A1 adjective #2,500 most common 2 min read

따뜻하다

It describes something that is pleasantly warm, like a cup of tea or a sunny day.

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Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use 따뜻하다 when you feel good. Think of a cup of coffee. It is not too hot, it is 따뜻해요. You can say 'The weather is warm' (날씨가 따뜻해요). It is a very happy word.

At this level, you start using it with nouns. '따뜻한 옷' (warm clothes) or '따뜻한 물' (warm water). It is very useful for travel and daily life when you need to ask for something comfortable.

You can now use it to describe personality. '그는 따뜻한 사람이에요' (He is a warm person). It shows you understand that words can have both literal and figurative meanings in Korean.

Use it in more complex sentences. '따뜻한 배려에 감사합니다' (Thank you for your warm consideration). This shows you can use the word to express gratitude and social nuance.

In advanced writing, use it to set the tone of a scene. '따뜻한 햇살이 비치는 오후' (An afternoon where warm sunlight shines). It helps create imagery and atmosphere in your storytelling.

Mastery involves using it in literary contexts. It can describe the 'warmth' of a memory or a nostalgic feeling. It is a word that connects the physical sensation of heat to the abstract concept of human connection.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Describes mild, comfortable heat.
  • Used figuratively for kindness.
  • Essential for daily conversation.
  • Positive and warm tone.

따뜻하다 is a foundational Korean adjective that captures the essence of comfort. In its literal sense, it refers to a temperature that is mildly hot—not scorching, but just right to make you feel cozy.

Beyond physical temperature, it is a beautiful word used to describe emotional warmth. If someone is kind, caring, or makes you feel welcome, you would say they have a 'warm heart' (따뜻한 마음). It is a very positive word that brings a sense of safety and comfort to any conversation.

The word 따뜻하다 has roots in Middle Korean. It evolved from the older form '따다' (ttatt-da). Linguists believe it is related to the onomatopoeia or mimetic words describing the sensation of radiating heat.

Historically, it has always been linked to the concepts of survival and comfort—fire, sunlight, and maternal care. Unlike words for 'hot' (뜨겁다), which can imply danger, 따뜻하다 is almost exclusively associated with positive, life-sustaining warmth. It has remained remarkably stable in meaning throughout the centuries, reflecting its deep cultural importance in Korean society.

You will use 따뜻하다 in daily life constantly. Use it for weather (따뜻한 날씨), beverages (따뜻한 차), or clothing (따뜻한 옷). It is a neutral-to-polite word.

When talking about people, it is a high compliment. Saying someone is a 'warm person' (따뜻한 사람) is one of the kindest things you can say in Korean. It is appropriate in both casual settings with friends and formal settings when describing a mentor or a leader's character.

1. 따뜻한 마음 (Warm heart): Used to describe a kind person. 2. 따뜻하게 입다 (Dress warmly): A common phrase parents say to children. 3. 따뜻한 말 한마디 (A warm word): A kind remark. 4. 따뜻한 환영 (A warm welcome): Being greeted kindly. 5. 따뜻한 햇살 (Warm sunshine): Describing a pleasant day.

As an adjective, 따뜻하다 follows standard Korean conjugation. In the present tense, it becomes 따뜻해요 (polite) or 따뜻하다 (plain form). It is often used with the noun-modifying form 따뜻한.

Pronunciation tip: The 'tt' (ㄸ) is a tense sound. Imagine you are saying 't' but with your throat tightened. Rhyming words in English concepts aren't applicable due to the Korean structure, but focus on the crispness of the double consonant.

Fun Fact

The double consonant 'tt' emphasizes the intensity of the feeling.

Pronunciation Guide

UK t͈a.t͈ɯt.ɦa.da

Tense 'tt' sound, followed by a light 'h'.

US t͈a.t͈ɯt.ɦa.da

Same as UK, focus on the glottal tension.

Common Errors

  • Softening the 'tt' sound
  • Mispronouncing the 'eu' vowel
  • Dropping the 'h' sound

Rhymes With

깨끗하다 단단하다 복잡하다 답답하다 깜깜하다

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very common word.

Writing 1/5

Easy to use.

Speaking 1/5

Essential vocabulary.

Listening 1/5

Clear pronunciation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

날씨 마음 물

Learn Next

포근하다 뜨겁다 친절하다

Advanced

온정 배려 서정성

Grammar to Know

Adjective conjugation

따뜻하다 -> 따뜻해요

Adverbial form

따뜻하다 -> 따뜻하게

Noun modification

따뜻한 사람

Examples by Level

1

날씨가 따뜻해요.

Weather-subject warm-is.

Basic adjective sentence.

2

따뜻한 차 마셔요.

Warm tea drink.

Adjective modifying noun.

3

따뜻한 물 주세요.

Warm water please-give.

Request pattern.

4

오늘 정말 따뜻해요.

Today really warm.

Adverb usage.

5

따뜻한 옷 입어요.

Warm clothes wear.

Imperative-like.

6

여기는 따뜻해요.

Here is warm.

Location marker.

7

따뜻한 방이에요.

Warm room is.

Copula usage.

8

따뜻하게 자요.

Warmly sleep.

Adverbial form.

1

따뜻한 봄이 왔어요.

2

따뜻한 커피 한 잔 어때요?

3

그는 정말 따뜻한 사람이에요.

4

따뜻한 이불을 덮었어요.

5

따뜻한 햇볕이 좋아요.

6

따뜻한 국물이 생각나요.

7

따뜻한 마음을 받았어요.

8

따뜻한 손길이 느껴져요.

1

따뜻한 환영에 감동했습니다.

2

그녀의 따뜻한 조언이 힘이 됐어요.

3

따뜻한 분위기의 카페예요.

4

따뜻한 온기가 남아있어요.

5

따뜻한 배려에 감사드립니다.

6

따뜻한 봄바람이 불어요.

7

따뜻한 말 한마디가 중요해요.

8

따뜻한 기억으로 남았어요.

1

따뜻한 시선으로 바라봐 주세요.

2

따뜻한 열정이 느껴지는 무대였습니다.

3

그의 따뜻한 성품은 모두가 압니다.

4

따뜻한 위로가 필요한 밤이에요.

5

따뜻한 연대감을 느꼈습니다.

6

따뜻한 색감의 그림이네요.

7

따뜻한 가르침을 잊지 않겠습니다.

8

따뜻한 기운이 감도는 집입니다.

1

따뜻한 인류애를 실천하는 단체입니다.

2

그의 소설은 따뜻한 시선이 특징입니다.

3

따뜻한 지지 덕분에 성공했습니다.

4

따뜻한 격려가 큰 힘이 되었습니다.

5

따뜻한 감성이 묻어나는 글입니다.

6

따뜻한 공동체 의식을 고취합니다.

7

따뜻한 포용력이 느껴집니다.

8

따뜻한 철학이 담긴 영화입니다.

1

따뜻한 온정의 손길이 이어지고 있습니다.

2

그의 문체는 따뜻한 서정성을 띱니다.

3

따뜻한 성찰이 담긴 에세이입니다.

4

따뜻한 생명력이 느껴지는 자연입니다.

5

따뜻한 교감이 이루어지는 순간입니다.

6

따뜻한 향수가 느껴지는 공간입니다.

7

따뜻한 지혜를 나누고 싶습니다.

8

따뜻한 영혼을 가진 예술가입니다.

Common Collocations

따뜻한 날씨
따뜻한 마음
따뜻하게 입다
따뜻한 차
따뜻한 환영
따뜻한 햇살
따뜻한 위로
따뜻한 배려
따뜻한 분위기
따뜻하게 대하다

Idioms & Expressions

"따뜻한 말 한마디"

A kind word that comforts.

따뜻한 말 한마디가 큰 힘이 돼요.

neutral

"따뜻하게 맞이하다"

To welcome someone warmly.

우리는 그를 따뜻하게 맞이했어요.

neutral

"마음이 따뜻해지다"

To feel heartwarming emotions.

그 소식을 듣고 마음이 따뜻해졌어요.

neutral

"따뜻한 온기를 나누다"

To share warmth/kindness.

우리는 따뜻한 온기를 나누었습니다.

literary

"따뜻한 시선으로 보다"

To view someone with kindness.

그를 따뜻한 시선으로 봐주세요.

neutral

"따뜻한 마음씨"

A kind disposition.

그녀는 따뜻한 마음씨를 가졌어요.

neutral

Easily Confused

따뜻하다 vs 뜨겁다

Both refer to heat.

뜨겁다 is burning hot, 따뜻하다 is mild.

뜨거운 국물 vs 따뜻한 차

따뜻하다 vs 차갑다

Antonym.

차갑다 is cold.

차가운 물

따뜻하다 vs 포근하다

Both mean warm.

포근하다 implies softness/coziness.

포근한 이불

따뜻하다 vs 따스하다

Synonym.

따스하다 is more literary.

따스한 햇살

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + 은/는 + 따뜻하다

오늘 날씨는 따뜻해요.

A2

따뜻한 + Noun

따뜻한 옷을 입어요.

B1

Verb + 게 + 따뜻하다

방을 따뜻하게 하세요.

B2

따뜻한 + 마음으로 + Verb

따뜻한 마음으로 도와줬어요.

C1

따뜻함이 + 느껴지다

따뜻함이 느껴지는 사진이에요.

Word Family

Nouns

따뜻함 warmth

Verbs

따뜻해지다 to become warm

Adjectives

따스하다 warm

Related

온기 noun for warmth

How to Use It

frequency

9/10

Formality Scale

따뜻합니다 (Formal) 따뜻해요 (Polite) 따뜻해 (Casual)

Common Mistakes

Using 따뜻하다 for boiling water. → 뜨겁다
따뜻하다 is for mild warmth, 뜨겁다 is for hot.
Using 따뜻하다 for cold weather. → 춥다
Opposite meanings.
Confusing 따뜻하다 with 따뜻하게 in sentences. → Use 따뜻하게 as an adverb.
Adverb form is needed to modify verbs.
Thinking it only applies to temperature. → Apply to personality too.
It is a metaphor for kindness.
Using it for spicy food. → 맵다
Heat from spice is not temperature.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Visualize your favorite warm place.

💡

Native Usage

Use it to describe kindness.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Warmth is highly valued in Korea.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Use -게 for adverbs.

💡

Say It Right

Tense up the 'tt'.

💡

Don't Mix

Don't use for spicy.

💡

Did You Know?

It's a very popular word in poetry.

💡

Study Smart

Learn it with 'heart' and 'weather'.

💡

Context

Use it for beverages.

💡

Adjective Rule

Adjectives don't need objects.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Tea-T-Hat' (T-T-H-D) to keep you warm.

Visual Association

A sun rising over a snowy mountain.

Word Web

Sun Love Blanket Tea Kindness

Challenge

Describe three things in your room using '따뜻하다'.

Word Origin

Korean

Original meaning: Mild heat/radiance

Cultural Context

None, it is universally positive.

Directly maps to 'warm' in both physical and emotional contexts.

Many K-dramas use '따뜻한 말 한마디' as a title. Common in greeting cards.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a cafe

  • 따뜻한 아메리카노 주세요.
  • 따뜻한 물 좀 더 주실래요?
  • 여기 분위기가 따뜻하네요.

In winter

  • 따뜻하게 입고 나가세요.
  • 따뜻한 곳에 있고 싶어요.
  • 집이 따뜻해서 좋아요.

Giving a compliment

  • 정말 따뜻한 분이시네요.
  • 따뜻한 배려 감사합니다.
  • 따뜻한 마음을 가졌어요.

Describing weather

  • 봄이라 따뜻해요.
  • 햇살이 따뜻해서 좋아요.
  • 따뜻한 바람이 불어요.

Conversation Starters

"오늘 날씨가 참 따뜻하지 않나요?"

"따뜻한 차 한 잔 하실래요?"

"가장 따뜻한 기억은 무엇인가요?"

"따뜻한 사람을 만나면 기분이 어때요?"

"겨울에는 따뜻한 음식이 뭐가 좋을까요?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a day that felt perfectly warm.

Write about someone you know who has a 'warm heart'.

Why is it important to be a 'warm' person?

What is your favorite warm drink and why?

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

Yes, it is a great compliment.

Yes, '따뜻한 햇살' is very common.

No, 'hot' is 뜨겁다.

Change to 따뜻하게.

It is neutral and widely used.

No, it is strictly positive.

Yes, '따뜻한 방'.

따뜻함.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

오늘 날씨가 ___.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 따뜻해요

Context implies pleasant weather.

multiple choice A2

Which describes a person?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 따뜻한 사람

Warm person is a common idiom.

true false B1

따뜻하다 can describe spicy food.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

Spicy is 맵다.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Literal vs figurative.

sentence order B2

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

Subject-Object-Verb order.

Score: /5

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

暖和 Chinese 暖める Japanese 温热 Chinese ポカポカ Japanese ぽかぽか Japanese 温める Japanese 暖烘烘 Chinese warm German 暖かい Japanese 热身 Chinese

Related Grammar Rules

Korean 'So That' Ending: Purpose and Results (-게) B1

Related Phrases

마음이 따뜻하다. 손이 따뜻하다
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