-적 in Korean: “-ic, -al”
-적
-jeok
-ic, -al
Intermediate · Word endings and look-alikes
-적 (-jeok) works like English "-ic" or "-al": it turns a Sino-Korean noun into a describing word, as in 개인 (individual) → 개인적 (personal). It is usually followed by 인 before a noun, 으로 as an adverb, or 이다 at the end of a sentence. You will see it everywhere in news, essays and everyday opinions.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sino-Korean noun | + 적 | 개인 → 개인적, 기본 → 기본적 |
| Before a noun | + 적인 + noun | 기본 → 기본적인 질문 |
| As an adverb | + 적으로 | 개인 → 개인적으로 |
| At the end of a sentence | + 적이다 | 현실 → 현실적이에요 |
How to use it
-적 changes a noun into an idea of "having that quality": 역사 (history) → 역사적 (historic), 경제 (economy) → 경제적 (economic).
It almost never stands alone in speech. Add 인 before a noun (역사적인 날), 으로 to make an adverb (개인적으로, personally), or 이다 to end the sentence (현실적이에요).
-적 only works with certain Sino-Korean (Chinese-origin) nouns, so it is best to learn each word as a set. 개인적으로 (personally) is one of the most useful.
Examples
Tap a word to see what it means and save it to your flashcards.
Giving your opinion
In a class
Reacting to a plan
Watching the news
Don’t mix it up with
-스럽다: -스럽다 makes adjectives that describe a feeling or impression (자연스럽다, natural). -적 is more abstract and formal, closer to English "-ic" or "-al."
Common mistakes
Adding -적 to native Korean words or to any noun at all. It only goes with set Sino-Korean nouns, so learn words like 개인적, 기본적 and 현실적 one by one.
Questions learners ask
What does 개인적으로 mean?
개인적으로 means "personally" or "in my opinion." It is a common way to start an opinion.
Is -적 the same 적 as in -(으)ㄴ 적이 있다?
No. In -(으)ㄴ 적이 있다, 적 is a separate word meaning "a time" or "an experience." The -적 on this page is a suffix like "-ic."