멀다 (meol-da, meolda) · 가깝다 (ga-kkap-da, gakkapda)
멀다 describes something being far or distant, while 가깝다 describes something being near or close; both are adjectives expressing distance.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
An adjective indicating that the distance is far or something is distant
When to use
physical distance, temporal distance, relational distance
The nuance
멀다 is used for actual physical distance or temporal distance, mainly to express spatial, temporal, or relational distance.
An adjective indicating that the distance is short or something is near
When to use
physical distance, temporal distance, intimate relationship
The nuance
가깝다 is used when the physical or temporal distance is short; it can also express closeness in relationships or proximity of places.
우리 집에서 학교까지 너무 멀어요.
u-ri jip-e-seo hak-gyo-kka-ji neo-mu meol-eo-yo., u ri jip e seo hak gyo kka ji neo mu meol eo yo.
Used correctly because the physical distance between home and school is far.
지하철역이 우리 집에서 가깝다.
ji-ha-cheol-yeok-i u-ri jip-e-seo ga-kkap-da., ji ha cheol yeok i u ri jip e seo ga kkap da.
Correct because the subway station is physically near the house.
회의 시간이 너무 가깝다.
hoe-ui si-gan-i neo-mu ga-kkap-da., hoe ui si gan i neo mu ga kkap da.
Correct because it expresses that the meeting time is soon, i.e., temporally close.
그 사람과 나는 멀다.
geu sa-ram-gwa na-neun meol-da., geu sa ram gwa na neun meol da.
Incorrect because relational distance requires a phrase like '사이가 멀다' rather than just '멀다'.
내일 시험이 멀다.
nae-il si-heom-i meol-da., nae il si heom i meol da.
Incorrect usage; temporal distance in future should be expressed with proper tense and context.
친구가 내 마음에 가깝다.
chin-gu-ga nae ma-eum-e ga-kkap-da., chin gu ga nae ma eum e ga kkap da.
Incorrect because emotional closeness requires a different structure like '마음이 가깝다'.
서울은 부산에서 멀다.
seo-ul-eun bu-san-e-seo meol-da., seo ul eun bu san e seo meol da.
Correct because Seoul and Busan are physically far apart.
우리 가족은 서로 가깝다.
u-ri ga-jok-eun seo-ro ga-kkap-da., u ri ga jok eun seo ro ga kkap da.
Correct because it expresses closeness in family relationships.
Which sentence correctly uses '멀다'?
Which sentence appropriately uses '가깝다'?
Which expression should replace incorrect use of '멀다'?
What does it mean?
