Key Facts
- Hangul: 절대; Revised Romanization: jeoldae
- Pronunciation: [절때]
- Part of speech: adverb
- Origin: Sino-Korean, hanja 絶對 (絶 cut off + 對 opposite)
- Register: Neutral to emphatic; strong word that expresses firm assertion, usually with a negative.
Never in Korean: What Does 절대 Mean?
절대 turns a negative into a firm statement. In 저는 절대 거짓말을 하지 않아요, it says "I never lie", and in 그건 절대 안 돼요 it says "that is absolutely not allowed". It also works in orders: 절대 포기하지 마세요 means "never give up".
Related forms follow the same idea: 절대로 is "absolutely", 절대 안 되다 is "absolutely not allowed" and 절대 아니다 is "definitely not". The register runs from neutral to emphatic, so use it when you really mean it.
How Do You Pronounce It?
The spelling is 절대, but the standard pronunciation is [절때]. In this Sino-Korean word, ㄷ after ㄹ becomes tense, so the second syllable starts with a firm tt.
Say jeol first, with the tongue touching behind the teeth, and then a sharp tae. The first vowel is ㅓ, an open "uh".
Listen to the headword here.
Example Sentences with 절대
저는 절대 거짓말을 하지 않아요.
Jeoneun jeoldae geojinmareul haji anayo.
I never lie.
저는 sets the topic as "I". 거짓말을 하지 않아요 is a negative verb phrase, and 절대 sits before it to make it a promise.
절대 포기하지 마세요.
Jeoldae pogihaji maseyo.
Never give up.
마세요 is a polite way to say don't, and 포기하지 means give up. The sentence is something you could say to a friend before an exam.
그건 절대 안 돼요.
Geugeon jeoldae an dwaeyo.
That is absolutely not allowed.
안 돼요 means not allowed. 그건 refers to that thing, and 절대 turns the refusal into a firm no.
Common Phrases and Collocations
Note that almost every phrase pairs 절대 with a negative word.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 절대 안 되다 | absolutely not allowed |
| 절대 아니다 | definitely not |
| 절대로 | absolutely |
| 절대 포기하지 않다 | never give up |
The Mistake to Avoid
- Wrong: Using 절대 to say you have never done something in your life.
- Correct: For experience, Korean uses 한 번도 ... 적이 없어요, "have never ...". 절대 adds a firm "absolutely not" about intent or prohibition.
The two meanings are far apart: 절대 is a promise or a ban, and 한 번도 describes what has or has not happened.
절대 Compared with 전혀 and 한 번도
Three other words cover experience, degree and formality.
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 절대 | never, absolutely | Firm assertion about intent. |
| 전혀 | not at all | Usually accompanies negatives; denies degree. |
| 한 번도 | not even once | For experience, with 적이 없어요. |
| 결코 | by no means | More written and formal. |
Where Does the Word Come From?
절대 is Sino-Korean, written 絶對 in hanja: 絶 (cut off) plus 對 (opposite). The pair is usually explained as "beyond any opposite or comparison", which is how the word came to mean absolute.
At a Museum: Can I Take a Photo?
A visitor wants to photograph an exhibit. The staff member gives a firm rule, then points out where photography is allowed.
Visitor
여기서 사진을 찍어도 돼요?
Yeogiseo sajineul jjigeodo dwaeyo?
May I take photos here?
Staff
여기서는 절대 안 돼요.
Yeogiseoneun jeoldae an dwaeyo.
It is absolutely not allowed here.
Visitor
밖에서는 괜찮아요?
Bakkeseoneun gwaenchanayo?
Is it okay outside?
Staff
네, 밖에서는 괜찮아요.
Ne, bakkeseoneun gwaenchanayo.
Yes, it is okay outside.
여기서는 means “here,” with emphasis on this location. The visitor then switches to 밖에서는, “outside.” 절대 makes the rule firm, while the location limits its scope: the staff member is banning photography in this room, rather than everywhere around the museum.
Where Will You Hear 절대?
In a drama, 절대 often marks a promise, denial or refusal. A character saying 절대 아니다 is rejecting an accusation emphatically. The phrase literally strengthens “is not” to “absolutely is not”; it does not describe how often an event happens. Listen for the negative ending before deciding that English “never” fits.
In everyday rules, 절대 안 되다 makes a boundary sound firm. The polite ending in 안 돼요 keeps the sentence polite, but the message remains strong. If a friend merely suggests a different cafe, adding 절대 to your refusal can sound much more forceful than the situation needs.
How Do the Set Phrases Change the Message?
절대 포기하지 않다 describes refusing to give up. 절대 포기하지 마세요 asks someone else not to give up. The first is a statement of resolve; the second is encouragement or an instruction. The negative ending tells you which job the phrase is doing.
절대로 is an expanded form of 절대 used for the same emphatic meaning. The final 로 does not make the phrase more polite. Politeness still comes from the sentence ending, so changing 절대 to 절대로 will not soften a blunt refusal.
For “never” about life experience, 한 번도 means “not even once.” It pairs with a negative expression such as 적이 없어요, “have no experience of.” Adding 절대 instead changes the emphasis toward an absolute denial. The useful distinction is between reporting a history and insisting strongly that something is not true or must not happen.
절대 can also mean “absolutely” with an affirmative expression. The National Institute of Korean Language’s learner dictionary includes this use. The negative patterns on this page are the ones to use when your intended meaning is “never.”
Words for Frequency and Emphasis
| Korean | Meaning | When it helps |
|---|---|---|
| 항상 | always | Describes something happening every time. |
| 보통 | usually | Describes the usual pattern, allowing exceptions. |
| 가끔 | sometimes | Reports occasional events without strong emphasis. |
| 전혀 | not at all | Usually strengthens a negative about degree. |
The time expressions lesson puts frequency words together. Choose the time meaning first, then decide whether the sentence needs the extra force of 절대.
Quick Self-Test
- A sign forbids an action completely. Which fits: 절대 안 되다 or 보통?
- Does changing 절대 to 절대로 make a refusal polite?
- Which phrase means “not even once” when describing experience?
Show answers
- 절대 안 되다 gives an absolute prohibition.
- No. The sentence ending carries politeness.
- 한 번도, used with a negative expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say never in Korean?
Say 절대 (jeoldae) with a negative verb. It means "never" or "absolutely not".
How do you say "never give up"?
Say 절대 포기하지 마세요.
Is 절대 the same as 전혀?
No. 전혀 means "not at all" and usually accompanies negatives, while 절대 is about firm intent.
How do you say "I have never been there"?
Use 한 번도 ... 적이 없어요 for experience, not 절대.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: time expressions vocabulary. 절대 belongs to the time expressions vocabulary list.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Practice: add 절대 to the vocabulary flashcard decks.
- Next: the word for usually. Further along that list is the word for usually.