A2 adjective 2 min read

필수다

It means something is absolutely necessary or required.

pilsuda
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

필수다 means 'must have.' You use it when you need something. For example, 'Water is 필수다.' It is very easy to use!

At this level, you use 필수다 to talk about school or travel. 'A passport is 필수다 for the airport.' It helps you explain rules clearly.

You can use 필수다 to describe expectations. 'Experience is a 필수다 for this job.' It connects well with other descriptive words to add nuance to your sentences.

Use 필수다 to express strong opinions or social norms. 'In this industry, networking is a 필수다.' It sounds professional and confident in business meetings.

At an advanced level, 필수다 can be used to emphasize critical components of a theory or strategy. It highlights the logical necessity behind an action or requirement in complex arguments.

Mastery of 필수다 involves understanding its weight in formal rhetoric. It is used to define the boundaries of what is considered 'essential' in cultural or philosophical discourse, often replacing weaker synonyms to convey absolute urgency.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'essential' or 'must-have'.
  • Used for requirements.
  • Common in daily life.
  • Based on Hanja.

Hey there! Let's talk about 필수다. In Korean, this word is your go-to when you need to say something is a must.

Think of it as the ultimate way to say, 'You cannot skip this.' Whether it's a passport for travel or a helmet for biking, if it's 필수다, it's non-negotiable.

It's a very common word because we encounter requirements every single day. Using it helps you sound natural and firm about what is truly important.

The word 필수다 comes from the Hanja characters 必 (pil, meaning 'must') and 須 (su, meaning 'need'). Together, they form 필수 (necessity).

The suffix -다 is the standard Korean verb/adjective ending. Historically, this term has been used in academic and formal documents to denote requirements.

Over time, it moved from formal textbooks into everyday slang. Now, you'll hear it used for everything from fashion items to tech gadgets!

You use 필수다 when you want to emphasize that something is a requirement. It is very versatile and can be used in almost any context.

Commonly, you will see it paired with nouns like 준비물 (preparation items) or 조건 (conditions). For example, 'Masks are a 필수 in the hospital.'

It works well in both casual conversations with friends and professional settings. It's a high-frequency word that makes your Korean sound much more native.

1. 필수 코스 (Essential course): Used for things you 'must' do, like visiting a famous landmark.

2. 필수 아이템 (Essential item): A must-have product, like a good pair of sneakers.

3. 필수 조건 (Essential condition): A requirement that must be met.

4. 필수 과목 (Essential subject): A mandatory class in school.

5. 필수 불가결 (Indispensable): A more formal, four-character idiom meaning 'cannot do without.'

필수다 functions as an adjective. In a sentence, it often follows a noun with the particle -은/는.

Pronunciation is straightforward: 'pil-su-da'. The 'p' is soft, and the 'su' is short. Make sure to emphasize the 'pil' to show importance.

It doesn't have plural forms because it is an abstract concept of 'necessity.' It is a very stable word that doesn't change much based on grammar rules.

Fun Fact

It is a perfect example of how Hanja characters create concise Korean vocabulary.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pil.su.da/

Clear, crisp syllables.

US /pil.su.da/

Consistent with standard Korean phonology.

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing 'pil' as 'pi'
  • Dropping the 'su'
  • Incorrect intonation on 'da'

Rhymes With

일수다 실수다 질수다 빌수다 밀수다

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to read

Writing 2/5

Easy to incorporate

Speaking 2/5

Useful in daily talk

Listening 1/5

Easy to hear

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

물 공부 돈

Learn Next

필수적이다 필요하다 의무

Advanced

필요불가결

Grammar to Know

Noun ending

이것은 필수다

Subject particles

물은 필수다

Adjective usage

필수적이다

Examples by Level

1

물은 필수다.

Water is essential.

Simple noun-verb structure.

2

이것은 필수다.

This is essential.

Demonstrative pronoun.

3

공부는 필수다.

Studying is essential.

Subject marker.

4

잠은 필수다.

Sleep is essential.

Basic noun.

5

우산은 필수다.

An umbrella is essential.

Noun usage.

6

돈은 필수다.

Money is essential.

General statement.

7

신발은 필수다.

Shoes are essential.

Plural concept.

8

열쇠는 필수다.

A key is essential.

Concrete noun.

1

여권은 여행에 필수다.

2

운동은 건강에 필수다.

3

마스크는 필수다.

4

준비물은 필수다.

5

시간은 필수다.

6

노력은 필수다.

7

경험은 필수다.

8

예의는 필수다.

1

좋은 팀워크는 성공의 필수다.

2

이 자격증은 취업에 필수다.

3

비타민은 몸에 필수다.

4

정직은 신뢰의 필수다.

5

기초는 학습의 필수다.

6

인터넷은 현대인의 필수다.

7

계획은 여행의 필수다.

8

안전은 작업의 필수다.

1

창의성은 예술가에게 필수다.

2

데이터 분석은 전략의 필수다.

3

비판적 사고는 필수다.

4

유연한 태도는 필수다.

5

지속적인 학습은 필수다.

6

공감 능력은 필수다.

7

환경 보호는 필수다.

8

협력은 필수다.

1

민주주의에서 투표는 필수다.

2

기술적 혁신은 성장의 필수다.

3

윤리적 기준은 필수다.

4

다양성은 조직의 필수다.

5

문맥 이해는 필수다.

6

비전은 리더의 필수다.

7

인내심은 필수다.

8

자기 성찰은 필수다.

1

이 체계에서 규율은 필수다.

2

철학적 사유는 필수다.

3

역사적 통찰은 필수다.

4

예술적 감각은 필수다.

5

인간 존엄성은 필수다.

6

지적 탐구는 필수다.

7

사회적 책임은 필수다.

8

변화에 대한 적응은 필수다.

Common Collocations

필수 코스
필수 아이템
필수 조건
필수 과목
필수 인력
필수 사항
필수 요소
필수 영양소
필수 앱
필수 교육

Idioms & Expressions

"필수불가결"

Indispensable, cannot live without

물은 필수불가결한 존재다.

formal

"필수 코스"

A must-do activity

서울 여행 필수 코스.

casual

"필수 아이템"

A must-have item

여름 필수 아이템.

casual

"필수 조건"

A necessary condition

성공의 필수 조건.

neutral

"필수 과목"

A mandatory subject

학교 필수 과목.

neutral

"필수 사항"

A requirement

이건 필수 사항입니다.

formal

Easily Confused

필수다 vs 필요하다

Both relate to need

필요하다 is 'to need', 필수다 is 'to be essential'

나는 물이 필요하다 vs 물은 필수다.

필수다 vs 의무다

Both imply requirement

의무 is 'duty', 필수 is 'necessity'

세금은 의무다 vs 마스크는 필수다.

필수다 vs 중요하다

Both describe importance

중요하다 is 'important', 필수다 is 'non-negotiable'

공부는 중요하다 vs 공부는 필수다.

필수다 vs 선택이다

Opposite concept

선택 is 'choice', 필수 is 'requirement'

이건 선택이야 vs 이건 필수야.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Noun + 은/는 필수다

잠은 필수다.

A2

Noun + 이/가 필수다

여권이 필수다.

B1

Noun + 을/를 위한 필수

성공을 위한 필수.

B2

Noun + 은/는 필수적인 요소다

물은 필수적인 요소다.

B2

Noun + 은/는 필수사항입니다

이건 필수사항입니다.

Word Family

Nouns

필수 Necessity

Adjectives

필수적이다 Essential

Related

필요하다 Synonym meaning 'to be needed'

How to Use It

frequency

9

Formality Scale

필수불가결하다 필수적이다 필수다 필수야

Common Mistakes

필수해요 → 필수다 / 필수적이다
필수 is a noun, so it needs a verb ending like -이다.
필수이다 → 필수다
필수다 is the contracted, more natural form.
필수적인이다 → 필수적이다
Do not add -인 to the adjective stem.
필수해 → 필수야
Again, it's not a verb.
필수 거 → 필수적인 것
Grammatically incorrect noun modification.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace Trick

Put a 'MUST' sign on your door.

💡

When Native Speakers Use It

When suggesting something important.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Used heavily in Korean marketing.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Noun + 필수다.

💡

Say It Right

Clear consonants.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't use it as a verb.

💡

Did You Know?

It's based on Hanja.

💡

Study Smart

Use it with your daily routine.

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Context

Use in professional emails.

💡

Practice

Record yourself saying it.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

PIL (pill) + SU (so) + DA (do) -> You MUST take the PILL SO you can DO well.

Visual Association

A checklist with a big bold checkmark.

Word Web

Necessity Requirement Must-have Mandatory

Challenge

Write 5 things that are '필수다' in your morning routine.

Word Origin

Korean (Hanja-based)

Original meaning: Must + Need

Cultural Context

None, universally used.

Directly maps to 'must-have' or 'essential'.

Used in many K-pop commercials for 'must-have' items.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

at school

  • 필수 과목
  • 필수 교육
  • 필수 숙제

traveling

  • 여행 필수템
  • 여권은 필수
  • 필수 코스

at work

  • 필수 조건
  • 필수 인력
  • 필수 사항

shopping

  • 여름 필수템
  • 필수 아이템
  • 필수 구매

Conversation Starters

"What is a 필수다 for your morning?"

"Is a phone a 필수다 for you?"

"What is a 필수다 in your job?"

"Name a travel 필수다."

"Is learning Korean a 필수다 for you?"

Journal Prompts

List 3 things that are 필수다 in your life.

Why is water a 필수다?

Describe a time you forgot a 필수다 item.

Is freedom a 필수다?

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

It is neutral and used everywhere.

Usually used with nouns.

'필수다' is stronger and implies a requirement.

Yes, '필수템' is common slang.

Sometimes, to mean they are essential.

Yes, '필수였다' (was essential).

Very common.

Yes, '필수가 아니다' (not essential).

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

물은 ___.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 필수다

Water is essential.

multiple choice A2

What does '필수다' mean?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: Essential

It means required/essential.

true false B1

'필수다' can be used to describe something optional.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It means the opposite.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Matching terms.

sentence order B2

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

Correct structure: Passport is essential for travel.

Score: /5

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