A1 determiner #500 most common 2 min read

모든

모든 means that you are including every single person or thing in a group without leaving any out.

modeun
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use 모든 to say 'all.' If you have 5 apples and you eat 5, you ate 모든 사과. It is a very helpful word for beginners to talk about groups of things.

At this level, you can use 모든 to describe routines. For example, 모든 날 means 'every day.' It helps you express frequency and completeness in your daily life.

Intermediate learners use 모든 to make generalizations. You might say 모든 사람이 동의했다 (everyone agreed). It is great for expressing opinions clearly in discussions.

Use 모든 to add emphasis. You can say 모든 수단을 다 써봤어 (I tried every possible method). It adds a sense of thoroughness to your arguments and descriptions.

In advanced contexts, 모든 is used to frame philosophical or complex statements. It appears in literature to denote universal truths or totalizing concepts, showing a high level of mastery over nuance.

At the mastery level, you understand how 모든 interacts with abstract nouns. It is used to create powerful, sweeping statements that define the scope of an entire argument or narrative.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • 모든 means 'all' or 'every'.
  • It is a determiner, so it needs a noun.
  • It is very common in daily Korean.
  • It is neutral and versatile.

When you use 모든, you are talking about the complete group. Think of it as a way to say 'every single one.' It is one of the most common words in the Korean language because it helps us describe quantities clearly.

Whether you are talking about 모든 사람 (every person) or 모든 것 (everything), this word ensures that nothing is left behind. It is a very friendly and inclusive word that makes your sentences feel complete and thorough.

The word 모든 has deep roots in the Korean language, evolving from older forms that meant 'gathering' or 'collection.' Historically, it is linked to the verb 모으다 (to gather), which is a beautiful way to think about it—when you say 'all,' you are essentially gathering everything into one mental space.

Over centuries, it stabilized into the standard determiner we use today. It is purely native Korean, which gives it a very natural feel compared to Sino-Korean words. It has remained a staple in literature and daily speech for a very long time.

You use 모든 right before a noun. It is very flexible and works in almost any situation, whether you are writing a formal essay or just chatting with friends. It is neutral in register, meaning it is never considered rude or overly stiff.

Common collocations include 모든 사람 (everyone), 모든 시간 (all the time), and 모든 문제 (every problem). Because it is a determiner, it doesn't change its form regardless of the noun that follows it, making it very easy to learn for beginners.

1. 모든 것의 시작 (The beginning of everything) - Used to describe a root cause. 2. 모든 수단을 동원하다 (To use all means) - To try everything possible. 3. 모든 면에서 (In every aspect) - Used to evaluate something thoroughly. 4. 모든 사람의 입에 오르내리다 (To be on everyone's lips) - To be the talk of the town. 5. 모든 것이 제자리로 돌아가다 (Everything returns to its place) - To find order again.

Grammatically, 모든 is a determiner, so it must always be followed by a noun. Unlike English, where you might need to worry about 'all' vs 'every,' Korean uses 모든 for both concepts. It does not have plural markers attached to it directly; the noun itself implies the plurality.

The pronunciation is straightforward: 'mo-deun.' The 'd' sound is soft, and the 'eu' vowel is a central vowel that requires a relaxed mouth. It rhymes with words like 어떤 (which) in terms of rhythm, though the meaning is quite different.

Fun Fact

It shares the same root as the verb 'to gather' (모으다).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mo-deun/

Sounds like 'mo' as in more and 'deun' like done.

US /mo-deun/

Similar to UK, very consistent.

Common Errors

  • Pronouncing 'eu' as 'u'
  • Dropping the final 'n'
  • Stressing the wrong syllable

Rhymes With

어떤 저런 그런 이런 또한

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy

Writing 1/5

Very easy

Speaking 1/5

Very easy

Listening 1/5

Very easy

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

나 너 우리

Learn Next

전부 모두 각각

Advanced

전체 만물

Grammar to Know

Determiner Usage

모든 + Noun

Subject Particles

모든 사람이

Object Particles

모든 것을

Examples by Level

1

모든 사람이 행복해요.

All people are happy.

Determiner + Noun

2

모든 것을 먹었어요.

I ate everything.

Noun form

3

모든 책이 재미있어요.

All books are fun.

Generalization

4

모든 날이 좋아요.

Every day is good.

Time expression

5

모든 학생이 공부해요.

All students study.

Subject marker

6

모든 친구가 왔어요.

All friends came.

Past tense

7

모든 길은 연결돼요.

All roads connect.

Passive verb

8

모든 준비가 끝났어요.

All preparations are done.

Noun modification

1

모든 사람들이 모였어요.

2

모든 노력이 필요해요.

3

모든 것이 변해요.

4

모든 문제를 해결해요.

5

모든 가방을 찾았어요.

6

모든 꽃이 예뻐요.

7

모든 방을 청소해요.

8

모든 질문에 답해요.

1

모든 상황을 고려해야 해요.

2

그는 모든 것을 알고 있어요.

3

모든 의견을 존중합니다.

4

모든 가능성을 열어두세요.

5

모든 결과가 만족스러워요.

6

모든 규칙을 지켜야 합니다.

7

모든 정보가 정확해요.

8

모든 과정이 중요해요.

1

모든 수단을 동원해서 성공했어요.

2

모든 면에서 완벽한 계획입니다.

3

그는 모든 사람의 존경을 받아요.

4

모든 역경을 이겨냈습니다.

5

모든 책임은 나에게 있어요.

6

모든 의문이 풀렸습니다.

7

모든 사실을 확인했습니다.

8

모든 측면을 분석합시다.

1

모든 존재는 의미가 있습니다.

2

모든 논리가 무너지는 순간이었죠.

3

그는 모든 관습에 저항했습니다.

4

모든 예술은 모방에서 시작됩니다.

5

모든 진실은 밝혀지기 마련입니다.

6

모든 시대의 명작입니다.

7

모든 가치를 재평가해야 합니다.

8

모든 수수께끼가 해결되었습니다.

1

모든 형이상학적 질문의 핵심입니다.

2

모든 서사가 비극으로 끝납니다.

3

모든 권력은 부패할 위험이 있죠.

4

모든 감각이 깨어나는 경험입니다.

5

모든 담론을 지배하는 논리입니다.

6

모든 운명을 개척해 나갑니다.

7

모든 찰나가 영원과 같습니다.

8

모든 경계를 허무는 시도입니다.

Common Collocations

모든 사람
모든 것
모든 시간
모든 문제
모든 노력
모든 가능성
모든 책임
모든 정보
모든 의견
모든 과정

Idioms & Expressions

"모든 것을 걸다"

To bet everything

그는 이 사업에 모든 것을 걸었다.

neutral

"모든 수단을 쓰다"

To use every method

모든 수단을 써서 해결했다.

neutral

"모든 면에서"

In every aspect

그는 모든 면에서 완벽하다.

formal

"모든 사람의 것"

Public property

이 공원은 모든 사람의 것이다.

neutral

"모든 것이 제자리로"

Back to normal

이제 모든 것이 제자리로 돌아왔다.

neutral

"모든 것을 잃다"

To lose everything

그는 도박으로 모든 것을 잃었다.

neutral

Easily Confused

모든 vs 모두

Both mean 'all'.

모든 is a determiner, 모두 is a pronoun.

모든 사람이 vs 모두가.

모든 vs 전부

Both mean 'all'.

전부 focuses on the total amount.

전부 다 먹었다.

모든 vs 전체

Both mean 'whole'.

전체 is for the whole structure.

전체 인원.

모든 vs 각각

Both relate to groups.

각각 means 'each'.

각각의 사과.

Sentence Patterns

A1

모든 + Noun + 은/는

모든 학생은 공부한다.

A1

모든 + Noun + 을/를

모든 책을 읽었다.

A2

모든 + Noun + 이/가

모든 사람이 왔다.

B1

모든 + Noun + 에

모든 면에서 좋다.

B2

모든 + Noun + 으로

모든 수단으로 시도했다.

Word Family

Nouns

모두 everyone/everything

Verbs

모으다 to gather

Related

전부 synonym

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

Formal Neutral Casual

Common Mistakes

Using '모든' with a singular verb incorrectly → 모든 사람들은 간다
Korean verbs don't change for singular/plural, but learners often try to apply English grammar rules.
Confusing '모든' with '모두' → 모든 (determiner) vs 모두 (pronoun)
모든 must be followed by a noun.
Adding extra particles to '모든' → 모든 + Noun
You don't put particles directly on '모든'.
Overusing '모든' in every sentence → Use synonyms like '전부' or '다'
It can sound repetitive.
Misplacing '모든' in the sentence structure → Always before the noun
It cannot come after the noun.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Place 'all' items in your room.

💡

Native Habit

Use it to generalize.

🌍

K-pop

Listen for it in songs.

💡

Shortcut

Always noun after.

💡

Say It

Clear 'd' sound.

💡

Don't add particles

No '모든이'.

💡

Did You Know?

It comes from gathering.

💡

Study Smart

Make lists.

💡

Writing Tip

Use it for emphasis.

💡

Speaking Tip

Use it to start sentences.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'MO'm (mother) 'DEUN' (doing) everything for the family.

Visual Association

A giant circle containing everything.

Word Web

모으다 전부 전체 모두

Challenge

Write 5 sentences using '모든' today.

Word Origin

Korean

Original meaning: Gathering

Cultural Context

None, very neutral.

Directly maps to 'all' or 'every'.

Used in countless K-pop lyrics for emotional emphasis.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School

  • 모든 학생
  • 모든 과목
  • 모든 숙제

Work

  • 모든 직원
  • 모든 업무
  • 모든 회의

Travel

  • 모든 곳
  • 모든 시간
  • 모든 준비

Daily Life

  • 모든 사람
  • 모든 것
  • 모든 날

Conversation Starters

"모든 사람이 좋아하는 음식이 무엇인가요?"

"모든 것을 다 할 수 있다면 무엇을 할 건가요?"

"모든 날이 행복한가요?"

"모든 문제를 해결하는 방법이 있을까요?"

"모든 친구들과 여행을 가본 적 있나요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 모든 일을 기록해 보세요.

모든 사람들이 행복해지려면 무엇이 필요할까요?

당신에게 모든 것은 무엇을 의미하나요?

모든 노력이 보상받는 순간에 대해 써보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

It implies plurality but doesn't change form.

Yes, '모든 사람'.

No, the noun following it takes the particle.

It is neutral.

'모든' is a determiner, '모두' is a pronoun.

Yes, e.g., '모든 세 명'.

Yes, very common.

mo-deun.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

___ 사람이 왔어요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 모든

모든 is the determiner for 'all people'.

multiple choice A2

Which means 'everything'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 모든 것

것 means thing.

true false B1

Can '모든' be used without a noun?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It must be followed by a noun.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Standard translations.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Determiner + Noun + Verb.

Score: /5

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

あらゆる Japanese 所有 Chinese

Related Grammar Rules

Formal Reasons (-gie) C1
Formal 'By' Agent (-에 의해) B2
Expressing Shock: -다니 (How Could...) B2

Related Phrases

모든 일에는 때가 있다.
Explore Word Network (8)

More general words

대해

A2

About, concerning.

~에 대해서

A2

Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.

정도

A2

An approximate amount or degree.

위에

A1

on top of

절대적

B2

Being unconditional, unlimited, or not relative to anything else. It describes something that is certain, total, or supreme without comparison.

절대로

A2

Never, absolutely not.

우연적이다

B2

To be accidental or coincidental; happening by chance.

우연히

B1

By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.

데리다

A1

To take (a person); to pick up.

따라

A2

Along, according to.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!