굵다 (guk-da, gukda) · 가늘다 (ga-neul-da, ganeulda)
굵다 describes something thick and sturdy, while 가늘다 refers to something thin and delicate.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Used to describe something thick and sturdy in shape or condition.
When to use
Hair thickness, Pencil thickness, Tree trunk size
The nuance
Used when the thickness of an object feels thick and strong; applicable to hair, lines, stems, etc.
Used to describe something thin, delicate, and light in shape or condition.
When to use
Hair thinness, Thread fineness, Thin line
The nuance
Used when the thickness of an object feels thin and fragile; applicable to hair, lines, stems, etc.
그 사람은 굵은 머리카락을 가지고 있다.
geu sa-ram-eun guk-eun meo-ri-ka-rak-eul ga-ji-go iss-da., geu sa ram eun guk eun meo ri ka rak eul ga ji go iss da.
Correctly uses 굵다 to describe hair thickness.
그 사람은 가늘은 머리카락을 가지고 있다.
geu sa-ram-eun ga-neul-eun meo-ri-ka-rak-eul ga-ji-go iss-da., geu sa ram eun ga neul eun meo ri ka rak eul ga ji go iss da.
Incorrect conjugation; should be '가느는' or '가느다란'.
이 연필은 굵다.
i yeon-pil-eun guk-da., i yeon pil eun guk da.
Naturally uses 굵다 to describe pencil thickness.
이 연필은 가늘다.
i yeon-pil-eun ga-neul-da., i yeon pil eun ga neul da.
Appropriately uses 가늘다 for a thin pencil.
나무 줄기가 굵다.
na-mu jul-gi-ga guk-da., na mu jul gi ga guk da.
Accurately describes tree trunk thickness with 굵다.
나무 줄기가 가늘다.
na-mu jul-gi-ga ga-neul-da., na mu jul gi ga ga neul da.
Naturally uses 가늘다 for a thin tree trunk.
가늘은 선을 그렸다.
ga-neul-eun seon-eul geu-ryeoss-da., ga neul eun seon eul geu ryeoss da.
Wrong form; should be '가느는' or '가느다란'.
굵은 선을 그렸다.
guk-eun seon-eul geu-ryeoss-da., guk eun seon eul geu ryeoss da.
Correctly describes a thick line.
Which word should you use for thick hair?
Which word fits to describe thin, delicate thread?
Which word to use for a sturdy, thick tree trunk?
