What does 아마 mean?

아마 (a-ma, ama)

아마 (ama) is an adverb expressing guess or possibility in Korean, used frequently in daily speech and writing.

Korean word 아마 meaning probably or maybe

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

아마(a-ma, ama)

아마 is an adverb used when something is likely but not certain, equivalent to 'probably' or 'maybe' in English.

Nuances

  • Indicates high possibility without certainty
  • Used mainly for positive guesses
  • Softens sentence tone
  • Different from strong assertions or definite statements

When to use

daily conversation, prediction, guess, business meeting

In context

아마 typically appears at the beginning or middle of a sentence, before verbs or adjectives to indicate guesswork. It is natural in both formal and informal speech.

Real-world examples

  • 아마 내일 비가 올 거예요.

    a-ma nae-il bi-ga ol geo-ye-yo., a ma nae il bi ga ol geo ye yo.

    아마 is an adverb of guess placed naturally at sentence start.

  • 나는 아마 그 영화를 봤다.

    na-neun a-ma geu yeong-hwa-reul bwass-da., na neun a ma geu yeong hwa reul bwass da.

    아마 placed between subject and verb to express guess.

  • 아마 그는 지금 집에 있다.

    a-ma geu-neun ji-geum jip-e iss-da., a ma geu neun ji geum jip e iss da.

    아마 placed before time phrase to indicate possibility.

  • 아마도 그는 올 것이다.

    a-ma-do geu-neun ol geos-i-da., a ma do geu neun ol geos i da.

    아마도 is an emphatic form of 아마, expressing stronger guess.

  • 아마 내일 회의는 취소될 것이다.

    a-ma nae-il hoe-ui-neun chwi-so-doel geos-i-da., a ma nae il hoe ui neun chwi so doel geos i da.

    Using 아마 in business context softens prediction.

  • 나는 아마도 확실해.

    na-neun a-ma-do hwak-sil-hae., na neun a ma do hwak sil hae.

    Certainty conflicts with 아마's meaning, causing awkwardness.

  • 아마 빨리 달린다.

    a-ma ppal-ri dal-rin-da., a ma ppal ri dal rin da.

    아마 used without subject before verb is unnatural.

Quick quiz

  1. What does 아마 mean?

    아마의 뜻은 무엇인가요?(a-ma-uitteus-eunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, amauitteuseunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence uses 아마 correctly?

    다음 문장에서 아마가 올바르게 쓰인 것은?(da-eummun-jang-e-seoa-ma-gaol-ba-reu-gesseu-ingeos-eun?, daeummunjangeseoamagaolbareugesseuingeoseun?)
  3. When is it appropriate to use 아마?

    아마를 사용하기 적절한 상황은?(a-ma-reulsa-yong-ha-gijeok-jeol-hansang-hwang-eun?, amareulsayonghagijeokjeolhansanghwangeun?)

More meaning guides

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