거칠다 (geo-chil-da, geochilda) · 매끄럽다 (mae-kkeu-reop-da, maekkeureopda)
거칠다 describes rough or coarse surfaces or attitudes, while 매끄럽다 refers to smooth, polished surfaces or gentle, seamless manners.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A rough or coarse surface or a harsh, unrefined personality or manner
When to use
rough skin, harsh speech, coarse fabric, rough personality
The nuance
Use 거칠다 to describe surfaces that feel bumpy or rough to the touch, or personalities and manners that are harsh or unrefined.
A surface that is smooth, glossy, and fine to the touch
When to use
smooth skin, smooth paper, fluent speech, smooth road
The nuance
매끄럽다 describes surfaces that are smooth and slippery to the touch, giving a pleasant tactile sensation.
이 돌은 거칠어서 맨손으로 만지기 힘들다.
i dol-eun geo-chil-eo-seo maen-son-eu-ro man-ji-gi him-deul-da., i dol eun geo chil eo seo maen son eu ro man ji gi him deul da.
The stone's surface is uneven and not smooth, so 거칠다 is appropriate.
이 돌은 매끄러워서 반짝인다.
i dol-eun mae-kkeu-reo-wo-seo ban-jjak-in-da., i dol eun mae kkeu reo wo seo ban jjak in da.
The stone's surface is smooth and shiny, so 매끄럽다 fits.
그 사람은 말투가 매끄러워서 듣기 편하다.
geu sa-ram-eun mal-tu-ga mae-kkeu-reo-wo-seo deut-gi pyeon-ha-da., geu sa ram eun mal tu ga mae kkeu reo wo seo deut gi pyeon ha da.
매끄럽다 describes smooth, natural speech, so it's correct here.
그 사람은 말투가 거칠어서 대화하기 어렵다.
geu sa-ram-eun mal-tu-ga geo-chil-eo-seo dae-hwa-ha-gi eo-ryeop-da., geu sa ram eun mal tu ga geo chil eo seo dae hwa ha gi eo ryeop da.
Harsh speech is described by 거칠다, making this correct.
거친 종이는 부드럽고 만지기 좋다.
geo-chin jong-i-neun bu-deu-reop-go man-ji-gi joh-da., geo chin jong i neun bu deu reop go man ji gi joh da.
Rough paper cannot be soft; 매끄럽다 should be used instead.
매끄러운 피부가 울퉁불퉁하다.
mae-kkeu-reo-un pi-bu-ga ul-tung-bul-tung-ha-da., mae kkeu reo un pi bu ga ul tung bul tung ha da.
Smooth skin cannot be bumpy; 거칠다 fits better here.
매끄러운 말투가 무례하다.
mae-kkeu-reo-un mal-tu-ga mu-rye-ha-da., mae kkeu reo un mal tu ga mu rye ha da.
매끄럽다 means smooth speech, which contradicts rudeness; 거칠다 is correct.
거친 도로를 달리니 차가 흔들렸다.
geo-chin do-ro-reul dal-ri-ni cha-ga heun-deul-ryeoss-da., geo chin do ro reul dal ri ni cha ga heun deul ryeoss da.
The road is uneven and bumpy, so 거칠다 is appropriate.
Which word describes a surface that is smooth and glossy?
Which word is used for speech that is blunt and rude?
Which word fits describing a bumpy surface?
Which word means smooth and natural speech?
