평이하다 في 30 ثانية
- 평이하다 (pyeong-ihada) is a formal adjective meaning 'plain,' 'easy,' or 'straightforward,' primarily used for language, style, and task difficulty levels.
- It is common in news reports about exams (like the Suneung) and in literary reviews to describe readable, uncomplicated prose or content.
- Unlike the basic '쉽다' (easy), it carries a professional nuance of 'accessibility' and lack of complexity, often found in academic or official contexts.
- Avoid using it for people's personalities or physical objects; it is best reserved for abstract concepts like explanations, logic, and writing styles.
The Korean adjective 평이하다 (pyeong-ihada) is a sophisticated way to describe something that is easy, plain, or straightforward. While the basic word for 'easy' is 쉽다, 평이하다 carries a specific nuance of being 'accessible' or 'uncomplicated in style.' It is frequently used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts to evaluate the difficulty level of exams, the clarity of writing, or the simplicity of a speech. When a Korean speaker uses this word, they are often suggesting that the content is not just easy to do, but easy to understand or follow because it lacks unnecessary complexity or decorative flourishes. It is the opposite of being 'arcane' or 'dense.'
- Academic Context
- In the world of Korean education, specifically regarding the Suneung (CSAT) or civil service exams, news reports will often state whether the year's questions were 평이하다. This means the questions followed standard patterns and did not include 'killer questions' that were designed to intentionally confuse students.
이번 수학 시험은 대체로 평이하다는 평가를 받고 있습니다. (This math exam is generally being evaluated as straightforward.)
Beyond exams, this word is a staple in literary and art criticism. A critic might describe an author's prose as 평이하다 to compliment its readability. In this sense, it implies a 'plain' style that focuses on clear communication rather than flowery language. However, depending on the tone, it can occasionally carry a slightly negative connotation of being 'too ordinary' or 'lacking depth,' though this is less common than its neutral or positive use as 'clear.'
- Professional Use
- In a business meeting, if a proposal is described as 평이하다, it suggests that the logic is sound and the steps are simple to implement. It is a word that values efficiency and the absence of friction in understanding.
전문 용어를 피하고 평이한 말로 설명해 주세요. (Please avoid technical jargon and explain it in plain language.)
Understanding the difference between 평이하다 and 쉽다 is key for upper-beginner and intermediate learners. While 쉽다 is the general term for 'easy' (like 'this food is easy to make'), 평이하다 is used more for the *nature* of the content or style. You wouldn't usually say 'This video game is 평이하다' unless you were writing a formal review of its difficulty curve. Instead, you use it for text, speech, exams, and logic.
- Daily Nuance
- When someone says a movie's plot was 평이하다, they mean it was predictable and easy to follow, perhaps even a bit cliché, but definitely not confusing.
그의 문체는 평이하면서도 울림이 있다. (His writing style is plain yet resonant.)
Using 평이하다 correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a descriptive verb (adjective). In Korean, adjectives function like verbs and can be conjugated. Because 평이하다 ends in -하다, it follows the standard conjugation patterns for -하다 adjectives. To describe a noun directly (e.g., 'a plain explanation'), you change it to 평이한.
- Adnominal Form (Modifying Nouns)
- Use 평이한 before a noun. Examples: 평이한 문장 (a simple sentence), 평이한 수준 (a moderate/plain level), 평이한 설명 (a straightforward explanation).
선생님은 평이한 단어를 사용하여 아이들을 가르쳤다. (The teacher taught the children using simple words.)
When ending a sentence, you will use forms like 평이해요 (polite), 평이합니다 (formal), or 평이해 (informal). In written reports or news, you will see 평이하다 or 평이하였다 (past tense). It is often used with adverbs like 대체로 (mostly), 비교적 (relatively), or 매우 (very).
- Common Sentence Patterns
- [Subject] + [Adverb] + 평이하다. For example: 내용이 비교적 평이하다 (The content is relatively straightforward).
작년 시험에 비해 올해는 문제가 평이했습니다. (Compared to last year's exam, this year's questions were easy.)
One important stylistic point is that 평이하다 is rarely used to describe people's personalities or physical objects like 'an easy chair.' It is almost strictly reserved for abstract things like language, logic, tasks, and levels of difficulty. If you want to say a person is 'easy-going,' you would use 성격이 원만하다 or 털털하다 instead.
- Comparative Usage
- When comparing two things, use -보다 평이하다. Example: 이 책은 저 책보다 훨씬 평이하다 (This book is much easier/plainer than that book).
글의 구성이 평이해서 읽기 좋습니다. (The structure of the writing is simple, so it is good to read.)
You are most likely to encounter 평이하다 in environments where information is being evaluated or presented to the public. In South Korea, education is a national obsession, and every November after the College Scholastic Ability Test (Suneung), the word 평이하다 dominates the news cycle. News anchors and education experts use it to reassure parents and students about the difficulty level of the exam.
- News & Media
- "올해 수능은 전반적으로 평이한 수준으로 출제되었습니다." (This year's Suneung was generally set at a straightforward level.) This is a classic headline you will see in Korean newspapers like the Chosun Ilbo or Dong-A Ilbo.
전문가들은 이번 공무원 시험이 평이했다고 분석했습니다. (Experts analyzed that this civil service exam was straightforward.)
Another common place is in the literary world. Book reviews often use 평이하다 to describe the 'readability' of a new novel. It suggests that the author isn't trying to hide behind difficult metaphors or obscure vocabulary, making the book suitable for a wide audience. In business, it's used to describe manuals or instructions. A user manual that is 평이하다 is one that anyone can follow without getting a headache.
- Literature & Publishing
- Publishers often look for manuscripts that are 평이한 문체 (plain writing style) for self-help books or popular essays to ensure they appeal to the general public.
이 책은 어려운 철학적 내용을 평이하게 풀어냈습니다. (This book explained difficult philosophical content in a simple way.)
In formal speeches, politicians or CEOs might use this word to describe their goals or plans, emphasizing that their vision is clear and attainable. It projects a sense of transparency. You might also hear it in academic lectures when a professor is introducing a new topic, promising that the introductory material will be 평이하다 before moving on to more complex theories.
강의 내용이 평이해서 누구나 이해할 수 있어요. (The lecture content is plain, so anyone can understand it.)
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 평이하다 with 평범하다 (ordinary/common). While both share the Hanja 평 (平 - flat/level), they are used in very different situations. 평범하다 describes a person, life, or object that is average and doesn't stand out. 평이하다 describes the *difficulty* or *clarity* of information or a task.
- Mistake: Using it for People
- Incorrect:
그 사람은 평이한 사람이에요.(That person is a plain/easy person.)
Correct:그 사람은 평범한 사람이에요.(That person is an ordinary person.)
Don't say: 이 가방은 평이해요. (This bag is easy/plain.)
Say: 이 가방은 디자인이 단순해요. (This bag has a simple design.)
Another mistake is overusing it in casual conversation. Because 평이하다 is a Hanja-based word, using it while chatting with friends about a video game or a lunch menu can sound overly formal or even robotic. In those cases, stick to 쉽다 (easy) or 단순하다 (simple). Use 평이하다 when you want to sound more professional or precise, especially in writing.
- Mistake: Confusing with 'Plain' as in 'Bland'
- In English, 'plain' can mean 'not spicy' or 'unflavored.' In Korean, 평이하다 never refers to taste. For food, use
담백하다(light/clean taste) or심심하다(bland).
Incorrect: 국물 맛이 평이하다. (The soup taste is plain/easy.)
Correct: 국물 맛이 담백하다. (The soup taste is clean/mild.)
Lastly, be careful with the degree of 'easiness.' 평이하다 usually implies a 'reasonable' or 'moderate' level of easiness. If something is extremely, incredibly easy (like 1+1), calling it 평이하다 might sound a bit strange. It's best used for things that *could* have been hard but were made or found to be accessible.
To truly master 평이하다, you should know how it compares to its synonyms. Korean has many words for 'easy' and 'simple,' each with a specific flavor. Choosing the right one makes your Korean sound much more natural and advanced.
- 평이하다 vs. 쉽다
- 쉽다 is the broad, everyday term for 'easy.' 평이하다 is more formal and specifically refers to the lack of complexity in style or level. You 'find a solution easily' (쉽게 찾다), but you 'write in a plain style' (평이한 문체로 쓰다).
- 평이하다 vs. 단순하다
- 단순하다 means 'simple' or 'not complex' in structure. It can be used for designs, thoughts, or machines. 평이하다 is more about the *comprehensibility* of language or tasks. A design is 단순하다, but an explanation is 평이하다.
- 평이하다 vs. 명료하다
- 명료하다 means 'clear and lucid.' While 평이하다 emphasizes that something isn't difficult, 명료하다 emphasizes that it is very easy to see or distinguish. They are often used together to describe great teaching.
그의 설명은 평이하고 명료했다. (His explanation was plain and clear.)
On the opposite side, the most direct antonyms are 난해하다 (difficult to understand/abstruse) and 까다롭다 (picky/tricky). If a text is 난해하다, it's the polar opposite of 평이하다. While 평이하다 feels like a smooth, flat road, 난해하다 feels like a dense jungle with no path.
전문가들에게는 평이한 내용일지 모르지만, 초보자에게는 난해할 수 있습니다. (It might be plain content for experts, but it can be abstruse for beginners.)
أمثلة حسب المستوى
이 책은 평이해요.
This book is easy/plain.
평이해요 is the polite present tense.
설명이 평이합니다.
The explanation is straightforward.
평이합니다 is the formal polite form.
문제가 평이해?
Is the question easy?
평이해 is the informal (banmal) form.
평이한 단어를 써요.
Use simple words.
평이한 is the adjective form modifying a noun.
그 이야기는 평이했어요.
That story was simple.
평이했어요 is the past tense.
시험이 아주 평이해요.
The exam is very easy.
아주 (very) is an adverb modifying the adjective.
내용이 참 평이하네요.
The content is really straightforward, isn't it?
-네요 is an ending expressing surprise or realization.
평이하게 말해 주세요.
Please speak simply.
-게 makes the adjective into an adverb (simply).
이 소설은 문체가 평이해서 읽기 쉬워요.
This novel's style is plain, so it's easy to read.
-아서/어서 expresses cause or reason.
평이한 수준의 질문이 많았어요.
There were many questions of a straightforward level.
평이한 수준 means 'straightforward level'.
그의 연설은 평이하고 명확했습니다.
His speech was plain and clear.
-고 connects two adjectives (and).
아이들을 위해 평이한 표현을 사용하세요.
Use simple expressions for the children.
-를 위해 means 'for' or 'for the sake of'.
이번 과제는 생각보다 평이하네요.
This assignment is easier than I thought.
-보다 means 'than' (comparison).
평이한 길로 가면 금방 도착해요.
If you go by the flat/easy path, you'll arrive soon.
(Note: Here '평이한' is used metaphorically for a simple route).
이 매뉴얼은 설명이 참 평이하게 되어 있네요.
This manual's explanation is written very simply.
-게 되어 있다 means 'to be in a state of being...'.
그 영화의 줄거리는 꽤 평이했습니다.
The movie's plot was quite straightforward.
꽤 means 'quite' or 'fairly'.
전문 용어 대신 평이한 일상어를 사용합시다.
Let's use plain everyday language instead of technical terms.
-합시다 is a formal suggestion.
기사의 내용이 평이하여 누구나 이해할 수 있습니다.
The content of the article is plain, so anyone can understand it.
-하여 is a formal version of -해서.
대체로 평이한 난이도로 출제될 것으로 보입니다.
It appears it will be set at a generally straightforward difficulty level.
-ㄹ 것으로 보이다 expresses a prediction.
그는 복잡한 이론을 평이하게 설명하는 능력이 있다.
He has the ability to explain complex theories simply.
-는 능력이 있다 means 'to have the ability to...'
이 보고서는 문장이 평이해서 가독성이 높다.
This report has high readability because the sentences are plain.
가독성 means 'readability'.
너무 평이한 전개는 독자에게 지루함을 줄 수 있다.
A too straightforward development (plot) can bore the reader.
전개 refers to the development or progression of a story.
이번 시험은 작년보다 훨씬 평이했다는 반응입니다.
The reaction is that this exam was much easier than last year's.
-ㄴ다는 반응이다 reports a general reaction or quote.
법률 용어를 평이한 말로 바꾸는 작업이 필요합니다.
Work is needed to change legal terms into plain language.
-는 작업 means 'the work of doing...'
그의 글은 평이함 속에 깊은 철학을 담고 있다.
His writing contains deep philosophy within its plainness.
평이함 is the noun form (plainness/simplicity).
시험 문제가 너무 평이하면 변별력이 떨어질 우려가 있다.
If exam questions are too easy, there is a risk that they won't distinguish student levels well.
변별력 refers to the 'discriminatory power' of an exam.
저자는 독자들이 평이하게 읽을 수 있도록 배려했다.
The author took care so that readers could read it easily.
-도록 배려하다 means 'to take care so that...'
이 작품은 구성이 평이하지만 주제 의식은 뚜렷하다.
This work has a simple structure, but its thematic consciousness is clear.
-지만 connects contrasting ideas (but).
대중의 눈높이에 맞춘 평이한 설명이 인상적이었다.
The plain explanation tailored to the public's level was impressive.
눈높이에 맞추다 means 'to adjust to someone's eye level/understanding'.
비교적 평이한 문항들로 구성되어 수험생들의 부담이 줄었다.
Being composed of relatively straightforward items, the burden on examinees was reduced.
문항 refers to an 'item' or 'question' on a test.
그의 시는 평이한 시어를 사용하여 삶의 진리를 노래한다.
His poems use plain poetic language to sing of life's truths.
시어 refers to 'poetic language/diction'.
이 매뉴얼은 초보자도 이해할 수 있을 만큼 평이하다.
This manual is plain enough that even a beginner can understand it.
-ㄹ 만큼 means 'to the extent of...' or 'enough to...'
지나치게 평이한 문체는 자칫 단조로움을 줄 수 있다.
An excessively plain style can easily lead to monotony.
자칫 means 'at the slightest slip' or 'easily (negative)'.
학술적인 내용을 평이하게 서술하는 것은 결코 쉬운 일이 아니다.
Describing academic content in a plain way is by no means an easy task.
결코 ... 아니다 means 'never' or 'by no means'.
이번 국어 영역은 작년의 기조를 유지하며 평이하게 출제되었다.
This year's Korean section was set straightforwardly, maintaining last year's trend.
기조 refers to a 'trend,' 'basis,' or 'keynote'.
그의 철학은 평이한 언어로 표현되었지만 그 울림은 결코 가볍지 않다.
His philosophy was expressed in plain language, but its resonance is by no means light.
울림 literally means 'ringing' but metaphorically means 'resonance/impact'.
복잡한 현대 사회의 문제를 평이한 시각으로 접근해 보았다.
I tried to approach complex modern social issues from a straightforward perspective.
-아/어 보다 means 'to try doing something'.
이 보고서는 정책의 핵심을 평이하게 전달하는 데 주력했다.
This report focused on delivering the core of the policy in a plain manner.
-는 데 주력하다 means 'to focus/concentrate on doing...'
예술의 대중화를 위해서는 평이한 해석이 뒷받침되어야 한다.
For the popularization of art, straightforward interpretation must be supported.
뒷받침되다 means 'to be supported/backed up'.
그의 비평은 평이하면서도 날카로운 통찰력을 보여준다.
His criticism shows sharp insight while being plain.
-(으)면서도 means 'while also' or 'at the same time but'.
고전의 가르침을 현대인들이 이해하기 쉽도록 평이하게 풀어쓴 역작이다.
It is a masterpiece that rewrote the teachings of the classics plainly so modern people can understand.
풀어쓰다 means 'to write out simply/paraphrase'.
문장의 평이함이 곧 사유의 천박함을 의미하는 것은 아니다.
The plainness of sentences does not necessarily mean the shallowness of thought.
사유 means 'thought/reasoning' and 천박함 means 'shallowness/vulgarity'.
이번 수능의 난이도가 평이했다는 분석은 상위권 변별력 문제와 직결된다.
The analysis that this Suneung's difficulty was straightforward is directly linked to the issue of discrimination among top-tier students.
직결되다 means 'to be directly connected/linked'.
그 작가는 평이한 일상의 어휘로 존재의 근원적인 고독을 형상화했다.
The author gave shape to the fundamental loneliness of existence through plain everyday vocabulary.
형상화하다 means 'to shape/embody/visualize'.
정치적 구호는 대중에게 각인되기 위해 평이하고 강렬해야 한다.
Political slogans must be plain and intense to be imprinted on the public.
각인되다 means 'to be imprinted/carved into (the mind)'.
이 논문은 난해한 포스트모더니즘 담론을 평이한 논리로 재구성했다.
This paper reconstructed abstruse postmodernist discourse with straightforward logic.
재구성하다 means 'to reconstruct'.
전문가 집단의 전유물이었던 지식을 평이하게 가공하여 보급하고 있다.
Knowledge that was the exclusive property of expert groups is being processed plainly and distributed.
전유물 means 'exclusive property/monopoly'.
그의 연설은 평이한 수사법을 사용하면서도 대중의 마음을 움직이는 힘이 있었다.
His speech had the power to move the public's heart while using plain rhetoric.
수사법 means 'rhetoric' or 'figures of speech'.
تلازمات شائعة
العبارات الشائعة
— A straightforward or moderate level of difficulty.
이번 자격증 시험은 평이한 난이도였다.
— A plain or simple tone of voice/speech.
그는 평이한 어조로 사실을 전달했다.
— A simple, ordinary daily life (less common than 평범한 일상).
그는 평이한 일상에서 행복을 찾는다.
— A flat or easy path (often metaphorical).
인생은 항상 평이한 길만은 아니다.
— A simple or common expression.
외국인에게는 평이한 표현이 더 좋다.
— A simple or straightforward structure/composition.
이 건물의 내부 구조는 매우 평이하다.
— Simple or straightforward logic.
그의 주장은 평이한 논리에 근거하고 있다.
— Common or simple subject matter.
이 드라마는 평이한 소재를 다루고 있다.
— A straightforward or simple interpretation.
그 시에 대한 평이한 해석을 내놓았다.
— A plain or simple way of speaking.
Summary
Key Takeaway: 평이하다 is your go-to word for describing something that is 'plainly easy' or 'standard in difficulty.' Use it when you want to sound more professional than just saying '쉽다.' For example, '설명이 평이하다' (The explanation is straightforward).
- 평이하다 (pyeong-ihada) is a formal adjective meaning 'plain,' 'easy,' or 'straightforward,' primarily used for language, style, and task difficulty levels.
- It is common in news reports about exams (like the Suneung) and in literary reviews to describe readable, uncomplicated prose or content.
- Unlike the basic '쉽다' (easy), it carries a professional nuance of 'accessibility' and lack of complexity, often found in academic or official contexts.
- Avoid using it for people's personalities or physical objects; it is best reserved for abstract concepts like explanations, logic, and writing styles.
محتوى ذو صلة
مزيد من كلمات academic
입체적
B2له تأثير ثلاثي الأبعاد أو فحص شيء ما من وجهات نظر متعددة.
~에 관해
B1تعبير يعني 'عن' أو 'بخصوص'. يُستخدم في السياقات الرسمية لتقديم موضوع معين.
~에 대하여
A2بخصوص أو فيما يتعلق بموضوع معين. 'نحن نتحدث عن المستقبل.'
~대해
A2تعني 'عن' أو 'بخصوص'. تُستخدم لتحديد موضوع الحديث أو التفكير.
~에 관하여
A2فيما يتعلق بـ أو حول موضوع ما. يستخدم في المواقف الرسمية مثل التقارير أو الخطب.
~에 대해(서)
A1يشير إلى موضوع أو مسألة المناقشة، بمعنى 'عن' أو 'بخصوص'. يتم استخدامه عادة مع أفعال مثل التحدث أو التفكير.
무엇보다
A2قبل كل شيء؛ أكثر من أي شيء آخر.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상화하다
B2يُجرد: النظر في شيء ما نظرياً أو بشكل منفصل عن واقعه المادي.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
