Korean word

절대로

Pronunciation

Romanizationcheoldaero

Meaning

  • adverbabsolutely

Example

절대로 늦지 않을게.cheol dae ro neut jji a neul kke

I absolutely won't be late.

Illustration for 절대로 (absolutely)

More examples

그건 절대로 해서는 안 돼.keu geon cheol dae ro hae seo neun an twae

You must never do that.

Core concept

Adds strong, absolute force to a negative statement, expressing that something will never happen or must not happen.

Common phrases

  • 절대로 안 돼cheol dae ro an twae

    absolutely not okay

  • 절대로 못 해cheol dae ro mot hae

    absolutely cannot do it

Similar words

절대cheoldae: Adds strong emphasis to a statement that allows no exceptions or alternatives.
전혀cheonhyeo: Shows that something is not present or true at all, even slightly.
반드시pandeusi: Shows that something is certain or must happen without exception.
도저히tojeohi: Shows that something cannot possibly be done or accepted despite every effort.

Definition in Korean

주로 부정문에서 결코 ~하지 않음을 강하게 나타내는 부사.chu ro pu jeong mu ne seo kyeol ko ~ ha ji a neu meul kang ha ge na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

It combines a Sino-Korean word meaning absolute with the adverb-forming suffix -ro, giving a sense of absolute force.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English absolutely, which often strengthens a positive statement, this word is especially common with Korean negation and often means never.

Other meanings

  • neveradverb

Opposites

  • 상대적으로sangdaejeogeurorelativelyadverb
  • 부분적으로pubunjeogeuropartlyadverb

Related words

Word lists with this word