Korean word

독하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationtokada

Meaning

  • adjectivestrong

Example

이 소스가 독해서 먹기 힘들어요.i so seu ga to kae seo meok kki him deu reo yo

This sauce is so strong that it is hard to eat.

Illustration for 독하다 (strong)

More examples

부엌에서 독한 냄새가 나요.pu eo ke seo to kan naem sae ga na yo

There is a strong smell coming from the kitchen.

Core concept

A strong sensory presence, especially in food or smell, becomes harsh enough to be hard to tolerate.

Common phrases

  • 독한 냄새to kan naem sae

    strong smell

  • 독한 맛to kan mat

    strong taste

  • 독한 성격to kan seong gyeok

    mean personality

Similar words

맵다maeptta: Spicy in a way that produces heat or a sharp feeling in the mouth.
쓰다sseuda: Bitter in taste, like some medicines or dark coffee.
자극적이다chageukjjeogida: Intense enough to stimulate the senses and make a noticeable impression.

Definition in Korean

맛이나 냄새가 자극이 강하고 불쾌하여 먹거나 견디기 힘든 상태를 가리키는 형용사.ma si na naem sae ga cha geu gi kang ha go pul kwae ha yeo meok kkeo na kyeon di gi him deun sang tae reul ka ri ki neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

By joining 독 (do, "poison") with 하다 (kada, "to do or be"), the word connects a harsh sensory quality with something that feels poisonous.

Usage tips

  • When it describes a person or behavior, the same idea of harshness can suggest a mean or severe impression, so the surrounding context matters.

Other meanings

  • poisonousadjective
  • meanadjective
  • persistentadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 독성toksseongtoxicitynoun
  • 독약togyakpoisonnoun

Word lists with this word