와, 대단하다
wa, daedanhada
The English phrase "wow, amazing" can be expressed in Korean as 와, 대단하다 (wa, daedanhada).
This phrase is an exclamation used to express strong admiration or surprise at something impressive. You can translate 대단하다 as "It's amazing" or "It's incredible". While 와, 대단하다 is a common way to express this, you can also use the informal exclamation 와 to signify amazement or use 와우 and 와아 to convey even stronger amazement. If you want to express surprise or disbelief, you might say 진짜? which means "really" or "seriously?" Additionally, the word 놀랍다 can be used to describe something as "surprising" or "astonishing".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the exclamation 와 (wow) and the adjective 대단하다 (to be great/amazing).
Which one should you use?
The form 와, 대단하다 uses the plain or dictionary form, which can sound like a monologue or a written observation. In contrast, 와, 대단해 is the standard way to address someone informally.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, the verb ending of 대단하다 changes from its dictionary form to the informal 대단해. To make the expression polite, you add the polite ending 요 to the stem to get 와, 대단해요.
How do you pronounce it?
wa, daedanhada
Did you know?
- The word 대단하다 can be used sarcastically to mean 'unbelievable' in a negative sense, such as when someone's audacity or stubbornness is excessive.
- While 와 is a natural exclamation, the form 와우 is a direct loanword from the English 'wow' and is often used to sound more modern or playful.
- Using the dictionary form 대단하다 as an exclamation can make the speaker sound like they are talking to themselves, a common habit in Korean called 'soliloquy' style speech.
Examples in context
- 이 연주는 대단합니다This performance is amazing.
- 그 정확성에 놀랐어요I was amazed by its accuracy.
- 와, 이것 진짜 멋있네Wow, this is really cool.
- 와우, 정말 대박이야Wow, that's really awesome.
- 완전 신기해요It's totally amazing
- 와, 대단하다!wa, daedanhada!Wow, amazing!
- 와, 대단하다, 너 정말 잘한다.wa, daedanhada, neo jeongmal jalhanda.Wow, amazing, you are really good at this.
Example conversation
Minji is looking at Hyunwoo's painting.
- 민지 Min-ji와, 대단하다! 직접 그린 거야?wa, daedanhada! jikjeop geurin geoya?Wow, amazing! Did you draw this yourself?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 한 달 동안 그렸어.eung, han dal dongan geuryeosseo.Yes, I drew it for a month.
- 민지 Min-ji색감이 정말 멋져.saekgami jeongmal meotjyeo.The colors are really wonderful.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo고마워, 민지야.gomawo, minjiya.Thanks, Minji.
