Korean word

불과하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationpulgwahada

Meaning

  • adjectivebe nothing but

Example

그의 성공은 운에 불과했다.keu ui seong gong eun u ne pul gwa haet tta

His success was nothing but luck.

Illustration for 불과하다 (be nothing but)

More examples

그의 실패는 한 번의 실수에 불과했다.keu ui sil pae neun han peo nui sil su e pul gwa haet tta

His failure was nothing but one mistake.

Core concept

A thing is kept within a small or unimportant limit, with nothing more implied.

Common phrases

  • 운에 불과하다u ne pul gwa ha da

    be nothing but luck

  • 실수에 불과하다sil su e pul gwa ha da

    be nothing but a mistake

  • 형식에 불과하다hyeong si ge pul gwa ha da

    be nothing but a formality

Similar words

적다cheoktta: Be small in number or amount and not enough for the need.
작다chaktta: Have a small physical size or build.
보잘것없다pojalgeoseoptta: Have little value or importance and attract little notice.

Definition in Korean

어떤 사실이나 상태가 크지 않거나 중요하지 않고 단지 그 정도밖에 되지 않는다는 뜻의 형용사.eo tteon sa si ri na sang tae ga keu ji an keo na chung yo ha ji an ko tan ji keu cheong do ba kke toe ji an neun da neun tteu sui hyeong yong sa

Word origin

불과하다 (bulgwahada, "to be nothing but") combines 불과 (bulgwa, "not exceeding") with 하다 (hada, "to do") to express that something does not go beyond the given extent.

Usage tips

  • When it describes a person or achievement, it can reduce their importance and sound dismissive, while in factual writing about amounts it is often neutral.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word