Korean word

딱딱하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationttakttakada

Meaning

  • adjectivehard

Example

빵이 딱딱해요.ppang i ttak tta kae yo

The bread is hard.

Illustration for 딱딱하다 (hard)

More examples

이 의자는 앉으면 딱딱해요.i ui ja neun an jeu myeon ttak tta kae yo

This chair feels hard when you sit on it.

Core concept

A hard surface or an overly formal manner that feels unyielding and creates distance.

Common phrases

  • 딱딱한 의자ttak tta kan ui ja

    hard chair

  • 딱딱한 태도ttak tta kan tae do

    stiff attitude

Similar words

단단하다tandanhada: A firm material resists pressure and keeps its shape without breaking easily.
뻣뻣하다ppeotppeotada: A rigid body or object remains stiff and cannot move freely.
무뚝뚝하다muttukttukada: A short, blunt manner shows little warmth or friendliness.
굳다kuttta: A soft item hardens as it loses its original flexibility.

Definition in Korean

주로 사람의 말투나 태도가 지나치게 공손하거나 딱딱해서 거리감이 느껴지는 성질을 가리키며, 물건의 단단한 상태에도 적용되는 형용사.chu ro sa ra mui mal tu na tae do ga chi na chi ge kong son ha geo na ttak tta kae seo keo ri ga mi neu kkyeo ji neun seong ji reul ka ri ki myeo mul geo nui tan dan han sang tae e do cheo gyong doe neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The adjective combines 딱딱 (ttaktta, "hard or rigid") with 하다 (kada, "do or make"), turning a mimetic expression of hardness into a descriptive adjective.

Usage tips

  • For people, this word can sound more formal and distant than English speakers expect from a merely polite manner.

Other meanings

  • stiffadjective
  • curtadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 딱딱거리다ttakttakkkeoridaspeak curtlyverb

Word lists with this word