-답다
Like, Befitting
-답다 attaches to a noun to mean 'like' or 'befitting' that noun. For example, '학생답다' means 'to be like a student' or 'to act as a student should'.
How It Works
-답다 is a suffix that attaches directly to certain nouns to create a descriptive verb (adjective). It signifies that the subject possesses the ideal or expected qualities of that noun. It usually carries a positive connotation, implying that someone or something is living up to the standards of that noun.
Key Points:
- Function: Creates an adjective meaning 'befitting a [Noun]' or '[Noun]-like'.
- Usage: Attaches to nouns that have a set of commonly understood characteristics or roles (e.g., 학생 (student), 어른 (adult), 남자 (man), 프로 (pro)).
- Connotation: Almost always positive. Saying someone is '학생답다' is a compliment.
Conjugation:
Like other descriptive verbs, it conjugates regularly.
- Adjective form (modifying a noun): Noun + 다운 (e.g., 학생다운 태도 - a student-like attitude)
- Adverb form: Noun + 답게 (e.g., 학생답게 행동하다 - to behave like a student)
- Past Tense: Noun + 다웠다 (e.g., 학생다웠다 - was student-like)
Comparison with similar patterns:
- -스럽다: Expresses giving the impression or feeling of a noun. Often used with abstract nouns. (e.g., 사랑스럽다 - lovely).
- -처럼/같이: A simple comparison meaning 'like'. It doesn't imply possessing inherent qualities. (e.g., 아이처럼 울다 - to cry like a child).
-답다 is about embodying the true, positive essence of the noun.
Examples (5)
- 학생은 학생다워야 해요.
A student should be student-like (act like a student).
Word by Word: A student must be student-like.
This expresses the expectation that a student should embody the qualities of a good student (e.g., studying hard).
- 그는 정말 남자다워요.
He is very manly.
Word by Word: He is really man-like.
- 어른답게 행동하세요.
Please act like an adult.
Word by Word: Please behave adult-like.
Here, -답게 is the adverbial form, modifying the verb 행동하다 (to act/behave).
- 그녀의 프로다운 모습에 감동받았어요.
I was moved by her professional appearance/demeanor.
Word by Word: By her pro-like appearance, I was impressed.
프로다운 is the adjective form, modifying the noun 모습 (appearance/figure).
- 역시 전문가다운 답변이네요.
As expected, that's an expert-like answer.
Word by Word: As expected, it is an expert-like answer.
Common Mistakes
Using -답다 with nouns that don't have expected qualities or roles.
Different Meaning이 커피는 커피다워요.Better이 커피는 진짜 커피 같아요.-답다 is used for nouns with inherent, expected characteristics (like 'student', 'adult'). It sounds unnatural with general objects like 'coffee'. To say something is 'like coffee', you would use 같아요.
Confusing -답다 with -스럽다.
Not Quite아이가 참 어른다워요.Better아이가 참 어른스러워요.-답다 implies that someone fully embodies the ideal qualities of a role (like being an actual adult), which is unnatural to say about a child. -스럽다 is used when someone gives an 'adult-like' impression or feeling, making it a natural compliment for a mature child.
Learn This First
To express characteristics 'like/befitting', you need adjective conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -스럽다Seems Like, -ish
Both are suffixes that create adjectives from nouns. However, -답다 implies possessing the essential, positive qualities of a noun (e.g., 학생답다), while -스럽다 indicates giving the 'impression' or 'feeling' of the noun (e.g., 사랑스럽다 - lovely).
- -처럼/같이Like
While -답다 means to embody the qualities of a noun, -처럼/같이 is a simple particle for comparison. '어른답게 말하다' means to speak maturely as an adult should, whereas '어른처럼 말하다' just means to speak in the same way an adult does, which could be neutral or even negative.
- -게-ly (Adverbial Form)
The adverbial form of adjectives made with -답다 is -답게. The -게 particle is the standard way to turn descriptive verbs (adjectives) into adverbs. For example, '남자답다' (to be manly) becomes '남자답게' (in a manly way).
- -ㄴ/은Adjective Noun Modifier
To use a -답다 adjective to modify a following noun, you use the -ㄴ/은 noun modifier form. For -답다, this always becomes -다운. For example, '프로다운 태도' (a professional attitude).