쉽게 (swip-ge, swipge) · 어렵게 (eo-ryeop-ge, eoryeopge) · 힘들게 (him-deul-ge, himdeulge)
'쉽게' (swip-ge), '어렵게' (eo-ryeop-ge), and '힘들게' (him-deul-ge) all describe difficulty levels but differ: '쉽게' means low difficulty, '어렵게' means high difficulty, and '힘들게' emphasizes physical or mental hardship or effort.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
In a way that something is done without difficulty or simply
When to use
simple task, easy explanation, quick resolution
The nuance
'쉽게' is used when something is simple or low in difficulty, usually with a positive nuance. It expresses ease in action or state.
In a way that something is done with complexity or high difficulty
When to use
complex problem solving, difficult exam, overcoming obstacles
The nuance
'어렵게' is used when something feels complex or highly difficult, often in problem solving, learning, or challenge contexts.
In a way that involves physical or mental hardship or great effort
When to use
hard labor, mental stress, great effort
The nuance
'힘들게' goes beyond difficulty to emphasize hardship, fatigue, or effort, often used for tough labor or emotional distress.
그 문제는 쉽게 풀 수 있다.
geu mun-je-neun swip-ge pul su iss-da., geu mun je neun swip ge pul su iss da.
'쉽게' correctly expresses low difficulty.
그 문제는 어렵게 풀 수 있다.
geu mun-je-neun eo-ryeop-ge pul su iss-da., geu mun je neun eo ryeop ge pul su iss da.
'어렵게' correctly expresses high difficulty.
그 문제는 힘들게 풀 수 있다.
geu mun-je-neun him-deul-ge pul su iss-da., geu mun je neun him deul ge pul su iss da.
'힘들게' correctly implies solving with hardship.
그 일은 쉽게 힘들다.
geu il-eun swip-ge him-deul-da., geu il eun swip ge him deul da.
'쉽게' contradicts '힘들다' making it unnatural.
어렵게 설명해 주세요.
eo-ryeop-ge seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo., eo ryeop ge seol myeong hae ju se yo.
'어렵게' is not used for explanation style; use '쉽게'.
쉽게 설명해 주세요.
swip-ge seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo., swip ge seol myeong hae ju se yo.
'쉽게' fits requests to explain simply.
힘들게 일했지만 성공했다.
him-deul-ge il-haess-ji-man seong-gong-haess-da., him deul ge il haess ji man seong gong haess da.
'힘들게' emphasizes hard work and hardship.
어렵게 일했지만 성공했다.
eo-ryeop-ge il-haess-ji-man seong-gong-haess-da., eo ryeop ge il haess ji man seong gong haess da.
'어렵게' emphasizes difficulty of the work.
Which word best emphasizes effort and hardship?
Which word is best to express 'solving a problem simply'?
Which word fits expressing 'taking a complex exam'?
