Ever found yourself in a Korean conversation, wanting to agree with someone, and freezing? Knowing how to say correct in Korean seems simple, but there's more to it than just one word. You've probably heard 맞다 (matda), which is perfect for saying "that's right" in daily chats. But what if you need to be more precise, or talk about something being morally right?

Learning Korean is a rewarding journey, and mastering these small but important details is what makes you sound less like a textbook and more like a natural speaker. It’s like knowing the difference between "right," "accurate," and "just" in English. Each word adds a unique layer of meaning.

This guide will walk you through the three key ways to say correct in Korean, giving you the confidence to choose the right word for any situation. Let’s dive in and make your Korean conversations even better!

The 3 Main Ways to Say 'Correct' in Korean

Before we break them down, let's get a quick overview of the three main words we'll be exploring. Each has a specific role, and knowing when to use them is key.

1. 맞다 (matda): Your go-to word for everyday agreement. It's versatile, common, and perfect for confirming something is right in a casual chat.
2. 정확하다 (jeonghwakhada): This is all about precision. Use it when something is factually accurate, exact, or spot-on, like a specific time or piece of data.
3. 옳다 (olda): This one carries moral weight. It’s used when talking about what is ethically right or just, not just factually correct.

To make it even simpler, here's a handy table to keep in mind.

Quick Guide to 'Correct' in Korean

Korean Word (Hangul)	Romanization	Core Meaning	Best Used For
맞다	matda	That's right	General agreement, everyday conversations, simple facts.
정확하다	jeonghwakhada	Accurate, precise	Factual accuracy, data, measurements, specific details.
옳다	olda	Morally right, just	Ethical discussions, what is considered the "right" action.

Keep these distinctions in mind as you listen and speak. With a little practice, choosing the right word will become second nature.

1. 맞다 (Matda): Your Go-To for Everyday Agreement

If you learn only one word for correct in Korean, make it 맞다 (matda). This is by far the most common and versatile option you'll use in daily life. Think of it as your friendly nod of agreement—it's the Korean equivalent of "that's right," "yep," or "you got it."

Whether you're chatting with friends, ordering coffee, or confirming directions, 맞다 is your trusty companion. It signifies that what was just said fits the situation perfectly.

Casual vs. Polite Forms

Like all Korean verbs, 맞다 changes depending on who you're talking to. Using the right form shows respect and makes you sound more fluent.

• Casual Form: 맞아 (maj-a) Use this with close friends, family, or people younger than you. It’s warm, informal, and perfect for relaxed settings.

• Polite Form: 맞아요 (maj-a-yo) This is your all-purpose, safe-for-most-situations form. Adding 요 (yo) makes it polite. Use it with new acquaintances, coworkers, or anyone you want to show respect to.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, always use the polite form, 맞아요 (maj-a-yo). It’s better to be a little too polite than not polite enough!

How to Use 맞다 in Sentences

In conversation, you'll often hear 맞다 paired with 네 (ne), which means "yes." This creates a smooth, natural-sounding confirmation.

Here’s a classic example:

• A: “오늘 날씨가 정말 좋네요.” (Oneul nalssiga jeongmal jonneyo.) “The weather is really nice today.”
• B: “네, 맞아요.” (Ne, maj-a-yo.) “Yes, that’s right.”

And another you'll hear all the time:

• A: "이 버스가 시청으로 가요?" (I beoseuga sicheong-euro gayo?) “Does this bus go to City Hall?”
• B: "네, 맞아요." (Ne, maj-a-yo.) "Yes, that's correct."

Getting comfortable with these simple exchanges will make your Korean sound much more fluid.

2. 정확하다 (Jeonghwakhada): When You Need to Be Precise

While 맞다 (matda) is great for general agreement, sometimes you need to confirm that something is not just right, but exactly right. For those moments, you'll use 정확하다 (jeonghwakhada).

This word means "to be accurate" or "to be precise." Think of it as hitting the bullseye on a target. It shows you’re paying attention to the details.

When to Use 정확하다

Use 정확하다 when dealing with facts, figures, data, and details where there's no room for error.

• Exact Times: If you ask for the 정확한 시간 (jeonghwakhan shigan), you want the precise time, not an approximation.
• Accurate Information: When you need 정확한 정보 (jeonghwakhan jeongbo), you are asking for verified, reliable facts.
• Precise Measurements: A recipe calling for a 정확한 양 (jeonghwakhan yang) means you need to measure the quantities exactly.

Key Insight: Choosing 정확하다 over 맞다 signals that precision is important in the conversation. It instantly makes your Korean sound more advanced.

Practical Examples in Conversation

When used to describe a noun (like "accurate information"), it becomes 정확한 (jeonghwakhan). When used as a statement ("That is accurate"), it becomes 정확해요 (jeonghwakhaeyo) in its polite form.

For example, when double-checking an address:

• "그 주소는 정확해요?" (Geu jusoneun jeonghwakhaeyo?) "Is that address accurate?"

Or when discussing a report at work:

• "이 보고서의 데이터는 정확합니다." (I bogoseoui deiteoneun jeonghwakhamnida.) "The data in this report is accurate." (This is a formal version, perfect for presentations!)

Mastering 정확하다 allows you to handle detailed conversations with confidence, from planning trips to succeeding at work. A great way to get a feel for this is to try it out in conversation on a platform like K-talk Live.

3. 옳다 (Olda): For What is Morally Right

Sometimes, being "correct" has nothing to do with facts and figures—it's about ethics, principles, and what is morally right. For these deeper conversations, you'll use 옳다 (olda).

Think of it this way: 맞다 is for checking your facts, while 옳다 is for checking your conscience. It means "to be right," "just," or "proper" in a moral sense. You wouldn't use it to confirm a meeting time, but you would use it to discuss whether an action is the right thing to do.

When to Use 옳다

옳다 is best for conversations about values, duties, and making the right choice in a difficult situation.

• Making a Just Decision: Deciding to return a lost wallet is an 옳은 (oreun) thing to do.
• Discussing Ethical Actions: Debating whether a company's policy is fair.
• Affirming a Principled Stand: Supporting a friend who speaks out against injustice.

Here's the key difference: 맞다 confirms what is, while 옳다 affirms what should be. Recognizing this distinction shows a deep understanding of Korean culture and language.

Examples of 옳다 in Action

When 옳다 modifies a noun, it becomes 옳은 (oreun), as in "the right action." As a statement, its polite form is 옳아요 (orayo).

Let's see it in a sentence:

• "그것은 옳은 일이야." (Geugeoseun oreun iriya.) "That is the right thing to do."

You can feel the moral weight in this sentence. The focus is on the rightness of the action.

Here's another example, perhaps to reassure someone:

• "당신의 결정이 옳아요." (Dangsinui gyeoljeongi orayo.) "Your decision is the right one."

This implies the decision was not just logical, but also fair and morally sound. Adding 옳다 to your vocabulary gives your Korean a new layer of depth.

4. Avoiding Common Mix-Ups

It's common for Korean learners to mix up 맞다, 정확하다, and 옳다. Don’t worry—it’s an easy mistake to fix with a little practice! Using the right word will make you sound much more natural and thoughtful.

The Factual vs. Moral Trap

The biggest mix-up is between factual correctness and moral rightness.

Imagine a friend asks, "Is the meeting at 2 PM?" If you reply, "네, 옳아요" (Ne, orayo), you're saying their question is morally righteous—which sounds very strange.

The simple and natural response is "네, 맞아요" (Ne, majayo). You're just confirming a fact.

As you can see, the first question to ask yourself is whether you're dealing with facts or morals. This simple check will guide you to the right word almost every time.

When to Be Precise: 맞다 vs. 정확하다

What about the difference between a general "that's right" and a precise "that's exact"?

If someone says, "The train arrives around noon," you can reply with "맞아요." It’s a generally true statement.

But if they say, "The train arrives at exactly 12:03 PM," and you know that's the precise time, then "정확해요" (Jeonghwakhaeyo) is the better fit. It confirms the specific detail.

Quick Tip: Ask yourself: Am I simply agreeing, or am I confirming a precise, hard fact? For simple agreement, use 맞다. For confirming a specific detail, choose 정확하다.

By keeping these contexts in mind, you'll start to build an instinct for choosing the best word for correct in Korean.

Conclusion

Mastering the different ways to say correct in Korean—맞다, 정확하다, and 옳다—is a huge step toward speaking with nuance and confidence. It's not just about being understood; it's about conveying the right shade of meaning, whether you're agreeing in a casual chat, confirming precise details, or discussing important values. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—every conversation is a chance to practice and improve.

Keep listening, keep speaking, and remember that every new word you learn brings you one step closer to fluency. Your Korean journey is a marathon, not a sprint, so keep going!

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