아주 좋아요
aju joayo
아주 좋아요 (aju joayo) is the Korean way to say "very good".
This expression is used to describe something of high quality or to show strong approval.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 아주 literally means "very" or "extremely".
Which one should you use?
While 아주 좋아요 is common in speech, 매우 좋아요 is often used in more formal written contexts or to add a slightly stronger emphasis.
How does it change in a sentence?
To speak informally or casually to friends or younger people, you can drop the polite ending to say 아주 좋아. In formal settings like business or news, the phrase becomes 아주 좋습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
aju joayo
Did you know?
- The word 좋아요 is used both to describe something as 'good' and to express that you 'like' something. Depending on the context, 아주 좋아요 can mean 'it is very good' or 'I like it very much'.
- While 아주 좋아요 is a positive phrase, Koreans often use a slightly different expression, 괜찮아요, to mean 'it is okay' or 'good enough' to avoid appearing overly enthusiastic or boastful.
- The word 아주 can be seen in historical texts from the late 16th century, appearing as 아조 in Middle Korean.
Examples in context
- 매우 좋습니다. 이 제품은 질이 매우 우수합니다.Very good. This product has excellent quality.
- 대단히 좋습니다. 정말 멋진 공연이었어요.Very good. It was a truly amazing performance.
- 매우 훌륭합니다. 당신의 노력이 정말 보여요.Very good. Your hard work really shows.
- 오늘 날씨 너무 좋아!The weather is really good today!
- 이 음식 진짜 좋아!This food is really good!
- 오늘 하루 완전 좋아!Today is absolutely great!
- 이 노래 아주 좋아요.i norae aju joayo.This song is very good.
- 오늘 날씨 아주 좋아요.oneul nalssi aju joayo.The weather is very good today.
- 그 영화 아주 좋아요.geu yeonghwa aju joayo.That movie is very good.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are looking at a drawing.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 이 그림 어때요?Dohyun ssi, i geurim eottaeyo?Dohyun, how is this drawing?
- 도현 Do-hyeon색깔이 아주 좋아요.saekkkari adju joayo.The colors are very good.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 그렇게 생각해요?jeongmal geureoke saenggakhaeyo?Do you really think so?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 정말 멋져요.ne, jeongmal meotjyeoyo.Yes, it is really cool.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아주, 좋아요, CC BY-SA 4.0.
