How to Emphasize in Korean with 정말, 진짜, and 참

Understanding Emphasis in Korean

Emphasizing a statement in Korean can be crucial to express your thoughts and emotions. Just like in English where you use words such as 'really' or 'truly', Korean has its own set of emphasis words: 정말, 진짜, and 참. Each of these can slightly differ in nuance and usage.

What Does '정말' Mean?

The word '정말' is often used in Korean to mean 'really' or 'truly'. It's a common term used in both spoken and written Korean to emphasize a statement. For example: 정말 맛있어요 (It's really delicious).

Using '진짜' to Emphasize

'진짜' is another word that signifies emphasis, similar to '정말'. It can convey a sense of surprise or highlight the truthfulness of a statement. For example: 진짜 예뻐요 (She is really pretty).

The Subtlety of '참'

While '참' also means 'really' or 'truly', it tends to be used more in written Korean or in formal situations. It conveys a more sincere or earnest feeling. For example: 참 고맙습니다 (I'm truly thankful).

Which One to Use?

Choosing between 정말, 진짜, and 참 can depend on the context and the level of formality required. While all convey emphasis, '정말' is versatile, '진짜' is casual and youthful, and '참' is formal and sincere.

• 정말 - Versatile; use in most situations
• 진짜 - Casual and youthful; popular in informal settings
• 참 - Formal and sincere; use in writing or formal speech