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.
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.

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
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.
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.
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.
Which sentence requires '매우'?
Which sentence is appropriate with '상당히'?
Which sentence does NOT fit with '매우'?