What does 신기하다 mean?

신기하다 (sin-gi-ha-da, singihada)

신기하다 (singihada) describes something surprising and fascinating. It's a common adjective used to express wonder in everyday Korean.

Expression of amazement and fascination in Korean

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

신기하다(sin-gi-ha-da, singihada)

신기하다 means to feel amazed or fascinated by something unusual or unexpected.

Nuances

  • Conveys not only surprise but also fascination and novelty.
  • Often used to express admiration or curiosity.
  • Usually indicates positive amazement.

When to use

daily conversation, observation, expressing wonder, sharing experiences

In context

신기하다 is an adjective used to express amazement or fascination, typically in the declarative form '-다'. It fits casual and conversational contexts.

Real-world examples

  • 이 기계가 저절로 움직이다니 정말 신기해!

    i gi-gye-ga jeo-jeol-ro um-jik-i-da-ni jeong-mal sin-gi-hae!, i gi gye ga jeo jeol ro um jik i da ni jeong mal sin gi hae!

    The subject (machine) and adjective (신기하다) are naturally connected to express amazement.

  • 그 사람의 말이 너무 신기했다.

    geu sa-ram-ui mal-i neo-mu sin-gi-haess-da., geu sa ram ui mal i neo mu sin gi haess da.

    Used in past tense to express experienced amazement.

  • 신기하다고 생각해요.

    sin-gi-ha-da-go saeng-gak-hae-yo., sin gi ha da go saeng gak hae yo.

    Subject omitted; combined with 생각하다 to express opinion suitably.

  • 신기해하는 아이들 모습이 귀여워.

    sin-gi-hae-ha-neun a-i-deul mo-seup-i gwi-yeo-wo., sin gi hae ha neun a i deul mo seup i gwi yeo wo.

    Good example of adjective usage with '-해하다' to express feelings.

  • 신기하다가 아니야.

    sin-gi-ha-da-ga a-ni-ya., sin gi ha da ga a ni ya.

    '신기하다가' is grammatically incorrect; '-다가' is not a valid ending here.

  • 신기하다! 정말 놀라워!

    sin-gi-ha-da! jeong-mal nol-ra-wo!, sin gi ha da! jeong mal nol ra wo!

    Used independently like an interjection to strongly express emotion.

Quick quiz

  1. What does 신기하다 mean?

    신기하다의 뜻은 무엇인가요?(sin-gi-ha-da-uitteus-eunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, singihadauitteuseunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence correctly uses 신기하다?

    다음 중 신기하다를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjungsin-gi-ha-da-reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungsingihadareulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  3. What does '신기해하는' mean?

    '신기해하는'은 어떤 의미인가요?('sin-gi-hae-ha-neun'euneo-tteonui-mi-in-ga-yo?, 'singihaehaneun'euneotteonuimiingayo?)

More meaning guides

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