깨끗하다 (kkae-kkeus-ha-da, kkaekkeushada) · 더럽다 (deo-reop-da, deoreopda)
깨끗하다 and 더럽다 are antonyms describing cleanliness; 깨끗하다 means free from dirt or stains, while 더럽다 means dirty or contaminated.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Refers to a state completely free from dirt, dust, or stains.
When to use
clean room, washed clothes, clean hands, clear water
The nuance
Use 깨끗하다 to describe objects, places, or body conditions that are clean; it expresses a positive evaluation of cleanliness.
Indicates a state that is not clean due to contamination, dust, or stains.
When to use
dusty desk, polluted water, dirty clothes, messy room
The nuance
Use 더럽다 to describe objects, places, or body conditions that are contaminated or unclean; it expresses a negative evaluation of cleanliness.
이 방은 정말 깨끗하다.
i bang-eun jeong-mal kkae-kkeus-ha-da., i bang eun jeong mal kkae kkeus ha da.
The room is well cleaned, so 깨끗하다 is appropriate.
이 방은 정말 더럽다.
i bang-eun jeong-mal deo-reop-da., i bang eun jeong mal deo reop da.
더럽다 is used to express a dirty or messy state.
내 옷이 깨끗하지 않다.
nae os-i kkae-kkeus-ha-ji an-da., nae os i kkae kkeus ha ji an da.
Appropriate to negatively express that clothes are not clean.
내 옷이 더럽지 않다.
nae os-i deo-reop-ji an-da., nae os i deo reop ji an da.
Correct to express cleanliness by negating 더럽다.
이 손은 더럽다.
i son-eun deo-reop-da., i son eun deo reop da.
Use 더럽다 when hands are dirty or contaminated.
이 손은 깨끗하지 않다.
i son-eun kkae-kkeus-ha-ji an-da., i son eun kkae kkeus ha ji an da.
Expresses dirtiness by negating 깨끗하다.
이 물은 깨끗하지 않다.
i mul-eun kkae-kkeus-ha-ji an-da., i mul eun kkae kkeus ha ji an da.
Use negative form of 깨끗하다 to describe polluted water.
이 물은 더럽다.
i mul-eun deo-reop-da., i mul eun deo reop da.
Use 더럽다 to directly describe polluted water.
Which sentence should use '깨끗하다'?
When should you use '더럽다'?
Fill in the blank: '이 손은 ___'
