낮은
The word '낮은' describes something that is not high or is small in amount.
Explanation at your level:
You use 낮은 to say something is not high. For example, a 낮은 의자 is a low chair. It is very easy to use!
At this level, you can use it for measurements. You might say the temperature is 낮은 today, or the ceiling is 낮은. It is a great way to compare things.
Intermediate learners use this for abstract ideas. You can talk about 낮은 expectations or 낮은 standards. It helps you express your opinions more clearly.
At this stage, you notice the nuance. 낮은 can imply humility or a lack of intensity. It is used in professional settings to discuss data, like 낮은 efficiency.
Advanced users use it in figurative ways. You might describe a 낮은 profile in a business strategy or a 낮은 point in a character's emotional arc in a novel.
Mastery involves understanding the cultural weight of 'lowliness'. 낮은 is often used in literature to describe a state of grace or humility, contrasting with the 'high' or 'arrogant' nature of others.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means 'low' in height or level.
- Used for physical objects and abstract concepts.
- Antonym is '높은' (high).
- Essential for daily descriptions.
When you use the word 낮은, you are talking about something that sits close to the ground or has a limited value. Think of a low stool or a low volume on your music player.
It is a very common word in daily Korean. It helps us describe the world around us by setting boundaries on height and quantity. Whether you are talking about a low mountain or a low grade, this word is your go-to choice.
The word 낮은 comes from the root verb 낮다 (to be low). It has deep roots in the Korean language, evolving from ancient forms that described physical proximity to the earth.
Historically, it was used to contrast with 높다 (to be high), a fundamental binary in human perception. Over centuries, it expanded from describing just physical hills or trees to describing abstract concepts like status, temperature, and even sound.
You will see 낮은 used with nouns like 담장 (wall), 온도 (temperature), or 목소리 (voice). It is very versatile and works in both formal reports and casual conversations.
In formal contexts, it might describe low interest rates in finance. In casual speech, you might hear it when someone asks you to keep your voice low so you don't wake the neighbors.
1. 낮은 자세: Literally 'low posture', used to mean being humble. 2. 낮은 목소리: A low/soft voice. 3. 낮은 확률: A low probability. 4. 낮은 가격: A low price. 5. 낮은 곳: A low place or humble position.
As an adjective, 낮은 acts as a modifier for nouns. You place it directly before the noun you want to describe.
Pronunciation-wise, ensure the j sound is crisp. Rhyming words in a loose sense include other descriptive adjectives ending in -은, such as 작은 (small) or 깊은 (deep).
Fun Fact
Related to the word for daytime (낮) because the sun is 'low' in the sky during the day compared to the night? Actually, they are distinct roots!
Pronunciation Guide
Korean phonetics
Korean phonetics
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'j' sound
- Swallowing the final consonant
- Incorrect vowel length
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective Modification
낮은 + Noun
Descriptive Verbs
낮다 -> 낮은
Particles
낮은 곳에
Examples by Level
낮은 의자입니다.
Low chair is.
Adjective + Noun
낮은 산이에요.
Low mountain it is.
Simple sentence
낮은 소리로 말해요.
Low voice with speak.
Adverbial usage
낮은 담장.
Low wall.
Noun phrase
낮은 책상.
Low desk.
Noun phrase
낮은 온도.
Low temperature.
Scientific context
낮은 곳.
Low place.
Location
낮은 단계.
Low level.
Abstract
낮은 가격에 샀어요.
낮은 구름이 보여요.
낮은 울타리가 있어요.
낮은 점수를 받았어요.
낮은 곳으로 물이 흘러요.
낮은 계단을 올라요.
낮은 확률입니다.
낮은 지대에 살아요.
낮은 기대치를 가지고 있어요.
낮은 효율을 개선해야 합니다.
낮은 자세로 배우고 싶습니다.
낮은 금리가 경제에 영향을 줍니다.
낮은 빈도로 나타나는 현상입니다.
낮은 습도가 피부를 건조하게 해요.
낮은 연령층을 공략합니다.
낮은 강도의 운동을 추천해요.
낮은 자존감은 극복할 수 있습니다.
낮은 인지도를 높이기 위해 노력합니다.
낮은 수익률을 감수해야 합니다.
낮은 기압이 다가오고 있습니다.
낮은 밀도의 물질입니다.
낮은 톤의 목소리가 매력적이에요.
낮은 수준의 대화는 피하세요.
낮은 위치에서 상황을 파악하세요.
낮은 포복으로 기어갔습니다.
낮은 곳에서부터 시작된 변화입니다.
낮은 지능지수와 상관없습니다.
낮은 파동의 소리를 감지합니다.
낮은 농도의 용액을 사용하세요.
낮은 사회적 지위를 극복했습니다.
낮은 실업률을 기록했습니다.
낮은 기저 효과를 고려해야 합니다.
낮은 곳으로 임하는 마음가짐이 중요합니다.
낮은 자리에 앉아 경청했습니다.
낮은 채도의 색상을 선호합니다.
낮은 궤도의 위성을 발사합니다.
낮은 산맥을 따라 이동합니다.
낮은 울림이 가슴을 파고듭니다.
낮은 확률에 도전했습니다.
낮은 기운이 감도는 방입니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"낮은 자세를 취하다"
to be humble/cautious
그는 낮은 자세를 취했다.
neutral"낮은 곳으로 흐르다"
water finds the lowest point; natural tendency
물은 낮은 곳으로 흐른다.
literary"낮은 목소리로"
in a whisper/softly
낮은 목소리로 대답했다.
neutral"낮은 등급"
low rank/grade
낮은 등급을 받았다.
formal"낮은 기운"
low energy/mood
낮은 기운이 느껴진다.
casual"낮은 지점"
low point
인생의 낮은 지점이다.
neutralEasily Confused
Both describe size/scale
작은 is for volume/size, 낮은 is for height/level
작은 사과 vs 낮은 의자
Both imply 'not high/deep'
얕은 is for depth of water/knowledge
얕은 물 vs 낮은 산
Both imply 'not long/high'
짧은 is for length/time
짧은 시간 vs 낮은 책상
Both imply 'lack of space'
좁은 is for width
좁은 방 vs 낮은 천장
Sentence Patterns
낮은 + Noun
낮은 산을 올랐다.
Subject + Noun + -이/가 낮은
천장이 낮은 방.
낮은 + Noun + -에/에서
낮은 곳에서 쉬자.
낮은 + Noun + -를/을
낮은 점수를 받았다.
낮은 + Noun + -로
낮은 목소리로 말했다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Use '얕은' for liquid depth.
Use '작은' for general small size.
Use '저조한' for performance/stats.
Weight is 'light' (가벼운), not 'low'.
Time is 'early' (이른), not 'low'.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place a low chair in your mental house.
Native Context
Use it for anything close to the ground.
Humility
It relates to being humble.
Modifier Rule
Always before the noun.
Crisp J
Don't soften the 'j' too much.
Water Depth
Don't use it for water.
Antonym Pair
Learn '높은' and '낮은' together.
Flashcards
Pair with images of hills.
Verb vs Adjective
It is a descriptive adjective.
Flow
Practice the 'un' ending.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'Nudge' (sounds like 'na-jeun') to push something down to a low level.
Visual Association
A low table on the floor.
Word Web
Challenge
Find 3 things in your room that are '낮은'.
Word Origin
Native Korean
Original meaning: Close to the earth
Cultural Context
None
Direct equivalent to 'low'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At home
- 낮은 의자
- 낮은 책상
- 낮은 침대
In nature
- 낮은 산
- 낮은 언덕
- 낮은 구름
In business
- 낮은 가격
- 낮은 금리
- 낮은 수익
In conversation
- 낮은 목소리
- 낮은 자세
Conversation Starters
"당신은 높은 곳을 좋아하나요, 낮은 곳을 좋아하나요?"
"낮은 가격의 물건을 찾는 팁이 있나요?"
"낮은 목소리로 말하는 사람을 보면 어떤 느낌인가요?"
"낮은 산을 등산하는 것을 좋아하시나요?"
"낮은 기대를 가지고 시작하는 것이 좋을 때가 있을까요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 하루 중 가장 '낮은' 위치에 있었던 경험을 적어보세요.
낮은 자세로 배우는 것의 장점은 무엇일까요?
낮은 온도에서 일하는 것은 어떤 기분일까요?
낮은 확률을 뚫고 성공했던 경험이 있나요?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it is the primary word for physical height.
No, 'small' is '작은'. '낮은' is for height.
Use '낮추다' to lower something.
No, use '어린' for young age.
It is neutral and used everywhere.
No, Korean adjectives don't have plurals.
높은 (high).
Yes, '낮은 목소리' is a low voice.
Test Yourself
의자가 ___.
The chair is low.
Which means 'low temperature'?
낮은 온도 is low temperature.
낮은 can be used for deep water.
Use 얕은 for water.
Word
Meaning
Correct meanings.
Adjective modifies noun.
Score: /5
Summary
낮은 is your go-to word for anything that sits close to the ground or has a limited degree.
- Means 'low' in height or level.
- Used for physical objects and abstract concepts.
- Antonym is '높은' (high).
- Essential for daily descriptions.
Memory Palace
Place a low chair in your mental house.
Native Context
Use it for anything close to the ground.
Humility
It relates to being humble.
Modifier Rule
Always before the noun.
Example
그는 낮은 목소리로 속삭였습니다.
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