조용하다 (jo-yong-ha-da, joyonghada) · 시끄럽다 (si-kkeu-reop-da, sikkeureopda)
조용하다 (joyonghada) means being quiet or having little noise, while 시끄럽다 (sikkeureopda) means being noisy or loud enough to be disturbing.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Indicates a state of having little or no sound; peaceful quietness
When to use
library atmosphere, night street, during meeting, hospital environment
The nuance
Use 조용하다 when the environment or situation is peaceful with little or no noise. It applies to places, atmospheres, or someone's behavior.
Indicates a state with loud or disturbing noise causing distraction or annoyance
When to use
construction site, children making noise, party scene, traffic noise
The nuance
Use 시끄럽다 when there is loud or excessive noise that disrupts focus or rest. It can describe places, people, or situations.
도서관이 아주 조용해요.
do-seo-gwan-i a-ju jo-yong-hae-yo., do seo gwan i a ju jo yong hae yo.
Libraries are expected to be quiet, so 조용하다 fits perfectly.
도서관이 시끄러워요.
do-seo-gwan-i si-kkeu-reo-wo-yo., do seo gwan i si kkeu reo wo yo.
If there is a lot of noise in the library, 시끄럽다 expresses the disturbance.
밤에 거리가 시끄러워요.
bam-e geo-ri-ga si-kkeu-reo-wo-yo., bam e geo ri ga si kkeu reo wo yo.
If the street is noisy at night, 시끄럽다 describes that situation accurately.
밤에 거리가 조용해요.
bam-e geo-ri-ga jo-yong-hae-yo., bam e geo ri ga jo yong hae yo.
If there is little noise at night, 조용하다 is natural.
회의 중에 사람들이 시끄럽게 말해요.
hoe-ui jung-e sa-ram-deul-i si-kkeu-reop-ge mal-hae-yo., hoe ui jung e sa ram deul i si kkeu reop ge mal hae yo.
During a meeting, noisy talking is expressed with 시끄럽다.
회의 중에 사람들이 조용하게 말해요.
hoe-ui jung-e sa-ram-deul-i jo-yong-ha-ge mal-hae-yo., hoe ui jung e sa ram deul i jo yong ha ge mal hae yo.
For a quiet meeting atmosphere, 조용하다 fits well.
병원은 시끄러워야 해요.
byeong-won-eun si-kkeu-reo-wo-ya hae-yo., byeong won eun si kkeu reo wo ya hae yo.
Hospitals should be quiet, so using 시끄럽다 is unnatural.
아이들이 도서관에서 조용히 놀아요.
a-i-deul-i do-seo-gwan-e-seo jo-yong-hi nol-a-yo., a i deul i do seo gwan e seo jo yong hi nol a yo.
Describing quiet behavior in a library matches 조용하다.
Which is appropriate for a library?
How to describe noise at a construction site?
When the street is silent at night?
