Explanation at your level:
You use this word when you have no extra time or money. If you have 10 dollars and lunch costs 10 dollars, your money is 빠듯하다. It means 'just enough'.
When you have a very busy day, your schedule is 빠듯하다. It means you have no time to rest between tasks. You can also say your money is 빠듯하다 if you cannot buy extra things.
Use 빠듯하다 to describe situations where you are operating at maximum capacity. It is common to say '시간이 빠듯하다' when you are worried about being late. It is a very useful word for daily life in Korea.
Beyond just time and money, 빠듯하다 can describe any resource that is insufficient for comfort. It implies a lack of a safety margin. Native speakers often use it to explain why they cannot join an event or buy something.
In professional or academic contexts, 빠듯하다 highlights the constraints of a project or resource allocation. It suggests a high-pressure environment where efficiency is mandatory because there is no room for error or delay.
The nuance of 빠듯하다 touches upon the existential tension of living within strict limitations. It is often used in literature to depict characters struggling against socioeconomic constraints, emphasizing that every single unit of time or currency is accounted for.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means 'tight' or 'barely enough'.
- Used for time, money, and schedules.
- Implies no room for error or extra.
- Commonly used in daily Korean.
When you hear 빠듯하다, think of a tight rope. It describes a situation where you have exactly what you need, but absolutely nothing to spare.
If your budget is 빠듯하다, you have enough money to cover your bills, but you cannot afford any extra treats. If your schedule is 빠듯하다, you have back-to-back appointments with no time for a break.
It is a word that captures the anxiety of having no wiggle room. It is very commonly used in daily Korean life to describe the struggle of balancing limited resources.
The word 빠듯하다 comes from the root 빠듯-, which relates to the feeling of being pulled or stretched tightly.
Historically, it evolved from descriptions of physical objects being stretched to their limit, like a rope or a piece of fabric. Over time, the meaning expanded to abstract concepts like time and money.
It is purely Korean in origin, reflecting the cultural emphasis on resourcefulness and the common experience of managing tight household budgets in past decades.
You will use 빠듯하다 in both casual and semi-formal settings. It is very common when talking about time (시간) or money (돈).
Common collocations include 시간이 빠듯하다 (time is tight) and 생활비가 빠듯하다 (living expenses are tight). It is a neutral word that is not necessarily negative, but it does imply a sense of pressure.
Avoid using it to describe people; it is almost exclusively used for situations, schedules, or amounts.
1. 빠듯하게 살다: To live paycheck to paycheck. Example: 물가가 올라서 빠듯하게 살고 있어요.
2. 시간을 빠듯하게 잡다: To schedule things very tightly. Example: 너무 빠듯하게 잡으면 늦을 수도 있어요.
3. 빠듯한 일정: A tight schedule. Example: 이번 출장은 일정이 너무 빠듯해요.
4. 예산이 빠듯하다: The budget is tight. Example: 예산이 빠듯해서 여행은 포기했어요.
5. 숨이 빠듯하다: To be out of breath (figurative). Example: 일이 너무 많아서 숨이 빠듯해요.
빠듯하다 is a descriptive verb (adjective). In Korean, it conjugates like other descriptive verbs ending in -하다.
For example, it becomes 빠듯한 when modifying a noun, or 빠듯해서 when connecting to a reason. The pronunciation involves a tense sound (pp) at the start.
IPA approximation: [p͈a.dɯ.tʰa.da]. Ensure the first syllable is sharp and tense.
Fun Fact
It reflects the Korean value of '절약' (frugality).
Pronunciation Guide
Tense p, then clear vowels.
Same as UK.
Common Errors
- Softening the 'pp' sound
- Mispronouncing the 't' as 'd'
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand
Easy to use
Commonly used
Clear sound
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective conjugation
빠듯하다 -> 빠듯해요
Adverb formation
빠듯하다 -> 빠듯하게
Noun modification
빠듯하다 -> 빠듯한
Examples by Level
시간이 빠듯해요.
Time is tight.
Basic adjective sentence.
돈이 빠듯해요.
Money is tight.
Subject + adjective.
일정이 빠듯해요.
The schedule is tight.
Noun + adjective.
빠듯한 시간.
Tight time.
Adjective modifying noun.
조금 빠듯해요.
It is a little tight.
Adverb + adjective.
너무 빠듯해요.
It is too tight.
Degree adverb + adjective.
빠듯하게 왔어요.
I arrived just in time.
Adverbial form.
빠듯한가요?
Is it tight?
Question form.
시간이 빠듯해서 택시를 탔어요.
예산이 빠듯해서 쇼핑을 못 해요.
일정이 너무 빠듯해서 힘들어요.
빠듯한 생활비 때문에 걱정이에요.
시간을 빠듯하게 계산했어요.
빠듯하지만 할 수 있어요.
이번 주는 일정이 빠듯해요.
준비 시간이 빠듯해요.
마감 기한이 너무 빠듯해서 야근을 해야 해요.
월급이 빠듯해서 저축하기 어려워요.
시간을 빠듯하게 잡아서 겨우 도착했어요.
빠듯한 예산 안에서 최선을 다했어요.
일정이 빠듯해서 점심을 걸렀어요.
빠듯한 상황이지만 해결책을 찾읍시다.
여행 계획이 너무 빠듯해서 피곤해요.
빠듯한 마감 때문에 스트레스가 커요.
그는 빠듯한 예산으로 회사를 운영하고 있다.
우리의 일정이 빠듯하게 짜여 있어서 여유가 없다.
빠듯한 자금 사정 때문에 투자를 미루기로 했다.
시간이 빠듯함에도 불구하고 그는 완벽하게 해냈다.
빠듯한 인력으로 프로젝트를 진행하는 것은 무리다.
빠듯한 생활이 계속되자 그는 지치기 시작했다.
그의 일정은 항상 빠듯하게 돌아간다.
빠듯한 조건 속에서도 성과를 냈다.
자원의 한계로 인해 예산이 매우 빠듯한 실정이다.
빠듯한 시간적 제약이 창의적인 해결책을 요구했다.
그녀는 빠듯한 일상을 견디며 꿈을 향해 나아갔다.
빠듯한 재정 상황은 기업의 성장을 저해하는 요소다.
빠듯한 마감 압박은 팀원들의 사기를 저하시켰다.
빠듯하게 돌아가는 도시의 일상은 숨 막히게 한다.
빠듯한 물리적 공간이 작업 효율을 떨어뜨렸다.
빠듯한 여유 속에서도 그는 평온함을 잃지 않았다.
그의 삶은 언제나 빠듯한 경계선 위를 걷는 듯했다.
빠듯한 시간의 굴레에서 벗어나기란 쉽지 않은 일이다.
빠듯한 경제적 여건은 그에게 절제라는 미덕을 강요했다.
빠듯하게 짜인 운명처럼, 그는 한 치의 오차도 없이 살았다.
빠듯한 자원 배분은 조직의 생존을 결정짓는 핵심이다.
빠듯한 일상은 인간의 내면을 갉아먹기도 한다.
빠듯한 기한 내에 성취해야 하는 과업은 고도의 집중력을 요한다.
빠듯한 환경은 오히려 인간의 잠재력을 극대화하기도 한다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"빠듯하게 살다"
To live with very little money
물가가 올라서 빠듯하게 살고 있어요.
neutral"시간을 빠듯하게 잡다"
To allow no extra time
약속 시간을 너무 빠듯하게 잡지 마.
neutral"숨이 빠듯하다"
To be extremely busy/stressed
일이 너무 많아서 숨이 빠듯해.
casual"빠듯한 살림"
A tight household budget
빠듯한 살림에도 저축을 해요.
neutral"빠듯한 하루"
A very busy day
오늘도 빠듯한 하루였어.
casual"빠듯한 여유"
Almost no room to breathe
마음의 빠듯한 여유가 없어요.
formalEasily Confused
Both imply tightness.
빡빡하다 is more about rigidity/fullness.
일정이 빡빡하다 (packed) vs 빠듯하다 (tight/barely enough).
Both mean not enough.
부족하다 means missing something; 빠듯하다 means just enough but no more.
돈이 부족하다 (I don't have enough) vs 돈이 빠듯하다 (I have exactly enough).
Both relate to quantity.
모자라다 is lack; 빠듯하다 is hitting the limit.
시간이 모자라다 (I need more time) vs 시간이 빠듯하다 (I have no time to spare).
Both relate to time.
촉박하다 is used for deadlines.
마감이 촉박하다 (deadline is near) vs 시간이 빠듯하다 (time is tight).
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 이/가 + 빠듯하다
시간이 빠듯해요.
Subject + 이/가 + 너무 + 빠듯하다
일정이 너무 빠듯해요.
빠듯한 + Noun
빠듯한 예산으로 살아요.
Verb + 빠듯하게
시간을 빠듯하게 잡았어요.
빠듯해서 + Verb
시간이 빠듯해서 뛰었어요.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It describes the state of a resource, not a person's personality.
They are similar, but '빡빡하다' is more about rigidity.
You are busy, but your schedule is tight (빠듯하다).
It is not for clothes that are too small.
It is an adjective, so it needs conjugation.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a clock running out of space.
Native Speakers
Use it when explaining why you are late.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value efficiency.
Grammar Shortcut
Use '빠듯하게' as an adverb.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'pp' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use for people.
Did You Know?
It's a very common word in office settings.
Study Smart
Pair it with '시간' and '예산'.
Context
Use it when you have no buffer.
Tense Sounds
Practice the double consonants.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'part' (빠) of your time being 'tight' (듯).
Visual Association
A person squeezing through a narrow gate.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your day using this word.
Word Origin
Korean
Original meaning: Stretched or pulled tight
Cultural Context
None.
Similar to 'tight' or 'stretched thin'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 일정이 빠듯해요
- 마감이 빠듯해요
- 인원이 빠듯해요
Managing money
- 예산이 빠듯해요
- 생활비가 빠듯해요
- 빠듯하게 살아요
Traveling
- 시간이 빠듯해요
- 일정이 빠듯해요
- 빠듯하게 도착했어요
Daily life
- 시간이 빠듯해요
- 준비 시간이 빠듯해요
- 빠듯한 하루였어요
Conversation Starters
"이번 주 일정이 빠듯하지 않나요?"
"요즘 예산이 빠듯해서 고민이에요."
"시간을 너무 빠듯하게 잡은 것 같아요."
"빠듯한 생활을 어떻게 극복하시나요?"
"빠듯한 마감 때문에 힘들지 않으세요?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time when your schedule was very tight.
How do you manage when your budget is tight?
What do you do when you feel your time is too tight?
Write about a day that felt very 빠듯하다.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, use '작다' or '끼다'.
It implies pressure, but isn't inherently bad.
빠듯해요 (polite), 빠듯하다 (plain).
It's neutral and used everywhere.
Yes, that is polite.
Use '여유가 있어요'.
It is a descriptive verb (adjective).
No, it refers to quantity or time limits.
Test Yourself
시간이 ___.
Time is tight.
Which means 'the budget is tight'?
예산 means budget.
Can you use '빠듯하다' for a person?
It describes resources, not people.
Word
Meaning
Common collocations.
Subject + degree + adjective.
돈이 ___ 생활해요.
Adverb needed.
Which is an antonym?
넉넉하다 means plenty.
Does '빠듯하다' mean 'very fast'?
It means tight/barely enough.
Word
Meaning
Collocation pairs.
Complex sentence structure.
Score: /10
Summary
빠듯하다 describes a state where you have just enough of something, leaving zero room for mistakes or extras.
- Means 'tight' or 'barely enough'.
- Used for time, money, and schedules.
- Implies no room for error or extra.
- Commonly used in daily Korean.
Memory Palace
Visualize a clock running out of space.
Native Speakers
Use it when explaining why you are late.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value efficiency.
Grammar Shortcut
Use '빠듯하게' as an adverb.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
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~대하여
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대해서
A2Concerning or with regard to; about, regarding.
에 대해
A2About; regarding.
풍요롭다
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관철하다
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~에 따라
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에 따라
A2According to; in accordance with.
에 의하면
B1According to; as stated by or reported by.
회계사
A2Accountant; a person whose job is to keep financial accounts.
