Korean word

도저히

Pronunciation

Romanizationtojeohi

Meaning

  • adverbcannot possibly

Example

도저히 시간을 만들 수가 없어요.to jeo hi si ga neul man deul ssu ga eop sseo yo

I can't possibly make time.

Illustration for 도저히 (cannot possibly)

More examples

아파서 도저히 움직일 수가 없어요.a pa seo to jeo hi um ji gil ssu ga eop sseo yo

I can't possibly move because I'm in pain.

Core concept

A firm sense that every available way has failed, leaving something impossible to do or accept.

Common phrases

  • 도저히 참을 수 없다to jeo hi cha meul ssu eop tta

    cannot possibly endure

  • 도저히 못 하다to jeo hi mot ha da

    cannot possibly do it

  • 도저히 이해가 안 되다to jeo hi i hae ga an toe da

    cannot possibly understand

Similar words

도무지tomuji: Leaves no room for understanding or achievement, however hard one tries.
전혀cheonhyeo: Shows that something is missing or untrue even in the smallest degree.
아예aye: Rules out an action or condition from the very outset.
절대로cheoldaero: Expresses that an action will never happen under any circumstances.

Definition in Korean

노력이나 방법을 다해도 해결되지 않거나 받아들일 수 없음을 나타내는 부사로, 주로 부정문에서 사용된다.no ryeo gi na pang beo beul ta hae do hae gyeol doe ji an keo na pa da deul lil ssu eop sseu meul na ta nae neun pu sa ro chu ro pu jeong mu ne seo sa yong doen da

Word origin

Its historical origin is uncertain, so it is best learned as a fixed adverb that normally strengthens a negative statement.

Usage tips

  • Because it sounds stronger than an ordinary refusal, it can make a small everyday excuse sound unusually final.

Opposites

Word lists with this word