뜨겁다 (tteu-geop-da, tteugeopda) · 미지근하다 (mi-ji-geun-ha-da, mijigeunhada)
뜨겁다 describes very high temperature, while 미지근하다 refers to lukewarm or mildly warm temperature.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A state of very high temperature that is hard to touch or feels hot
When to use
hot coffee, hot water, fire heat, hot food
The nuance
Use 뜨겁다 when the temperature is high enough to strongly feel heat on the skin, typically for food, water, fire, etc.
A temperature that is neither too hot nor cold, somewhat warm or lukewarm
When to use
lukewarm water, lukewarm drinks, lukewarm bathwater
The nuance
Use 미지근하다 to describe a temperature that is moderately warm or slightly cooled, not hot; often used for drinks, water, bathwater, etc.
이 커피는 너무 뜨거워서 바로 마시기 힘들어요.
i keo-pi-neun neo-mu tteu-geo-wo-seo ba-ro ma-si-gi him-deul-eo-yo., i keo pi neun neo mu tteu geo wo seo ba ro ma si gi him deul eo yo.
The coffee is very hot, so 뜨겁다 is appropriate.
뜨거운 물에 손을 넣으면 화상을 입을 수 있어요.
tteu-geo-un mul-e son-eul neoh-eu-myeon hwa-sang-eul ip-eul su iss-eo-yo., tteu geo un mul e son eul neoh eu myeon hwa sang eul ip eul su iss eo yo.
The water is very hot, so 뜨겁다 is correct.
미지근한 물로 샤워하면 몸이 개운해져요.
mi-ji-geun-han mul-ro sya-wo-ha-myeon mom-i gae-un-hae-jyeo-yo., mi ji geun han mul ro sya wo ha myeon mom i gae un hae jyeo yo.
The water is moderately warm, so 미지근하다 is appropriate.
이 물은 너무 뜨거워서 마시기 좋아요.
i mul-eun neo-mu tteu-geo-wo-seo ma-si-gi joh-a-yo., i mul eun neo mu tteu geo wo seo ma si gi joh a yo.
Water that is too hot is hard to drink; should use 미지근하다 instead of 뜨겁다.
미지근한 불은 불가능해요.
mi-ji-geun-han bul-eun bul-ga-neung-hae-yo., mi ji geun han bul eun bul ga neung hae yo.
Fire cannot be lukewarm; 미지근하다 cannot describe fire.
뜨거운 목욕물은 피로를 풀어줘요.
tteu-geo-un mok-yok-mul-eun pi-ro-reul pul-eo-jwo-yo., tteu geo un mok yok mul eun pi ro reul pul eo jwo yo.
Bathwater is very warm, so 뜨겁다 is correct.
미지근한 음식은 입맛을 돋우지 못해요.
mi-ji-geun-han eum-sik-eun ip-mas-eul dot-u-ji mos-hae-yo., mi ji geun han eum sik eun ip mas eul dot u ji mos hae yo.
Food that is not hot but lukewarm fits 미지근하다.
Which word to use when coffee is too hot to drink immediately?
Which word fits a water temperature that is moderately warm and not cold?
Which is correct to describe fire as slightly warm?
