Dictionary — Entry No. 1214
작은
jageun · adjective
작은
jageun
[jah-geun]
adjectivebeginner
Meaning
Adjective meaning ‘small,’ ‘little,’ ‘tiny,’ or ‘minor.’ Opposite of ‘keun’ and used for physical size, importance, or emotional scale. Common descriptor in K-pop lyrics about vulnerability and tenderness.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
K-pop frequently uses ‘jageun’ to express delicate emotions. NewJeans embodies ‘jageun kkum’ (작은 꿈, small dreams) aesthetic in their minimalist styling. K-dramas use this word when characters discuss insecurity or modest beginnings.
Example Sentences
jageun 목소리로 말해 줄래?
Jageun mok-sori-ro mal-hae jullae?
Could you speak in a small/soft voice? — implies gentleness, not volume
jageun 실수야.
Jageun silsu-ya.
It’s a small mistake — minimizing the error
jageun 카페에서 만나자.
Jageun kape-e-seo manna-ja.
Let’s meet at a small café — implies cozy, intimate
⚠️ Don’t use jageun when…
Westerners confuse ‘jageun’ with ‘jak-ta’ (작다, to make small/compress). ‘Jageun’ describes inherent size, not actions. Never use ‘jageun-neun’ — ‘jageun’ is always the adjective, not a verb.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Descendants of the Sun — characters discuss ‘jageun kkum’ (small dreams) when contrasting personal happiness with military duty.
- K-Pop: NewJeans — Their entire concept emphasizes ‘jageun yeppeun geot’ (작은 예쁜 것, small beautiful things) in choreography and styling.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.