편하다(pyeon-ha-da, pyeonhada)
Describes a state of physical or mental comfort or ease
When to use
comfortable chair, comfortable clothing, easy task, mental ease
The nuance
Used when the body or mind feels stable and free of discomfort.
편하다 vs 불편하다: Comfort vs Discomfort Explained
편하다 (pyeon-ha-da, pyeonhada) · 불편하다 (bul-pyeon-ha-da, bulpyeonhada)
'편하다' expresses physical or mental comfort, while '불편하다' indicates discomfort or inconvenience.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
불편하다(bul-pyeon-ha-da, bulpyeonhada)
Describes a state of physical or mental discomfort or inconvenience
When to use
uncomfortable shoes, uncomfortable seat, difficult situation, mental unease
The nuance
Used when the body or mind experiences unpleasantness or difficulty.
Real-world examples
이 의자는 정말 편해요.
i ui-ja-neun jeong-mal pyeon-hae-yo., i ui ja neun jeong mal pyeon hae yo.
The chair fits the body well and causes no discomfort, so '편하다' is correct.
이 의자는 정말 불편해요.
i ui-ja-neun jeong-mal bul-pyeon-hae-yo., i ui ja neun jeong mal bul pyeon hae yo.
The chair causes discomfort when sitting, so '불편하다' is correct.
이 옷은 불편해요.
i os-eun bul-pyeon-hae-yo., i os eun bul pyeon hae yo.
If the clothes don't fit well and cause discomfort, use '불편하다'.
이 옷은 편해요.
i os-eun pyeon-hae-yo., i os eun pyeon hae yo.
The clothes are comfortable and easy to wear, so '편하다' is correct.
이 일은 편해요.
i il-eun pyeon-hae-yo., i il eun pyeon hae yo.
If the task is easy and not burdensome, use '편하다'.
이 일은 불편해요.
i il-eun bul-pyeon-hae-yo., i il eun bul pyeon hae yo.
For difficult or burdensome tasks, use '어렵다' or '힘들다' instead of '불편하다'.
그 자리에서 앉기 편해요.
geu ja-ri-e-seo an-gi pyeon-hae-yo., geu ja ri e seo an gi pyeon hae yo.
The seat is comfortable, so '편하다' is correct.
그 자리에서 앉기 불편해요.
geu ja-ri-e-seo an-gi bul-pyeon-hae-yo., geu ja ri e seo an gi bul pyeon hae yo.
The seat is uncomfortable, so '불편하다' is correct.
Quick quiz
Which expression is appropriate when the body feels comfortable?
어떤 표현이 몸이 편안할 때 적절한가요?(eo-tteonpyo-hyeon-imom-ipyeon-an-halttaejeok-jeol-han-ga-yo?, eotteonpyohyeonimomipyeonanhalttaejeokjeolhangayo?)Which word do you use when shoes are too small and hurt your feet?
신발이 너무 작아서 발이 아플 때 어떤 단어를 쓰나요?(sin-bal-ineo-mujak-a-seobal-ia-peulttaeeo-tteondan-eo-reulsseu-na-yo?, sinbalineomujakaseobaliapeulttaeeotteondaneoreulsseunayo?)What is the right word to describe an easy task?
쉬운 일을 표현할 때 알맞은 단어는?(swi-unil-eulpyo-hyeon-halttaeal-maj-eundan-eo-neun?, swiunileulpyohyeonhalttaealmajeundaneoneun?)
What does it mean?
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