Korean Dictionary
How to say "Affectionate" in Korean
“Affectionate” in Korean is 다정하다 (pronounced "Dajeonghada").
다정하다
Dajeonghada
Usage & Context
Describes warmth and tenderness toward others. Often used to describe loving partners, caring parents, or emotionally open friends. 다정한 사람 (an affectionate person) is considered a great personality compliment in Korea.
Example Sentence
그 커플은 서로에게 정말 다정하게 대해요.
That couple treats each other very affectionately.
How to use 다정하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Affectionate” is 다정하다, romanized as Dajeonghada.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 다정하다.
Pronunciation Guide
다정 (da-jeong) sounds like 'dah' followed by 'jung' as in 'jungle' but with a softer 'j' and the 'eo' vowel sound like 'uh' in 'duh'. 하다 (ha-da) is 'ha' like 'hah' and 'da' like 'dah'. The 'eo' in 'jeong' is a key Korean vowel.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
다정합니다
Dajeonghapnida
Standard formal ending for adjectives.
Casual (반말)
다정해
Dajeonghae
Casual '아/어' ending.
More Example Sentences
Describing a grandmother's warmth towards her grandchildren.
우리 할머니는 항상 손주들에게 다정하게 대해주셨어요.
My grandmother always treated her grandchildren affectionately.
Describing someone with a hidden affectionate nature.
그는 겉으로는 무뚝뚝해 보여도 속은 정말 다정해요.
He might seem gruff on the outside, but he's really affectionate inside.
Expressing gratitude for comforting words.
다정한 목소리로 위로해줘서 고마웠어.
Thank you for comforting me with your affectionate voice.
Cultural Context
다정하다 describes a warm, kind, and caring personality. It's a highly valued trait in Korean relationships, whether romantic, familial, or platonic. A '다정한 사람' (dajeonghan saram) is someone who expresses their care openly, often through words, thoughtful actions, or gentle gestures. It's often contrasted with '무뚝뚝하다' (mutukttukada - blunt, gruff), highlighting the importance of emotional expression.
Editorial note
We review entries like 다정하다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
정말 다정하시네요.
You're really affectionate/kind.
다정한 사람
An affectionate person
다정하게 말하다
To speak affectionately
Related Expressions
친절하다
Chinjeolhada
Kind, friendly
상냥하다
Sangnyanghada
Gentle, sweet-natured
따뜻하다
Ttatteuthada
Warm (can be used for personality too)
애정 어린
Aejeong eorin
Affectionate (adjective form, literally 'love-filled')
More Emotions Words
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