Korean word

곧다

Pronunciation

Romanizationkottta

Meaning

  • adjectivestraight

Example

그 나무는 곧다.keu na mu neun kot tta

That tree is straight.

Illustration for 곧다 (straight)

More examples

그 사람은 말이 곧다.keu sa ra meun ma ri kot tta

That person speaks frankly.

Core concept

Something follows a clear, unbending line, whether it is a tree, a statement, or a person's conduct.

Common phrases

  • 말이 곧다ma ri kot tta

    frank speech

  • 자세가 곧다cha se ga kot tta

    straight posture

  • 등이 곧다teung i kot tta

    straight back

Similar words

솔직하다soljikada: Sharing opinions or feelings directly instead of keeping them hidden.
바르다pareuda: Being correct, orderly, and appropriate in actions, words, or appearance.
똑바르다ttokppareuda: Keeping the body, position, or conduct properly straight and orderly.
정직하다cheongjikada: Acting and speaking truthfully as a matter of personal character.

Definition in Korean

말이나 행동이 꾸밈없이 바로 드러나서 속임이나 둘러댐이 없는 상태를 이르는 말.ma ri na haeng dong i kku mi meop ssi pa ro teu reo na seo so gi mi na tul leo dae mi eom neun sang tae reul i reu neun mal

Word origin

The word's concrete sense of being straight extends naturally to speech and behavior that show their meaning plainly instead of taking a deceptive turn.

Usage tips

  • In descriptions of people, this word often carries a stronger sense of moral steadiness than a simple comment that someone speaks plainly.

Other meanings

  • honestadjective
  • frankadjective

Opposites

  • 비뚤다pittuldacrookedadjective
  • 삐뚤다ppittuldaaskewadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word