Korean word

온통

Pronunciation

Romanizationontong

Meaning

  • adverbcompletely

Example

그는 온통 변해 버렸어.keu neun on tong pyeon hae peo ryeo sseo

He has completely changed.

Illustration for 온통 (completely)

More examples

아이의 얼굴이 온통 눈물투성이였다.a i ui eol gu ri on tong nun mul tu seong i yeot tta

Tears covered the child's whole face.

Core concept

A whole scene or situation is covered by one condition, with no part left outside it.

Common phrases

  • 온통 눈물투성이이다on tong nun mul tu seong i i da

    be completely covered in tears

Similar words

완전히wanjeonhi: Brings a condition to its fullest extent with no part incomplete.
전부cheonbu: Includes the entire set without leaving anything out.
모두modu: Includes every person or thing in a group.
싹ssak: Clears something away so thoroughly that nothing remains.

Definition in Korean

부분이 아니라 전체에 걸쳐 어떤 상태나 성질이 전부 그러함을 강하게 나타내는 부사.pu bu ni a ni ra cheon che e keol cheo eo tteon sang tae na seong ji ri cheon bu keu reo ha meul kang ha ge na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

This is a native Korean adverb, but its exact historical formation is uncertain, so it is best learned as a single word rather than split into parts.

Usage tips

  • It often presents a condition as spread across every part, so it can describe a whole person, place, or situation rather than merely adding intensity.

Other meanings

  • all overadverb
  • nothing butadverb

Opposites

  • 부분적으로pubunjeogeuropartiallyadverb
  • 조금chogeumslightlyadverb

Word lists with this word