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진하다

A2 adjective #4,000 most common 9 min read

진하다

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 진하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 진하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn '진하다' to describe basic things like coffee and colors. Think of it as the opposite of '연하다' (light/weak). When you go to a cafe, you might want your coffee to be '진해요' (strong). When you are drawing, you might use a '진한 색' (dark color) like dark blue or dark red. It is a simple way to say something is 'very much' of a flavor or color. You will mostly use it in the form '진해요' or '진한 [noun]'. Focus on using it for coffee, tea, and basic colors like red, blue, and green.

At the A2 level, you expand '진하다' to describe more everyday items. You can use it for makeup (화장이 진해요 - makeup is heavy), scents (향기가 진해요 - the scent is strong), and soups (국물이 진해요 - the broth is rich). You start to see how it describes 'concentration'. A rich soup has a lot of ingredients and not too much water. Heavy makeup has a lot of color. You also learn to use the adverb '진하게' to give orders or describe actions, like '커피를 진하게 타 주세요' (Please make the coffee strong).

At the B1 level, '진하다' starts to be used for more abstract concepts and atmospheric descriptions. You will encounter it in weather reports to describe '진한 안개' (thick fog). You also use it for emotions and relationships, such as '진한 우정' (a deep/thick friendship) or '진한 감동' (a deep impression). At this level, you should be able to distinguish '진하다' from '두껍다' (physical thickness) and '강하다' (physical strength). You use '진하다' when the 'intensity' is sensory or emotional.

At the B2 level, you understand the nuance between '진하다' and its synonyms like '짙다' or '깊다'. You recognize that '진하다' often implies a sensory richness that is satisfying, like '진한 초콜릿' or '진한 휴식' (a deep/thorough rest). You can use it to describe a person's features, like '진한 눈썹' (prominent, dark eyebrows) or a '진한 인상' (a strong, memorable impression). You are also comfortable using it in various grammatical structures, including complex comparisons and hypothetical situations.

At the C1 level, you use '진하다' in literary and professional contexts. You might read about '진한 향수(鄕愁)' (deep nostalgia/homesickness) or the '진한 삶의 애환' (the deep joys and sorrows of life). You understand how '진하다' can be used metaphorically to describe the 'thickness' of time or the 'density' of a narrative. You can discuss the artistic choice of using '진한 색채' (vivid/thick colors) in a painting to convey specific moods. Your usage is precise, and you rarely confuse it with similar-sounding words.

At the C2 level, '진하다' is a tool for philosophical and nuanced expression. You can analyze the '진한 여운' (a deep, lingering aftertaste or feeling) left by a masterpiece. You understand its role in traditional Korean aesthetics, where '진함' (richness) is balanced with '여백' (empty space). You can use the word to describe the complex, concentrated essence of cultural phenomena. Your mastery allows you to use '진하다' to capture the most subtle intensities of the human experience, from the '진한 고독' (profound loneliness) of a character to the '진한 연대감' (strong sense of solidarity) in a community.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

진하다 in 30 Seconds

Used for strong flavors (coffee, soup).
Used for dark/saturated colors (dark blue, deep red).
Used for heavy scents or thick fog.
Used for deep emotions and heavy makeup.

The Korean adjective 진하다 (jinhada) is a versatile word that primarily describes the intensity, density, or richness of sensory experiences. While English often requires different words like 'strong,' 'dark,' 'rich,' or 'thick' depending on the context, Korean captures these concepts under the umbrella of '진하다'. At its core, it signifies that a particular quality—be it color, flavor, scent, or even an abstract emotion—is concentrated and potent rather than diluted or faint. Understanding '진하다' is essential for A2 learners because it moves beyond basic descriptions into the realm of nuance and preference.

Visual Intensity (Color): When describing colors, '진하다' means dark or deep. If you are looking at a box of crayons, '진한 파랑' would be navy or deep blue, whereas '연한 파랑' would be sky blue. It is the standard way to express that a color has a high saturation or a dark value.

이 빨간색은 너무 진해서 검은색 같아요. (This red is so dark/rich that it looks like black.)

Taste and Flavor (Concentration): In the culinary world, '진하다' refers to the richness of a broth or the strength of a beverage. For example, a '진한 커피' is a strong espresso or a dark roast, while a '진한 국물' refers to a bone broth that has been simmered for hours until it is thick and flavorful. It implies a high concentration of ingredients relative to water.

Scent and Atmosphere: For smells, '진하다' describes a powerful aroma. This can be positive, like the '진한 꽃향기' (rich floral scent) of spring, or potentially overwhelming, like '진한 향수' (strong perfume). It also extends to atmospheric phenomena like '진한 안개' (thick fog), where the density of the air prevents visibility.

방 안에서 장미 향기가 아주 진하게 나요. (There is a very strong scent of roses in the room.)

Beyond the physical, '진하다' describes the depth of human emotions and relationships. A '진한 우정' (deep friendship) or '진한 감동' (deep move/impression) suggests a quality that is profound and lasting. It is also used for physical appearances, such as '진한 눈썹' (thick/dark eyebrows) or '진한 화장' (heavy makeup). In every case, the word points to something that is 'extra' or 'dense' in its specific category. Whether you are ordering a coffee, buying clothes, or describing a sunset, '진하다' allows you to specify the level of intensity with precision.

Using 진하다 correctly requires understanding its conjugation and its role as a descriptive verb (adjective) in Korean. Because it is an adjective, it cannot take an object directly; instead, it describes the subject of the sentence. The basic dictionary form is '진하다', and it follows standard '하' adjective conjugation rules.

Present Tense Conjugation: In polite informal speech (해요체), it becomes '진해요'. In formal speech (하십시오체), it is '진합니다'. When modifying a noun directly, the '다' is dropped and 'ㄴ' is added to the stem, resulting in '진한'. For example: '진한 커피' (strong coffee).

저는 진한 초콜릿을 좋아해요. (I like rich/dark chocolate.)

Past and Future Tense: To talk about something that was strong in the past, use '진했어요' (polite) or '진했습니다' (formal). For the future or a supposition, use '진할 거예요'. For example, if you are adding more tea leaves, you might say '맛이 더 진할 거예요' (The taste will be stronger).

어제는 안개가 아주 진했어요. (The fog was very thick yesterday.)

Adverbial Form: To use '진하다' as an adverb to describe how an action is performed (like applying makeup or brewing tea), use '진하게'. For example: '화장을 진하게 했어요' (I applied makeup heavily/thickly).

커피를 좀 진하게 타 주세요. (Please make the coffee a bit strong.)

One common sentence pattern involves comparing intensities using '보다' (than). For instance, '이 차가 저 차보다 더 진해요' (This tea is stronger than that tea). You can also use intensifiers like '너무' (too), '아주' (very), or '진짜' (really) to emphasize the degree. In daily conversation, you will often hear it in the form of a question: '맛이 너무 진한가요?' (Is the taste too strong?). Mastering these patterns allows you to navigate social situations involving food, fashion, and weather with ease.

In Korea, 진하다 is a high-frequency word heard in several specific environments. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word in the wild and use it naturally.

The Café Culture: Korea has a massive café culture. When ordering, you might hear a barista ask if you want your coffee '진하게' (strong) or '연하게' (weak). Customers often specify, '에스프레소 샷 하나 추가해서 진하게 주세요' (Please add an extra espresso shot and make it strong). You'll also see '진한 초코 라떼' (Rich Chocolate Latte) on menus, promising a deep, cocoa-heavy flavor.

이 집 커피는 맛이 정말 진해서 좋아요. (I like this place because the coffee taste is really strong/rich.)

Beauty and Fashion: In the K-beauty industry, '진하다' is used constantly. Beauty influencers on YouTube might describe a lipstick as '색깔이 진해요' (the color is dark/vivid) or advise against '진한 눈화장' (heavy eye makeup) for a 'daily look'. If you go to a hair salon, you might ask for a '진한 갈색' (dark brown) dye.

Traditional Dining: Traditional Korean soups like Seolleongtang (ox bone soup) or Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) are prized for their '진한 국물' (rich, thick broth). On food shows (Mukbang), hosts will often close their eyes and exclaim, '와, 국물이 진짜 진하다!' to indicate that the flavor is deep and has been extracted perfectly from the ingredients.

국물이 진하니까 보약 같아요. (Since the broth is so rich, it feels like medicine.)

You will also hear this word in weather reports during the spring or fall. '진한 안개' (thick fog) is a common warning for drivers. In literature or dramas, you might hear about characters having a '진한 로맨스' (deep/intense romance) or '진한 감동' (deep emotion). Essentially, anywhere there is a high concentration of a physical or emotional quality, '진하다' will be the word of choice. It’s a word that bridges the gap between the physical senses and the internal heart.

While 진하다 is a common word, English speakers often make mistakes by using it where other words like '강하다' (strong) or '두껍다' (thick) are more appropriate. Understanding the boundaries of '진하다' is key to sounding natural.

Mistake 1: 진하다 vs. 강하다 (Physical Strength): In English, we use 'strong' for coffee AND for a person's muscles. In Korean, you cannot use '진하다' for physical strength or power. A strong person is '힘이 강하다' or '힘이 세다'. '진하다' is only for concentration or intensity of color/flavor/scent. You wouldn't say a '진한 바람' (strong wind); you would say '강한 바람'.

❌ 이 사람은 힘이 진해요.
✅ 이 사람은 힘이 세요/강해요.

Mistake 2: 진하다 vs. 두껍다 (Physical Thickness): English uses 'thick' for a book and for fog. Korean distinguishes these. A book or a wall is '두껍다'. Fog or soup is '진하다' (or '짙다'). Using '두껍다' for coffee would sound like the coffee has a physical 3D thickness like a slice of bread. However, '화장이 두껍다' (makeup is thick) is actually a common alternative to '화장이 진하다', but they mean slightly different things: '진하다' refers to the dark color, while '두껍다' refers to the layers of foundation.

Mistake 3: Overusing '진하다' for 'Dark': While '진하다' means dark in terms of color saturation, it does not mean 'dark' as in 'the room is dark'. For a lack of light, use '어둡다'. If you say '방이 진해요', it doesn't make sense unless you mean the paint color on the walls is a deep shade.

❌ 밤이라서 밖이 진해요.
✅ 밤이라서 밖이 어두워요.

Finally, learners sometimes confuse '진하다' with '짠하다' (to feel a twinge of sadness/pity). While they sound similar, '짠하다' is used when your heart aches for someone. Be careful with your pronunciation to avoid telling someone their coffee is 'heartbreaking' instead of 'strong'!

To truly master Korean, you should know the synonyms and related words for 진하다. Each has a specific nuance that makes it better for certain situations.

짙다 (Jitta): This is the closest synonym to '진하다'. It is often used for fog (안개가 짙다), smoke, or darkness of color. While '진하다' is more common in daily speech for food and drinks, '짙다' often feels slightly more literary or descriptive of atmosphere and nature.

강렬하다 (Gangryeolhada): This means 'intense' or 'strong'. It is used for things that have a powerful impact on the senses, like '강렬한 태양' (intense sun) or '강렬한 인상' (a strong impression). It is more dramatic than '진하다'.

그 영화는 강렬한 인상을 남겼어요. (That movie left an intense/strong impression.)

깊다 (Gipda): Meaning 'deep', this word overlaps with '진하다' when talking about flavors and emotions. '맛이 깊다' (the taste is deep) suggests a complexity of flavor, whereas '맛이 진하다' might just mean it's strong. For relationships, '우정이 깊다' and '우정이 진하다' are both used, but '깊다' emphasizes the history and foundation, while '진하다' emphasizes the current intensity.

걸쭉하다 (Geoljjukhada): This is a very specific word for liquids that are thick and viscous, like porridge or a very thick stew. While '진하다' refers to the concentration of flavor, '걸쭉하다' refers to the physical texture of the liquid.

죽이 아주 걸쭉해요. (The porridge is very thick/viscous.)

Choosing the right word depends on what quality you want to emphasize. If you want to talk about how dark a color is, stick with '진하다' or '짙다'. If you want to talk about how much you were moved by a story, '진한 감동' or '깊은 감동' are your best bets. By expanding your vocabulary to include these alternatives, you can express your thoughts with much greater precision in Korean.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While '진' sounds like the Hanja '眞' (true), '진하다' is primarily native. However, the idiom '진국' (rich soup/genuine person) uses the word to imply that something has reached its true, most concentrated essence through boiling.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /t͡ɕin.ɦa.da/

US /t͡ɕin.ɦa.da/

The stress is balanced, but the first syllable '진' often carries a slightly higher pitch in declarative sentences.

Rhymes With

흔하다 (heun-ha-da - to be common) 선하다 (seon-ha-da - to be good-hearted) 편하다 (pyeon-ha-da - to be comfortable) 안하다 (an-ha-da - to not do) 변하다 (byeon-ha-da - to change) 전하다 (jeon-ha-da - to convey) 면하다 (myeon-ha-da - to avoid) 연하다 (yeon-ha-da - to be light/soft)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '진' as 'jin' with a hard English 'J'. It should be more like a soft 'ch'.
Confusing the pronunciation with '짠하다' (jjan-ha-da), which has a tensed 'jj' sound.
Dropping the 'h' sound completely, making it sound like 'jin-a-da'.
Over-emphasizing the 'da' at the end.
Incorrectly tensing the 'n' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize as it follows standard '하다' adjective rules.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'ㄴ' modifier form (진한).

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation, but don't confuse with '짠하다'.

Listening 2/5

Common in many contexts, easy to pick up.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

색 (color) 맛 (taste) 커피 (coffee) 물 (water) 하다 (to do/be)

Learn Next

연하다 (light/weak) 짙다 (thick/dark) 깊다 (deep) 강하다 (strong) 어둡다 (dark/dim)

Advanced

농후하다 (dense/high possibility) 걸쭉하다 (viscous) 강렬하다 (intense) 선명하다 (vivid)

Grammar to Know

Adjective to Noun Modifier (-ㄴ/은)

진하다 -> 진한 (진한 커피)

Adverbial Suffix (-게)

진하다 -> 진하게 (진하게 타다)

Reason/Cause (-어서/아서)

커피가 진해서 잠이 안 와요.

Becoming/Change of State (-어지다)

안개가 더 진해졌어요.

Soft Surprise/Observation (-네요)

와, 색깔이 정말 진하네요!

Examples by Level

커피가 아주 진해요.

The coffee is very strong.

진하다 is used here as a descriptive verb in the polite present tense.

저는 진한 파란색을 좋아해요.

I like dark blue.

진한 is the noun-modifying form of 진하다.

이 우유는 맛이 진해요.

This milk has a rich taste.

Used to describe the concentration of flavor in a liquid.

진한 빨간색 사과예요.

It is a dark red apple.

Adjective modifying the noun '빨간색'.

차가 너무 진해요. 물을 넣으세요.

The tea is too strong. Please add water.

너무 (too) emphasizes the intensity of the tea.

이 펜은 색이 진합니다.

This pen's color is dark/bold.

Formal polite ending -습니다.

진한 초콜릿을 먹고 싶어요.

I want to eat rich chocolate.

Describing the quality of the chocolate.

하늘색보다 진한 색이에요.

It is a darker color than sky blue.

Using -보다 (than) for comparison.

오늘 화장이 좀 진하네요.

Your makeup is a bit heavy today.

-네요 adds a sense of surprise or observation.

국물이 진해서 맛있어요.

The broth is rich, so it's delicious.

-어서/아서 provides the reason for it being delicious.

향수 냄새가 너무 진해요.

The perfume smell is too strong.

진하다 applied to scents.

커피를 진하게 타 주세요.

Please make the coffee strong.

진하게 is the adverbial form.

꽃향기가 진하게 나요.

The flower scent is coming off strongly.

Adverb modifying the verb 나다 (to smell).

눈썹이 진한 사람이 누구예요?

Who is the person with thick/dark eyebrows?

Describing physical features.

색깔이 너무 진하면 안 예뻐요.

If the color is too dark, it's not pretty.

-면 (if) conditional structure.

어제보다 안개가 진해요.

The fog is thicker than yesterday.

Comparing atmospheric density.

그 영화는 진한 감동을 주었어요.

That movie gave a deep impression.

Abstract usage for emotions.

두 사람은 진한 우정을 나누고 있어요.

The two of them share a deep friendship.

Metaphorical 'thickness' applied to relationships.

간장이 너무 진해서 짜요.

The soy sauce is too concentrated, so it's salty.

Concentration of liquid leading to taste change.

진한 화장보다는 연한 화장이 어울려요.

Light makeup suits you better than heavy makeup.

Comparison between two styles.

숲속에 진한 풀 냄새가 가득해요.

The forest is full of a strong scent of grass.

Describing environmental aroma.

색이 진한 옷은 따로 세탁하세요.

Wash dark-colored clothes separately.

Practical instruction regarding color fastness.

이 소스는 맛이 너무 진한 것 같아요.

I think this sauce is too rich/strong.

-ㄴ 것 같다 (I think/it seems) softens the opinion.

그는 인상이 진해서 한 번 보면 못 잊어요.

He has such a strong impression that you can't forget him once you see him.

Used for a memorable facial appearance.

오랜 시간 끓여서 국물이 아주 진국이에요.

It's been boiled for a long time, so the broth is truly rich.

진국 (rich soup) is a noun related to 진하다.

가을이 되니 단풍 색이 더 진해졌어요.

As autumn came, the colors of the leaves became darker/vivid.

-어지다 indicates a change in state.

진한 어둠 속에서 불빛 하나가 보였다.

A single light was seen in the thick darkness.

Literary usage for darkness.

와인 향이 아주 진하고 깊네요.

The wine's aroma is very rich and deep.

Combining 진하다 with 깊다 for emphasis.

그녀의 목소리에는 진한 슬픔이 배어 있었다.

Her voice was saturated with deep sadness.

Metaphorical usage for emotional quality.

커피를 너무 진하게 마시면 잠이 안 와요.

If you drink coffee too strong, you can't sleep.

Conditional and adverbial usage.

이 그림은 진한 유채 물감을 사용했어요.

This painting used thick oil paints.

Describing the medium's intensity.

진한 보라색 드레스가 그녀에게 잘 어울려요.

The dark purple dress suits her well.

Specific color description.

작가는 인간 소외에 대한 진한 성찰을 담았다.

The author included a deep reflection on human alienation.

Academic/Literary use for 'reflection'.

고향에 대한 진한 향수가 느껴지는 노래입니다.

It is a song where a deep nostalgia for home is felt.

Standard phrase: 진한 향수 (deep nostalgia).

안개가 너무 진해서 한 치 앞도 볼 수 없었다.

The fog was so thick that I couldn't see an inch ahead.

Idiomatic expression for zero visibility.

그의 연기에는 삶의 진한 페이소스가 묻어난다.

His acting exudes a deep pathos of life.

High-level vocabulary integration.

전통 방식 그대로 달인 진한 한약입니다.

This is a rich herbal medicine brewed in the traditional way.

Describing medicinal concentration.

진한 감동의 여운이 가시지 않는다.

The lingering afterglow of the deep emotion doesn't go away.

Describing the lasting effect of an experience.

이 소설은 진한 가부장적 사회의 모순을 비판한다.

This novel criticizes the deep contradictions of patriarchal society.

Describing the 'thickness' or 'depth' of social issues.

공기 중에 진한 화약 냄새가 진동했다.

A strong smell of gunpowder vibrated in the air.

Sensory intensity in a narrative context.

미학적으로 이 작품은 진한 원색의 대비가 특징이다.

Aesthetically, this work is characterized by the contrast of rich primary colors.

Art criticism terminology.

그의 문체는 진한 서정성을 띠고 있다.

His writing style possesses a deep lyricism.

Literary analysis.

역사의 진한 아픔을 간직한 장소입니다.

It is a place that holds the deep pain of history.

Metaphorical use for collective memory.

진한 고독 속에서 그는 예술적 영감을 얻었다.

In profound loneliness, he gained artistic inspiration.

Describing the depth of an internal state.

이 와인은 탄닌이 강하고 색이 진해서 숙성 잠재력이 크다.

This wine has strong tannins and dark color, so it has great aging potential.

Technical description in oenology.

민족의 진한 한(恨)이 서려 있는 가락이다.

It is a melody imbued with the deep 'Han' (resentment/sorrow) of the people.

Cultural-specific emotional depth.

진한 화장 뒤에 숨겨진 진실한 자아를 찾고 싶었다.

I wanted to find the true self hidden behind the heavy makeup.

Symbolic contrast between appearance and essence.

그의 삶은 진한 농도로 압축된 한 편의 시와 같았다.

His life was like a poem compressed with deep density.

Highly metaphorical and sophisticated phrasing.

Common Collocations

진한 커피

진한 화장

진한 안개

진한 우정

진한 국물

진한 색깔

진한 향수

진한 눈썹

진한 감동

진한 보라색

Common Phrases

맛이 진하다

— The taste is strong or rich. Used for food and drinks.

이 초콜릿은 맛이 정말 진해요.

색이 진하다

— The color is dark or deep. Used for any visual color.

청바지 색이 아주 진하네요.

화장이 진하다

— The makeup is heavy. Used when someone applies a lot of cosmetics.

평소보다 화장이 진한 것 같아요.

향기가 진하다

— The scent is strong. Used for flowers, perfume, or food.

장미 향기가 진하게 나요.

안개가 진하다

— The fog is thick. Used to describe low visibility conditions.

아침에 안개가 진하게 꼈어요.

인상이 진하다

— To have strong/distinctive features. Used for memorable faces.

그 배우는 인상이 참 진해요.

국물이 진하다

— The broth is rich. A common compliment for stews and soups.

사골 국물이 아주 진하네요.

우정이 진하다

— The friendship is deep. Describes a very close bond.

두 사람의 진한 우정이 부러워요.

감동이 진하다

— The emotion is deep. Used for moving experiences.

진한 감동을 주는 연설이었어요.

커피를 진하게 타다

— To make coffee strong. '타다' is used for mixing powders/liquids.

커피 좀 진하게 타 줄래?

Often Confused With

진하다 vs 강하다

English uses 'strong' for both, but Korean uses '진하다' for concentration and '강하다' for power/force.

진하다 vs 두껍다

English uses 'thick' for both, but Korean uses '진하다' for liquids/fog and '두껍다' for physical objects like books.

진하다 vs 짠하다

Sounds similar but means to feel a twinge of pity or sadness.

Idioms & Expressions

"진국이다"

— Literally 'to be rich broth,' but idiomatically means a person is genuine, honest, and deep.

그 사람은 알면 알수록 진국이에요.

Informal/Neutral

"진땀을 흘리다"

— To break a 'thick' sweat; to struggle or have a hard time with something difficult.

시험을 보느라 진땀을 흘렸어요.

Informal/Neutral

"진을 빼다"

— To exhaust someone's energy completely (to drain the 'essence').

아이들과 놀아주느라 진이 다 빠졌어요.

Informal

"진하게 한 잔 하다"

— To have a 'strong' drink together, often implying deep conversation.

오늘 우리 진하게 한 잔 할까?

Informal

"색이 진하게 배다"

— For a color or influence to soak in deeply.

옷에 김치 국물이 진하게 배었어요.

Neutral

"진한 여운을 남기다"

— To leave a deep, lingering aftertaste or emotional resonance.

공연은 관객들에게 진한 여운을 남겼다.

Neutral/Formal

"눈썹이 진하다"

— Often used to describe a masculine or strong-willed appearance.

그는 눈썹이 진해서 신뢰감이 가요.

Neutral

"화장을 진하게 떡칠하다"

— To cake on makeup (slangy/negative).

화장을 왜 그렇게 진하게 떡칠했어?

Slang

"진한 감동의 물결"

— A wave of deep emotion.

경기장은 진한 감동의 물결로 가득 찼다.

Literary

"진하게 사랑하다"

— To love intensely/deeply.

우리는 짧지만 진하게 사랑했다.

Neutral/Poetic

Easily Confused

진하다 vs 짙다

Almost identical in meaning (thick/dark).

'진하다' is more common for food/drinks; '짙다' is more common for fog/smoke/literary descriptions.

안개가 짙다 (Natural), 커피가 진하다 (Natural).

진하다 vs 어둡다

Both translate to 'dark' in English.

'어둡다' refers to a lack of light (a dark room); '진하다' refers to color saturation (a dark red).

방이 어둡다 (The room is dark).

진하다 vs 세다

Both can mean 'strong'.

'세다' is for physical power, wind, or personality; '진하다' is for richness of a substance.

바람이 세다 (The wind is strong).

진하다 vs 싱겁다

Antonym confusion.

'싱겁다' is specifically for food lacking salt/flavor; '연하다' is the general opposite of '진하다'.

국이 싱거워요 (The soup is bland).

진하다 vs 걸쭉하다

Both mean 'thick' for liquids.

'걸쭉하다' is about physical viscosity (like gravy); '진하다' is about flavor concentration.

스프가 걸쭉하다 (The soup is viscous).

Sentence Patterns

[Subject]이/가 진해요.

커피가 진해요.

진한 [Noun]

진한 우유

[Noun]을/를 진하게 [Verb].

커피를 진하게 타요.

[Subject]이/가 진해서 [Result].

색이 진해서 예뻐요.

[Noun]보다 더 진하다.

이게 저것보다 더 진해요.

진한 [Abstract Noun]

진한 감동

[Subject]이/가 점점 진해지다.

안개가 점점 진해져요.

진한 [Noun]의 여운

진한 슬픔의 여운

Word Family

Nouns

진함 (jingham) - richness/darkness

진국 (jinguk) - rich broth / a genuine person

Verbs

진해지다 (jinhaejida) - to become strong/darker

Adjectives

진하디진하다 (jinhadijinhada) - to be extremely strong/rich

짙다 (jitta) - thick/dark

깊다 (gipda) - deep

두껍다 (dukkeopda) - thick (physical)

강하다 (ganghada) - strong

연하다 (yeonhada) - light/weak

How to Use It

frequency

Very High in daily life, especially regarding food, fashion, and weather.

Common Mistakes

Using 진하다 for physical strength. → 힘이 세다 / 강하다
'진하다' only refers to concentration or sensory intensity, not muscle power.
Using 진하다 for a thick book. → 두꺼운 책
'진하다' is for liquids/colors; '두껍다' is for physical objects with three-dimensional thickness.
Using 진하다 for a dark room. → 어두운 방
'진하다' is for color saturation; '어둡다' is for the absence of light.
Saying '맛이 강해요' for rich soup. → 맛이 진해요
While '강하다' (strong) is understood, '진하다' is the much more natural way to describe rich food.
Confusing 진하다 with 짠하다. → 진하다 (strong/rich) / 짠하다 (pity)
These sound similar but have completely different meanings. Watch your pronunciation.

Tips

Cafe Ordering

If you want an extra shot of espresso, you can say '진하게 해 주세요' (Please make it strong).

Color Nuance

Use '진한' + [color] to describe any dark shade, like '진한 초록' for forest green.

Complimenting Food

Saying '국물이 진해요' is one of the best compliments you can give to someone who made a Korean stew.

Noun Modifying

Remember to change '진하다' to '진한' when it comes before a noun (e.g., 진한 향수).

Avoid Confusion

Make sure to pronounce the 'ㄴ' clearly so it doesn't sound like '지하다' or '짠하다'.

Makeup Talk

When describing makeup, '진하다' is neutral, but '너무 진하다' usually implies it's excessive.

Foggy Days

In Korea, '진한 안개' is a common weather warning. Use it when visibility is low.

Deep Bonds

Use '진한 우정' to describe a friendship that has gone through a lot and is very strong.

Literary Flair

In stories, use '진한 어둠' (thick darkness) instead of just '어둠' to add more drama.

Opposites

Always remember '연하다' is the pair for '진하다'. They are like 'strong' and 'weak' in many contexts.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jin' (like the drink Gin). If a drink has too much 'Jin' in it, it is very 'strong' and 'rich' (진하다).

Visual Association

Imagine a cup of espresso so dark it looks like black ink, or a very thick white fog where you can't see your hand. Both are '진하다'.

Word Web

Coffee (커피) Makeup (화장) Fog (안개) Color (색깔) Broth (국물) Perfume (향수) Friendship (우정) Impression (인상)

Challenge

Try to find three things in your room right now that are '진하다' (e.g., a dark shirt, a strong candle, a thick pen) and say it out loud: '[Item]이 진해요'.

Word Origin

The word '진하다' is a native Korean adjective. It is composed of the root '진-' and the suffix '-하다'.

Original meaning: Historically, it referred to the concentration of liquids or the depth of colors, derived from the concept of 'essence' or 'thickness'.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when telling someone their makeup is '진하다', as it can be interpreted as 'you are wearing too much makeup'.

English speakers often use 'strong' for many things, but remember to use '진하다' for taste/color and '강하다' for power.

진국 (Jinguk) - a common nickname for a reliable friend. 진한 커피 (Strong Coffee) - a staple of Korean office life. 진한 안개 (Thick Fog) - a common trope in Korean mystery dramas.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Cafe

커피 진하게 주세요.
이 차는 너무 진해요.
진한 초코 라떼 있어요?
샷 추가해서 진하게 해주세요.

At a Restaurant

국물이 정말 진하네요.
소스가 너무 진해요.
맛이 진해서 맛있어요.
좀 더 진하게 끓여주세요.

Shopping for Clothes

더 진한 색은 없나요?
이 파란색은 너무 진해요.
진한 청바지를 찾고 있어요.
색이 진해서 예쁘네요.

Talking about Weather

안개가 진하게 꼈어요.
진한 안개 때문에 앞이 안 보여요.
내일은 안개가 더 진할 거래요.
진한 안개 조심하세요.

Beauty/Makeup

화장이 너무 진해요.
눈썹을 좀 진하게 그려주세요.
진한 립스틱이 잘 어울려요.
화장 진하게 하지 마세요.

Conversation Starters

"커피 진하게 드시는 편이에요, 아니면 연하게 드시는 편이에요?"

"이 식당 국물이 정말 진한데, 한번 드셔보실래요?"

"오늘 안개가 정말 진하네요. 운전해서 오기 힘들지 않으셨어요?"

"저는 진한 파란색을 좋아하는데, 당신은 어떤 색을 좋아하세요?"

"이 영화 정말 진한 감동이 있지 않나요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 먹은 음식 중에서 가장 맛이 진했던 것은 무엇인가요? (What was the richest tasting food you ate today?)

당신은 진한 화장을 좋아하나요, 아니면 자연스러운 화장을 좋아하나요? 그 이유는 무엇인가요? (Do you like heavy makeup or natural makeup? Why?)

최근에 진한 감동을 받았던 순간에 대해 써보세요. (Write about a moment you felt a deep impression recently.)

진한 우정을 나누고 있는 친구가 있나요? 그 친구에 대해 소개해 보세요. (Do you have a friend you share a deep friendship with? Introduce them.)

만약 당신이 화가라면, 어떤 진한 색깔을 가장 많이 사용하고 싶나요? (If you were a painter, which dark/rich color would you use the most?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you cannot. For a person's physical strength, use '힘이 세다' or '강하다'. '진하다' is reserved for the intensity of colors, flavors, scents, and emotions.

While both can be understood as 'strong coffee,' '진한 커피' is much more common and natural in Korean. It refers to the concentration of the coffee beans.

They are very similar. '진하다' is the standard word used in daily life for food, drinks, and makeup. '짙다' is often used for atmospheric things like fog, smoke, or in literary descriptions of color.

Yes, '화장이 두껍다' (makeup is thick) is a common phrase. It focuses on the physical layers of makeup on the skin, while '화장이 진하다' focuses on the darkness or boldness of the colors used.

Light blue is '연한 파란색' or '하늘색'. Dark blue is '진한 파란색'.

Yes, it is very common for smells. '향기가 진하다' means a strong, often pleasant scent, while '냄새가 진하다' can be used for any strong odor.

Not usually. However, the noun '진국' (rich broth) is used as a slang term to describe a person who is genuine and has a deep, good character.

The opposite is '연한 맛' (weak/light taste) or '싱거운 맛' (bland taste).

No, for a physically thick object like a book, you must use '두껍다'.

It becomes '진해서'. For example, '맛이 진해서 좋아요' (It's good because the taste is rich).