Korean word

굳이

Pronunciation

Romanizationkuji

Meaning

  • adverbgo out of one's way

Example

굳이 그런 말을 할 필요 없어.ku ji keu reon ma reul hal pi ryo eop sseo

You don't have to go out of your way to say that.

Illustration for 굳이 (go out of one's way)

More examples

굳이 혼자서 해결하려고 하지 마.ku ji hon ja seo hae gyeol ha ryeo go ha ji ma

Don't go out of your way to try to solve it alone.

Core concept

It marks a deliberate choice in a situation where leaving things alone would be enough.

Common phrases

  • 굳이 혼자서ku ji hon ja seo

    go out of one's way to do it alone

  • 굳이 나서다ku ji na seo da

    go out of one's way to step forward

Similar words

괜히kwaenhi: Acting or feeling needlessly, without any particular reason.
일부러ilbureo: Acting with conscious intent rather than by accident.
억지로eokjjiro: Carrying out an action through force or against one's wishes.

Definition in Korean

굳이는 필요성이 낮은 상황에서 일부러 그렇게 하거나 일부러 하지 않는다는 뜻을 나타내는 부사.ku ji neun pi ryo seong i na jeun sang hwang e seo il bu reo keu reo ke ha geo na il bu reo ha ji an neun da neun tteu seul na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

굳이 (guji, "despite little need") is traditionally analyzed as 굳 (gu, "firm") combined with 이 (ji, "adverb-forming element"), later taking on a meaning of deliberate choice despite low necessity.

Usage tips

  • It is useful for understanding understated Korean refusals, since it can show that a proposed action is unnecessary without stating that judgment directly.

Other meanings

  • deliberatelyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word