It describes something that is intellectually complex and difficult to decipher or interpret.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used when something is difficult to interpret or understand.
- Commonly used in academic, artistic, or formal contexts.
- Refers to complexity rather than simple physical difficulty.
개요
'난해하다'는 '어렵다(難)'와 '풀다(解)'가 합쳐진 한자어로, 글자 그대로 '풀어서 이해하기 어렵다'는 뜻을 가집니다. 단순하게 공부가 어려운 것이 아니라, 논리 구조가 복잡하거나 표현 방식이 추상적이어서 쉽게 파악되지 않는 대상에 주로 쓰입니다. 2) 사용 패턴: 주로 '난해한 [명사]' 또는 '[명사]가 난해하다'의 형태로 사용됩니다. 명사를 수식할 때는 '난해한 철학 책', '난해한 문제'처럼 쓰이며, 서술어로 쓰일 때는 '그 작가의 소설은 내용이 난해하다'와 같이 문장의 끝에 위치합니다. 3) 공통 문맥: 주로 문학, 예술, 철학, 수학 등 전문 분야에서 자주 등장합니다. 일상생활에서는 복잡한 설명서나 이해할 수 없는 행동을 묘사할 때도 사용합니다. 4) 유의어 비교: '어렵다'는 매우 포괄적인 단어로 공부나 상황 등 모든 것에 쓰이지만, '난해하다'는 '이해의 과정'에 초점이 맞춰져 있어 지적인 수준이 높은 대상에 사용되는 격식 있는 표현입니다.
Examples
이 수학 문제는 너무 난해해서 풀 엄두가 안 난다.
everydayThis math problem is so difficult that I don't even know where to start.
그의 작품 세계는 일반 대중에게는 다소 난해하다는 평가를 받는다.
formalHis body of work is considered somewhat obscure to the general public.
내용이 너무 난해해서 몇 번을 다시 읽었어.
informalThe content was so difficult to understand that I read it several times.
이 논문은 전문적인 지식이 없으면 이해하기에 다소 난해하다.
academicThis thesis is somewhat difficult to understand without specialized knowledge.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
지나치게 난해하다
excessively obscure
상당히 난해하다
quite difficult to understand
Often Confused With
General term for difficulty. Can refer to physical tasks, money, or emotions, whereas '난해하다' is strictly for intellectual or interpretive difficulty.
Refers to the structure being tangled or having many parts. Something can be '복잡하다' but still easy to understand.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word is formal and carries a slightly intellectual tone. It is best used when discussing abstract concepts, literature, or complex theories. It is not suitable for describing simple daily tasks like cooking or cleaning.
Common Mistakes
People often use it for physical tasks (e.g., 'The door is 난해하다'). This is incorrect; use '어렵다' or '복잡하다' instead. Remember it is specifically for cognitive understanding.
Tips
Focus on Intellectual Complexity
Use '난해하다' when you encounter something that requires deep thought to understand, like a philosophy book. It is more sophisticated than just saying '어렵다'.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Speech
Using this word in very casual settings might make you sound overly formal or distant. Reserve it for discussions about books, movies, or complex theories.
Academic and Artistic Contexts
In Korea, this term is frequently used in art criticism or literary reviews. It implies that the work has a deep, hidden meaning that is not immediately obvious.
Word Origin
Derived from the Hanja characters 難 (hard) and 解 (to loosen/solve). It literally means 'difficult to untangle or solve'.
Cultural Context
In Korean culture, being able to appreciate '난해한' art or literature is sometimes seen as a sign of high intellectual cultivation. It is a word often used by critics.
Memory Tip
Think of '난(難)' as 'Hard' and '해(解)' as 'Solve/Interpret'. If you can't 'solve' the meaning, it is '난해하다'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions단순히 풀기 힘든 문제는 '어렵다'고 하고, 문제의 의도나 논리가 복잡해서 해석 자체가 힘든 경우 '난해하다'를 씁니다. 즉, 난해함은 지적 해석이 필요한 상황에 더 적합합니다.
네, 하지만 약간 격식 있는 표현이므로 친구 사이보다는 발표나 글쓰기, 혹은 진지한 대화 상황에서 사용하는 것이 더 자연스럽습니다.
이해하기 쉽다는 뜻의 '평이하다'나 '명쾌하다'가 반대말에 가깝습니다.
네, 사람의 속마음이나 행동을 도저히 이해할 수 없을 때 '그 사람의 의도는 난해하다'와 같이 비유적으로 표현할 수 있습니다.
Test Yourself
그 철학자의 글은 너무 ___해서 해석하기 힘들었다.
철학적인 글은 해석이 어려울 때 '난해하다'를 사용합니다.
Score: /1
Summary
It describes something that is intellectually complex and difficult to decipher or interpret.
- Used when something is difficult to interpret or understand.
- Commonly used in academic, artistic, or formal contexts.
- Refers to complexity rather than simple physical difficulty.
Focus on Intellectual Complexity
Use '난해하다' when you encounter something that requires deep thought to understand, like a philosophy book. It is more sophisticated than just saying '어렵다'.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Speech
Using this word in very casual settings might make you sound overly formal or distant. Reserve it for discussions about books, movies, or complex theories.
Academic and Artistic Contexts
In Korea, this term is frequently used in art criticism or literary reviews. It implies that the work has a deep, hidden meaning that is not immediately obvious.
Examples
4 of 4이 수학 문제는 너무 난해해서 풀 엄두가 안 난다.
This math problem is so difficult that I don't even know where to start.
그의 작품 세계는 일반 대중에게는 다소 난해하다는 평가를 받는다.
His body of work is considered somewhat obscure to the general public.
내용이 너무 난해해서 몇 번을 다시 읽었어.
The content was so difficult to understand that I read it several times.
이 논문은 전문적인 지식이 없으면 이해하기에 다소 난해하다.
This thesis is somewhat difficult to understand without specialized knowledge.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More academic words
입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
