Have you made some new Korean friends but don’t know how to describe them? That’s when knowing personality vocabulary in Korean comes in handy! Whether you’re talking about your friends, your family, or even yourself, knowing the right Korean words to describe people’s personalities can make your conversations a lot more engaging and interesting.
From positive qualities like “kind” and “friendly” to more complex characteristics like “extroverted” and “pessimistic,” I assure you that you’ll learn a lot about how to talk about personality traits in Korean after reading this article. Without further ado, let’s get right into it!
Table Of Contents
Personality Vocabulary In Korean: Positive Qualities
#1. Kind – 친절하다 (Chinjeolhada)
The Korean word “친절하다” (chinjeolhada) means “kind” or “friendly.” A kind or friendly person, or “친절한 사람” (chinjeolhan saram), is someone who is always really nice and helpful to others. They care so much about other people that they will go above and beyond just to help.
Scenario: You’ve just landed in Seoul for the first time, and you’re completely lost. You don’t know how to buy train tickets, you don’t know where to find good Korean barbecue, and you don’t even know where is the nearest convenience store. Thankfully, a 친절한 사람 sees you struggling and offers to help. Not only do they take the time to give you clear directions and even walk with you to your destination, but they also give you some really good local recommendations! This act of kindness makes your day a whole lot better and leaves you with a great impression of the city. A kind person is always considerate of others’ feelings, ensuring they never feel uncomfortable or lost.
#2. Diligent – 성실하다 (Seongsilhada)
The Korean word “성실하다” (seongsilhada) means “diligent” or “hardworking.” A diligent or hardworking person, or “성실한 사람” (seongsilhan saram), as the adjective suggests, works really hard, sometimes even more than they should. They’re also really responsible and try their best in everything they do.
Scenario: At school, a 성실한 학생 (seongsilhan haksaeng), or diligent student, consistently completes their homework on time and studies regularly for exams. They’re also always the ones taking the lead whenever the teacher assigns a group project, be it scheduling meetings or ensuring that everyone understands and doesn’t fall behind on their tasks. Their hard work pays off when the group receives the highest grade in the class. A diligent student is also honest in their efforts, always being straightforward and truthful in their communication.
#3. Humorous – 유머러스하다 (Yumeoreoseuhada)
The Korean word “유머러스하다” (yumeoreoseuhada) means “humorous.” A humorous person, or “유머러스한 사람” (yumeoreoseuhan saram), loves to make people laugh so hard that their stomachs hurt. Their sense of humor is gold, and they love being the life of the party by telling jokes constantly.
Scenario: We all have that one 유머러스한 삼촌 (yumeoreoseuhan samchon) or humorous uncle who keeps everyone entertained with his jokes and funny stories at family gatherings. Whether it’s a personal anecdote or a story he heard from someone else, he’s always lightening the mood and tickling everyone’s funny bone. He’s the reason why everyone is always having a great time. There’s no doubt that his ability to make people laugh brings the family closer together and creates enjoyable memories.
Personality Vocabulary In Korean: Not-So-Positive Qualities
#1. Selfish – 이기적이다 (Igijeogida)
The Korean word “이기적이다” (igijeogida) means “selfish.” A selfish person, or “이기적인 사람” (igijeogin saram), thinks mostly about their own needs and desires, often at the expense of others. They’re so selfish that even if they have plenty of cookies, they might not even share any with you!
Scenario: In a group project, an 이기적인 팀원 (igijeogin timwon), or selfish team member, only focuses on tasks that will make them look good in front of the boss. They completely ignore the needs of the team and refuse to help with tasks that don’t directly benefit them, only fixated on their own task at hand. As a result, the team struggles to complete the projects on time, leaving everyone really upset and frustrated.
#2. Lazy – 게으르다 (Geurida)
The Korean word “게으르다” (geureuda) means “lazy.” A lazy person, or “게으른 사람” (geureun saram), is perfectly content with doing and accomplishing nothing at all and avoids work and effort whenever possible. In fact, they prefer to do the least amount of work necessary.
Scenario: A 게으른 학생 (geureun haksaeng), or lazy student, rarely does their homework and often skips studying for exams, relying on pure luck a lot of times. Instead of participating in group discussions, they just slack and rely on others to carry the workload. As a result, their grades take a toll, and their classmates become annoyed with them for their utter lack of contribution.
#3. Stubborn – 고집이 세다 (Gojibi Seda)
The Korean word “고집이 세다” (gojibi seda) means “stubborn.” A stubborn person, or “고집이 센 사람” (gojibi sen saram), is someone so close-minded that they completely refuse to change their mind or consider other people’s opinions, even when they are in the wrong.
Scenario: During a team meeting, a 고집이 센 동료 (gojibi sen dongryo), or stubborn coworker, insists on following their plan despite others suggesting much better alternatives. They turn a blind eye to useful feedback and are unwilling to compromise. This attitude creates tension in the team and leads to a less effective project outcome.
How To Say Personality In Korean?
In Korean, “personality” is “성격” (seonggyeok). Korean adjectives describe personality traits and are conjugated according to different tenses and formality levels.
Easy Korean Adjectives Related To Personality
While learning about personality vocabulary in Korean, you might want to learn some important words related to this topic. Here is some basic essential vocabulary:
- Good-natured – 착하다 (Chakhada)
- Bad – 나쁘다 (Nappeuda)
- Smart – 똑똑하다 (Ddokddokhada)
- Dumb – 멍청하다 (Meongcheonghada)
- Active – 활발하다 (Hwalbalhada)
- Quiet – 조용하다 (Joyonghada)
- Kind – 친절하다 (Chinjeolhada)
- Slow – 느림보이다 (Neurimboida)
- Brave – 용감하다 (Yonggamhada)
- Cowardly – 겁이 많다 (Geobi manta)
- Unable to speak – 말을 못하다 (Mareul mothada)
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Personality In Korean
1. What Is A Typical Korean Personality?
Diligence, hard work, filial piety, and humility are characteristics respected by Koreans. They are proud of their traditional culture and their economic growth/success within a short period of time. Education is very important to Koreans. It is the way to success.
2. What Are The Most Common Personality Types In Korea?
The most common personality types of South Koreans based on the MBTI test are ISFJ (22%), ESFJ (16%), ISTJ (13%), and INFJ (11%).
3. Why Do Koreans Take MBTI Tests So Seriously?
In Korea’s fast-paced and highly competitive society, where opportunities for self-exploration and inner inquiry are scarce, MBTI provides a quick, pre-determined sense of one’s self. It’s also a fun and easy way to relate to people.
Final Thoughts
Learning personality vocabulary in Korean means you’ll be able to describe people much more vividly and clearly! Whether you come across it while learning the Korean language or on your favorite K-drama, these adjectives undoubtedly enrich your language skills and foster deeper connections in conversations. So keep on practicing and enjoy exploring personalities in Korean!
