Korean word

좁다

Pronunciation

Romanizationchoptta

Meaning

  • adjectivenarrow

Example

이 방은 좁아요.i pang eun cho ba yo

This room is narrow.

Illustration for 좁다 (narrow)

More examples

그는 사소한 일에 화를 내서 마음이 좁다.keu neun sa so han i re hwa reul nae seo ma eu mi chop tta

He gets angry over small things, so he is narrow-minded.

Core concept

A narrow space or range gives little room for movement or choice.

Common phrases

  • 마음이 좁다ma eu mi chop tta

    narrow-minded

  • 시야가 좁다si ya ga chop tta

    narrow outlook

  • 공간이 좁다kong ga ni chop tta

    narrow space

Similar words

비좁다pijoptta: A cramped place makes staying or moving around uncomfortable.
답답하다tapttapada: A closed-in feeling creates pressure and makes breathing difficult.
타이트하다taiteuhada: Clothing or shoes fit so closely that they make movement uncomfortable.
협소하다hyeopssohada: Having a small area and little spare space for use.

Definition in Korean

사물이나 공간의 폭이나 범위가 한정되어 선택이나 이동에 제약이 따르는 상태를 가리키는 형용사.sa mu ri na kong ga nui po gi na peo mwi ga han jeong doe eo seon tae gi na i dong e che ya gi tta reu neun sang tae reul ka ri ki neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The native Korean word 좁다 (joptta, "narrow") has long described something restricted in width or extent rather than coming from Chinese or English.

Usage tips

  • English often separates a small measurement from an uncomfortable lack of room, but this Korean adjective can cover both ideas in everyday descriptions.

Other meanings

  • crampedadjective
  • limitedadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word