넓다(neop-da, neopda)
Having a large or spacious area or space
When to use
wide room, wide street, broad range
The nuance
Use 넓다 when describing a large or spacious area, place, distance, or range.
넓다 vs 좁다: Comparing Space Size
넓다 (neop-da, neopda) · 좁다 (jop-da, jopda)
넓다 and 좁다 both describe the size of space or area, with 넓다 meaning wide or spacious, and 좁다 meaning narrow or cramped.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
좁다(jop-da, jopda)
Having a small or cramped area or space
When to use
narrow path, small room, limited range
The nuance
Use 좁다 when describing a small or cramped area, place, path, or range.
Real-world examples
이 방은 넓다.
i bang-eun neop-da., i bang eun neop da.
Use 넓다 when the room is large and spacious.
이 방은 좁다.
i bang-eun jop-da., i bang eun jop da.
Use 좁다 when the room is small and cramped.
이 길은 넓다.
i gil-eun neop-da., i gil eun neop da.
Use 넓다 when the road is wide enough for many cars.
이 길은 좁다.
i gil-eun jop-da., i gil eun jop da.
Use 좁다 when the road is narrow and difficult to pass.
그 책은 넓다.
geu chaek-eun neop-da., geu chaek eun neop da.
Books do not describe space size, so 넓다 is incorrect here.
그 책상은 좁다.
geu chaek-sang-eun jop-da., geu chaek sang eun jop da.
Use 좁다 when the desk surface is small.
이 범위는 넓다.
i beom-wi-neun neop-da., i beom wi neun neop da.
Use 넓다 when the range or scope is large.
이 범위는 좁다.
i beom-wi-neun jop-da., i beom wi neun jop da.
Use 좁다 when the range or scope is small.
Quick quiz
Which word is used when a room is large and spacious?
넓다와 좁다 중 방이 크고 공간이 많을 때 쓰는 단어는?(neop-da-wajop-dajungbang-ikeu-gogong-gan-iman-eulttaesseu-neundan-eo-neun?, neopdawajopdajungbangikeugogongganimaneulttaesseuneundaneoneun?)Which word correctly describes a narrow path?
좁은 길을 표현할 때 적절한 단어는?(jop-eungil-eulpyo-hyeon-halttaejeok-jeol-handan-eo-neun?, jopeungileulpyohyeonhalttaejeokjeolhandaneoneun?)Which word do you use when a desk surface is small?
책상 면적이 작을 때 어떤 단어를 사용하나요?(chaek-sangmyeon-jeok-ijak-eulttaeeo-tteondan-eo-reulsa-yong-ha-na-yo?, chaeksangmyeonjeokijakeulttaeeotteondaneoreulsayonghanayo?)
More comparisons to explore
- 두껍다 vs 얇다: Talking About Thickness Differences
- 무겁다 vs 가볍다: Weight and Feeling Differences
- 단단하다 vs 부드럽다: Texture and Property Differences
- 거칠다 vs 매끄럽다: Surface and Attitude Differences
- 깊다 vs 얕다: Depth Differences
- 멀다 vs 가깝다: Mastering Distance Expressions
- 명확하다 vs 애매하다: Clarity vs Ambiguity
- 자주 vs 종종: Subtle Differences in Frequency