Korean word

소박하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationsobakada

Meaning

  • adjectivemodest

Example

그 집은 소박하다.keu chi beun so ba ka da

The house is modest.

Illustration for 소박하다 (modest)

More examples

그녀의 결혼식은 소박했다.keu nyeo ui kyeol hon si geun so ba kaet tta

Her wedding was modest.

Core concept

Something arranged with quiet neatness instead of luxury or display.

Common phrases

  • 소박한 집so ba kan chip

    modest house

  • 소박한 식탁so ba kan sik tak

    modest table setting

  • 소박한 결혼식so ba kan kyeol hon sik

    modest wedding

Similar words

수수하다susuhada: Unadorned in appearance, with a plain and natural style.
검소하다keomsohada: Frugal in daily life and unwilling to spend money without need.
담백하다tambaekada: Fresh and light in taste because the natural ingredients stand out.

Definition in Korean

화려하거나 과장되지 않고 검소하며 단정한 분위기나 상태를 나타내는 형용사.hwa ryeo ha geo na kwa jang doe ji an ko keom so ha myeo tan jeong han pu nwi gi na sang tae reul na ta nae neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean base combines the ideas of being plain and being free from decoration, while the ending hada turns it into an adjective.

Usage tips

  • For TOPIK reading, recognize this word as positive or neutral praise for a restrained style, not automatically as criticism of a lack of sophistication.

Other meanings

  • unsophisticatedadjective
  • simpleadjective
  • unadornedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 소박함sobakammodestynoun

Word lists with this word