Korean word

날카롭다

Pronunciation

Romanizationnalkaroptta

Meaning

  • adjectivesharp

Example

이 칼은 날카로워요.i ka reun nal ka ro wo yo

This knife is sharp.

Illustration for 날카롭다 (sharp)

More examples

그의 날카로운 비판에 모두가 잠잠해졌다.keu ui nal ka ro un pi pa ne mo du ga cham jam hae jeot tta

Everyone fell silent at his sharp criticism.

Core concept

A sharp edge cuts or pierces easily, and the same piercing force can describe words or judgments that feel severe.

Common phrases

  • 날카로운 소리nal ka ro un so ri

    sharp sound

  • 날카로운 비판nal ka ro un pi pan

    sharp criticism

  • 날카로운 표정nal ka ro un pyo jeong

    sharp look

Similar words

예리하다yerihada: Showing very sharp judgment or observation that notices small details accurately.
신랄하다sillalhada: Expressing criticism so harshly and forcefully that it hurts the person addressed.
뾰족하다ppyojokada: Having a thin, pointed shape with a sharp-looking tip.

Definition in Korean

끝이 날카로워 쉽게 베이거나 찌를 수 있는 성질을 말하며, 비유적으로는 말이나 판단이 통렬하고 예리할 때 쓰이는 형용사kkeu si nal ka ro wo swip kke pe i geo na jji reul ssu in neun seong ji reul mal ha myeo pi yu jeo geu ro neun ma ri na pan da ni tong nyeol ha go ye ri hal ttae sseu i neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

This native Korean adjective is linked to 날 (nal, "blade edge"), with physical sharpness extending to piercing words and judgments.

Usage tips

  • A comment described this way may be admired for being direct yet still feel unpleasant, so the surrounding reaction shows whether the tone is approving or critical.

Other meanings

  • bitingadjective

Opposites

  • 무딘mudinbluntadjective

Related words

  • 날카로움nalkaroumsharpnessnoun
  • 날카롭게nalkaropkkesharplyadverb

Word lists with this word