Korean Dictionary
How to say "Large" in Korean
“Large” in Korean is 큰 (pronounced "Keun").
큰
Keun
Usage & Context
Keun is the Korean word for large. Large sizes are used in Korean design to create impact and prominence. They represent importance and scale.
Example Sentence
큰 그림이 인상적이에요.
The large painting is impressive.
How to use 큰 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Large” is 큰, romanized as Keun.
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 큰.
Pronunciation Guide
'큰' (Keun) sounds like 'kuhn'. The 'k' is a soft, unaspirated sound, similar to the 'k' in 'sky' rather than 'kite'. The 'eu' vowel is pronounced like the 'u' in 'but' or 'cup', but with your lips slightly more spread, almost a neutral 'uh' sound.
More Example Sentences
Describing the size of a room in a house.
우리 집에는 큰 거실이 있어요.
Our house has a large living room.
Talking about someone's aspirations.
그는 큰 꿈을 가지고 있어요.
He has big dreams.
Commenting on the scale and impact of an event.
이번 행사는 정말 큰 성공이었어요.
This event was a really big success.
Cultural Context
'큰' (keun) is a versatile adjective in Korean, used not only for physical size but also to describe importance, significance, or intensity. For example, '큰일 났다' (keunil natda) means 'something big/serious has happened,' often used in a panicked or urgent context. It can also refer to an elder or a respected person, as in '큰어머니' (keun-eomeoni) for an aunt (father's older brother's wife).
Editorial note
We review entries like 큰 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
큰 소리로
in a loud voice
큰 마음 먹고
with great determination (literally 'eating a big heart')
큰일 났네
Oh no, something serious happened!
Related Expressions
크다
keuda
to be large (base form)
거대한
geodaehan
gigantic, enormous
작은
jageun
small
대형
daehyeong
large-sized (often for products/vehicles)
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