빠르다 vs 느리다: Understanding Speed Differences

빠르다 (ppa-reu-da, ppareuda) · 느리다 (neu-ri-da, neurida)

빠르다 and 느리다 are antonyms that express speed; 빠르다 means fast speed, 느리다 means slow speed.

Comparison of Korean words 빠르다 (fast) and 느리다 (slow) showing speed differences

Word-by-word breakdown

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

빠르다(ppa-reu-da, ppareuda)

Indicates something is fast in terms of time or speed.

When to use

physical speed, time efficiency, quick response

The nuance

Use 빠르다 when an action or state occurs in less time than a standard or has a higher speed.

느리다(neu-ri-da, neurida)

Indicates something is slow in terms of time or speed.

When to use

physical speed, time delay, slow response

The nuance

Use 느리다 when an action or state takes more time than a standard or has a lower speed.

Real-world examples

  • 그는 달리기가 빠르다.

    geu-neun dal-ri-gi-ga ppa-reu-da., geu neun dal ri gi ga ppa reu da.

    Saying someone runs fast naturally means they run at a high speed.

  • 그는 달리기가 느리다.

    geu-neun dal-ri-gi-ga neu-ri-da., geu neun dal ri gi ga neu ri da.

    Saying someone runs slow naturally means they run at a low speed.

  • 이 컴퓨터는 작동이 빠르다.

    i keom-pyu-teo-neun jak-dong-i ppa-reu-da., i keom pyu teo neun jak dong i ppa reu da.

    Saying the computer operates fast means it has a high processing speed, which is natural.

  • 이 컴퓨터는 작동이 느리다.

    i keom-pyu-teo-neun jak-dong-i neu-ri-da., i keom pyu teo neun jak dong i neu ri da.

    Saying the computer operates slowly means it has low processing speed, which is natural.

  • 그는 느리게 달린다.

    geu-neun neu-ri-ge dal-rin-da., geu neun neu ri ge dal rin da.

    Saying he runs slowly accurately describes running at a low speed.

  • 그는 빠르게 달린다.

    geu-neun ppa-reu-ge dal-rin-da., geu neun ppa reu ge dal rin da.

    Saying he runs quickly accurately describes running at a high speed.

  • 그는 빠르게 달린다.

    geu-neun ppa-reu-ge dal-rin-da., geu neun ppa reu ge dal rin da.

    '빠르게' is an incorrect adverb form; the correct form is '빠르게'.

  • 그는 느리게 달린다.

    geu-neun neu-ri-ge dal-rin-da., geu neun neu ri ge dal rin da.

    '느리게' is the correct adverb form indicating low speed.

Quick quiz

  1. Which sentence correctly describes a person running fast?

    달리기 속도가 빠른 사람을 표현할 때 옳은 문장은?(dal-ri-gisok-do-gappa-reunsa-ram-eulpyo-hyeon-halttaeol-eunmun-jang-eun?, dalrigisokdogappareunsarameulpyohyeonhalttaeoleunmunjangeun?)
  2. What is the appropriate expression when a computer has low processing speed?

    컴퓨터가 처리 속도가 낮을 때 적절한 표현은?(keom-pyu-teo-gacheo-risok-do-ganaj-eulttaejeok-jeol-hanpyo-hyeon-eun?, keompyuteogacheorisokdoganajeulttaejeokjeolhanpyohyeoneun?)
  3. Choose the correct adverb form between '빠르게' and '느리게'.

    '빠르게'와 '느리게' 중 올바른 부사형을 고르세요.('ppa-reu-ge'wa'neu-ri-ge'jungol-ba-reunbu-sa-hyeong-eulgo-reu-se-yo., 'ppareuge'wa'neurige'jungolbareunbusahyeongeulgoreuseyo.)

More comparisons to explore

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