TOPIK · Level 203
15 words
Korean word
꼬마
Pronunciation
Romanizationkkoma
Meaning
- nounlittle kid
Example
그 꼬마가 웃었어요.keu kko ma ga u seo sseo yo
That little kid laughed.
More examples
길에서 꼬마가 공을 쫓아갔어요.ki re seo kko ma ga kong eul jjo cha ga sseo yo
A little kid chased a ball in the street.
Core concept
A young child who seems little and endearing.
Common phrases
우리 꼬마u ri kko ma
our little kid
꼬마 아이kko ma a i
little kid
Similar words
아이ai: A common everyday word for a child in a family or community.
어린이eorini: A formal expression for children in education, signs, and public messages.
아기agi: A very young child who is small and still needs regular care.
애ae: A relaxed way to refer to a child that can sound disrespectful in an unfriendly tone.
Definition in Korean
작고 나이가 어린 사람, 특히 어린아이를 귀엽게 부르는 명사chak kko na i ga eo rin sa ram teu ki eo ri na i reul kwi yeop kke pu reu neun myeong sa
Word origin
Because the word's history is uncertain, learning its friendly use as a compact label for a young child is more reliable than assigning meaning to its separate syllables.
Usage tips
- The affectionate tone can sound natural for a child known to the speaker but may feel too familiar in a formal description.
Other meanings
- little boynoun
Opposites
- 어른eoreunadultnoun
Related words
- 꼬맹이kkomaengilittle tykenoun
- 꼬마애kkomaaelittle kidnoun