Explanation at your level:
You use 매우 to say 'very'. If you are happy, you say 'I am 매우 happy'. It makes your words stronger. Use it before adjectives to describe things better.
As an A2 learner, you can use 매우 to describe feelings or states. It is a great way to show that you understand intensity. Try saying 'The weather is 매우 cold' to practice.
At this level, you should use 매우 to distinguish between different degrees of intensity. It is more formal than '진짜' (really). Use it in your writing to sound more professional and precise.
매우 is essential for B2 learners to add nuance. It acts as a bridge between simple speech and academic writing. It helps you avoid repetitive language by providing a standard intensifier for various contexts.
In advanced contexts, 매우 serves as a reliable anchor for descriptive prose. While synonyms like '상당히' or '지극히' exist, 매우 remains the most balanced choice for clarity. It is often used in formal reports and speeches to emphasize key findings.
Mastery of 매우 involves understanding its subtle role in maintaining formal register. In literary or high-level academic writing, it is used to provide emphasis without sounding overly colloquial. It is a pillar of standard Korean that demonstrates a high level of linguistic control.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 매우 means very.
- It is a standard adverb.
- Use it before adjectives.
- It is neutral and formal.
When you want to express that something is intense or significant, 매우 is your go-to word. Think of it as the Korean equivalent of 'very' or 'extremely'.
It is a highly versatile adverb that fits comfortably into both written and spoken Korean. Whether you are describing how tired you are or how beautiful a view is, adding 매우 instantly boosts the impact of your sentence.
The word 매우 originates from Middle Korean. It has evolved from earlier forms that carried the same sense of 'excess' or 'high degree'.
Historically, it has remained a staple in the language because it serves such a fundamental function. Unlike some words that shift in meaning over centuries, 매우 has stayed remarkably consistent in its core purpose of intensification.
You will typically place 매우 directly before the adjective or adverb you want to emphasize. It is considered standard and neutral in register.
While it is common in daily conversation, it is slightly more formal than the casual '아주' or '너무'. Use it in professional emails, essays, or when speaking politely to someone you do not know well.
While 매우 is a functional adverb, it appears in many set phrases. 1. 매우 기쁘다 (very happy). 2. 매우 중요하다 (very important). 3. 매우 어렵다 (very difficult). 4. 매우 빠르다 (very fast). 5. 매우 친절하다 (very kind).
매우 does not change form; it is an invariant adverb. It does not have plural forms or conjugations.
Pronounced as [mae-u], ensure the 'ae' sound is crisp. It rhymes with words like 'day-too' in a loose phonetic sense. Focus on the stress on the first syllable for natural flow.
Fun Fact
It has been used for centuries to show emphasis.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear vowel sounds.
Standard Korean pronunciation.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'ae'
- Dropping the 'u'
- Wrong stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adverb Placement
매우 + Adj
Intensifiers
매우/아주
Formal Speech
매우 + 합니다
Examples by Level
날씨가 매우 좋아요.
Weather-subject very good-is.
Adverb + Adjective
매우 감사합니다.
Very thank-you.
Polite expression
매우 커요.
Very big.
Size description
매우 배고파요.
Very hungry.
Feeling
매우 예뻐요.
Very pretty.
Appearance
매우 빨라요.
Very fast.
Speed
매우 좋아요.
Very good.
Opinion
매우 덥네요.
Very hot (it is).
Exclamation
매우 중요한 일입니다.
그는 매우 친절한 사람입니다.
오늘은 매우 바쁩니다.
이 책은 매우 재미있어요.
매우 조용히 말하세요.
매우 먼 곳에 살아요.
매우 늦게 도착했어요.
매우 놀라운 소식입니다.
그 결과는 매우 만족스럽습니다.
상황이 매우 복잡해졌습니다.
매우 신중하게 결정해야 합니다.
그는 매우 열심히 공부합니다.
매우 효과적인 방법입니다.
매우 긍정적인 반응입니다.
매우 엄격한 규칙입니다.
매우 분명한 사실입니다.
그 제안은 매우 설득력이 있습니다.
매우 정교한 기술이 필요합니다.
매우 철저한 조사가 이루어졌습니다.
그의 태도는 매우 전문적입니다.
매우 전략적인 접근이 요구됩니다.
매우 이례적인 현상입니다.
매우 체계적인 계획입니다.
매우 열정적인 연설이었습니다.
그 결정은 매우 중대한 영향을 미칠 것입니다.
매우 비판적인 시각으로 분석해야 합니다.
매우 독창적인 아이디어를 제시했습니다.
매우 포괄적인 연구 결과입니다.
매우 역동적인 변화를 겪고 있습니다.
매우 고무적인 성과를 거두었습니다.
매우 주도면밀하게 준비했습니다.
매우 보편적인 가치를 지닙니다.
매우 고결한 정신을 가진 인물입니다.
그 논리는 매우 치밀하게 구성되었습니다.
매우 난해한 철학적 개념입니다.
매우 숭고한 희생을 치렀습니다.
매우 유구한 역사를 자랑합니다.
매우 세밀한 묘사가 돋보입니다.
매우 압도적인 분위기를 자아냅니다.
매우 정밀한 측정이 가능합니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"매우 기쁘다"
To be very happy
만나서 매우 기쁩니다.
neutral"매우 중요하다"
To be very important
건강이 매우 중요합니다.
neutral"매우 바쁘다"
To be very busy
요즘 매우 바쁩니다.
neutral"매우 어렵다"
To be very difficult
상황이 매우 어렵습니다.
neutral"매우 친절하다"
To be very kind
그분은 매우 친절합니다.
neutral"매우 빠르다"
To be very fast
시간이 매우 빠릅니다.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean very.
매우 is slightly more formal.
매우 vs 아주.
Both show intensity.
너무 often implies negative.
너무 vs 매우.
Both emphasize.
정말 means really/truly.
정말 vs 매우.
Both show degree.
상당히 is more academic.
상당히 vs 매우.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 매우 + Adjective
그는 매우 똑똑합니다.
매우 + Adjective + Verb
매우 예쁜 꽃이 피었습니다.
Subject + 는 + 매우 + Adverb
그는 매우 빨리 달립니다.
매우 + Adjective + (이)라고 생각합니다.
매우 중요하다고 생각합니다.
매우 + Adjective + 상태입니다.
매우 바쁜 상태입니다.
Word Family
Nouns
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
매우 is an adverb, not an adjective.
매우 can sound too stiff in casual chat.
Must come before the word it modifies.
너무 has negative connotations sometimes.
Do not double up intensifiers.
Tips
Memory Palace
Put '매우' on a very large sign in your mind.
Native Usage
Use it in formal presentations.
Cultural Insight
It shows respect in formal settings.
Grammar Shortcut
Always before the adjective.
Say It Right
Clear vowels.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it with nouns.
Did You Know?
It is a staple word.
Study Smart
Use flashcards.
Better Writing
Use it to enhance descriptions.
Speak Natural
Practice with adjectives.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine 'May' (the month) being 'very' sunny.
Visual Association
A scale going up to the top.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences using 매우.
Word Origin
Korean
Original meaning: To a high degree
Cultural Context
None.
Directly maps to 'very'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 매우 감사합니다
- 매우 중요합니다
- 매우 바쁩니다
At school
- 매우 어렵습니다
- 매우 재미있습니다
- 매우 쉽습니다
Travel
- 매우 멉니다
- 매우 좋습니다
- 매우 비쌉니다
Daily life
- 매우 배고픕니다
- 매우 피곤합니다
- 매우 행복합니다
Conversation Starters
"오늘 기분이 매우 좋은가요?"
"어떤 음식을 매우 좋아하세요?"
"어떤 것이 매우 중요하다고 생각하세요?"
"매우 어려운 일이 있었나요?"
"매우 친절한 사람을 만난 적 있나요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 매우 기뻤던 일은?
매우 중요하게 생각하는 것은?
매우 가보고 싶은 곳은?
매우 좋아하는 영화는?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is neutral and standard.
Usually with adjectives.
They are similar.
Yes, but '진짜' is more common.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
No, it is very simple.
Test Yourself
오늘 날씨가 ___ 좋아요.
매우 means very.
Which means 'very'?
매우 is the correct word.
매우 is an adjective.
It is an adverb.
Word
Meaning
Direct translation.
Subject + Adverb + Adjective.
Score: /5
Summary
매우 is the most reliable and standard way to say 'very' in Korean.
- 매우 means very.
- It is a standard adverb.
- Use it before adjectives.
- It is neutral and formal.
Memory Palace
Put '매우' on a very large sign in your mind.
Native Usage
Use it in formal presentations.
Cultural Insight
It shows respect in formal settings.
Grammar Shortcut
Always before the adjective.
Example
오늘은 날씨가 매우 좋아요.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
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.
