Explanation at your level:
느리다 means slow. If you walk slowly, you are 느리다. Use it when things take a long time. Example: 'The bus is slow.' (버스가 느려요).
At this level, you use 느리다 to describe daily things. 'My computer is slow' (컴퓨터가 느려요). It is easy to use with basic subjects.
You can now use 느리다 to describe processes or abstract concepts. 'The progress of the project is slow' (진행이 느리다). It helps you explain why things are delayed.
Use 느리다 to express nuance. 'His reaction is slow' (반응이 느리다). You can combine it with adverbs like '너무' (too) or '상당히' (quite) to add depth.
In advanced contexts, 느리다 can describe societal shifts or economic trends. 'The growth rate is slow' (성장세가 느리다). It is used in formal reports and academic writing.
Mastering 느리다 involves understanding its metaphorical use in literature and philosophy. It represents the contrast between modern haste and traditional patience, often appearing in essays about lifestyle.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means slow.
- Opposite of fast (빠르다).
- Used for movement, tech, and progress.
- Very common in daily Korean.
Hey there! Let's talk about 느리다. In Korean, this is the go-to word when you want to say something is slow. Whether it is a slow walker, a slow computer, or even slow music, this word covers it all.
Think of it as the opposite of '빠르다' (fast). You will use it constantly in daily life, especially when complaining about traffic or waiting for a slow download. It is a very versatile adjective that fits into almost any situation where speed is the main topic.
The word 느리다 has deep roots in the Korean language, tracing back to Middle Korean forms. It is an indigenous Korean word, meaning it did not come from Chinese characters (Hanja).
Historically, it was used to describe the natural pace of nature, such as the flow of a river or the movement of animals. Over centuries, it has remained remarkably stable in its meaning, reflecting the cultural value placed on observing the natural, unhurried pace of life in traditional Korean society.
You use 느리다 to describe the state of something. For example, you can say '인터넷이 느리다' (The internet is slow). It is used as a descriptive predicate in a sentence.
When you want to use it to modify a noun, you change it to 느린. For instance, '느린 거북이' means 'a slow turtle'. It is very common in both casual and formal speech, making it a must-know for any level of learner.
1. 느림의 미학: The beauty of slowness. Used to describe the value of taking things easy. 2. 느릿느릿: An adverbial form meaning 'slowly, slowly'. 3. 느려 터지다: To be extremely slow (a bit rude). 4. 발걸음이 느리다: To have slow footsteps. 5. 행동이 느리다: To be slow in action.
느리다 is a regular adjective. When conjugating, it follows standard rules. For example, the polite form is '느려요'.
Pronunciation-wise, ensure you emphasize the 'neu' sound clearly. It rhymes with words like '보리다' (though that is not a common word). The stress is generally flat in Korean, but focus on the 'ri' syllable for clarity.
Fun Fact
It is an ancient native Korean word.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'nuh-ree-dah'
Sounds like 'nuh-ree-dah'
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'eu' as 'oo'
- Missing the 'ri' sound
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective Conjugation
느리다 -> 느려요
Modifier Form
느리다 -> 느린
Adverbial Form
느리다 -> 느리게
Examples by Level
거북이가 느려요.
Turtle-subject slow-is.
Basic predicate ending.
버스가 느려요.
Bus-subject slow-is.
Common subject-adjective.
말이 느려요.
Speech-subject slow-is.
Describing speech.
인터넷이 느려요.
Internet-subject slow-is.
Common tech phrase.
시계가 느려요.
Clock-subject slow-is.
Describing timekeeping.
느린 기차.
Slow train.
Adjective form.
너무 느려요.
Too slow.
Adding degree.
그는 느려요.
He is slow.
Describing a person.
비행기가 느려요.
강물이 느려요.
느린 음악을 들어요.
느린 걸음으로 걸어요.
아기가 느려요.
느린 속도로 가요.
컴퓨터가 너무 느려요.
그 차는 느려요.
진행이 느려요.
성장이 느려요.
반응이 느려요.
느린 학습자입니다.
느린 변화를 겪어요.
느린 인터넷 때문에 화나요.
느린 리듬의 노래.
느린 속도로 작업해요.
경제 성장이 느려요.
의사 결정이 느려요.
느린 회복세를 보여요.
느린 속도로 진행됩니다.
느린 반응 속도.
느린 업무 처리.
느린 변화에 적응해요.
느린 흐름을 타요.
사회적 변화가 느려요.
느린 속도의 기술 발전.
느린 의사소통 방식.
느린 성장의 원인.
느린 속도로 확산되다.
느린 흐름을 관찰하다.
느린 변화의 양상.
느린 속도의 변화.
느린 미학을 추구하다.
느린 삶의 철학.
느린 속도의 문명.
느린 변화의 역설.
느린 흐름 속의 고요.
느린 속도의 예술.
느린 시간의 흐름.
느린 속도의 진화.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"느려 터지다"
Extremely slow
일 처리가 느려 터졌어요.
casual/rude"느림의 미학"
The beauty of slowness
느림의 미학을 배워요.
literary"느릿느릿 걷다"
To walk very slowly
느릿느릿 걷는 거북이.
neutral"느린 걸음"
A slow pace
느린 걸음으로 산책해요.
neutral"느린 동작"
Slow motion
느린 동작으로 보여주세요.
neutral"느린 반응"
Slow response
그의 느린 반응이 답답해요.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean slow.
더디다 is for progress.
공사가 더디다 vs 거북이가 느리다
Both relate to speed.
굼뜨다 is for personality.
행동이 굼뜨다
Both mean delay.
지체되다 is an event.
출발이 지체되다
Both mean slow slope.
완만하다 is for geometry.
경사가 완만하다
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 이/가 + 느리다
인터넷이 느려요.
느린 + Noun
느린 음악.
너무 + 느리다
너무 느려요.
Subject + 가 + 느리게 + Verb
느리게 걸어요.
느린 + 속도로 + Verb
느린 속도로 진행해요.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Double verb ending is incorrect.
Adjective conjugation error.
Using noun form as predicate.
Mixing adverb and adjective.
Incorrect modifier form.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a snail.
Native Speakers
Used daily.
Cultural Insight
Patience is valued.
Grammar Shortcut
It is regular.
Say It Right
Clear 'ri'.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't add 'da' twice.
Did You Know?
It's native Korean.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences.
Daily Practice
Describe your day.
Advanced Tip
Use it metaphorically.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'noodle' (nuri) that is too long to eat quickly.
Visual Association
A snail moving on a leaf.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe three things in your room that are slow.
Word Origin
Korean
Original meaning: To be slow
Cultural Context
None.
Direct translation is 'slow'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 진행이 느려요
- 업무가 느려요
- 속도를 높여요
Tech
- 인터넷이 느려요
- 컴퓨터가 느려요
- 다운로드가 느려요
Travel
- 버스가 느려요
- 기차가 느려요
- 걸음이 느려요
Music/Art
- 느린 음악
- 느린 동작
- 느린 리듬
Conversation Starters
"인터넷이 너무 느리지 않아요?"
"왜 이렇게 걸음이 느려요?"
"느린 음악 좋아하세요?"
"요즘 업무 진행이 느린 것 같아요."
"느린 삶에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you were frustrated by something slow.
Why do you think some people prefer a slow life?
Write about a slow process you experienced recently.
Compare a fast city life with a slow country life.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is neutral.
Use 느리게.
Yes, for personality or movement.
No, it is an adjective.
느렸어요.
느린.
No.
Yes, very.
Test Yourself
거북이는 ___.
Turtles are slow.
Which means slow?
느리다 is slow.
느리다 is the opposite of 빠르다.
They are antonyms.
Word
Meaning
Direct translation.
Subject + degree + adjective.
Score: /5
Summary
느리다 is the essential Korean word for describing anything that moves or progresses at a low speed.
- Means slow.
- Opposite of fast (빠르다).
- Used for movement, tech, and progress.
- Very common in daily Korean.
Memory Palace
Visualize a snail.
Native Speakers
Used daily.
Cultural Insight
Patience is valued.
Grammar Shortcut
It is regular.
Example
거북이는 느려요.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More general words
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
정도
A2An approximate amount or degree.
위에
A1on top of
절대적
B2Being unconditional, unlimited, or not relative to anything else. It describes something that is certain, total, or supreme without comparison.
절대로
A2Never, absolutely not.
우연적이다
B2To be accidental or coincidental; happening by chance.
우연히
B1By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.
데리다
A1To take (a person); to pick up.
따라
A2Along, according to.
