깊다(gip-da, gipda)
Indicates a physically or metaphorically deep state
When to use
physical depth, emotional depth, depth of knowledge, depth of relationship
The nuance
깊다 is used when depth or intensity is large in space, emotions, knowledge, etc.
깊다 vs 얕다: Depth Differences
깊다 (gip-da, gipda) · 얕다 (yat-da, yatda)
깊다 and 얕다 both describe depth physically or metaphorically, but 깊다 means deep, and 얕다 means shallow.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
얕다(yat-da, yatda)
Indicates a physically or metaphorically shallow state
When to use
physical shallowness, shallowness of knowledge, shallowness of emotion
The nuance
얕다 is used when depth or intensity is small or weak, mainly in physical space or metaphorical levels.
Real-world examples
이 호수는 매우 깊다.
i ho-su-neun mae-u gip-da., i ho su neun mae u gip da.
깊다 is used to describe physical depth of a lake.
이 강은 얕아서 아이들이 놀기에 안전하다.
i gang-eun yat-a-seo a-i-deul-i nol-gi-e an-jeon-ha-da., i gang eun yat a seo a i deul i nol gi e an jeon ha da.
얕다 is used to describe low physical depth of a river.
그 사람의 지식이 너무 깊다.
geu sa-ram-ui ji-sik-i neo-mu gip-da., geu sa ram ui ji sik i neo mu gip da.
깊다 is used for high and deep level of knowledge.
그 사람의 감정이 얕다.
geu sa-ram-ui gam-jeong-i yat-da., geu sa ram ui gam jeong i yat da.
얕다 is used when emotions are weak or shallow.
이 수영장은 얕아서 깊다.
i su-yeong-jang-eun yat-a-seo gip-da., i su yeong jang eun yat a seo gip da.
Cannot describe a pool as both shallow and deep simultaneously.
그의 관계는 깊다, 그래서 신뢰할 수 있다.
geu-ui gwan-gye-neun gip-da, geu-rae-seo sin-roe-hal su iss-da., geu ui gwan gye neun gip da, geu rae seo sin roe hal su iss da.
깊다 is used for close and strong relationships.
그의 지식은 얕아서 전문가다.
geu-ui ji-sik-eun yat-a-seo jeon-mun-ga-da., geu ui ji sik eun yat a seo jeon mun ga da.
One cannot be an expert with shallow knowledge.
감정이 깊지 않고 얕다.
gam-jeong-i gip-ji an-go yat-da., gam jeong i gip ji an go yat da.
얕다 is used when emotions are not strong or deep.
Quick quiz
Which sentence correctly uses '깊다'?
다음 중 '깊다'를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung'gip-da'reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'gipda'reulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)When should you use '얕다'?
'얕다'를 써야 하는 상황은?('yat-da'reulsseo-yaha-neunsang-hwang-eun?, 'yatda'reulsseoyahaneunsanghwangeun?)Which word fits when emotions are weak?
'깊다'와 '얕다' 중 감정이 약할 때 적절한 단어는?('gip-da'wa'yat-da'junggam-jeong-iyak-halttaejeok-jeol-handan-eo-neun?, 'gipda'wa'yatda'junggamjeongiyakhalttaejeokjeolhandaneoneun?)
More comparisons to explore
- 무겁다 vs 가볍다: Weight and Feeling Differences
- 단단하다 vs 부드럽다: Texture and Property Differences
- 거칠다 vs 매끄럽다: Surface and Attitude Differences
- 넓다 vs 좁다: Comparing Space Size
- 멀다 vs 가깝다: Mastering Distance Expressions
- 명확하다 vs 애매하다: Clarity vs Ambiguity
- 자주 vs 종종: Subtle Differences in Frequency
- 가끔 vs 드물게: Subtle Differences in Frequency