TOPIK · Level 151
15 words
Korean word
가늘다
Pronunciation
Romanizationkaneulda
Meaning
- adjectivethin
Example
머리카락이 가늘어요.meo ri ka ra gi ka neu reo yo
The hair is thin.
More examples
그 사람은 허리가 가늘어서 옷이 잘 어울려요.keu sa ra meun heo ri ga ka neu reo seo o si chal eo ul lyeo yo
That person has a slim waist, so clothes look good on them.
Core concept
Something is narrow and slight across its length, like a fine strand or line.
Common phrases
손가락이 가늘다son ga ra gi ka neul da
thin fingers
허리가 가늘다heo ri ga ka neul da
slim waist
Similar words
가느다랗다kaneudarata: A line or strand is extremely fine, making its small width especially noticeable.
얇다yaltta: A sheet or layer has little thickness and feels nearly flat to the touch.
날씬하다nalssinhada: A person's body looks slim and balanced, giving clothes a neat appearance.
Definition in Korean
길이에 비해 폭이나 굵기가 작아 가늘게 보이거나 느껴지는 상태를 이르는 말로, 머리카락·실·선·손가락 등 굵기가 작을 때 주로 쓴다.ki ri e pi hae po gi na kuk kki ga cha ga ka neul ge po i geo na neu kkyeo ji neun sang tae reul i reu neun mal lo meo ri ka rak sil seon son ga rak teung kuk kki ga cha geul ttae chu ro sseun da
Word origin
The word is a native Korean formation, but no more specific origin is confirmed.
Usage tips
- A useful contrast is that this word describes narrow thickness, while English speakers need separate Korean words for a thin flat object and a slim body shape.
Other meanings
- faintadjective
- slenderadjective
Opposites
- 굵다kukttathickadjective
Related words
- 가늘어지다kaneureojidabecome thinnerverb