Used to indicate a strong degree or a big change.
When to use
big change, strong emotion, clear difference
The nuance
크게 is mainly used to emphasize significant positive or negative changes, or when quantity/degree is clearly large.
크게 (keu-ge, keuge) · 조금 (jo-geum, jogeum) · 살짝 (sal-jjak, saljjak)
크게 (keuge), 조금 (jogeum), and 살짝 (saljjak) all express degree, but 크게 indicates strong intensity, 조금 mild degree, and 살짝 subtle or slight nuance.

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Used to indicate a strong degree or a big change.
When to use
big change, strong emotion, clear difference
The nuance
크게 is mainly used to emphasize significant positive or negative changes, or when quantity/degree is clearly large.
Used to indicate a small amount or mild degree.
When to use
small amount, mild degree, everyday use
The nuance
조금 is used when the quantity or degree is small but noticeable; it is the most common mild degree expression in daily conversation.
Used to indicate a very subtle, light, or momentary degree.
When to use
subtle change, light action, momentary feeling
The nuance
살짝 fits when an action or state happens lightly or momentarily, almost unnoticed, giving a sensory and natural impression.
그는 크게 웃었다.
geu-neun keu-ge us-eoss-da., geu neun keu ge us eoss da.
크게 fits when expressing strong emotion or loud sound.
그는 조금 웃었다.
geu-neun jo-geum us-eoss-da., geu neun jo geum us eoss da.
조금 is suitable to indicate mild laughter.
그는 살짝 웃었다.
geu-neun sal-jjak us-eoss-da., geu neun sal jjak us eoss da.
살짝 fits for very light and subtle smiling.
문이 크게 열렸다.
mun-i keu-ge yeol-ryeoss-da., mun i keu ge yeol ryeoss da.
크게 indicates a big change like wide opening.
문이 조금 열렸다.
mun-i jo-geum yeol-ryeoss-da., mun i jo geum yeol ryeoss da.
조금 fits to show the door opened slightly.
문이 살짝 열렸다.
mun-i sal-jjak yeol-ryeoss-da., mun i sal jjak yeol ryeoss da.
살짝 conveys a very light, momentary opening.
나는 크게 배고프다.
na-neun keu-ge bae-go-peu-da., na neun keu ge bae go peu da.
크게 emphasizes a strong state.
나는 살짝 배고프다.
na-neun sal-jjak bae-go-peu-da., na neun sal jjak bae go peu da.
살짝 indicates a very slight state.
Which word suits expressing a very subtle and momentary degree?
Which word best expresses big changes or strong emotions?
What is the most common expression for a small amount or degree?
What does it mean?