KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean phrases › Getting around & directions › 가까워요?
How to Say “Is it close” in Korean: 가까워요? (gakkawoyo?)
가까워요?
gakkawoyo?
Meaning
Is it close?
Usage note
A short way to ask about distance. Add 여기서 (“from here”) if you like. The opposite is 멀어요? (Is it far?).
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
Practical guide
When to use it
A short question about whether a place is near. Add 여기서 to be clearer: 여기서 가까워요? (“Is it close from here?”). Answers: 가까워요 (“It’s close”) or 멀어요 (“It’s far”).
Watch out
The dictionary form is 가깝다. It is a ㅂ-irregular verb, so it becomes 가까워요 (the ㅂ drops and 워 is added), like 어렵다→어려워요 and 덥다→더워요. Writing “가까와요” is a spelling mistake.
In a conversation
- 가까워요? gakkawoyo?
Is it close? - 걸어서 오 분이에요 georeoseo o bunieyo
It’s a 5-minute walk.
How to pronounce it
It is pronounced just as it is written.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 가 | ㄱ+ㅏ | ga |
| 까 | ㄲ+ㅏ | kka |
| 워 | ㅇ+ㅝ | wo |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “가까워요?” mean?
Show the answer
Answer: Is it close
Question 2 How do you say “Is it close” in Korean?
Show the answer
Answer: 가까워요? gakkawoyo?
Learn this phrase by playing: typing drills and quizzes help it stick.
Practice in the gameMore phrases for this situation
- 오른쪽이에요It’s on the right
- 걸어가요?Can I walk there
- 출구가 어디예요?Where’s the exit
- 여기 세워 주세요Please stop here
- 화장실 어디예요?Where’s the restroom
- 공항으로 가 주세요To the airport, please
Read this page in: 日本語 简体中文 繁體中文 Tiếng Việt Bahasa Indonesia Oʻzbekcha Монгол Français Español (México) ไทย