Korean word

덜

Pronunciation

Romanizationteol

Meaning

  • adverbless

Example

소금을 덜 넣어 주세요.so geu meul teol neo eo chu se yo

Please add less salt.

Illustration for 덜 (less)

More examples

발표 전에 심호흡을 해서 덜 긴장하려고 해요.pal pyo cheo ne sim ho heu beul hae seo teol kin jang ha ryeo go hae yo

I am trying to be less nervous by taking deep breaths before the presentation.

Core concept

Something is present in a smaller amount or at a lower intensity than expected or compared.

Common phrases

  • 덜 긴장하다teol kin jang ha da

    be less nervous

  • 말을 덜 하다ma reul teol ha da

    talk less

  • 소비를 덜 하다so bi reul teol ha da

    consume less

Similar words

적게cheokkke: Shows that an action involves a smaller amount of something.
조금chogeum: Means a small amount, short time, or mild degree.
좀chom: Makes a request sound gentler and less demanding.

Definition in Korean

원래보다 혹은 다른 것보다 양이나 강도가 적게wol lae bo da ho geun ta reun keot ppo da yang i na kang do ga cheok kke

Word origin

The word comes from a native Korean root associated with reducing something, which makes its comparison-based meaning easy to connect with reduction.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can use this word for both quantity and intensity, including situations where English would say less spicy, less often, or eat less.

Opposites

Related words

  • 덜어지다teoreojidabe alleviatedverb
  • 덜어내다teoreonaedaremoveverb

Word lists with this word