaking. Use formal expressions while conversing with older people, colleagues, or in professional settings. Informal expressions are typically suitable among friends or in casual conversations.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned different ways to express “very bad” in Korean, both in formal and informal settings, you can navigate various situations more confidently. Remember to adapt your language based on the context and your level of familiarity with the person you are speaking to. With practice, you will become more comfortable incorporating these expressions into your Korean conversations. Happy speaking!
