Meaning and Usage
The adjective '바쁘다' means 'busy' and is commonly used to describe a person’s schedule or situation when they have many tasks or little free time. It is a very frequent word in daily conversation.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '바쁘다' when someone explains why they cannot meet, talk, or do something at the moment. It can describe both physical busyness (like running errands) and mental busyness (like being stressed with work).
Politeness and Form
'바쁘다' is the dictionary form. In polite speech, it becomes '바빠요'. It is neutral in formality and can be used in most everyday situations.
Common Collocations
- 바쁘다 + 아/어서: to explain a reason (e.g., 바쁘니까 나중에 전화할게요 - I'm busy, so I'll call later)
- 너무 바쁘다: to emphasize how busy someone is
- 일이 바쁘다: to specify that work is busy
Learner Tips
A common mistake is confusing '바쁘다' with '복잡하다' (complicated). '바쁘다' refers to having a busy schedule or being occupied, while '복잡하다' means something is complex or crowded. Remember, '바쁘다' is about time and activity, not complexity.