Korean Intensity Adverbs: Using 매우, 꽤, 정말, and 조금 with Adjectives
Learn to modify Korean adjectives with adverbs of intensity: 매우 (very), 꽤 (quite), 정말 (really), and 조금 (a bit). Build natural sentences about weather, food, and feelings.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Korean, adjectives function as descriptive verbs, so you can modify their intensity with adverbs placed directly before them. This lesson teaches four common intensity adverbs: 매우 (very), 꽤 (quite), 정말 (really), and 조금 (a bit). You will learn where to place them in a sentence and how they differ from frequency adverbs like 자주 (often) or 항상 (always). By the end, you will be able to say things like 오늘 꽤 추워요 (It's quite cold today) and express degrees of intensity naturally.
By the end, you can…
- use 매우, 꽤, 정말, and 조금 to modify Korean adjectives.
- distinguish intensity adverbs from frequency adverbs in Korean sentences.
- form simple sentences about weather, food, and feelings using these adverbs.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
오늘 꽤 추워요.
It's quite cold today.
oneul kkwae chuwoyo
Use 꽤 to mean 'quite' or 'fairly'; it softens the intensity compared to 매우.
이 음식은 매우 매워요.
This food is very spicy.
i eumsigeun maeu maewoyo
매우 is a formal 'very'; common in writing and polite speech.
정말 맛있어요!
It's really delicious!
jeongmal masisseoyo
정말 adds strong emphasis and is very common in spoken Korean.
조금 피곤해요.
I'm a bit tired.
jogeum pigonhaeyo
조금 means 'a little' or 'a bit'; it downplays the intensity.
날씨가 꽤 좋아요.
The weather is quite nice.
nalssiga kkwae joayo
꽤 can also modify positive adjectives to mean 'quite' or 'pretty'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Place the intensity adverb directly before the adjective: [subject] + [adverb] + [adjective] + [polite ending]. For example, 오늘 날씨가 매우 좋아요 (The weather is very nice today). The adverb does not change form. You can also use them in short answers: 꽤 비싸요 (It's quite expensive). Note that adjectives in Korean behave like verbs, so no separate word for 'is' is needed.
When to use it
Use 매우 in formal or written contexts, 꽤 for a moderate 'quite', 정말 for strong emphasis in speech, and 조금 to soften or downplay. For instance, if you want to say 'I'm a bit hungry,' use 조금 배고파요. If you want to say 'I'm really hungry,' use 정말 배고파요. Avoid mixing them with frequency adverbs like 자주 (often) or 항상 (always), which answer 'how often' rather than 'how much'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
오늘 날씨가 어때요?
How is the weather today?oneul nalssiga eottaeyo?꽤 추워요. 하지만 정말 맑아요.
It's quite cold. But it's really clear.kkwae chuwoyo. hajiman jeongmal malgayo.그럼 조금 따뜻하게 입으세요.
Then dress a bit warmly.geureom jogeum ttatteuthage ibeuseyo.네, 매우 따뜻한 코트가 있어요.
Yes, I have a very warm coat.ne, maeu ttatteuthan koteuga isseoyo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean, using 매우 can sound formal or written, while 정말 is more common in everyday conversation. 꽤 is neutral and often used to express a moderate degree. When speaking politely, these adverbs are fine to use with the polite -요 ending. Avoid using very strong adverbs like extremely (극도로) in casual talk, as it may sound exaggerated.
One thing to watch for
Placing the adverb after the adjective, as in *추워요 꽤.
Try this instead: In Korean, the adverb must come before the adjective: 꽤 추워요. The order is fixed: subject + adverb + adjective + ending.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'It's very expensive' using 매우?
Show a sample answer
매우 비싸요.
매우 comes before the adjective 비싸요. You could also use 정말 비싸요 for a more conversational tone.
2Which adverb would you use to say 'I'm a bit busy'?
Show a sample answer
조금 바빠요.
조금 means 'a bit' and softens the adjective 바빠요. Other options like 꽤 바빠요 would mean 'quite busy'.
3Translate: 'The food is really delicious.'
Show a sample answer
음식이 정말 맛있어요.
정말 adds strong emphasis. You could also use 매우 맛있어요 in formal contexts.
Use 매우, 꽤, 정말, and 조금 before adjectives to express intensity. Remember: adverb before adjective, and choose the adverb that matches the formality and strength you want.
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