Korean word

엷다

Pronunciation

Romanizationyeoltta

Meaning

  • adjectivethin

Example

그녀의 눈썹이 엷다.keu nyeo ui nun sseo bi yeol tta

Her eyebrows are thin.

Illustration for 엷다 (thin)

More examples

색이 엷다면 분위기가 부드럽다.sae gi yeol tta myeon pu nwi gi ga pu deu reop tta

If the color is pale, the atmosphere is gentle.

Core concept

A subdued quality that leaves only a light trace to the eyes, nose, or tongue.

Common phrases

  • 눈썹이 엷다nun sseo bi yeol tta

    thin eyebrows

  • 화장이 엷다hwa jang i yeol tta

    light makeup

  • 색이 엷다sae gi yeol tta

    pale color

Similar words

연하다yeonhada: Having a restrained quality that feels mild rather than strong.
옅다yeottta: Showing a light shade or a delicate taste with little depth.
희미하다himihada: Being hard to see clearly because light or color is faint.

Definition in Korean

색이나 빛깔, 맛이나 냄새 등의 농도나 짙음이 약하여 희미하게 남는 상태를 이르는 형용사.sae gi na pit kkal ma si na naem sae teung ui nong do na chi teu mi ya ka yeo hi mi ha ge nam neun sang tae reul i reu neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

No reliable evidence establishes the deeper origin or historical formation of this adjective.

Usage tips

  • For English-speaking learners, the key distinction is intensity: the word applies when something is hard to notice because it is not strong, not simply because it is physically narrow.

Other meanings

  • sparseadjective
  • faintadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 엷어지다yeolbeojidabecome faintverb
  • 엷게yeolkkelightlyadverb

Word lists with this word