Dictionary — Entry No. 0593
따뜻해
ttatteutae · adjective
따뜻해
ttatteutae
[dda-DDEUT-hae]
adjectivebeginner
Meaning
The casual, informal sentence-ending form of 따뜻하다 (ttatteutada), meaning ‘it’s warm’ — a pleasant, comfortable warmth sitting between cold and hot. Beyond physical temperature, 따뜻해 is widely used to describe a warm personality, a heartfelt gesture, or an emotionally comforting feeling, making it one of the most affectionate adjectives in the Korean language.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
BTS’s ‘Spring Day’ (봄날) is the definitive 따뜻해 anthem — the whole song aches for the warm reunion of spring after a long, cold separation, and fans and critics alike describe BTS’s music itself as 따뜻해 for its emotional comfort. In ‘Reply 1988’ (응답하라 1988), the alley neighborhood is the living embodiment of 따뜻해: warm meals passed between neighbors, doors left unlocked, and unconditional community care that made the show a generational touchstone.
Example Sentences
오늘 날씨가 따뜻해.
Oneul nalssiga ttatteutae.
The weather is warm today. (the most common usage — describing pleasant spring or mild autumn days)
네 미소가 따뜻해.
Ne misoga ttatteutae.
Your smile is warm. (a deeply meaningful compliment in Korean culture; warmth of character is highly valued)
이 노래를 들으면 마음이 따뜻해져.
I noraereul deureumyeon maeumi ttatteutaejyeo.
Listening to this song warms my heart. (describing emotional warmth from music — perfect for expressing your feelings about K-pop)
⚠️ Don’t use ttatteutae when…
Don’t confuse 따뜻해 (pleasantly warm) with 뜨거워 (tteugeowo, scalding hot to the touch). The initial ㄷ in 따 is a tense consonant requiring extra vocal force — English speakers often soften it, which changes the sound noticeably.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Reply 1988 (응답하라 1988) — the entire show is an embodiment of 따뜻해, with neighbors sharing food through open doors and rallying around each other’s hardships in 1980s Seoul
- K-Pop: BTS — Spring Day (봄날)
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.