This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 adverb #2,000 most common 9 min read

별로

Top 2,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 별로 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 별로 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '별로' is introduced as a basic adverb used to say 'not really' or 'not very.' Learners are taught that it must always be followed by a negative word like '안' (not) or '없다' (to not have). The focus is on simple daily sentences like '별로 안 매워요' (It's not really spicy) or '별로 안 비싸요' (It's not really expensive). At this stage, students should simply memorize the pattern '별로 + 안 + Verb/Adjective.' It is a crucial tool for beginners to express their likes and dislikes more softly than using a direct 'no' or 'I don't like.' It helps in basic social interactions, such as declining food or commenting on the weather. The most important rule for A1 learners is: never use '별로' in a sentence that ends positively. Even if you want to say 'It's especially good,' you cannot use '별로.' You must use '진짜' or '정말.' Understanding this 'negative-only' rule is the key to passing A1 grammar assessments regarding adverbs.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of '별로' to include more complex negative structures, such as the long negation '-지 않다' and the inability marker '못.' Instead of just saying '별로 안 먹어요' (I don't eat much), an A2 learner might say '별로 먹지 않아요' or '별로 못 먹었어요' (I couldn't eat much). The vocabulary paired with '별로' also becomes more diverse, moving beyond simple adjectives to verbs of action and state. A2 learners also begin to use '별로' in response to questions, learning that '별로요' is a polite way to say 'not really' without repeating the whole sentence. They start to notice '별로' in more varied contexts, such as describing the quantity of people ('사람이 별로 없어요') or the frequency of an action ('별로 안 가요'). The nuance of 'not particularly' becomes clearer as they compare it with '전혀' (not at all), which they also learn at this level. The goal is to use '별로' to provide more nuanced answers in basic conversations about hobbies, daily routines, and travel experiences.

By the B1 level, students should be comfortable using '별로' in a variety of sentence structures, including those with connective endings. For example, '별로 맛없어서 안 먹었어요' (It wasn't really tasty, so I didn't eat it). B1 learners start to understand the social function of '별로' as a 'face-saving' device. They use it to soften criticism in more complex social situations, like giving feedback on a project or discussing a movie's plot. At this level, learners also encounter '별로' in more formal listening materials, such as news snippets or interviews, and must distinguish it from its more formal counterpart '그다지.' They also learn to use '별로' with verbs like '모르다' (to not know) to express a moderate lack of knowledge ('별로 잘 모르겠어요' - I don't really know well). The focus shifts from just 'getting the grammar right' to 'using the right tone.' B1 students should be able to use '별로' to express subtle dissatisfaction or a lack of strong opinion in a way that sounds natural and culturally appropriate.

At the B2 level, '별로' is used fluently in complex argumentative or descriptive contexts. Learners can use it within nested clauses and with various grammatical moods. They understand the subtle difference between '별로' and other negative adverbs like '여간' (which is often used in double negatives to mean 'very'). A B2 learner might use '별로' to downplay their own achievements or to cautiously disagree with someone in a debate: '그 의견은 별로 타당하지 않은 것 같습니다' (That opinion doesn't seem particularly valid). They also recognize the use of '별로' in idiomatic expressions and are aware of its Hanja roots, which helps them understand related words like '별다르다' (to be particularly different). At this stage, the learner is expected to use '별로' not just correctly, but with the correct pragmatic weight—knowing exactly when '별로' is too blunt and when it is perfectly polite. They can also identify when '별로' is used sarcastically in media or literature.

C1 learners possess a sophisticated understanding of '별로' and its place in the Korean adverbial system. They can analyze its use in literature to convey a character's apathy or emotional distance. At this level, the learner can use '별로' in high-level academic writing or professional reports to provide nuanced qualifications to their findings. For instance, '본 연구의 결과는 기존 이론과 별로 배치되지 않는다' (The results of this study do not particularly contradict existing theories). They understand the historical evolution of the word and can explain why it functions as a negative polarity item. C1 learners are also adept at using '별로' in combination with other modifiers to create very specific shades of meaning. They can distinguish between '별로' used as a simple adverb and cases where '별' functions as a prefix in other words. Their usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's, characterized by perfect placement and appropriate social context.

At the C2 level, the mastery of '별로' is absolute. The learner understands the most subtle rhythmic and stylistic reasons for choosing '별로' over '그다지' or '그리' in a sentence. They can use '별로' in creative writing to evoke specific moods or to mimic various dialects and speech styles where the word might be used slightly differently. C2 learners are aware of the linguistic theories surrounding negative polarity items in Korean and can discuss '별로' in the context of comparative linguistics. They can handle the word in the most formal settings, such as diplomatic negotiations or high-level legal discourse, where the difference between 'not' and 'not particularly' can have significant implications. For a C2 learner, '별로' is a versatile tool used to navigate the complexities of Korean social hierarchy and emotional expression with total precision and elegance. They can also appreciate and use wordplay involving '별로', such as puns involving 'stars' (별) or 'differentiation' (별).

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

별로 in 30 Seconds

별로 is a common Korean adverb meaning 'not really' or 'not particularly,' used to soften negative statements in daily conversation.
It is a 'Negative Polarity Item,' meaning it must always be paired with a negative verb or adjective ending like '안' or '-지 않다.'
Using 별로 helps maintain politeness by avoiding harsh direct negatives, making it essential for social harmony and 'saving face' in Korean culture.
Commonly used to describe food, weather, feelings, or quantities, it indicates that something exists but is below a certain expected level.

The Korean adverb 별로 (byeol-lo) is a quintessential Negative Polarity Item (NPI). In linguistic terms, this means it is almost exclusively paired with negative predicates. While its literal translation often gravitates toward "not really," "not particularly," or "not that much," its semantic function is to soften a negative statement, making it sound less blunt or aggressive than a total negation. When you use 별로, you are indicating that while something might exist or be true to a small degree, it does not reach a significant or expected threshold. It is the difference between saying 'I don't like it' and 'I don't particularly like it.'

Semantic Nuance: It functions as a degree modifier that requires a negative environment. It suggests a lack of intensity or interest rather than a complete absence.
Syntactic Requirement: Must be followed by negative markers like '안', '못', '-지 않다', or inherently negative verbs like '없다' (to not have) and '모르다' (to not know).

이 음식은 별로 맛없어요. (This food isn't really tasty / is kind of bad.)

Historically, the word is derived from the Hanja '별' (別), meaning 'special' or 'different,' combined with the particle '로,' indicating direction or manner. Thus, it originally meant 'in a special way.' Over time, its usage shifted to modern Korean where it is used to say something is 'not special' or 'not particularly' noteworthy. This transition from a positive/neutral origin to a strictly negative-associated adverb is a fascinating example of semantic narrowing in the Korean language.

A: 영화 재미있었어요? B: 별로요. (A: Was the movie fun? B: Not really.)

Common Pairing: Often used with '안' (short negation) for immediate, colloquial impact.

In social contexts, using 별로 is a way to express dissatisfaction without being overly confrontational. If a friend asks if you like their new shoes and you don't, saying '싫어요' (I hate them) is rude. Saying '별로예요' (They're not really [my style]) is a softer, more socially acceptable way to express a lack of enthusiasm. It leaves room for the possibility that they aren't 'bad,' just not 'great.'

어제 잠을 별로 못 잤어요. (I couldn't sleep much yesterday.)

Using 별로 correctly requires understanding its strict grammatical relationship with negative endings. You cannot simply place it before any verb. It acts as a signal that a negative conclusion is coming. In English, we might say 'I don't like it much,' where 'much' comes at the end. In Korean, '별로' comes before the verb, setting the stage for the '안' or '-지 않다' that follows.

Structure 1: Adverb + Short Negation: 별로 + 안 + Adjective/Verb (e.g., 별로 안 비싸요 - Not really expensive).
Structure 2: Adverb + Long Negation: 별로 + Adjective/Verb stem + -지 않다 (e.g., 별로 예쁘지 않아요 - Not particularly pretty).

오늘은 별로 안 추워요. (It's not really cold today.)

One of the most common mistakes for learners is trying to use 별로 in a positive sentence to mean 'especially.' For example, saying '별로 좋아요' to mean 'It is especially good' is grammatically incorrect in standard Korean. If you want to say something is very good, you should use '매우', '정말', or '특히'. 별로 is reserved for the 'not very' spectrum.

교실에 학생이 별로 없어요. (There aren't many students in the classroom.)

In terms of placement, 별로 usually appears directly before the negative adverb (안/못) or the verb itself. However, because Korean word order is relatively flexible, it can move around for emphasis, though its most natural home is near the predicate. In spoken Korean, you will often hear it as a standalone response to a question, but this is a truncated form of '별로 [predicate]지 않아요'.

With '못' (Inability): 별로 못 먹었어요 (I couldn't eat much). This implies you wanted to eat but couldn't for some reason.

그 사람은 한국말을 별로 못해요. (That person can't speak Korean very well.)

When writing, especially in formal contexts, ensure that the negative ending is clear. While '별로' is common in speech, in academic writing, you might see '그다지' used as a slightly more formal synonym, though '별로' is perfectly acceptable in most prose.

You will encounter 별로 in almost every facet of daily Korean life. It is one of the most frequently used adverbs because it allows for the expression of moderate opinions. Whether you are at a restaurant, watching a drama, or chatting with colleagues, '별로' is the go-to word for expressing a lack of strong positive feeling.

In Restaurants: Used to describe food that was disappointing. "맛이 별로예요" (The taste is not that great).
In Shopping: Used when clothes don't fit or look right. "디자인이 별로 안 예뻐요" (The design isn't really pretty).

A: 이 옷 어때요? B: 음... 저한테는 별로인 것 같아요. (A: How is this outfit? B: Hmm... I think it's not really for me.)

In K-Dramas and movies, '별로' is often used in romantic contexts to show a character's lack of interest in a suitor, or in comedic scenes where someone's high expectations are met with a mediocre reality. It carries a tone of 'meh' or 'underwhelmed' that is very relatable.

그 영화 생각보다 별로였어요. (That movie was worse than I thought / not that great.)

In professional settings, it might be used to critique a proposal or a report gently. Instead of saying 'This report is bad,' a manager might say '내용이 별로 알차지 않네요' (The content isn't particularly substantial). This uses the '별로' + '-지 않다' structure to maintain a professional decorum while still providing necessary feedback.

Weather Reports: "내일은 별로 춥지 않겠습니다" (It won't be particularly cold tomorrow).

요즘은 별로 바쁘지 않아요. (I'm not particularly busy these days.)

Social media reviews (like on Naver Maps or YouTube) are full of '별로'. Users will often write '서비스는 별로예요' (The service is not great) or '가성비가 별로예요' (The value for money is not good). It is the standard way to express a 2 or 3-star experience out of 5.

The most glaring mistake learners make with 별로 is using it in positive sentences. Because it sounds like 'specially' or 'particularly' in English, learners often assume it can be used to emphasize a positive trait. However, in Korean, this is a grammatical 'clash.' '별로' is a negative-seeking word; it is hungry for a 'not' to complete its meaning.

Incorrect Usage: *별로 좋아요 (Incorrectly trying to say "It's especially good").
Correct Usage: 정말 좋아요 (It's really good) OR 별로 안 좋아요 (It's not really good).

Don't say: 별로 예뻐요. Say: 진짜 예뻐요.

Another mistake is confusing '별로' with '전혀' (not at all). While both require a negative ending, '전혀' is a 0% negation—total absence. '별로' is a partial negation—maybe 20-40%. If you say '전혀 안 매워요,' it means there is zero spice. If you say '별로 안 매워요,' it means there is a little spice, but it's not a lot. Using '별로' when you mean 'not at all' can lead to misunderstandings, especially regarding allergies or strict preferences.

A: 돈 있어요? B: 별로 없어요. (I don't have much money - implies I have a little.)

Learners also sometimes forget the '요' when using it as a standalone answer. While '별로' is okay with close friends (Banmal), in any other situation, you must say '별로요' to be polite. Furthermore, using '별로' too often can make you sound like a negative person. Since it's used to express lack of interest or dissatisfaction, overusing it in a conversation about someone's interests can come off as dismissive.

Mistake in Meaning: Thinking '별로' means 'rarely' (time). For 'rarely,' use '좀처럼' or '드물게'. '별로' is about degree or quantity.

Incorrect: 저는 별로 운동해요. (Trying to say "I rarely exercise"). Correct: 저는 운동을 별로 안 해요.

Lastly, be careful with the word '별' which can mean 'star' or 'special.' In phrases like '별 일 없어요?' (Is there anything special/wrong?), '별' is an adjective. '별로' is the adverbial form. Don't confuse the two in functional sentences.

To truly master 별로, you must understand how it sits alongside other Korean negative adverbs. The Korean language has a rich spectrum of negation, and choosing the right word depends on the level of formality and the intensity of the negation you wish to convey.

그다지 (Geudaji): This is the most direct synonym for '별로'. However, '그다지' is more formal and is frequently used in writing or formal speeches. It also requires a negative ending. While '별로' is common in daily talk, '그다지' sounds more sophisticated.
전혀 (Jeonhyeo): Meaning 'not at all' or 'never.' This is a total negation. If '별로' is a 3/10 on the 'not' scale, '전혀' is a 10/10. Use this when there is absolutely no possibility or quantity.

Comparison:
1. 별로 안 바빠요. (I'm not that busy.)
2. 전혀 안 바빠요. (I'm not busy at all.)

Another word often confused is '조금' (a little). While '조금' is usually positive ('I have a little money'), when paired with a negative, it can mean 'a little bit not...' However, '별로' is much more natural for expressing 'not much.' For example, '조금 안 좋아요' sounds like 'It's a little bit bad,' whereas '별로 안 좋아요' sounds like 'It's not very good.' The nuance is subtle but important for sounding native.

그리 멀지 않아요. (It is not so far - Poetic/Formal style.)

통 (Tong): A colloquial adverb meaning 'entirely not' or 'not at all.' It is similar to '전혀' but used more in spoken contexts, often regarding habits or states (e.g., 통 못 봤어요 - I haven't seen them at all).

In summary, choose '별로' for everyday moderate negation, '그다지' for formal moderate negation, and '전혀' for absolute negation. Mastering these distinctions will allow you to express your opinions with precision and cultural sensitivity in Korean.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

안/못 negation

-지 않다

없다/모르다

Negative Polarity Items

Adverb placement

Examples by Level

이 사과는 별로 안 달아요.

This apple isn't really sweet.

별로 + 안 + Adjective

학교가 별로 안 멀어요.

The school isn't very far.

별로 + 안 + Adjective

저는 김치를 별로 안 좋아해요.

I don't really like kimchi.

별로 + 안 + Verb

오늘 별로 안 추워요.

It's not really cold today.

별로 + 안 + Adjective

방에 사람이 별로 없어요.

There aren't many people in the room.

별로 + 없다 (negative verb)

이 영화는 별로 재미없어요.

This movie isn't really fun.

별로 + 재미없다 (negative adjective)

숙제가 별로 안 어려워요.

The homework isn't very difficult.

별로 + 안 + Adjective

커피가 별로 안 뜨거워요.

The coffee isn't really hot.

별로 + 안 + Adjective

어제는 별로 바쁘지 않았어요.

I wasn't particularly busy yesterday.

별로 + -지 않다 (long negation)

그 가방은 별로 안 비싼 것 같아요.

I think that bag isn't really expensive.

별로 + 안 + Adjective + 것 같다

요즘 별로 못 잤어요.

I haven't been able to sleep much lately.

별로 + 못 (inability)

한국말을 별로 잘 못해요.

I can't speak Korean very well.

별로 + 잘 못하다

시험 공부를 별로 안 했어요.

I didn't study for the exam much.

별로 + 안 + Verb

주말에 별로 할 일이 없어요.

I don't have much to do on the weekend.

별로 + 없다

그 식당은 별로 유명하지 않아요.

That restaurant is not particularly famous.

별로 + -지 않다

A: 재미있어요? B: 별로요.

A: Is it fun? B: Not really.

별로요 (polite standalone response)

생각보다 별로 안 멀어서 걸어갔어요.

It wasn't as far as I thought, so I walked.

별로 + 안 + Adjective + -어서 (reason)

그 소식은 저한테 별로 중요하지 않아요.

That news isn't particularly important to me.

별로 + -지 않다

별로 사고 싶은 물건이 없네요.

There isn't anything I particularly want to buy.

별로 + -고 싶은 + 없다

그 사람하고는 별로 친하지 않아요.

I'm not particularly close with that person.

별로 + 친하지 않다

도움이 별로 안 된 것 같아 죄송해요.

I'm sorry it seems I wasn't of much help.

별로 + 안 되다

이 책은 별로 읽을 만하지 않아요.

This book isn't particularly worth reading.

별로 + -을 만하지 않다

별로 달라진 게 없는 것 같아요.

It seems like nothing has particularly changed.

별로 + 달라진 것

그 이야기는 별로 믿음이 안 가요.

I don't really trust that story.

별로 + 믿음이 안 가다

그의 설명은 별로 설득력이 없었다.

His explanation was not particularly persuasive.

별로 + 설득력이 없다

이번 결과에 대해 별로 놀라지 않았습니다.

I wasn't particularly surprised by this result.

별로 + 놀라지 않다

그 문제는 별로 대수롭지 않게 생각해요.

I don't think of that problem as particularly serious.

별로 + 대수롭지 않게

별로 내키지 않지만 가기로 했어요.

I don't really feel like it, but I decided to go.

별로 + 내키지 않다

그 두 사건은 별로 상관이 없는 것 같습니다.

Those two incidents don't seem to be particularly related.

별로 + 상관이 없다

별로 특별할 것 없는 평범한 하루였어요.

It was an ordinary day with nothing particularly special.

별로 + 특별할 것 없는

그 제안은 별로 매력적이지 않네요.

That proposal isn't particularly attractive.

별로 + 매력적이지 않다

별로 아는 바가 없어서 대답하기 어렵습니다.

I don't know much about it, so it's hard to answer.

별로 + 아는 바가 없다

그의 발언은 별로 논리적 근거가 빈약하다.

His remarks are not particularly well-grounded in logic.

별로 + 근거가 빈약하다

환경 오염 문제는 별로 개선될 기미가 보이지 않는다.

The environmental pollution problem shows no particular signs of improvement.

별로 + 기미가 보이지 않는다

그 정책은 서민들에게 별로 실효성이 없다.

That policy is not particularly effective for ordinary people.

별로 + 실효성이 없다

별로 탐탁지 않은 표정으로 승낙했다.

He gave his consent with a not-so-pleased expression.

별로 + 탐탁지 않다

그 작품은 평론가들에게 별로 좋은 평가를 받지 못했다.

The work did not receive particularly good reviews from critics.

별로 + 받지 못하다

그는 별로 개의치 않는다는 듯이 어깨를 으쓱했다.

He shrugged as if he didn't particularly care.

별로 + 개의치 않다

별로 영양가 없는 대화만 오갔다.

Only non-substantial conversations were exchanged.

별로 + 영양가 없다 (metaphorical)

그 소문은 별로 신빙성이 떨어지는 것 같다.

That rumor seems to lack particular credibility.

별로 + 신빙성이 떨어지다

그의 문체는 별로 기교를 부리지 않아 담백하다.

His writing style is plain as it doesn't employ much artifice.

별로 + 기교를 부리지 않다

별로 구애받지 않고 자유롭게 살고 싶다.

I want to live freely without being particularly restricted.

별로 + 구애받지 않다

그 현상은 과학적으로 별로 규명된 바가 없다.

That phenomenon has not been particularly clarified scientifically.

별로 + 규명된 바가 없다

별로 개의치 마시고 편하게 말씀하세요.

Please don't mind it particularly and speak comfortably.

별로 + 개의치 마다 (imperative)

그의 제안은 별로 설득력이 없었을 뿐만 아니라 무례하기까지 했다.

Not only was his proposal not particularly persuasive, it was even rude.

별로 + -었을 뿐만 아니라

별로 내세울 것 없는 경력이지만 최선을 다하겠습니다.

It's a career with nothing much to boast about, but I will do my best.

별로 + 내세울 것 없는

그 사실은 별로 변명의 여지가 없어 보인다.

That fact seems to leave little room for particular excuses.

별로 + 여지가 없다

별로 탐탁지 않게 여기는 기색이 역력했다.

It was evident that they regarded it with a not-so-pleased air.

별로 + 기색이 역력하다

Common Collocations

별로 안 매워요

별로 안 비싸요

별로 재미없어요

별로 없어요

별로 안 좋아해요

별로 안 멀어요

별로 안 추워요

별로 못 했어요

별로 안 예뻐요

별로 안 바빠요

Common Phrases

별로요

맛이 별로예요

기분이 별로예요

별로 안 남았어요

별로 아는 게 없어요

별로 상관없어요

별로 특별한 건 없어요

별로 내키지 않아요

별로 도움이 안 돼요

별로 가고 싶지 않아요

Often Confused With

별로 vs 전혀 (Not at all - 100% negative)

별로 vs 조금 (A little - usually positive)

별로 vs 매우 (Very - positive/neutral)

Idioms & Expressions

"별로 대수롭지 않다 (To not be a big deal)"

"별로 볼일이 없다 (To have no particular business)"

"별로 개의치 않다 (To not particularly care/mind)"

"별로 영양가 없다 (To be insubstantial/useless)"

"별로 탐탁지 않다 (To be not very pleased with)"

"별로 신통치 않다 (To be not very satisfactory)"

"별로 신빙성이 없다 (To lack credibility)"

"별로 볼품없다 (To be unattractive/shabby)"

"별로 실속이 없다 (To lack substance/profit)"

"별로 가망이 없다 (To have little hope)"

Easily Confused

별로 vs 그다지

More formal version of 별로.

별로 vs 별일

Means 'special event' or 'something wrong,' not 'not really'.

별로 vs 별로

As a noun/particle combo, it can mean 'by star' (rare).

별로 vs 전혀

Absolute negation vs partial negation.

별로 vs 좀처럼

Used for 'rarely' (frequency), whereas 별로 is degree.

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

별다르다 (to be special)

별일 (special event/trouble)

특별하다 (to be special)

차별 (discrimination)

How to Use It

modesty

Used to humbly say one's skills are 'not that great'.

softening

Reduces the impact of a negative opinion.

Common Mistakes

Using '별로' with positive adjectives (e.g., *별로 맛있어요).
Forgetting the '요' in '별로요' when speaking to superiors.
Confusing '별로' (not really) with '전혀' (not at all).
Using '별로' to mean 'rarely' in a purely temporal sense without a negative verb.
Misplacing '별로' after the negative marker (e.g., *안 별로 좋아해요).

Tips

The Negative Rule

Always pair '별로' with a negative word like '안', '못', or '-지 않다'. If you forget the negative, the sentence will sound very strange to a native speaker.

Softening Blows

Use '별로' when you want to give a negative opinion without being too harsh. It's the perfect 'social buffer' word for expressing that you don't like something.

Formal vs. Casual

Remember that '별로' is for talking and '그다지' is for writing. If you're writing a formal essay, try swapping '별로' for '그다지' to sound more academic.

Catch the '안'

When listening to fast Korean, if you hear '별로', your brain should immediately start looking for the '안' or '없다' that follows. This helps you predict the sentence structure.

Modesty

Koreans often use '별로' to downplay their own skills. If someone says you're good at Korean, saying '별로 잘 못해요' is a common way to show humility.

Avoid Repetition

In a paragraph, don't use '별로' in every sentence. Mix it up with '그다지' or '별반' to make your writing more interesting and varied.

Saving Face

Using '별로' is a key part of 'Chemyeon' (face). It allows the other person to feel less rejected than a direct 'no' would.

The Double L

Make sure to pronounce the 'ㄹ' clearly as a double 'L' sound (byeol-lo). If you say it too softly, it might be harder to understand.

Not Zero

Remember that '별로' is not 'zero'. It means 'a little bit' or 'not much'. If you need to say 'absolutely none', use '전혀' instead.

Standalone '별로요'

When someone asks your opinion and you don't want to be specific, '별로요' is a safe, common, and polite way to say 'I'm not a fan'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Byeol-lo? More like 'Below' my expectations!

Word Origin

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

Adding '요' (별로요) is essential for politeness.

Koreans prefer '별로' over '싫어' (hate) in most social settings.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"요즘 별로 안 바쁘세요?"

"이 영화 별로 재미없지 않아요?"

"오늘 날씨 별로 안 춥죠?"

"그 식당 맛이 별로였어요?"

"별로 하고 싶은 거 없어요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 별로 기분이 안 좋았던 이유를 써 보세요.

별로 좋아하지 않는 음식에 대해 설명해 보세요.

최근에 본 영화가 왜 별로였는지 써 보세요.

별로 가고 싶지 않은 장소와 그 이유를 써 보세요.

요즘 별로 관심 없는 주제는 무엇인가요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you cannot. '별로' must be used with a negative ending. To say something is 'very good,' use '정말 좋아요' or '진짜 좋아요.' Using '별로' with a positive verb is a common grammatical error for learners.

'별로' means 'not really' or 'not much' (partial negation), while '전혀' means 'not at all' (total negation). If you say '별로 안 매워요,' it might be a little spicy. If you say '전혀 안 매워요,' there is no spice at all.

'별로' itself is an adverb, but as a response, '별로요' is polite enough for general use. However, because it expresses a negative opinion, you should use it carefully to avoid sounding dismissive or overly negative in social situations.

While '별로 안 가요' (I don't go much) is common, '별로' usually refers to the degree or quantity. For 'rarely' specifically in terms of frequency, words like '좀처럼' or '드물게' are more precise, though '별로 안' is often used colloquially for the same purpose.

In the phrase '별로예요,' the negative meaning is built into the usage. It's a shortened way of saying 'It is [in a state of being] not that great.' It's very common in spoken Korean to use '별로' as a predicate with '이다'.

Yes, they are very similar in meaning and both require a negative ending. The main difference is that '그다지' is more formal and is more common in writing, while '별로' is the standard word for everyday conversation.

Yes, it can. For example, '별로 안 비싸요?' (Is it not really expensive?). This usually implies the speaker expects the answer to be 'it's not expensive' or is seeking confirmation of a moderate state.

It means 'there aren't many' or 'there isn't much.' For example, '돈이 별로 없어요' means 'I don't have much money.' It doesn't mean you have zero money, just that the amount is small.

Yes, '별로 못' means 'couldn't do much' or 'can't do very well.' For example, '어제 별로 못 잤어요' (I couldn't sleep much yesterday). It emphasizes the limited degree of the action.

It can be used, but '그다지' is often preferred in highly formal or academic contexts. However, in most standard prose, '별로' is perfectly acceptable as long as it is paired with the correct negative ending.