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무덥다

A2 adjective #6,500 most common 8 min read

무덥다

mudeopda Top 6,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 무덥다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 무덥다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn about the weather. You likely know the word '덥다' (deopda), which means 'to be hot.' '무덥다' (mudeopda) is a slightly more advanced version of this. It means it is not just hot, but also very 'wet' or humid. Think about a day when you sweat a lot because the air feels heavy. That is '무덥다.' You don't need to worry about complex sentences yet. Just remember that '무덥다' is like 'very hot and humid.' You can use it simply as '무더워요' (mudeowoyo), which means 'It is muggy.' This is a great word to use in the summer to show you know more than just the basic words. It helps you talk about how the weather feels on your skin. When you see the sun and feel the moisture in the air, you can say '날씨가 무더워요.' It is a useful word for basic daily conversations about the seasons.

At the A2 level, you should focus on the grammar and the specific meaning of '무덥다.' This word is a 'ㅂ-irregular' adjective. This means when you add a polite ending like '-어요,' the 'ㅂ' at the bottom of '무덥' changes into a '우' sound. So, '무덥다' becomes '무더워요.' You should also learn how to use it to describe a noun. For example, '무더운 날씨' means 'muggy weather.' At this level, you can start comparing '무덥다' with '덥다.' While '덥다' is generic, '무덥다' is perfect for describing the Korean summer, which is famous for being very humid. You can use it in sentences like '오늘은 어제보다 더 무더워요' (Today is muggier than yesterday). Understanding this word helps you describe your environment more accurately. It is also common in simple weather forecasts that you might hear on the news or see on an app.

As a B1 learner, you can use '무덥다' to express more complex thoughts about the weather's impact on your life. You can use connectors like '-어서' (because) or '-(으)니까' (since). For example, '날씨가 너무 무더워서 집에만 있었어요' (I stayed home because the weather was too muggy). You should also be aware of the noun form, '무더위' (mudeowi), which means 'the sweltering heat.' You might hear people talk about '무더위를 피하다' (to avoid the sweltering heat) by going to a mall or the beach. At this level, you should be comfortable using '무덥다' in various tenses, like '무더웠어요' (it was muggy) or '무더울 거예요' (it will be muggy). You can also start to recognize it in more descriptive contexts, such as in short stories or news articles about summer health tips. It's a key word for discussing the physical discomfort caused by the 'Jangma' (monsoon) season in Korea.

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between '무덥다' and other similar words like '후덥지근하다' (stuffy and humid) or '무더위가 기승을 부리다' (the heat is at its peak). You can use '무덥다' in more formal writing or presentations about climate change or seasonal trends. You should also be able to use it in the '-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다' form to express your opinion, like '올여름은 유난히 무더운 것 같아요' (It seems like this summer is exceptionally muggy). You might encounter this word in social commentaries or more detailed weather analyses. It is often used to set the scene in literature, creating a sense of lethargy or tension. You should also be aware of how '무덥다' is used in advertisements for cooling products. At this stage, your use of the word should feel natural and well-integrated into your broader vocabulary of environmental and sensory descriptions.

For C1 learners, '무덥다' is a standard part of your descriptive repertoire. You should be able to appreciate its use in high-level literature and journalistic writing. It often appears in discussions about '열대야' (tropical nights), where the '무더운' air prevents people from sleeping. You should understand the historical and cultural context of '무더위' in Korea, such as how it affects agriculture or the traditional ways people have dealt with it (like 'Iyeol-chiyeol' - fighting heat with heat). You can use the word to describe complex atmospheres, perhaps metaphorically describing a 'stifling' or 'oppressive' social climate, though its primary use remains meteorological. You should also be familiar with more poetic or archaic synonyms that might appear in classical literature or advanced vocabulary lists. Your ability to use '무덥다' correctly in all registers—from casual slang to formal reports—demonstrates a high level of linguistic competence.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of '무덥다' and its related forms. You can analyze its use in various linguistic contexts, including its frequency in different eras of Korean literature or its specific usage in meteorological science. You understand the subtle differences between '무덥다', '찌는 듯하다', and '가마솥더위', and you can choose the most evocative term for any creative writing project. You might even explore the etymological roots of the word and how it has evolved over time. In a professional setting, such as environmental science or urban planning, you can discuss the '무더위' in the context of the 'urban heat island effect' (도시 열섬 현상). Your usage of the word is indistinguishable from a native speaker, and you can use it to convey not just the weather, but the profound physical and psychological impact of the environment on a population. You are also capable of translating the word into English with all its subtle nuances intact, choosing between 'muggy,' 'sultry,' or 'oppressive' depending on the specific context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

무덥다 in 30 Seconds

무덥다 means 'to be hot and humid,' specifically describing oppressive, muggy summer weather in Korea.
It is a ㅂ-irregular adjective, conjugating to '무더워요' in the polite present tense.
The noun form '무더위' refers to the sweltering heatwave often experienced during the monsoon season.
It is used exclusively for weather and atmosphere, not for food, objects, or people's personalities.

The Korean word 무덥다 (mudeopda) is a specific adjective used to describe weather that is both hot and humid. Unlike the general word for hot, 덥다 (deopda), which can refer to dry heat or just a high temperature, 무덥다 captures that heavy, oppressive sensation of moisture in the air. In English, we might translate this as 'muggy,' 'sultry,' or 'sweltering.' When you use this word, you aren't just saying the sun is bright; you are saying the air feels thick, and you are likely sweating because the humidity prevents moisture from evaporating. This is the quintessential word for the Korean summer, particularly during the monsoon season known as 장마 (jangma).

Weather Nuance: It specifically emphasizes the combination of high temperature and high humidity levels.
Sensory Experience: It describes the 'sticky' feeling where clothes cling to your skin and breathing feels slightly heavier.

오늘 날씨가 정말 무덥네요. (The weather is really muggy today.)

You will hear this word most frequently in July and August in Korea. It is often used as a complaint or a shared observation to acknowledge the physical discomfort of the season. It is not usually used for objects or food; you wouldn't say a soup is '무덥다'. It is strictly reserved for the atmosphere or the general climate of a day. Using this word correctly shows a higher level of vocabulary than just using '덥다', as it demonstrates your ability to distinguish between different types of heat.

장마철이라서 공기가 아주 무겁고 무덥습니다. (Because it is the monsoon season, the air is very heavy and sultry.)

Common Contexts: 1. Weather forecasts on TV. 2. Greetings between neighbors during summer. 3. Complaining about the lack of air conditioning.

밤에도 기온이 떨어지지 않아 무더운 밤이 지속되고 있습니다. (The temperature does not drop even at night, so muggy nights are continuing.)

In summary, 무덥다 is your go-to word for describing that specific, sticky Korean summer heat. It implies a sense of physical burden or exhaustion caused by the climate. It is more descriptive and evocative than '덥다', painting a clearer picture of the environmental conditions. Whether you are talking to a friend or listening to the news, identifying this word will help you understand the severity of the summer weather being discussed.

에어컨 없이는 이 무더운 날씨를 견딜 수 없어요. (I can't endure this muggy weather without an air conditioner.)

비가 그친 뒤에 날씨가 더 무더워졌습니다. (After the rain stopped, the weather became even more muggy.)

Using 무덥다 correctly requires an understanding of the ㅂ-irregular conjugation. Like many Korean adjectives ending in ㅂ, such as 춥다 (cold) or 어렵다 (difficult), the ㅂ changes to a 우 sound when it meets a suffix starting with a vowel. This is the most crucial grammatical point for learners to master when using this word in sentences.

Conjugation Rule: 무덥다 + 어요 = 무더워요 (It's muggy). The ㅂ disappears and '워' is added.
Noun Modifier: 무덥다 + ㄴ = 무더운 (Muggy...). Example: 무더운 여름 (A muggy summer).

어제는 정말 무더웠어요. (Yesterday was truly muggy.)

When you want to describe a noun, you use the form 무더운. This is very common when talking about 'muggy weather' (무더운 날씨) or 'muggy afternoons' (무더운 오후). If you are speaking formally, you would use 무덥습니다, where the ㅂ-irregular rule does not apply because the suffix starts with a consonant.

한국의 여름은 보통 매우 무덥습니다. (Korean summers are usually very muggy.)

Reasoning/Cause: 무더워서 (Because it's muggy). Example: 날씨가 무더워서 잠을 못 잤어요 (I couldn't sleep because the weather was muggy).

무더운 날에는 시원한 냉면이 생각나요. (On muggy days, I think of cool naengmyeon.)

In casual conversation, you might use the exclamation form 무덥네! or 무더워라!. These are natural ways to react when you step outside and immediately feel the humidity. It's also common to use it in the past tense 무더웠다 when recounting a vacation or a particularly difficult summer day. Mastering these variations allows you to express your feelings about the weather fluently and naturally.

밖이 너무 무더우니까 나가지 마세요. (Since it's too muggy outside, don't go out.)

올해는 작년보다 더 무더울 거래요. (They say this year will be muggier than last year.)

You will encounter 무덥다 in several distinct environments in Korea. The most formal and frequent place is the daily 기상보보 (weather report). Weather casters use this word to warn the public about high humidity levels and the heat index. They might say, '내일은 전국적으로 무덥겠습니다' (It will be muggy nationwide tomorrow). This sets the tone for how people plan their day, clothing, and energy consumption.

News & Media: Used in headlines to describe '무더위' (the sweltering heat) and its impact on health or the economy.
Workplace Small Talk: Colleagues greeting each other in the elevator: '오늘 정말 무덥죠?' (It's really muggy today, isn't it?)

기상청에 따르면 오늘 오후는 매우 무덥겠습니다. (According to the Meteorological Administration, it will be very muggy this afternoon.)

In literature and K-dramas, 무덥다 is often used to set a mood. A '무더운 여름 밤' (muggy summer night) often serves as a backdrop for a romantic encounter, a nostalgic memory, or a tense situation where the heat reflects the characters' inner feelings. It creates a vivid sensory image of a slow, heavy atmosphere. You'll also see it in marketing, especially for air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and cooling products like 'ice patches' or 'cool shirts'.

무더운 날씨에도 찾아주셔서 감사합니다. (Thank you for visiting even in this muggy weather.)

Literature/Lyrics: Often paired with words like '땀' (sweat) and '그늘' (shade) to evoke the feeling of summer.

무더운 공기가 방 안을 가득 채웠다. (The muggy air filled the room.)

Finally, social media is a prime location for this word. During the peak of summer, you'll see countless posts with hashtags like #무더위 or #무더운여름 accompanied by photos of iced coffee, beaches, or fans. It’s a word that unites people through a shared seasonal struggle. Understanding this word helps you engage with the collective Korean experience of summer.

The most common mistake learners make with 무덥다 is overusing it or confusing it with its simpler cousin, 덥다 (deopda). While both describe heat, they are not interchangeable in every context. For instance, if you are in a dry desert where the temperature is 40 degrees Celsius but the air is dry, 무덥다 would be technically incorrect; you should use 덥다 or 뜨겁다 (hot/burning) instead.

Mistake 1: Misconjugation: Saying '무덥아요' instead of '무더워요'. Remember the ㅂ changes to 우.
Mistake 2: Using for Objects: Saying '이 국이 무덥다' (This soup is muggy). Use '뜨겁다' (hot to touch/taste) for food.

Wrong: 날씨가 무덥아요.
Correct: 날씨가 무더워요.

Another mistake is confusing 무덥다 with 후덥지근하다 (hudeopjigeunhada). While very similar, 후덥지근하다 implies a slightly more unpleasant, stuffy, and 'sticky' sensation, often used when there is no breeze at all. 무덥다 is a more standard, slightly more formal way to describe the weather. Beginners also sometimes forget that 무덥다 is an adjective and try to use it like a verb, which results in unnatural sentence structures.

Wrong: 무덥는 날씨.
Correct: 무더운 날씨.

Context Error: Don't use '무덥다' to describe a person's personality or a 'hot' trend. It is strictly atmospheric.

Wrong: 저 가수는 정말 무덥다.
Correct: 저 가수는 정말 인기가 많다 (popular) or 멋지다 (cool).

Lastly, avoid using 무덥다 for indoor environments unless you are specifically describing how the outdoor humidity has made the room feel oppressive. If a room is just hot because the heater is on, 덥다 or 답답하다 (stuffy) is better. By paying attention to these nuances, you will sound much more like a native speaker.

To truly master Korean, you need to know the spectrum of words used to describe heat. 무덥다 sits in the middle of this spectrum, focusing on the combination of heat and humidity. Let's look at how it compares to other common terms. This will help you choose the most precise word for any given situation.

무덥다 vs 덥다: '덥다' is general heat. '무덥다' is specifically muggy/humid heat. Use '무덥다' when you feel sticky.
무덥다 vs 찌다: '찌다' (literally 'to steam') is even more intense than '무덥다'. It feels like you are being cooked in a steamer.

비가 오기 전에는 무덥고, 비가 온 뒤에는 습합니다. (It's muggy before the rain, and humid after the rain.)

Another useful alternative is 후덥지근하다. This is very common in spoken Korean. It describes that unpleasant, lukewarm, humid heat that makes you feel slightly annoyed or lethargic. If you want to describe a 'burning' heat (like direct sunlight on your skin), use 뜨겁다. For a 'scorching' or 'blistering' heat, 무더위 (the noun form) is often paired with verbs like '기승을 부리다' (to be in full swing/at its peak).

오늘 날씨는 후덥지근해서 기운이 없어요. (The weather is so muggy and stuffy that I have no energy.)

무덥다 vs 불볕더위: '불볕더위' refers to 'fire-sun heat' (dry, scorching sun). '무덥다' is the 'wet' heat.

사막은 덥지만, 한국의 여름처럼 무덥지는 않아요. (Deserts are hot, but not muggy like Korean summers.)

In summary, choose 무덥다 when you want to emphasize the humidity along with the temperature. Use 덥다 for general heat, 뜨겁다 for the sun's rays, 찌다 for extreme steaming heat, and 후덥지근하다 for that stuffy, uncomfortable feeling. Having these options allows you to describe the nuances of the Korean climate with much greater accuracy.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Even though '무' doesn't explicitly mean water in modern Korean prefixes, the phonetic link to '물' (water) helps many learners remember that '무덥다' is the 'wet' version of '덥다'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mu.dʌp̚.t͈a/

US /mu.dʌp̚.t͈a/

The primary stress is on the second syllable '덥' (deop), but in Korean, syllables generally have equal length.

Rhymes With

어렵다 (eoryeopda - to be difficult) 가깝다 (gakkapda - to be close) 차갑다 (chagapda - to be cold) 반갑다 (bangapda - to be glad) 고맙다 (gomapda - to be thankful) 어둡다 (eodupda - to be dark) 무겁다 (mugeopda - to be heavy) 두렵다 (duryeopda - to be afraid)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'ㅂ' clearly in '무더워요' (it should disappear).
Forgetting the tensed 'ㄸ' sound in the basic form '무덥다' (it's pronounced like 무덥따).
Confusing the 'u' sound in 'mu' with 'moo' in a way that is too long.
Not releasing the 'p' sound properly in the un-conjugated form.
Mispronouncing the 'w' sound in '무더워' as a simple 'o'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text once the root is known.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of the ㅂ-irregular conjugation (무덥다 -> 무더워).

Speaking 3/5

Requires correct pronunciation of the double 't' sound in the root form.

Listening 2/5

Commonly used in weather reports and easily identifiable.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

덥다 (hot) 날씨 (weather) 여름 (summer) 물 (water) 매우 (very)

Learn Next

습하다 (humid) 후덥지근하다 (stuffy/muggy) 폭염 (heatwave) 불쾌지수 (discomfort index) 열대야 (tropical night)

Advanced

가마솥더위 (cauldron-like heat) 염천 (scorching weather) 혹서기 (the hottest period) 냉방병 (air conditioning sickness)

Grammar to Know

ㅂ-Irregular Adjectives

무덥다 + 어요 -> 무더워요 / 춥다 + 어요 -> 추워요

Adjective as Noun Modifier (-(으)ㄴ)

무덥다 -> 무더운 날씨 / 덥다 -> 더운 날씨

Reasoning with -어서

무더워서 에어컨을 켰어요. (Turned on the AC because it's muggy.)

Exclamatory ending -네요

와, 오늘 정말 무덥네요! (Wow, it's really muggy today!)

Change of state -어지다

장마가 끝나고 더 무더워졌어요. (It became muggier after the monsoon.)

Examples by Level

오늘 날씨가 무더워요.

The weather is muggy today.

Simple present tense with the ㅂ-irregular change.

여름은 무덥습니다.

Summer is muggy.

Formal polite ending -습니다.

무더운 날씨예요.

It is muggy weather.

Adjective modifying a noun (무더운 + 날씨).

방 안이 무더워요.

It is muggy inside the room.

Describing a space.

무더워요? 네, 무더워요.

Is it muggy? Yes, it's muggy.

Question and answer format.

정말 무덥네요!

It's really muggy!

Exclamatory ending -네요.

밖이 너무 무더워요.

It's too muggy outside.

Adverb '너무' (too/very) used for emphasis.

무더운 여름이 왔어요.

The muggy summer has come.

Past tense verb '왔어요' with a modifying adjective.

어제는 정말 무더웠어요.

Yesterday was really muggy.

Past tense conjugation (무더웠어요).

무더우니까 에어컨을 켜세요.

Since it's muggy, turn on the air conditioner.

Reasoning connector -(으)니까.

내일도 무더울까요?

Will it be muggy tomorrow too?

Future conjecture ending -(으)ㄹ까요?

날씨가 무더워서 아이스크림을 먹었어요.

I ate ice cream because the weather was muggy.

Reasoning connector -어서.

무더운 오후에 산책을 했어요.

I took a walk in the muggy afternoon.

Modifying a time noun (오후).

서울의 여름은 아주 무덥습니다.

Summer in Seoul is very muggy.

Formal declarative sentence.

무덥지만 기분은 좋아요.

It's muggy, but I feel good.

Contrast connector -지만.

비가 오면 덜 무더울 거예요.

If it rains, it will be less muggy.

Conditional -면 and future tense.

무더운 날씨 때문에 쉽게 지쳐요.

I get tired easily because of the muggy weather.

Noun + 때문에 (because of).

올해는 작년보다 훨씬 더 무더운 것 같아요.

I think this year is much muggier than last year.

Comparative '보다' and conjecture '것 같다'.

무더위를 식히기 위해 수박을 먹었어요.

I ate watermelon to cool down the sweltering heat.

Noun form '무더위' and purpose '-기 위해'.

밤새 날씨가 무더워서 잠을 설쳤어요.

The weather was muggy all night, so I didn't sleep well.

Compound sentence with -어서.

무더운 공기가 가득한 방을 환기시켰어요.

I ventilated the room that was full of muggy air.

Relative clause '무더운 공기가 가득한'.

장마가 끝나면 본격적으로 무더워질 거예요.

Once the monsoon ends, it will start getting muggy in earnest.

Change of state '-어지다' in future tense.

무더운 날에는 물을 자주 마셔야 해요.

On muggy days, you must drink water frequently.

Obligation ending -아/어야 하다.

이곳은 여름마다 무덥기로 유명해요.

This place is famous for being muggy every summer.

Noun-making ending -기로 + 유명하다.

무더운 날씨에도 불구하고 많은 사람들이 모였습니다.

Despite the muggy weather, many people gathered.

-에도 불구하고 (despite).

무더위가 계속되자 전기 사용량이 급증했습니다.

As the sweltering heat continued, electricity usage surged.

-자 (as soon as/since) indicating a result.

무더운 여름밤의 정취를 느끼며 산책을 즐겼어요.

I enjoyed a walk while feeling the atmosphere of a muggy summer night.

Descriptive noun phrase '무더운 여름밤의 정취'.

습도가 높아서 날씨가 실제 기온보다 더 무덥게 느껴져요.

Because the humidity is high, the weather feels muggier than the actual temperature.

Adverbial form '무덥게' and passive '느껴지다'.

무더운 날씨를 피해 산속 계곡으로 휴가를 떠났어요.

I went on vacation to a mountain valley to escape the muggy weather.

Object + 피하다 (to avoid/escape).

한낮의 무더운 열기가 대지를 뜨겁게 달구고 있습니다.

The muggy heat of midday is heating up the earth.

Literary expression '대지를 뜨겁게 달구다'.

무덥고 습한 기후 때문에 음식이 쉽게 상할 수 있어요.

Because of the muggy and humid climate, food can spoil easily.

Combined adjectives '무덥고 습한'.

무더운 날씨가 이어지면서 건강 관리에 유의해야 합니다.

As the muggy weather continues, you should be careful about your health.

-면서 (while/as) indicating continuous state.

지구 온난화로 인해 무더운 날의 횟수가 점차 늘어나고 있습니다.

Due to global warming, the number of muggy days is gradually increasing.

-로 인해 (due to) - formal cause.

무더위는 단순한 기상 현상을 넘어 사회적 약자들에게 큰 위협이 됩니다.

Muggy heat goes beyond a simple weather phenomenon and becomes a great threat to the socially vulnerable.

-을 넘어 (beyond).

무더운 공기가 정체되면서 도심의 미세먼지 농도도 함께 높아졌습니다.

As the muggy air stagnated, the concentration of fine dust in the city also increased.

Scientific/Logical explanation.

작가의 문체는 무더운 여름날의 나른한 분위기를 생생하게 묘사하고 있다.

The author's style vividly describes the languid atmosphere of a muggy summer day.

Literary analysis context.

무더운 날씨가 지속될 경우 열사병 환자가 발생할 우려가 큽니다.

If the muggy weather persists, there is a high concern that heatstroke patients will occur.

Formal conditional '-ㄹ 경우'.

도시의 콘크리트 건물들은 낮 동안의 무더운 열기를 밤까지 머금고 있다.

The city's concrete buildings hold the muggy heat of the day until night.

Personification/Metaphorical use.

무더운 날씨에도 아랑곳하지 않고 선수들은 훈련에 매진했습니다.

Regardless of the muggy weather, the athletes devoted themselves to training.

-에도 아랑곳하지 않고 (regardless of).

무더위 속에서도 묵묵히 자신의 자리를 지키는 이들의 노고가 큽니다.

The hard work of those who silently keep their positions even in the muggy heat is great.

Honorific/Appreciative context.

기상학적으로 볼 때, 무덥다는 표현은 기온과 습도의 상관관계를 함축합니다.

From a meteorological perspective, the expression 'mudeopda' implies the correlation between temperature and humidity.

Academic/Technical definition.

무더운 기후는 특정 지역의 식생뿐만 아니라 인간의 주거 형태에도 지대한 영향을 미친다.

A muggy climate has a profound impact not only on the vegetation of a specific region but also on human housing forms.

Sociological/Geographical analysis.

그의 소설에서 무더위는 인물들 사이의 억눌린 갈등이 폭발하기 직전의 긴장감을 상징한다.

In his novel, the muggy heat symbolizes the tension just before the suppressed conflicts between characters explode.

Symbolic/Literary interpretation.

무더운 날씨가 연일 이어지는 가운데, 정부는 전력 수급 안정화 대책을 발표했습니다.

Amidst the continuing muggy weather for days, the government announced measures to stabilize power supply and demand.

Formal news reporting style.

역대 최악의 무더위로 기록된 올해 여름은 기후 위기의 심각성을 다시 한번 일깨워 주었다.

This summer, recorded as the worst muggy heat ever, once again awakened the seriousness of the climate crisis.

Reflective/Environmental discourse.

무더운 공기의 흐름을 제어하기 위한 건축 공학적 접근이 활발히 논의되고 있습니다.

Architectural engineering approaches to control the flow of muggy air are being actively discussed.

Engineering/Scientific context.

무더위에 지친 시민들을 위해 도심 곳곳에 쿨링 포그가 설치되었습니다.

Cooling fogs have been installed throughout the city for citizens exhausted by the muggy heat.

Public policy/Infrastructure context.

무더운 날씨의 장기화는 농작물의 수확량 감소와 가격 폭등으로 이어질 수 있습니다.

The prolongation of muggy weather can lead to a decrease in crop yields and a surge in prices.

Economic impact analysis.

Synonyms

덥다 후덥지근하다 찌다 무더우며 무덥고 습하다 불볕더위 가마솥더위 습하다

Antonyms

시원하다 춥다 서늘하다 쌀쌀하다

Common Collocations

무더운 날씨

무더운 여름

무더운 밤

무더운 오후

무더운 공기

정말 무덥다

유난히 무덥다

무덥고 습하다

무덥게 느껴지다

무덥기로 소문나다

Common Phrases

무더위를 날리다

— To blow away or get rid of the sweltering heat (e.g., by doing something cool).

시원한 수박으로 무더위를 날려 보세요!

무더위에 지치다

— To be exhausted or worn out by the muggy heat.

많은 사람들이 계속되는 무더위에 지쳐 있습니다.

무더운 날씨 탓에

— Because of/Due to the muggy weather (often for negative results).

무더운 날씨 탓에 입맛이 없어요.

무더위가 기승을 부리다

— The sweltering heat is in full swing or at its peak intensity.

전국적으로 무더위가 기승을 부리고 있습니다.

무더위를 피하다

— To avoid or escape the sweltering heat.

사람들은 무더위를 피해 바다로 떠났어요.

무더운 기운

— A muggy feeling or atmosphere.

창문을 열자 무더운 기운이 확 들어왔어요.

무더운 여름날

— A muggy summer day.

무더운 여름날에는 야외 활동이 힘들어요.

무더위를 이기다

— To overcome or endure the sweltering heat.

보양식을 먹으며 무더위를 이겨냅시다.

무더운 철

— The muggy season.

무더운 철에는 위생 관리가 중요합니다.

무더운 바람

— A muggy/warm breeze.

밖에서 무더운 바람이 불어와요.

Often Confused With

무덥다 vs 덥다

General heat. Use '무덥다' only when humidity is also high.

무덥다 vs 뜨겁다

Hot to the touch or scorching sun rays. '무덥다' is atmospheric.

무덥다 vs 어둡다

Means 'dark'. It sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

Idioms & Expressions

"이열치열 (以熱治熱)"

— Fighting heat with heat. Often used in the context of eating hot soup during '무더위'.

무더운 여름에 뜨거운 삼계탕을 먹는 것은 이열치열의 지혜입니다.

Traditional/Common

"찜통더위"

— Heat like a steamer (steaming hot weather).

오늘 같은 찜통더위에는 밖에 나가는 게 겁나요.

Colloquial

"불볕더위"

— Scorching heat (literally 'fire-sun heat').

한낮의 불볕더위를 조심해야 합니다.

Descriptive

"가마솥더위"

— Heat like a boiling cauldron.

가마솥더위가 이어지면서 열대야 현상도 나타나고 있습니다.

News/Media

"더위를 먹다"

— To suffer from heatstroke or heat exhaustion.

너무 무더운 곳에 오래 있으면 더위를 먹을 수 있어요.

Common

"삼복더위"

— The heat of the three hottest days of summer (Chobok, Jungbok, Malbok).

드디어 본격적인 삼복더위가 시작되었습니다.

Cultural

"염천하 (炎天下)"

— Under the scorching sun/blazing heat.

염천하의 무더위 속에서 일하는 분들이 많습니다.

Literary/Formal

"폭염 (暴炎)"

— Heatwave (extreme heat).

폭염 주의보가 내려질 정도로 날씨가 무덥습니다.

Official/News

"더위 사냥"

— Hunting the heat (trying to get rid of it/cool down).

시원한 계곡으로 더위 사냥을 떠나요!

Marketing/Informal

"숨이 턱턱 막히다"

— To be so muggy/stuffy that one can't breathe.

날씨가 너무 무더워서 숨이 턱턱 막혀요.

Expressive/Common

Easily Confused

무덥다 vs 습하다

Both relate to humidity.

습하다 is just 'humid' (can be cold and humid). 무덥다 is 'hot and humid'.

비가 와서 습해요. (It's humid because it's raining.) vs 날씨가 무더워요. (It's muggy/hot and humid.)

무덥다 vs 후덥지근하다

Very close synonyms.

후덥지근하다 is more colloquial and emphasizes the stuffy, unpleasant stickiness.

방 안이 후덥지근하네. (The room is stuffy and muggy.)

무덥다 vs 찌다

Both describe summer heat.

찌다 is more intense, like a steamer. 무덥다 is a standard description.

밖은 정말 찌는 듯한 더위야. (It's steaming hot outside.)

무덥다 vs 답답하다

Both can describe an uncomfortable environment.

답답하다 is 'stuffy/suffocating' (lack of air/space). 무덥다 is temperature/humidity.

공기가 답답해요. (The air is stuffy.)

무덥다 vs 무겁다

Sound similarity.

무겁다 means 'heavy' (weight). 무덥다 means 'muggy'.

가방이 무거워요. (The bag is heavy.)

Sentence Patterns

[Noun]이/가 무더워요.

날씨가 무더워요.

무더운 [Noun]

무더운 여름

무더워서 [Action/Result].

무더워서 물을 마셔요.

무더우니까 [Suggestion].

무더우니까 안으로 들어갑시다.

무더운 것 같아요.

오늘은 어제보다 더 무더운 것 같아요.

무더운 날씨에도 불구하고 [Fact].

무더운 날씨에도 불구하고 운동을 했어요.

무더위가 기승을 부리다.

올여름은 무더위가 기승을 부릴 것으로 예상됩니다.

무더운 열기를 머금다.

도시의 건물들이 무더운 열기를 머금고 있다.

Word Family

Nouns

무더위 (mudeowi) - sweltering/muggy heat

Verbs

무더워지다 (mudeoweojida) - to become muggy

Adjectives

무덥다 (mudeopda) - to be muggy/humid-hot

덥다 (deopda - to be hot)

습기 (seupgi - humidity)

더위 (deowi - heat)

여름 (yeoreum - summer)

장마 (jangma - monsoon season)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high during summer months (June-August), rare in other seasons.

Common Mistakes

Using '무덥다' for hot food. → 이 국이 정말 뜨거워요.
'무덥다' is only for weather/atmosphere. Use '뜨겁다' for things that are physically hot to the touch or taste.
Conjugating as '무덥아요'. → 날씨가 무더워요.
This is a ㅂ-irregular adjective. The 'ㅂ' must change to '우' before the '-어요' ending.
Using '무덥다' to describe a 'hot' (popular) person. → 그 가수는 인기가 아주 많아요.
In English, 'hot' can mean attractive or popular. In Korean, '무덥다' and '덥다' only refer to temperature.
Saying '무덥는 날씨'. → 무더운 날씨.
Adjectives take '-(으)ㄴ' to modify nouns, not '-는'.
Using '무덥다' for dry heat. → 사막은 아주 더워요.
'무덥다' implies humidity. Deserts are dry, so '덥다' is the appropriate word.

Tips

Master the ㅂ-Irregular

Remember that '무덥다' follows the same pattern as '덥다', '춥다', and '아름답다'. The 'ㅂ' changes to '우' before any vowel-starting suffix. Practice saying '무더워요' until it feels natural.

Use it for Humidity

Don't use '무덥다' for dry heat. If you're in a sauna, it's '무덥다'. If you're near a fire, it's just '뜨겁다'.

Learn the Noun Form

Learning '무더위' (muggy heat) along with '무덥다' will help you understand news headlines and weather warnings much better.

Sound Natural

Add '-네요' to the end (무덥네요!) when you are expressing your surprise or immediate feeling about the heat. It sounds very native.

Pair with Food

When it's '무덥다', Koreans talk about '냉면' (cold noodles) or '삼계탕' (hot chicken soup). Mentioning these will show your cultural knowledge.

Weather Report Keywords

In weather reports, '무덥다' is often paired with '불쾌지수' (discomfort index). Listen for these two words together.

Descriptive Writing

Use '무더운' to set the scene in your Korean diary or essays. It's much more evocative than just using '더운'.

Indoor vs Outdoor

If a room is hot because of a heater, it's just '덥다'. If it's hot because the summer humidity is trapped inside, then you can say it's '무덥다'.

The 'Mu' Connection

Associate 'Mu' with 'Muggy' and 'Moisture'. This triple-M connection makes it nearly impossible to forget the meaning.

Don't Over-complicate

While '후덥지근하다' is a great word, '무덥다' is the standard and most useful word for learners to start with when describing humid heat.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Moo' (like a cow) in a 'Hot' (덥다) sauna. A cow in a sauna would feel very 'Muggy'. Moo + Deop = Mudeopda!

Visual Association

Imagine a wet sponge being pressed against your skin on a sunny day. That heavy, wet heat is exactly what '무덥다' feels like.

Word Web

여름 (Summer) 습도 (Humidity) 땀 (Sweat) 에어컨 (Air conditioner) 장마 (Monsoon) 불쾌지수 (Discomfort index) 부채 (Fan) 얼음 (Ice)

Challenge

Try to use '무덥다' in a sentence today to describe the weather, or if it's not summer, describe how a steam room feels using '무덥다'.

Word Origin

The word '무덥다' is a native Korean word. It is formed by combining the prefix '무-' with the adjective '덥다'.

Original meaning: While '덥다' means hot, the '무-' prefix is thought to be related to '물' (water) or '물다' (to bite/hold), implying a heat that 'holds' moisture or is 'watery' (humid).

Koreanic

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities, but be aware that complaining about the '무더위' is a very common social bonding activity in Korea.

English speakers often use 'muggy' or 'sultry'. 'Sultry' can sometimes have a romantic or attractive connotation, but '무덥다' is almost always about physical discomfort.

K-drama 'Our Beloved Summer' often features '무더운' scenes to emphasize the intensity of emotions. The song 'Hot Summer' by f(x) captures the '무더운' vibe of a Korean city summer. Traditional Korean poems (Sijo) often contrast the '무더운' outside with the '시원한' (cool) shade of a pavilion.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Small talk about the weather

오늘 정말 무덥죠?
네, 너무 무더워요.
무더운 날씨에 고생 많으십니다.
무더위 조심하세요.

Watching the news

무더위가 계속되겠습니다.
전국이 무덥겠습니다.
무더운 날씨가 이어지겠습니다.
무더위 주의보가 발령되었습니다.

In a restaurant during summer

날씨가 무더워서 냉면 먹으러 왔어요.
무더운 날에는 시원한 게 최고죠.
밖이 너무 무더워요.
무더위를 식혀줄 메뉴가 있나요?

At home with family

오늘 밤도 무더울 것 같아.
무더우니까 에어컨 좀 켜자.
무더운 여름 잘 보내고 있니?
무더위 때문에 잠을 못 잤어.

Planning a trip

무더운 서울을 떠나고 싶어.
거기는 날씨가 무덥지 않아?
무더운 날씨를 피해 산으로 가자.
무더운 여름 휴가 계획 세웠어?

Conversation Starters

"오늘 날씨가 정말 무덥지 않나요? (Isn't the weather really muggy today?)"

"이렇게 무더운 날에는 보통 무엇을 하시나요? (What do you usually do on such muggy days?)"

"무더운 여름을 이겨내는 나만의 방법이 있으세요? (Do you have your own way to overcome the muggy summer?)"

"올해 여름은 작년보다 더 무더운 것 같아요. (I think this summer is muggier than last year.)"

"무더운 날씨 때문에 요즘 입맛이 좀 없네요. (I have no appetite lately because of the muggy weather.)"

Journal Prompts

오늘의 무더운 날씨에 대해 묘사해 보세요. (Describe today's muggy weather.)

무더운 여름날 가장 생각나는 음식은 무엇인가요? (What food do you think of most on a muggy summer day?)

무더위를 피해 가고 싶은 장소는 어디인가요? (Where is a place you want to go to escape the muggy heat?)

무더운 날씨 때문에 힘들었던 경험이 있나요? (Have you ever had a difficult experience because of muggy weather?)

무더운 여름밤을 시원하게 보내는 나만의 팁을 적어보세요. (Write down your own tips for spending a muggy summer night coolly.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you cannot. For spicy food, use '맵다'. For food that is hot in temperature, use '뜨겁다'. '무덥다' is strictly for weather and atmospheric conditions.

'덥다' is the general word for 'hot'. '무덥다' is more specific and means 'hot and humid' (muggy). If you are in a dry place like Las Vegas, you would say '덥다'. If you are in Seoul in August, '무덥다' is more accurate.

Because it is a ㅂ-irregular, the 'ㅂ' changes to '우'. Then you add '-어' and '-ㅆ어요'. So it becomes '무더웠어요' (mudeoweosseoyo).

It is a standard word used in both formal weather reports and casual daily conversations. It is not overly formal or slangy, making it very versatile.

No, that is incorrect. Since '무덥다' is an adjective, the correct form to modify a noun is '무더운'. So you should say '무더운 날씨'.

'무더위' is the noun form, meaning 'the sweltering/muggy heat'. '무덥다' is the adjective form meaning 'to be muggy'. You use '무더위' as a subject or object (e.g., 무더위가 심하다), and '무덥다' as a description (e.g., 날씨가 무덥다).

Not necessarily, but it implies there is a lot of moisture in the air. It is very common during the rainy season (장마), but it can also be a sunny, muggy day.

The direct opposite in terms of summer comfort would be '시원하다' (to be cool/refreshing). In terms of temperature, '춥다' (to be cold) is the general opposite.

Typically from late June to late August. July is usually the peak because of the high humidity from the monsoon rains.

No, you cannot use it to describe a person's personality or appearance. It only describes the environment or weather.