무겁다 (mu-geop-da, mugeopda) · 가볍다 (ga-byeop-da, gabyeopda)
무겁다 and 가볍다 express opposite meanings not only in physical weight but also in emotions or atmosphere.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
An adjective used when an object is heavy in weight or when an atmosphere or feeling is serious and burdensome.
When to use
physical weight, serious atmosphere, psychological burden
The nuance
Used when the physical weight is large or to express psychological or atmospheric burden and seriousness.
An adjective used when an object is light in weight or when an atmosphere or feeling is relaxed and without burden.
When to use
physical weight, relaxed atmosphere, lack of burden
The nuance
Used when the physical weight is small or to express psychological or atmospheric ease and lack of burden.
이 가방은 너무 무거워서 들기 힘들어요.
i ga-bang-eun neo-mu mu-geo-wo-seo deul-gi him-deul-eo-yo., i ga bang eun neo mu mu geo wo seo deul gi him deul eo yo.
The bag is physically heavy, so using 무겁다 is correct.
그 영화는 분위기가 무거워서 보기 힘들었어요.
geu yeong-hwa-neun bun-wi-gi-ga mu-geo-wo-seo bo-gi him-deul-eoss-eo-yo., geu yeong hwa neun bun wi gi ga mu geo wo seo bo gi him deul eoss eo yo.
The movie's atmosphere is serious and heavy, so 무겁다 fits.
이 책은 내용이 가벼워서 쉽게 읽을 수 있어요.
i chaek-eun nae-yong-i ga-byeo-wo-seo swip-ge ik-eul su iss-eo-yo., i chaek eun nae yong i ga byeo wo seo swip ge ik eul su iss eo yo.
The book content is light and easy, so 가볍다 is appropriate.
내 마음이 너무 가벼워서 걱정이 없어요.
nae ma-eum-i neo-mu ga-byeo-wo-seo geok-jeong-i eop-eo-yo., nae ma eum i neo mu ga byeo wo seo geok jeong i eop eo yo.
Expresses psychological ease without burden, so 가볍다 is correct.
이 돌은 가벼워서 손에 오래 들고 있을 수 있어요.
i dol-eun ga-byeo-wo-seo son-e o-rae deul-go iss-eul su iss-eo-yo., i dol eun ga byeo wo seo son e o rae deul go iss eul su iss eo yo.
The stone is physically light, so 가볍다 is correct.
회의 분위기가 너무 가벼워서 중요한 얘기를 못 했어요.
hoe-ui bun-wi-gi-ga neo-mu ga-byeo-wo-seo jung-yo-han yae-gi-reul mos haess-eo-yo., hoe ui bun wi gi ga neo mu ga byeo wo seo jung yo han yae gi reul mos haess eo yo.
In a situation where important talk is hindered, the atmosphere should be serious, so 무겁다 is correct, not 가볍다.
그 사람은 무겁게 웃어서 분위기가 어색했어요.
geu sa-ram-eun mu-geop-ge us-eo-seo bun-wi-gi-ga eo-saek-haess-eo-yo., geu sa ram eun mu geop ge us eo seo bun wi gi ga eo saek haess eo yo.
'무겁게 웃다' is unnatural; laughter is usually described as 가볍게.
이 가방은 무겁지 않아서 들기 편해요.
i ga-bang-eun mu-geop-ji an-a-seo deul-gi pyeon-hae-yo., i ga bang eun mu geop ji an a seo deul gi pyeon hae yo.
Correctly expresses that the bag is not heavy physically.
If the meeting atmosphere is too ___, it's hard to discuss important matters.
This bag is too ___ to carry easily.
My heart feels too ___ because of the test results.
The weather is nice and my mood is ___ today.
