Be honest in Korean 🇰🇷

정직하다 info.

Tips to Remember:
• Break the word into parts: “정” (jeong) can remind you of “correct” or “proper,” and “직” (jik) sounds like “direct” or “straight.” Together with “하다” (hada, “to do”), think of doing something straight and proper—being honest.
• Associate it with someone you know for their integrity, reinforcing the idea of straightforward honesty.

Explanation:
• 정직하다 (jeongjik-hada) is an adjective meaning “to be honest” or “honest.” It describes a person who behaves in a straightforward, ethical, and sincere manner.
• The word is made up of Sino-Korean elements where “정” implies correctness and “직” implies straightforwardness, combined with “하다” which turns it into an adjective.

Other Words with Similar Meanings:
• 솔직하다 (soljik-hada) – often means “frank” or “candid” (note: this can imply a slightly more blunt honesty).
• 신실하다 (sinsilhada) – can mean “faithful” or “sincere,” sometimes used in contexts similar to honest.

Conjugations:
Base form: 정직하다 (jeongjik-hada)

Informal Low (반말):
• Present: 정직해 (jeongjikhae)
• Past: 정직했어 (jeongjikhaesseo)
• Future: 정직할 거야 (jeongjikhal geoya)

Polite (해요체):
• Present: 정직해요 (jeongjikhaeyo)
• Past: 정직했어요 (jeongjikhaesseoyo)
• Future: 정직할 거예요 (jeongjikhal geoyeyo)

Formal (합니다체):
• Present: 정직합니다 (jeongjikhamnida)
• Past: 정직했습니다 (jeongjikhaetseumnida)
• Future: 정직할 것입니다 (jeongjikhal geosimnida)

Example Sentences:
• “Be honest.”
– 정직해. (Jeongjikhae.) [Informal]
– 정직하세요. (Jeongjikhaseyo.) [Polite]

• “He is an honest person.”
– 그는 정직해요. (Geuneun jeongjikhaeyo.)

• “She was honest about her mistakes.”
– 그녀는 자신의 실수에 대해 정직했어요. (Geunyeoneun jasineui silsu-e daehae jeongjikhaesseoyo.)

• “They will be honest in the discussion.”
– 그들은 토론에서 정직할 거예요. (Geudeureun toroneseo jeongjikhal geoyeyo.)

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