When you use 조용히 (joyonghi), you're describing an action performed without much sound or in a hushed manner. It's often used with verbs like 말하다 (malhada, to speak), 걷다 (geotda, to walk), or 기다리다 (gidarida, to wait).
For example, if you want to tell someone to speak quietly, you'd say 조용히 말해요 (joyonghi malhaeyo). If you're walking so as not to disturb others, you're walking 조용히 걸어요 (joyonghi georeoyo). It emphasizes the lack of noise in the action.
Hello learners! Today, we're diving into a very useful Korean adverb: 조용히 (joyonghi). This word means 'quietly' or 'silently'. It's super practical and you'll hear it often. Let's break it down.
- Korean Word
- 조용히
- Pronunciation
- joyonghi
- Part of Speech
- Adverb
- Definition
- Quietly; silently.
§ 조용히 in Everyday Situations
You'll find 조용히 used in many common scenarios. Think about places where quiet is important, like a library, a meeting, or even when someone is sleeping. It's a very polite way to ask for or describe quietness.
§ At Work or School
In professional or academic settings, maintaining quiet is often crucial for concentration. You'll hear 조용히 when someone wants to ensure a peaceful environment.
Classroom/Library: Teachers and librarians often use this to manage noise levels.
학생들은 조용히 공부하고 있습니다. (The students are studying quietly.)
도서관에서는 조용히 해주세요. (Please be quiet in the library.)
Office: During a meeting or when colleagues need to focus.
회의 중에는 조용히 해 주세요. (Please be quiet during the meeting.)
§ In Daily Life
Beyond formal settings, 조용히 is used when someone is being considerate of others or when an action needs to be done without much sound.
At Home: When someone is sleeping or resting.
아기가 자고 있으니 조용히 해 주세요. (The baby is sleeping, so please be quiet.)
저는 조용히 문을 닫았습니다. (I closed the door quietly.)
Public Places: On public transport, in hospitals, etc.
병원에서는 조용히 해야 합니다. (You must be quiet in the hospital.)
§ In News or Media
Even in news reports or other media, 조용히 can appear when describing events that happen without much fanfare, or when a situation becomes calm.
Describing a situation:
시위가 조용히 마무리되었습니다. (The protest ended quietly.)
Keep an ear out for 조용히 in these contexts. The more you hear it, the more natural it will become for you. Practice using it in your own sentences! Good luck!
§ Using "조용히" as an adjective
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with "조용히" is trying to use it as an adjective. In English, we can say "a quiet room" or "a silent person." However, "조용히" is an adverb. It describes how an action is performed. It literally means "quietly" or "silently." You cannot use it directly to describe a noun.
- Wrong
- 조용히 방 (Quiet room)
- Correct
- 조용한 방 (Quiet room)
To describe a noun as quiet, you need to use the adjective form, which is "조용한" (joyonghan). This is derived from the descriptive verb "조용하다" (joyonghada), meaning "to be quiet."
§ Confusing "조용히" with commands
Sometimes learners might use "조용히" when they want to tell someone to be quiet. While it relates to quietness, it's not the direct command you'd typically use.
- Wrong (as a direct command)
- 조용히! (Quietly!)
If you want to tell someone to be quiet, the most common and direct way is to use "조용히 하세요" (joyonghi haseyo) in polite speech, or "조용히 해" (joyonghi hae) in informal speech. This literally means "Do quietly" or "Make it quiet." Another very common expression is "조용히 좀 해" which adds '좀' for a softer, more common feel, often implying 'please be a bit quiet'.
선생님: 조용히 하세요. (Teacher: Please be quiet.)
친구: 조용히 좀 해! (Friend: Be quiet for a bit!)
§ Overusing "조용히" in all quiet contexts
While "조용히" is a good word, it doesn't fit every situation where you want to express quietness. For example, if you want to say something like "the noise stopped," you wouldn't typically use "조용히."
- Awkward
- 소리가 조용히 멈췄어요. (The sound quietly stopped.)
- Better
- 소리가 멈췄어요. (The sound stopped.)
The implication of quietness is often built into other verbs or context. "조용히" specifically emphasizes the manner of an action – that it is done without making much noise.
Here's a quick summary of when to use "조용히":
- When describing someone doing an action in a quiet way.
- When encouraging someone to perform an action quietly.
- When emphasizing the lack of sound in a verb's action.
Always remember that "조용히" is an adverb, and it modifies verbs, indicating *how* an action is performed. If you keep this in mind, you'll avoid the most common pitfalls.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'ㅛ' (yo) like 'o' as in 'jot'
- Not emphasizing the 'ㅎ' (h) sound enough
Difficulty Rating
short
short
short
short
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Examples by Level
도서관에서는 조용히 해야 합니다.
In the library, you should be quiet.
아기가 자고 있으니 조용히 해 주세요.
The baby is sleeping, so please be quiet.
그는 문을 조용히 닫고 나갔습니다.
He closed the door quietly and left.
모두 조용히 선생님의 말씀을 들었습니다.
Everyone quietly listened to the teacher's words.
우리는 조용히 걸어서 병원 복도를 지나갔습니다.
We quietly walked through the hospital corridor.
새들은 숲 속에서 조용히 노래를 불렀습니다.
The birds quietly sang in the forest.
그녀는 조용히 책을 읽으며 시간을 보냈습니다.
She spent her time quietly reading a book.
회의 중에는 휴대폰을 조용히 해 주세요.
Please keep your phone quiet during the meeting.
도서관에서는 조용히 해야 합니다.
In the library, you should be quiet.
해야 합니다: must do (strong obligation)
아기가 자고 있으니 조용히 말해 주세요.
The baby is sleeping, so please speak quietly.
-으니/니까: because, so (reason/cause)
그는 아무 말 없이 조용히 떠났습니다.
He left quietly without saying anything.
없이: without
조용히 앉아서 책을 읽고 싶어요.
I want to sit quietly and read a book.
-고 싶다: want to
회의 중에는 휴대폰을 조용히 해 주세요.
Please silence your phone during the meeting.
해 주세요: please do
밤늦게까지 조용히 작업했어요.
I worked quietly until late at night.
까지: until
그녀는 주변 사람들에게 피해를 주지 않으려고 조용히 행동했습니다.
She acted quietly so as not to bother those around her.
-지 않으려고: in order not to
새벽에 조용히 문을 열고 나갔습니다.
I quietly opened the door and left in the early morning.
새벽: dawn, early morning
도서관에서는 조용히 해야 합니다.
In the library, you should be quiet.
아기가 자고 있으니 조용히 해 주세요.
The baby is sleeping, so please be quiet.
그는 아무 말 없이 조용히 떠났다.
He left quietly without saying a word.
회의 중에는 조용히 경청해야 합니다.
During the meeting, you should listen quietly.
새벽에 조용히 산책을 나갔다.
I went for a quiet walk at dawn.
모두가 조용히 그의 설명을 들었다.
Everyone listened quietly to his explanation.
그녀는 조용히 눈물을 흘렸다.
She quietly shed tears.
음악을 조용히 틀어 놓고 책을 읽었다.
I turned on quiet music and read a book.
그는 도서관에서 조용히 책을 읽고 있었다.
He was quietly reading a book in the library.
아이들이 조용히 잠들어 있는 모습을 보니 마음이 평화로웠다.
Seeing the children sleeping quietly, my heart felt peaceful.
회의 중에 모두가 조용히 경청했다.
Everyone listened quietly during the meeting.
그녀는 조용히 방을 나섰다.
She quietly left the room.
선생님은 학생들에게 조용히 하라고 말했다.
The teacher told the students to be quiet.
바람이 조용히 나뭇잎을 스쳐 지나갔다.
The wind quietly rustled through the leaves.
그는 조용히 자신의 의견을 밝혔다.
He quietly expressed his opinion.
새벽 공기가 조용히 숲을 감쌌다.
The dawn air quietly enveloped the forest.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
조용히 해 주세요.
Please be quiet. (Lit. Please do quietly.)
그는 조용히 책을 읽었다.
He quietly read a book.
아이들이 조용히 놀고 있어요.
The children are playing quietly.
조용히 방으로 들어갔어요.
I quietly entered the room.
모두 조용히 하세요!
Everyone, be quiet!
그녀는 조용히 미소 지었다.
She smiled quietly.
우리는 조용히 회의를 시작했다.
We quietly started the meeting.
조용히 집에 갈 거예요.
I will go home quietly.
새는 조용히 앉아 있었다.
The bird sat quietly.
조용히 문을 닫으세요.
Close the door quietly.
Often Confused With
This is the adjective form ('to be quiet'). '조용히' is the adverb ('quietly').
This is the noun form ('quietness' or 'silence').
This is the adjective form of '고요히', meaning 'to be quiet/serene'.
Grammar Patterns
Easily Confused
Both '조용히' and '고요히' mean 'quietly' or 'silently'. However, '고요히' often implies a deeper, more profound, or even serene quietness, often associated with nature or a peaceful state.
'조용히' is a general term for quietness, while '고요히' suggests a tranquil and still quietness. Think of '고요히' as the quiet of a calm lake or a sleeping baby.
새벽 공기가 고요히 내려앉았다. (The dawn air settled quietly/serenely.)
This also means 'quietly' or 'silently', but it often implies a temporary cessation of noise or activity, especially after a period of commotion or when something is being suppressed.
While '조용히' is about the state of being quiet, '잠잠히' can imply becoming quiet or staying quiet, often in response to something. It can also suggest an unexpressed feeling or a suppressed emotion.
아이들이 선생님 앞에서 잠잠히 앉아 있었다. (The children sat quietly/silently in front of the teacher.)
This directly translates to 'without speaking' or 'speechlessly', which can lead to a state of quietness. It's easy to confuse with '조용히' when discussing actions done without words.
'조용히' refers to the absence of sound generally, whereas '말없이' specifically refers to the absence of spoken words. You can be '조용히' without being '말없이' (e.g., quietly reading), and you can be '말없이' without being entirely '조용히' (e.g., silently doing chores).
그는 말없이 나를 바라보았다. (He looked at me silently/without speaking.)
This means 'still' or 'motionlessly', and often, when someone is '가만히', they are also '조용히'.
'가만히' emphasizes a lack of movement, while '조용히' emphasizes a lack of sound. You can be '가만히' but not '조용히' (e.g., sitting still while thinking loudly), and you can be '조용히' but not '가만히' (e.g., quietly walking).
제자리에 가만히 앉아 주세요. (Please sit still in your seat.)
Similar to '말없이', this implies quietness stemming from a lack of speech, often in a determined or enduring way.
'묵묵히' suggests a silent endurance or a quiet perseverance, often while performing a task without complaint or talking. It carries a stronger nuance of inner resolve than just '조용히'.
그는 묵묵히 자신의 일을 해냈다. (He quietly/silently and diligently did his work.)
Sentence Patterns
조용히 [VERB]
조용히 공부해요. (I study quietly.)
[NOUN]이/가 조용히 [VERB]
아이가 조용히 자요. (The child sleeps quietly.)
[SUBJECT] 조용히 [ACTION]
그녀는 조용히 책을 읽어요. (She quietly reads a book.)
여기에 조용히 [VERB] 주세요.
여기에 조용히 앉아 주세요. (Please sit here quietly.)
[PLACE]에서 조용히 [VERB]
도서관에서 조용히 말해요. (I speak quietly in the library.)
조용히 해 주세요.
조용히 해 주세요. (Please be quiet.)
나는 조용히 [ACTIVITY]를 해요.
나는 조용히 음악을 들어요. (I quietly listen to music.)
그는 조용히 [EMOTION/STATE] 있다.
그는 조용히 서 있다. (He stands quietly.)
Test Yourself 78 questions
아기가 자고 있어요. ___ 말해 주세요.
The baby is sleeping, so you should speak quietly.
도서관에서는 ___ 해야 합니다.
In a library, you need to be quiet.
시험 중이니 ___ 걸어 주세요.
It's during an exam, so please walk quietly.
저는 보통 아침에 ___ 책을 읽어요.
I usually read books quietly in the morning.
강아지가 자고 있어서 ___ 문을 닫았어요.
The puppy was sleeping, so I closed the door quietly.
회의 중이니 ___ 이야기해 주세요.
It's during a meeting, so please speak quietly.
Choose the best Korean word for 'quietly'.
조용히 (joyonghi) means 'quietly' or 'silently'. 빨리 (ppalli) means 'quickly'. 크게 (keuge) means 'loudly' or 'largely'. 천천히 (cheoncheonhi) means 'slowly'.
Which sentence correctly uses '조용히'?
조용히 means 'quietly'. The other options use '조용히' in a way that contradicts its meaning with the English translation.
What is the opposite of '조용히'?
조용히 means 'quietly'. 크게 means 'loudly' or 'largely', making it the best opposite in this context.
The word '조용히' can describe how someone speaks.
Yes, '조용히 말해요' means 'speak quietly'.
'조용히' means 'quickly'.
No, '조용히' means 'quietly' or 'silently'. '빨리' means 'quickly'.
You can use '조용히' to tell someone to be quiet.
Yes, '조용히 하세요' (Please be quiet) is a common expression.
The correct order is 'Teacher quietly spoke.'
The correct order is 'The child quietly sleeps.'
The correct order is 'Study quietly in the library.'
도서관에서는 ___ 해야 합니다. (In the library, you must be ___.)
To maintain a quiet atmosphere in the library, '조용히' (quietly) is the most appropriate word.
아기가 자고 있으니 ___ 걸으세요. (The baby is sleeping, so please walk ___.)
To avoid waking a sleeping baby, one should walk '조용히' (quietly).
선생님은 학생들에게 ___ 하라고 말씀하셨습니다. (The teacher told the students to be ___.)
Teachers often tell students to be '조용히' (quiet) in class.
회의 중에는 ___ 휴대폰을 사용해야 합니다. (During the meeting, you should use your phone ___.)
During a meeting, it's polite and appropriate to use your phone '조용히' (quietly).
콘서트장에서는 사진을 ___ 찍어야 합니다. (At the concert hall, you should take pictures ___.)
When taking pictures at a concert, one should do so '조용히' (quietly) to not disturb others.
그는 밤늦게 집에 ___ 들어왔습니다. (He came home ___ late at night.)
To avoid waking others when coming home late, one would enter '조용히' (quietly).
Which sentence correctly uses '조용히'?
'조용히' describes how an action is performed, so it fits with '공부하다' (to study).
Choose the best Korean sentence for 'Please speak quietly.'
'조용히' (quietly) modifies the verb '말해주세요' (please speak).
Which word is an antonym for '조용히' (quietly)?
'시끄럽게' means 'loudly,' which is the opposite of '조용히' (quietly).
The sentence '아이가 조용히 자고 있어요.' means 'The child is sleeping quietly.'
'조용히' describes the manner of the action '자고 있어요' (is sleeping).
'조용히' can be used to describe a loud sound.
'조용히' means 'quietly' or 'silently,' so it cannot describe a loud sound.
You can use '조용히' to tell someone to be quiet.
When used as an imperative, '조용히 하세요' (Please be quiet) or '조용히 해!' (Be quiet!) is a common phrase.
The correct order is '선생님이' (teacher) '조용히' (quietly) '말했어요' (spoke).
The correct order is '아기가' (baby) '조용히' (quietly) '자고 있어요' (is sleeping).
The correct order is '도서관에서' (at the library) '조용히' (quietly) '공부해야 해요' (should study).
도서관에서는 ___ 이야기해야 합니다. (In the library, you should speak ___.)
The context of a library requires speaking quietly. '크게' means loudly, '빨리' means quickly, and '천천히' means slowly.
아기가 자고 있으니 ___ 문을 닫아 주세요. (Since the baby is sleeping, please close the door ___.)
To avoid waking a sleeping baby, closing the door quietly is appropriate. '세게' means strongly, '조심스럽게' means carefully, and '빨리' means quickly.
그는 아무 말 없이 ___ 자리를 떠났다. (He left his seat ___ without saying anything.)
Leaving 'without saying anything' implies a quiet departure. '갑자기' means suddenly, '빨리' means quickly, and '천천히' means slowly.
시험 중에는 모든 학생들이 ___ 시험에 집중했다. (During the exam, all students ___ focused on the test.)
An exam setting requires quiet concentration. '소란스럽게' means noisily, '다정하게' means kindly, and '활발하게' means actively.
선생님은 학생들이 ___ 책을 읽기를 원했다. (The teacher wanted the students to read the book ___.)
Reading a book, especially in a group setting like a classroom, often implies reading quietly to oneself. '큰 소리로' means loudly, '빠르게' means quickly, and '함께' means together.
우리는 밤늦게 집에 도착해서 가족들이 깨지 않도록 ___ 들어갔다. (We arrived home late at night, so we entered ___ so as not to wake the family.)
To avoid waking family members when arriving late, one would enter quietly. '시끄럽게' means noisily, '급하게' means hastily, and '천천히' means slowly.
The speaker is reminding someone about library etiquette.
Someone is asking for quiet because a baby is sleeping.
The teacher is giving an instruction to students.
Read this aloud:
회의 중에는 조용히 경청해야 합니다.
Focus: 조용히 (jo-yong-hi)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
그는 조용히 방을 나갔습니다.
Focus: 나갔습니다 (na-gat-sseum-ni-da)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
주변에 피해를 주지 않도록 조용히 걸으세요.
Focus: 걸으세요 (geo-reu-se-yo)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
그는 회의 내내 ___ 앉아 있었다. (He sat ___ throughout the meeting.)
문맥상 '회의 내내 앉아 있었다'는 행동은 '조용히'와 가장 자연스럽게 연결됩니다.
아이가 자고 있으니 ___ 해 주세요. (Please be ___ since the baby is sleeping.)
아기가 자고 있는 상황에서는 '조용히' 행동하는 것이 적절합니다.
도서관에서는 ___ 말해야 합니다. (You should speak ___ in the library.)
도서관은 조용한 환경이 요구되는 장소이므로 '조용히' 말해야 합니다.
그는 문을 ___ 닫고 방을 나섰다. (He closed the door ___ and left the room.)
남에게 방해가 되지 않도록 문을 닫는 상황에서는 '조용히'가 자연스럽습니다.
시험 중에는 ___ 필기해야 합니다. (You must write ___ during the exam.)
시험 중에는 다른 사람에게 방해되지 않도록 '조용히' 필기하는 것이 좋습니다.
교실에 들어서자마자 학생들은 ___ 책을 읽기 시작했다. (As soon as they entered the classroom, the students began to read their books ___.)
교실에서 책을 읽는 행위는 보통 '조용히' 이루어집니다.
What did she do quietly?
How were the children reading?
What did everyone do quietly during the meeting?
Read this aloud:
도서관에서는 조용히 해야 합니다.
Focus: 조용히 (joyonghi)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
그는 조용히 생각에 잠겼다.
Focus: 잠겼다 (jamgyeotda)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
강의실을 조용히 유지해주세요.
Focus: 유지해주세요 (yujihajuseyo)
You said:
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This sentence means 'I quietly prepared the presentation in the conference room.' The adverb '조용히' (quietly) modifies the verb '준비했다' (prepared).
This sentence means 'The children quietly read books in the library.' The adverb '조용히' (quietly) describes how the children read the books.
This sentence means 'He quietly left the office without anyone knowing.' '조용히' (quietly) modifies '떠났다' (left), emphasizing the stealthy nature of his departure.
그는 회의 내내 한마디도 하지 않고 ___ 앉아 있었다.
'조용히'는 '조용하다'의 부사 형태로, 소리 없이 가만히 있는 상태를 나타냅니다. 문맥상 회의에서 아무 말 없이 있었다는 의미와 가장 잘 어울립니다.
도서관에서는 다른 사람들에게 방해가 되지 않도록 ___ 해야 합니다.
도서관은 조용한 환경을 유지해야 하는 곳이므로, 다른 사람들을 방해하지 않기 위해 '조용히' 행동해야 한다는 의미가 가장 적절합니다.
아기가 자고 있으니 ___ 문을 닫아 주세요.
아기가 자고 있으므로, 아기가 깨지 않도록 소리 없이 문을 닫아 달라는 의미가 되어야 합니다. '조용히'가 가장 적절한 부사입니다.
모두가 잠든 밤, 그는 ___ 자신의 방으로 돌아왔다.
다른 사람들이 잠들어 있으므로, 그들을 깨우지 않기 위해 소리 없이 행동해야 한다는 맥락에 '조용히'가 가장 잘 맞습니다.
복잡한 생각에 잠겨 그는 카페 구석에 ___ 앉아 커피를 마셨다.
복잡한 생각에 잠겨 있다면 주변의 소음에 휩쓸리지 않고 '조용히' 앉아서 자신의 생각에 집중하는 모습을 상상할 수 있습니다.
시험 중에는 ___ 해야 부정행위로 오해받지 않습니다.
시험 중에는 다른 수험생들에게 방해가 되거나 부정행위로 오해받지 않도록 '조용히' 행동하는 것이 필수적입니다.
She tried to maintain inner peace by quietly suppressing intense emotions.
His quiet unraveling of the complex problem showed his experience.
Despite numerous failures, he quietly and silently forged his own path.
Read this aloud:
혼란스러운 상황 속에서도 그는 조용히 상황을 관찰하며 다음 수를 고민했다.
Focus: 조용히 (joyonghi)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
세상의 시선과 기대를 뒤로하고 그녀는 조용히 자신만의 예술 세계를 구축했다.
Focus: 조용히 (joyonghi)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
예상치 못한 비극 앞에서 그는 조용히 슬픔을 감내하며 가족을 위로했다.
Focus: 조용히 (joyonghi)
You said:
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/ 78 correct
Perfect score!
Example
아이들이 조용히 책을 읽고 있어요.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More general words
몇몇
A2An unspecified small number of; some or a few.
조금
A1A little/a bit
적게
A1A little / Few
약간
A2A little; slightly; somewhat.
많이
A1A lot/much
잠시
A2For a moment; briefly.
잠깐
A2For a short time; a moment.
아까
A2A little while ago, earlier.
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
