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What does 조금 mean?

조금 (jo-geum, jogeum)

‘조금’ (jogeum) is a common Korean adverb meaning a small amount or degree. It’s used naturally in many contexts.

Korean word 조금 meaning a little bit

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

조금(jo-geum, jogeum)

‘조금’ is an adverb indicating a small amount or degree, equivalent to 'a little', 'a bit', or 'somewhat' in English.

Nuances

  • Indicates small amount but can imply sufficiency
  • Used to express mild degree or intensity
  • Applicable to time, distance, and quantity
  • Common in polite requests or suggestions

When to use

Daily conversation, Business meeting, Cooking, Expressing feelings

In context

‘조금’ modifies verbs or adjectives to indicate a small amount or degree. It functions as an adverb in sentences and is used in both formal and informal speech.

Real-world examples

  • 물을 조금 주세요.

    mul-eul jo-geum ju-se-yo., mul eul jo geum ju se yo.

    ‘조금’ modifies the verb phrase ‘give water’ to indicate a small amount.

  • 조금 비싸요.

    jo-geum bi-ssa-yo., jo geum bi ssa yo.

    ‘조금’ modifies the adjective ‘expensive’ to show mild degree.

  • 조금 먹었어요.

    jo-geum meok-eoss-eo-yo., jo geum meok eoss eo yo.

    ‘조금’ modifies the verb ‘ate’ to indicate a small amount.

  • 조금 가요.

    jo-geum ga-yo., jo geum ga yo.

    ‘조금’ modifies the verb ‘go’ to mean a short distance.

  • 조금이 필요해요.

    jo-geum-i pil-yo-hae-yo., jo geum i pil yo hae yo.

    ‘조금’ acts as a noun indicating a small amount.

  • 조금 더 기다려 주세요.

    jo-geum deo gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo., jo geum deo gi da ryeo ju se yo.

    ‘조금’ modifies ‘wait more’ to mean a bit longer.

  • 조금은 이해해요.

    jo-geum-eun i-hae-hae-yo., jo geum eun i hae hae yo.

    ‘조금’ modifies ‘understand’ to express mild comprehension.

  • 조금 많이 먹었어요.

    jo-geum man-i meok-eoss-eo-yo., jo geum man i meok eoss eo yo.

    ‘조금’ and ‘많이’ have opposite meanings; using both together is unnatural.

Quick quiz

  1. What does ‘조금’ mean?

    ‘조금’은 어떤 의미인가요?(‘jo-geum’euneo-tteonui-mi-in-ga-yo?, ‘jogeum’euneotteonuimiingayo?)

  2. Which sentence uses ‘조금’ correctly?

    다음 중 ‘조금’을 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung‘jo-geum’eulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung‘jogeum’eulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)

  3. What can ‘조금’ NOT modify?

    ‘조금’이 수식할 수 없는 것은?(‘jo-geum’isu-sik-halsueop-neungeos-eun?, ‘jogeum’isusikhalsueopneungeoseun?)

More meaning guides

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