매우 vs 상당히: Comparing Intensity Adverbs

매우 (mae-u, maeu) · 상당히 (sang-dang-hi, sangdanghi)

'매우' expresses an absolute, strong degree, while '상당히' indicates a relatively high but somewhat moderate degree.

Comparison of Korean adverbs 매우 and 상당히 for intensity

Word-by-word breakdown

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.

매우(mae-u, maeu)

An adverb indicating a very strong degree

When to use

Strong emotion, Extreme state, Formal sentences

The nuance

Used to express an absolute and strong degree. Suitable when emotions or states are near the highest or extreme level.

상당히(sang-dang-hi, sangdanghi)

An adverb indicating a relatively high degree

When to use

Evaluation or comparison, Moderate emphasis, Casual conversation

The nuance

Used to express a high degree that is not absolute but somewhat moderate. Often used in evaluations or comparisons.

Real-world examples

  • 그 영화는 매우 재미있었다.

    geu yeong-hwa-neun mae-u jae-mi-iss-eoss-da., geu yeong hwa neun mae u jae mi iss eoss da.

    '매우' suits expressing strong positive emotion.

  • 그 영화는 상당히 재미있었다.

    geu yeong-hwa-neun sang-dang-hi jae-mi-iss-eoss-da., geu yeong hwa neun sang dang hi jae mi iss eoss da.

    '상당히' indicates a relatively high level of enjoyment.

  • 그 영화는 매우 재미있지 않았다.

    geu yeong-hwa-neun mae-u jae-mi-iss-ji an-ass-da., geu yeong hwa neun mae u jae mi iss ji an ass da.

    '매우' can express strong negation in negative sentences.

  • 그 영화는 상당히 재미있지 않았다.

    geu yeong-hwa-neun sang-dang-hi jae-mi-iss-ji an-ass-da., geu yeong hwa neun sang dang hi jae mi iss ji an ass da.

    '상당히' is used to soften negative evaluations.

  • 그는 매우 키가 크다.

    geu-neun mae-u ki-ga keu-da., geu neun mae u ki ga keu da.

    Height is expressed as very tall with strong emphasis.

  • 그는 상당히 키가 크다.

    geu-neun sang-dang-hi ki-ga keu-da., geu neun sang dang hi ki ga keu da.

    Indicates relatively tall in a natural way.

  • 그는 매우 키가 조금 크다.

    geu-neun mae-u ki-ga jo-geum keu-da., geu neun mae u ki ga jo geum keu da.

    '매우' and '조금' contradict, making the sentence unnatural.

  • 그는 상당히 키가 조금 크다.

    geu-neun sang-dang-hi ki-ga jo-geum keu-da., geu neun sang dang hi ki ga jo geum keu da.

    '상당히' and '조금' also conflict in meaning.

Quick quiz

  1. Which sentence requires '매우'?

    다음 중 '매우'를 써야 하는 문장은?(da-eumjung'mae-u'reulsseo-yaha-neunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'maeu'reulsseoyahaneunmunjangeun?)
  2. Which sentence is appropriate with '상당히'?

    '상당히'가 적절한 문장은?('sang-dang-hi'gajeok-jeol-hanmun-jang-eun?, 'sangdanghi'gajeokjeolhanmunjangeun?)
  3. Which sentence does NOT fit with '매우'?

    '매우'와 어울리지 않는 문장은?('mae-u'waeo-ul-ri-jian-neunmun-jang-eun?, 'maeu'waeoulrijianneunmunjangeun?)

More comparisons to explore

View all word comparisons →