Full of / Covered with

The pattern -투성이 is a suffix that attaches directly to a noun to express that something is "full of," "covered with," or "riddled with" that noun. It carries a strong nuance of something being messy, undesirable, or excessive.

Formation

Simply attach -투성이 to the end of a noun. There are no changes for vowels or consonants.

Noun + -투성이

쓰레기 (trash) → 쓰레기투성이 (full of trash)

먼지 (dust) → 먼지투성이 (full of dust)

실수 (mistake) → 실수투성이 (riddled with mistakes)

Usage

Use this pattern to emphasize a negative state. It's often used to complain, lament, or describe a chaotic situation. Think of it as an exaggeration to highlight how bad something is.

방이 쓰레기투성이야. / 이력서가 오타투성이야. / 창고가 먼지투성이야.

To use -투성이 naturally, it's crucial to understand its strong negative connotation and its flexibility with different types of nouns.

Strong Negative Nuance

This pattern is almost exclusively used for things that are undesirable, messy, or problematic. Using it for positive or neutral things sounds very unnatural in everyday conversation.

Natural: 옷이 진흙투성이야. (My clothes are covered in mud.)

Awkward: (X) 하늘이 별투성이야. (The sky is full of stars.)

Correction: For positive things, use 가득하다. e.g., 하늘에 별이 가득해.

Concrete vs. Abstract Nouns

A key feature of -투성이 is that it works for both physical, tangible things and abstract concepts.

Concrete: 피투성이 (covered in blood), 땀투성이 (covered in sweat), 먼지투성이 (covered in dust)

Abstract: 거짓말투성이 (full of lies), 변명투성이 (full of excuses), 문제투성이 (riddled with problems)

온몸이 땀투성이야. / 이 보고서는 실수투성이야. / 거짓말투성이야.

The most common way to say "full of" is -(으)로 가득하다. While it can seem similar to -투성이, the nuance is very different.

-투성이

Nuance: Strongly negative. Implies a messy, chaotic, or undesirable state. The thing it's "full of" is often seen as a contaminant or a problem.

Example: 이 보고서는 실수투성이야. (This report is riddled with mistakes. - emphasizes the poor quality)

-(으)로 가득하다

Nuance: Neutral. Simply states that a space or object is filled with something. It can be used for positive, neutral, or negative things.

Example: 상자에 사과가 가득해요. (The box is full of apples. - positive/neutral)

Example: 방에 연기가 가득해요. (The room is full of smoke. - negative, but a factual description)

You wouldn't say 방이 사람투성이야 (the room is full of people) because it makes the people sound like a messy problem. Instead, you'd say 방에 사람이 가득해요.

이 보고서는 실수투성이예요. / 문제투성이야. / 상처투성이예요.

The noun suffix -투성이 itself is neutral in terms of politeness. The formality of your sentence is determined by the verb ending you choose. The script lines demonstrate the two most common forms.

Casual Form (반말)

Use -이야 or -네 for speaking to close friends, family, or people younger than you.

Noun + -투성이야

Noun + -투성이네 (Expressing mild surprise or observation)

Polite Form (해요체)

Use -이예요 or -네요 for speaking to colleagues, acquaintances, or in most general situations.

Noun + -투성이예요

Noun + -투성이네요

얼굴이 여드름투성이야. / 얼굴이 여드름투성이예요. / 이 사람은 항상 변명투성이네. / 이 사람은 항상 변명투성이네요.