A1 adjective 2 min read

비슷하다

It means that two things are almost the same.

biseuthada
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use 비슷하다 to say two things are the same. Example: 'My pen and your pen are similar.' It is a very easy and helpful word for beginners to describe objects!

At this level, you can use it to compare more things. You might say, 'The weather today is similar to yesterday.' It helps you explain your thoughts clearly when you don't know the exact word for something.

Intermediate learners use this to compare abstract concepts. You can discuss how two movies have similar themes or how two people have similar habits. It is great for building complex sentences.

You can use it to nuance your comparisons. Instead of just saying things are the same, you can use 비슷하다 to show you understand the subtle differences between two things while acknowledging their shared traits.

In advanced contexts, you might use it to compare cultural phenomena or academic arguments. It allows for precise analytical writing where you need to highlight overlaps in data or logic.

At a mastery level, you use it to draw sophisticated parallels in literature or philosophy. It captures the essence of 'resemblance' in a way that feels natural and native-like, even in high-stakes professional discourse.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'to be similar'.
  • Used to compare things.
  • Commonly used in daily life.
  • Pairs with -와/과.

Hey there! 비슷하다 is a super useful Korean adjective. It essentially means to be similar or to resemble something else.

Think of it as the middle ground between 'the same' and 'different.' If you see two shirts that look almost exactly alike, you would say they are 비슷해요. It's a very common word you'll hear in daily life!

The word 비슷하다 is a native Korean adjective. It evolved from older forms that described things being 'close' or 'near' in quality.

Historically, it reflects the human tendency to categorize the world by comparing new things to ones we already know. It doesn't have a direct Sino-Korean (Hanja) root, making it a pure, foundational part of the Korean language.

You will mostly use this with the particle -와/과 (with) or -랑/이랑 (casual). For example: 'A는 B와 비슷하다' (A is similar to B).

It is used in both formal and informal settings. In business, you might say 'results are similar,' and with friends, you might say 'your bag is similar to mine!'

1. 비슷비슷하다: To be more or less the same (very common for comparing things of equal quality).

2. 거의 비슷하다: To be almost identical.

3. 별로 비슷하지 않다: Not very similar at all.

4. 비슷한 점: Similar points/similarities.

5. 비슷하게 생기다: To look similar.

As an adjective, it conjugates easily. Use 비슷해요 for polite speech or 비슷하다 for the dictionary form.

Pronunciation tip: Ensure the 's' sounds are crisp. It rhymes slightly with words ending in 'ha-da' structures. There is no plural form needed as it describes a state of being.

Fun Fact

It is one of the most frequently used descriptive words in daily Korean conversation.

Pronunciation Guide

UK bi-seut-ha-da

Crisp 's' sounds, flat 'a' sounds.

US bi-seut-ha-da

Standard Korean pronunciation.

Common Errors

  • Softening the 's' sounds
  • Dropping the 'h' sound
  • Mispronouncing the final 'da'

Rhymes With

깨끗하다 따뜻하다 답답하다 복잡하다 불편하다

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy to read

Writing 2/5

Requires particle knowledge

Speaking 2/5

Common in speech

Listening 1/5

Clear pronunciation

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

나 너 이것 저것

Learn Next

다르다 같다 유사하다

Advanced

판이하다 상반되다

Grammar to Know

Comparison particles

A와 B

Adjective conjugation

-하다

Adverbial form

-게

Examples by Level

1

이것과 저것이 비슷해요.

This and that are similar.

Use -와/과 for comparison

2

사과와 배가 비슷해요.

Apple and pear are similar.

Noun comparison

3

우리 가방이 비슷해요.

Our bags are similar.

Possessive marker

4

색깔이 비슷해요.

The colors are similar.

Subject marker

5

모양이 비슷해요.

The shapes are similar.

Descriptive verb

6

맛이 비슷해요.

The taste is similar.

Subject marker

7

크기가 비슷해요.

The sizes are similar.

Subject marker

8

비슷한 것 같아요.

It seems similar.

Speculative ending

1

그들은 비슷하게 생겼어요.

2

두 영화는 내용이 비슷해요.

3

제 생각과 비슷해요.

4

날씨가 어제와 비슷해요.

5

가격이 비슷해요.

6

성격이 비슷해요.

7

취미가 비슷해요.

8

목소리가 비슷해요.

1

두 제품의 성능은 거의 비슷합니다.

2

그의 태도는 예전과 비슷해요.

3

우리는 비슷한 경험을 했어요.

4

두 나라는 문화가 비슷해요.

5

비슷한 시기에 만났어요.

6

비슷한 실수를 반복해요.

7

비슷한 옷을 입었어요.

8

비슷한 목표를 가지고 있어요.

1

두 이론은 근본적으로 비슷합니다.

2

상황이 비슷하게 전개되고 있어요.

3

비슷한 맥락에서 이해할 수 있어요.

4

그와 나는 비슷한 가치관을 공유해요.

5

비슷한 유형의 문제예요.

6

비슷한 비중을 차지해요.

7

결과가 비슷하게 나왔어요.

8

비슷한 조건에서 일해요.

1

두 작가의 문체는 놀라울 정도로 비슷합니다.

2

경제 상황이 10년 전과 비슷하게 흘러가요.

3

비슷한 궤적을 그리며 성장했어요.

4

비슷한 논리적 결함을 가지고 있어요.

5

비슷한 양상을 보이고 있습니다.

6

비슷한 범주로 분류할 수 있어요.

7

비슷한 기조를 유지하고 있어요.

8

비슷한 입장을 취하고 있습니다.

1

그들의 운명은 기묘할 정도로 비슷하게 얽혀 있다.

2

비슷한 형이상학적 질문을 던지고 있어요.

3

역사는 비슷하게 반복되는 경향이 있어요.

4

비슷한 심미적 기준을 적용했어요.

5

비슷한 함의를 내포하고 있어요.

6

비슷한 파급 효과를 가져올 것입니다.

7

비슷한 변수를 고려해야 합니다.

8

비슷한 철학적 토대 위에 있어요.

Common Collocations

거의 비슷하다
비슷한 점
비슷하게 생기다
비슷한 시기
비슷한 수준
비슷한 상황
비슷한 가격
비슷한 느낌
비슷한 성격
비슷한 옷

Idioms & Expressions

"도긴개긴"

Not much difference between two things

그거나 그거나 도긴개긴이야.

casual

"오십보백보"

Fifty steps vs. one hundred steps (the difference is negligible)

결국 오십보백보예요.

formal

"비슷비슷하다"

To be more or less the same

가격이 다 비슷비슷해요.

neutral

"닮은꼴"

A look-alike

그는 유명인의 닮은꼴이에요.

neutral

"판박이"

A carbon copy

아빠 판박이네요.

casual

"거의 같다"

Almost the same

내용이 거의 같아요.

neutral

Easily Confused

비슷하다 vs 같다

Both mean similar/same.

같다 is 'same', 비슷하다 is 'similar'.

이건 같아요 vs 이건 비슷해요.

비슷하다 vs 유사하다

Both mean similar.

유사하다 is formal/academic.

유사한 사례 vs 비슷한 사례.

비슷하다 vs 닮다

Both relate to appearance.

닮다 is specifically for looking like someone.

아빠를 닮았다.

비슷하다 vs 동일하다

Both relate to matching.

동일하다 means identical.

결과가 동일하다.

Sentence Patterns

A1

A와 B가 비슷하다

사과와 배가 비슷해요.

A2

비슷한 [noun]

비슷한 옷을 샀어요.

B1

비슷하게 [verb]

비슷하게 행동해요.

B2

비슷한 수준의 [noun]

비슷한 수준의 학생들.

A2

A는 B와 비슷하다

이것은 저것과 비슷하다.

Word Family

Nouns

비슷함 Similarity

Adjectives

비슷하다 To be similar

Related

유사하다 Formal synonym

How to Use It

frequency

9/10

Formality Scale

유사하다 (Formal) 비슷하다 (Neutral) 비슷비슷하다 (Casual) 닮았다 (Casual/Physical)

Common Mistakes

비슷하다가 (using as verb) → 비슷하다 (adjective)
It is an adjective, so do not add -ㄴ다 to the stem.
비슷한을 (object marker) → 비슷한 (adjective)
Adjectives don't take object markers.
비슷해하다 → 비슷하다
You don't need the -해하다 suffix for this adjective.
비슷하게를 (adverb usage) → 비슷하게
비슷하게 is already an adverbial form.
비슷한 사람과 → 비슷한 사람과
This is correct, but ensure the particle matches the context.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace Trick

Visualize two identical twins.

💡

When Native Speakers Use It

When comparing prices or products.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Koreans often compare things to find common ground.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Always pair with -와/과.

💡

Say It Right

Keep the 's' sounds sharp.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't use it like a verb with -는/ㄴ다.

💡

Did You Know?

It is one of the first adjectives taught.

💡

Study Smart

Use it in sentences about your friends.

💡

Listen closely

Listen to K-drama dialogue.

💡

Context

Use it for opinions too!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of two 'bees' (bi-seut) that look exactly the same.

Visual Association

Two identical bees flying together.

Word Web

comparison resemblance matching similar

Challenge

Find three things in your room that are similar.

Word Origin

Native Korean

Original meaning: To be close or similar

Cultural Context

None, it is a very neutral word.

Used similarly to 'similar to' or 'like'.

Used in countless K-dramas when characters compare items or people.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping

  • 가격이 비슷해요
  • 디자인이 비슷해요
  • 색깔이 비슷해요

School

  • 실력이 비슷해요
  • 정답이 비슷해요
  • 비슷한 문제예요

Socializing

  • 취미가 비슷해요
  • 성격이 비슷해요
  • 비슷한 사람이에요

Work

  • 결과가 비슷해요
  • 비슷한 상황이에요
  • 비슷한 업무예요

Conversation Starters

"요즘 날씨가 어제와 비슷해요?"

"너랑 나랑 비슷한 점이 많아?"

"이 옷이랑 저 옷 중에 뭐가 더 비슷해?"

"비슷한 영화 본 적 있어?"

"어제 먹은 음식이랑 맛이 비슷해?"

Journal Prompts

Write about two friends who are similar.

Describe two items you own that are similar.

How is your life today similar to last year?

Compare two movies you like.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

It is an adjective.

Yes, for personality or appearance.

-와/과 or -랑/이랑.

It is neutral and widely used.

비슷하지 않다.

Yes, 비슷했다.

Yes, '비슷한 시기' (similar time).

Extremely common.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

이것과 저것은 ___.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 비슷해요

It describes the state of two things.

multiple choice A2

Which word means 'similar'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 비슷하다

비슷하다 is the target word.

true false B1

비슷하다 is a verb.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It is an adjective.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Matching antonyms.

sentence order B2

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

Subject-Object-Verb order.

fill blank A2

그들은 ___ 생겼어요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 비슷하게

Adverbial form needed.

multiple choice B1

What is a formal synonym?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 유사하다

유사하다 is the formal version.

true false A2

비슷하다 can be used for people.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

Yes, for personality or looks.

match pairs B2

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Contextual matching.

sentence order C1

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

Advanced sentence structure.

Score: /10

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