Korean word

꽉

Pronunciation

Romanizationkkwak

Meaning

  • adverbtightly

Example

서랍이 꽉 차 있어.seo ra bi kkwak cha i sseo

The drawer is tightly packed.

Illustration for 꽉 (tightly)

More examples

그는 아이의 손을 꽉 잡았다.keu neun a i ui so neul kkwak cha bat tta

He held the child's hand tightly.

Core concept

A space or container is filled to its limit, or something is held so firmly that it cannot slip free.

Common phrases

  • 꽉 잡다kkwak chap tta

    hold tightly

  • 꽉 차다kkwak cha da

    be tightly packed

  • 꽉 잠그다kkwak cham geu da

    fasten tightly

Similar words

가득kadeuk: Filled completely, leaving almost no room inside.
바짝pajjak: Very close together or tightened until almost no gap remains.
빽빽히ppaekppaeki: Crowded with many things arranged closely together.
단단히tandanhi: Secured firmly so that movement or loosening is difficult.

Definition in Korean

공간이나 용기 안이 더 들어갈 틈이 없을 정도로 단단히 채워져 있거나 손으로 꼭 붙잡히는 상태를 나타내는 부사.kong ga ni na yong gi a ni teo teu reo gal teu mi eop sseul jjeong do ro tan dan hi chae wo jeo it kkeo na so neu ro kkok put jja pi neun sang tae reul na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

No reliable origin is established for this adverb, so its common uses provide the safest way to remember it.

Usage tips

  • Rather than memorizing one English equivalent, learners can notice whether 꽉 (kkwak, "tightly") describes limited room or a firm hold in the surrounding sentence.

Opposites

  • 헐겁게heolgeopkkelooselyadverb
  • 느슨하게neuseunhagelooselyadverb

Word lists with this word