How Do You Form Adverbs in Korean? (-게 VS -히)

What's the Difference Between –게 and –히 in Korean Adverbs?

In Korean, many adverbs are formed by adding either –게 or –히 to adjectives.

But learners often wonder:

Why do some adverbs only use –게❓

Why do some only use –히❓

And why do some use both –게 and –히❓

Let’s break it down into 3 simple categories with lots of examples!

1.  Adverbs that use only '–게'

Most native korean adjectives which is not ending in –하다 form adverbs by adding –게.

[ Examples ]

빠르다 (adjective) : fast  ->  빠르게 (adverb)

느리다 (adjective) : slow  ->  느리게 (adverb)

쉽다 (adjective) : easy ->  쉽게 (adverb)

예쁘다 (adjective) : pretty ->  예쁘게 (adverb)

바쁘다 (adjective) : busy ->  바쁘게 (adverb)

🔸 These are regular, predictable forms.

🔸 You cannot use –히 with these words.

 빠르히 / 느리히 / 예쁘히 ❌ → Not possible

[ Examples Sentences ]

방을 예쁘게 꾸미고 싶어요.  I want to decorate the room prettily.

이 문제를 쉽게 풀었어요.  I solved this problem easily.

많은 한국 사람들이 바쁘게 살고 있어요.  Many Korean people are living busily.

2.  Adverbs that use only '–히'

Some Korean adverbs are based on words that don’t have a regular adjective form

They are fixed expressions that must be memorized as they are.

These can only be used with –히.

[ Examples ]

열심히 (adverb) : diligently

천천히 (adverb) : slowly

다행히 (adverb) : fortunately

간간히 (adverb) : occasionally

가만히 (adverb) : quietly and still (without moving)

🔸 These words don’t come from adjectives like “열심하다” or “천천하다” 

🔸 because those adjectives either don’t exist or are no longer used.

🔸 You cannot use –게 with these words.

열심하게 / 천천하게 / 다행하게 ❌ → Not possible

[ Examples Sentences ]

제 학생들이 한국어를 열심히 공부해요.  My students study Korean diligently.

다행히 큰 사고는 없었어요.  Fortunately, there was no big accident.

아이가 의자에 가만히 앉아 있어요.  The child is sitting quietly and still on the chair. 

3.  Adverbs that can use both –게 and –히

Many adjectives ending in –하다, especially those of words from Chinese characters.

They can form adverbs using both –게 and –히.

Both are grammatically correct, but the nuance or usage may differ slightly.

[ Examples ]

조용하다 (adjective) : quiet ->  조용하게 (adverb),  조용히 (adverb) 

솔직하다 (adjective) : honest ->  솔직하게 (adverb),  솔직히 (adverb) 

정확하다 (adjective) : accurate ->  정확하게 (adverb),  정확히 (adverb) 

간단하다 (adjective) : simple ->  간단하게 (adverb),  간단히 (adverb) 

🔸 –게 form sounds more descriptive or explanatory.

🔸 –히 form sounds more direct or straightforward.

[ Examples Sentences ]

리쿠 씨는 집에서 조용하게 지내는 것을 좋아해요.  리쿠 likes spending time quietly at home.

도서관에서 조용히 말해 주세요.  Please speak quietly in the library.

선생님이 그 문법을 정확하게 설명해 주셨어요.  The teacher explained that grammar point accurately.

조금 더 정확히 말씀해 주세요.  Please say it a bit more precisely.

Final Tip

Don’t worry too much about memorizing all the rules!

Start by learning the most common expressions and phrases.

As you listen and read more Korean, the natural adverb forms will become familiar to you.

If you have any additional questions,  feel free to ask in the comments!😊