A1 adverb 2 min read

너무

Too or very, often used to describe something that goes beyond a normal limit.

neomu
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use 너무 to say 'very' or 'too'. If you see a big cake, you can say '너무 커요!' (It is too big!). It is very easy to use.

At this level, you can use 너무 to describe feelings. '너무 행복해요' (I am so happy) is a great way to express yourself clearly to others.

You will notice that 너무 is used for both positive and negative things. It is the most common way to emphasize your point in daily Korean life.

While 매우 is more formal, 너무 is the standard for spoken interaction. Understanding this register difference helps you sound like a local.

Advanced learners recognize that 너무 has a history of being 'negative-only'. In literary contexts, authors might use it specifically to evoke that sense of 'excess' or 'overwhelming' nature.

Mastering 너무 involves understanding the sociolinguistic shift from a restrictive negative adverb to a universal intensifier. It reflects the broader cultural trend of emotional expression in modern Korea.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'too' or 'very'.
  • Used with adjectives and verbs.
  • Casual but widely used.
  • Originally meant 'excessive'.

Welcome to the world of 너무! This is one of the most common words you will hear in Korea. Think of it as your go-to intensifier.

Originally, 너무 meant 'too much' in a negative way, like 'too hot' or 'too difficult.' However, language is alive! Today, Koreans use it just like 'really' or 'very' for positive things too, like 'It is 너무 pretty!'

Don't worry about the strict rules too much; just know that it adds a lot of oomph to your sentences. Whether you are excited or complaining, this word is your best friend.

The word 너무 comes from the phrase '넘다' (neomda), which means 'to cross' or 'to go over' a limit.

In the past, it was strictly used to describe crossing a boundary that you shouldn't have crossed. If you said '너무 good,' people in the 1970s might have corrected you because 'good' isn't something you should have 'too much' of in a bad way.

Over the last few decades, the younger generation shifted how they use it. Now, it has evolved into a general intensifier. It is a perfect example of how language evolution works in real-time!

You can use 너무 before adjectives and verbs. It is very flexible!

In casual settings, you'll hear it constantly: '너무 맛있어!' (It's so delicious!). It fits perfectly in daily conversations with friends or family.

In very formal writing or news reports, some people still prefer to use '매우' (mae-u) instead of '너무' to be safe, as it avoids the 'excessive' connotation entirely. But for 99% of your daily life, 너무 is the perfect choice.

While 너무 isn't an idiom itself, it appears in many common phrases.

  • 너무 좋아요: I like it so much.
  • 너무 예뻐요: It is so pretty.
  • 너무 멀어요: It is too far.
  • 너무 늦었어요: It is too late.
  • 너무 보고 싶어요: I miss you so much.

These phrases are the bread and butter of Korean conversation. Use them to sound natural immediately!

Grammatically, 너무 acts as an adverb. It doesn't change form, so you don't need to worry about conjugations!

Pronunciation is straightforward: neh-moo. Make sure to keep the 'o' sounds clear. It rhymes loosely with 'emu' in English.

There is no plural form because it's an adverb. Just place it right before the adjective or verb you want to emphasize, and you are good to go!

Fun Fact

It is a contraction of '넘어' (crossing) + '하다' (to do).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /nəmu/

Sounds like 'neh-moo'.

US /nəmu/

Sounds like 'neh-moo'.

Common Errors

  • Pronouncing the 'u' like 'uh'.
  • Adding an extra syllable.
  • Stressing the wrong part.

Rhymes With

emu menu venue tenu zenu

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to read.

Writing 1/5

Easy to write.

Speaking 1/5

Easy to say.

Listening 1/5

Easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

나 너 좋다 맛있다

Learn Next

매우 아주 정말 조금

Advanced

상당히 몹시 지극히

Grammar to Know

Adverb placement

너무 + Adjective

Sentence endings

너무 좋아요!

Causative verbs

넘기다

Examples by Level

1

너무 좋아요.

So good.

Simple adverb + adjective.

2

너무 커요.

Too big.

Used for size.

3

너무 예뻐요.

So pretty.

Used for appearance.

4

너무 더워요.

Too hot.

Used for weather.

5

너무 비싸요.

Too expensive.

Used for cost.

6

너무 빨라요.

Too fast.

Used for speed.

7

너무 슬퍼요.

So sad.

Used for emotion.

8

너무 멀어요.

Too far.

Used for distance.

1

너무 맛있어요!

2

너무 재미있어요.

3

너무 피곤해요.

4

너무 바빠요.

5

너무 힘들어요.

6

너무 친절해요.

7

너무 조용해요.

8

너무 시끄러워요.

1

너무 기대돼요.

2

너무 놀랐어요.

3

너무 아쉬워요.

4

너무 고마워요.

5

너무 다행이에요.

6

너무 궁금해요.

7

너무 어색해요.

8

너무 분명해요.

1

너무 과한 것 같아요.

2

너무 무리하지 마세요.

3

너무 뻔한 이야기예요.

4

너무 감동적이었어요.

5

너무 황당한 상황이에요.

6

너무 억울해요.

7

너무 소중한 시간이에요.

8

너무 완벽한 계획이에요.

1

너무나도 그리운 시절입니다.

2

너무 깊이 생각하지 마세요.

3

너무 당연한 결과입니다.

4

너무 극단적인 선택이에요.

5

너무 묘한 분위기네요.

6

너무 정교하게 만들어졌어요.

7

너무 치명적인 실수입니다.

8

너무 압도적인 실력이에요.

1

너무나도 찬란한 순간이었습니다.

2

너무 방대한 양의 데이터입니다.

3

너무 심오한 철학적 질문입니다.

4

너무 파격적인 제안이군요.

5

너무 숭고한 정신을 가졌네요.

6

너무 정밀하게 측정되었습니다.

7

너무 비관적인 태도는 좋지 않습니다.

8

너무 경이로운 광경입니다.

Common Collocations

너무 좋다
너무 예쁘다
너무 맛있다
너무 많다
너무 늦다
너무 힘들다
너무 보고 싶다
너무 놀라다
너무 비싸다
너무 멀다

Idioms & Expressions

"너무나도"

An emphatic version of 너무.

너무나도 아름다운 밤이에요.

neutral

"너무하다"

To be too much (unfair/cruel).

그건 너무하잖아!

casual

"너무 과하다"

To be excessive.

너무 과한 친절은 부담스러워요.

formal

"너무 일찍"

Too early.

너무 일찍 왔네요.

neutral

"너무 늦게"

Too late.

너무 늦게 깨달았어요.

neutral

"너무 자주"

Too often.

너무 자주 먹는 것 같아요.

neutral

Easily Confused

너무 vs 매우

Both mean 'very'.

매우 is formal; 너무 is casual.

매우 감사 vs 너무 감사.

너무 vs 아주

Both mean 'very'.

아주 is neutral; 너무 implies excess.

아주 좋다 vs 너무 좋다.

너무 vs 정말

Both mean 'really'.

정말 means 'truthfully'; 너무 means 'excessively'.

정말 맛있어 vs 너무 맛있어.

너무 vs 많이

Both indicate degree.

많이 means 'a lot' (quantity); 너무 means 'too much' (degree).

많이 먹어 vs 너무 먹어.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + 너무 + Adjective

날씨가 너무 좋아요.

A2

Subject + 너무 + Verb

너무 보고 싶어요.

B1

너무 + Adjective + (으)니까

너무 더우니까 나가자.

B1

너무 + Adjective + -아/어서

너무 좋아서 웃었어요.

B2

너무 + Adjective + (으)면

너무 비싸면 사지 마세요.

Word Family

Nouns

넘음 The act of crossing a limit.

Verbs

넘다 To cross/exceed.

Adjectives

넘치는 Overflowing.

Related

넘기다 Causative form of 'to cross'.

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

매우 (Formal) 아주 (Neutral) 너무 (Casual/Common) 완전 (Slang)

Common Mistakes

Using 너무 for 'very' in formal writing. → Use 매우.
Some traditionalists still dislike using 너무 for positive things.
너무 + noun → 너무 + adjective/verb.
너무 is an adverb, it modifies verbs/adjectives, not nouns.
너무 + negative verb → Use '잘' or '별로'.
It sounds awkward to say '너무 안 먹어요'.
Confusing 너무 with 너무나. → Both are okay, but 너무나 is more poetic.
They are interchangeable but have different vibes.
Overusing 너무 in every sentence. → Mix it with 아주 or 정말.
Using it too much makes your Korean sound repetitive.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Place a giant 'Too' sign on your door.

💡

Native Habit

Use it whenever you want to emphasize your feelings.

🌍

K-Drama Tip

Listen for it when characters are surprised.

💡

Shortcut

It never changes form!

💡

Say It Right

Keep the 'o' sounds crisp.

💡

Avoid Nouns

Don't say '너무 사과' (Too apple).

💡

Did You Know?

It used to be strictly negative.

💡

Study Smart

Make a list of 10 adjectives and add '너무' to each.

💡

Register Check

If you are in a business meeting, swap it for '매우'.

💡

Rhythm

It has two beats: NE-MU.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Name-moo' (tree) that is too big!

Visual Association

A tree growing so tall it crosses the clouds.

Word Web

Degree Intensity Excess Emotion

Challenge

Try saying '너무' + (adjective) for every object you see today.

Word Origin

Korean

Original meaning: Crossing a boundary.

Cultural Context

None, but be aware of the 'formal writing' preference.

Similar to how 'literally' or 'so' is used in English.

Used in almost every K-pop song chorus. Common in K-drama dialogue.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a restaurant

  • 너무 맛있어요
  • 너무 비싸요
  • 너무 배불러요

With friends

  • 너무 웃겨
  • 너무 좋아
  • 너무 보고 싶어

At work

  • 너무 바빠요
  • 너무 힘들어요
  • 너무 늦었어요

Travel

  • 너무 멀어요
  • 너무 예뻐요
  • 너무 신기해요

Conversation Starters

"오늘 날씨가 너무 좋지 않나요?"

"이 음식 너무 맛있지 않아요?"

"어제 너무 피곤하지 않았어요?"

"그 영화 너무 재미있지 않았나요?"

"우리 너무 멀리 온 것 같아요."

Journal Prompts

Write about something you find '너무' beautiful.

Describe a time you were '너무' tired.

List 3 things you think are '너무' expensive.

Write about a person you miss '너무' much.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

Yes, it is very common now!

It is casual; use '매우' for formal writing.

No, it is an adverb.

They are similar, but 너무 implies a higher degree or excess.

No, only with adjectives or verbs.

All the time!

It might be seen as informal.

Use '별로' or '그렇게'.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

이 사과는 ___ 커요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 너무

너무 is used to emphasize size.

multiple choice A2

Which means 'It is too hot'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 너무 더워요

더워요 means hot.

true false B1

너무 can only be used for negative things.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It is commonly used for positive things too.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Matching phrases to meanings.

sentence order B2

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

Subject + adverb + adjective/verb.

fill blank A2

오늘 ___ 피곤해요.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 너무

너무 fits perfectly for feeling tired.

multiple choice B1

What is the origin of 너무?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 넘다

It comes from 넘다 (to cross).

true false A2

너무 is an adverb.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

Yes, it modifies adjectives and verbs.

match pairs B2

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Contextual variations.

sentence order C1

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

Advanced structure.

Score: /10

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