Korean word

약간

Pronunciation

Romanizationyakkkan

Meaning

  • adverba little

Example

약간 피곤해요.yak kkan pi gon hae yo

I'm a little tired.

Illustration for 약간 (a little)

More examples

이 가방은 약간 비싸요.i ka bang eun yak kkan pi ssa yo

This bag is a little expensive.

Core concept

Something is present in a small amount or exists to only a slight degree.

Common phrases

  • 약간 비싸다yak kkan pi ssa da

    a little expensive

  • 약간 어색하다yak kkan eo sae ka da

    a little awkward

  • 약간 부족하다yak kkan pu jo ka da

    a little short

Similar words

조금chogeum: Everyday speech describes limited amounts, brief periods, and slight degrees.
좀chom: A relaxed request becomes gentler with a casual softening expression.

Definition in Korean

정도나 양이 조금임을 나타내는 부사로, 감정·상태·수량의 약한 정도를 말할 때 쓰인다.cheong do na yang i cho geu mi meul na ta nae neun pu sa ro kam jeong sang tae su ryang ui ya kan cheong do reul mal hal ttae sseu in da

Word origin

The word is a Sino-Korean term for some or a certain amount that came to express a small degree or amount.

Usage tips

  • It often makes a description sound measured rather than strong, which helps explain why it appears with mild feelings and conditions.

Opposites

Word lists with this word