Example Sentences#

1. 뭐 좋은 계획 있나?¹
   Any good ideas?
   • 좋다 means ‘to be good’.
   • -은 is a modifier that turns the preceding statement into a phrase describing the following noun.
2. 그러나 노인은 단지 “좋을 수도 있고, 나쁠 수도 있습니다”라고 대답했습니다.²
   However, the old man just answered, “It could be good, or it could be bad.”
   • 좋다 is the adjective ‘good’.
   • -을 is a modifier that turns the preceding statement into a phrase describing the following noun, conveying assumption, intention, or possibility and including future, potential, or unrealized actions and states.
3. 나연: 좋아!³
   Nayeon: Sounds good!
   • 좋다 means ‘to be good’.
   • 아 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
   • 좋아 is used as an interjection meaning ‘alright’, ‘okay’, or ‘sounds good’ in this context.
4. 태민: 나는 나의 아저씨가 진짜 좋았어.⁴
   Taemin: I really liked ‘My Mister’.
   • 좋다 means ‘to be good’.
   • 았 is the past tense marker.
   • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
5. “같은 시간에 왔으면 더 좋았을 텐데.” 여우가 말했다.⁵
   “It would have been better if you had come at the same time,” said the fox.
   • 좋다 means ‘to be good’.
   • -았- is a past tense marker.
   • -을 is a modifier that turns the preceding statement into a phrase describing the following noun, conveying assumption, intention, or possibility and including future, potential, or unrealized actions and states.
   • Combined, -았을 presents the situation from a past reference point, often as an inference or a hypothetical scenario.
6. 해진: 나도 떡볶이 좋아하지만, 불고기도 먹자.⁶
   Haejin: I like tteokbokki too, but let’s eat bulgogi as well.
   • 좋아하다 means ‘to like’. It is derived from the adjective 좋다 (to be good) using the pattern -아하다, which transforms adjectives into verbs to describe the feeling or perception of an emotion.
   • -지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.
7. 날씨도 좋잖아.¹
   The weather’s nice.
   • 좋다 means ‘to be good’.
   • -잖아 is a sentence-ending particle used when the speaker assumes the listener already knows or should know and agree with what is being said. It stems from the negative form -지 않아, adding a rhetorical tone like ‘isn’t it?’ and may carry a reminder or corrective nuance.
8. 하지만 노인은 다시 “좋을 수도 있고, 나쁠 수도 있습니다”라고 대답했습니다.²
   But the old man again answered, “It could be good, or it could be bad.”
   • 좋다 is the adjective ‘good’.
   • -을 is a modifier that turns the preceding statement into a phrase describing the following noun, conveying assumption, intention, or possibility and including future, potential, or unrealized actions and states.
9. 지수: 나도 나의 아저씨 좋아해.⁴
   Jisoo: I also like ‘My Mister’.
   • 좋아하다 means ‘to like’. It is derived from the adjective 좋다 (to be good) using the pattern -아하다, which transforms adjectives into verbs to describe the feeling or perception of an emotion.
   • 여 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
10. 도윤: 서준은 매운 거 좋아하지만, 우리를 위해 덜 맵게 시키자.⁶
    Doyoon: Seojun likes spicy food, but let’s order it less spicy for the rest of us.
    • 좋아하다 means ‘to like’. It is derived from the adjective 좋다 (to be good) using the pattern -아하다, which transforms adjectives into verbs to describe the feeling or perception of an emotion.
    • -지만 is a connective ending used to introduce a contrasting statement, similar to ‘but’ or ‘although’ in English. It acknowledges the preceding statement while adding information that contrasts with or differs from it.
11. 민준: 자전거 좋지!¹
    Minjun: Biking sounds good!
    • 좋다 means ‘to be good’.
    • -지 is a sentence-ending particle that conveys the speaker’s presumption of shared understanding with the listener. In the declarative mood, it expresses certainty or strong affirmation, often asserting something believed to be obvious or mutually understood. In the interrogative mood, it seeks confirmation, softening the question’s tone and making it less direct, or poses self-directed questions that lightly invite shared consideration. In the imperative mood, it softens the command, making it less forceful.
12. 그러나 노인은 여전히 “좋을 수도 있고, 나쁠 수도 있습니다”라고 대답했습니다.²
    However, the old man still answered, “It could be good, or it could be bad.”
    • 좋다 is the adjective ‘good’.
    • -을 is a modifier that turns the preceding statement into a phrase describing the following noun, conveying assumption, intention, or possibility and including future, potential, or unrealized actions and states.
13. 다들 힘들게 사는데, 서로 도와주고 이해하면서 조금씩 변해가는 게 너무 좋았어.⁴
    While everyone lives with difficulty, I really liked how they help each other, understand each other, and gradually change.
    • 좋다 means ‘to be good’.
    • 았 is the past tense marker.
    • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
14. 지수: 그치, 그 두 사람 다 상처가 많았는데, 그냥 옆에 있어 주는 것만으로도 힘이 되는 게 보여서 좋았어.⁴
    Jisoo: Right, both of those people had many wounds, but it was good to see that just being by their side was enough to give them strength.
    • 좋다 means ‘to be good’.
    • 았 is the past tense marker.
    • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
15. 가끔 어두운 부분도 있지만, 그래도 희망적인 부분이 있어서 좋았어.⁴
    Although there were some dark parts at times, I still liked that there were hopeful parts.
    • 좋다 means ‘to be good’.
    • 았 is the past tense marker.
    • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.