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A2 adjective #6,500 mais comum 8 min de leitura

사납다

sanapda Top 6,500

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas 사납다 em 30 segundos

Explicação 사납다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn '사납다' as a word to describe animals, specifically dogs. Since you are just starting, focus on the basic meaning 'fierce' or 'not nice'. You might encounter it in simple sentences like '그 개는 사나워요' (That dog is fierce). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the complex metaphorical meanings like 'fierce fate'. Just remember that it is the opposite of '순하다' (gentle/mild). Also, be aware that the 'ㅂ' at the end changes to '워' when you add '요'. This is a common pattern in words like '춥다' (cold) and '덥다' (hot), which you likely already know. Think of '사나워요' as a warning word. If someone says this about an animal or a person's expression, it means you should be careful and perhaps keep your distance. It is a very useful word for basic safety and describing simple characteristics of pets you might see in a Korean neighborhood.

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At the A2 level, you can expand your use of '사납다' to describe the weather and physical appearances. You should be able to conjugate it correctly in the past tense (사나웠어요) and use the noun-modifying form (사나운). For example, '사나운 바람' (fierce wind) or '사나운 파도' (fierce waves). You will start to see this word in weather reports or simple stories. It's also the level where you learn to describe how people look. If someone has '사나운 눈매' (fierce eyes), it means they look intimidating. You should also start to distinguish '사납다' from '무섭다'. Remember: '사납다' is what the dog IS, and '무섭다' is how YOU feel. Practice making sentences like '개가 사나워서 무서워요' (I am scared because the dog is fierce). This level is about moving from simple labels to connecting the quality of fierceness to other feelings and situations in daily life.

At the B1 level, you should become comfortable with the more abstract and idiomatic uses of '사납다'. This includes the common phrase '팔자가 사납다', which refers to having a difficult life or bad luck. You should also be able to use the adverbial form '사납게' to describe actions, such as '사납게 몰아치다' (to surge fiercely). At this stage, you can use the word to describe complex personalities—someone who is not just 'mean' but has a wild, aggressive streak. You will encounter '사납다' in more varied media, like news articles about social issues or more descriptive novels. You should also be able to compare '사납다' with synonyms like '거칠다' (rough) or '강하다' (strong) and choose the right one based on the context. For instance, knowing that a 'fierce storm' is '사나운 폭풍' but a 'fierce competition' is '치열한 경쟁'. This level requires a deeper understanding of the nuance and 'vibe' the word carries in different social contexts.

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At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced command of '사납다' in various registers. You can use it in formal discussions about history, nature, or psychology. You might use it to describe the '기세' (spirit) of a historical figure or the '민심' (public sentiment) when it becomes hostile and aggressive. You should be able to recognize the word in literary passages where it might be used metaphorically to describe the 'fierce' passage of time or a 'fierce' internal conflict. At this level, you should also be aware of the social implications of calling someone '사납다'. It's not just a physical description but often a judgment of their social approachability. You can use the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as '-을 정도로 사납다' (to be so fierce that...) or '사납다기보다는...' (rather than being fierce...). Your understanding should extend to how the word's intensity changes depending on whether it's describing an animal, a person, or a natural disaster.

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At the C1 level, your understanding of '사납다' should reach a near-native level of subtlety. You should be able to appreciate its use in high-level literature and classical poetry, where it might be used to evoke specific emotional atmospheres. You can analyze how '사납다' contributes to the tone of a text, distinguishing it from related but more specialized terms like '흉포하다' (atrocious) or '맹렬하다' (vehement). You should be able to use the word in academic or professional settings to describe intense phenomena, such as a '사나운 인플레이션' (fierce inflation - though less common, it can be used for dramatic effect in economic commentary). You should also be familiar with archaic or dialectal variations if they appear in classical texts. Your ability to use '사납다' should include an understanding of its phonosemantic qualities—how the sound of the word itself (the sharp 'ㅅ' and the heavy 'ㅂ') mirrors its meaning of aggression and roughness.

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At the C2 level, you have mastered '사납다' to the point where you can use it with absolute precision in any context, including creative writing and high-stakes oratory. You understand the historical evolution of the word and how its usage has shifted from Middle Korean to the present day. You can use it to create sophisticated metaphors, perhaps comparing the '사나운' nature of a political climate to a winter storm. You are also fully aware of the regional nuances and how the word might be perceived across different generations of Koreans. At this level, '사납다' is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for nuanced expression, allowing you to capture the exact degree of ferocity, wildness, or hostility in any given situation. You can effortlessly switch between its literal, metaphorical, and idiomatic applications, and you can even play with the word's connotations in puns or sophisticated wordplay.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

사납다 em 30 segundos

사납다 means 'fierce' or 'violent'. It describes aggressive animals, rough weather, or intimidating people.
It follows the 'ㅂ' irregular conjugation rule: 사납다 becomes 사나워요 or 사나운.
Commonly used to warn about dogs (사나운 개) or describe stormy seas (사나운 파도).
It can metaphorically describe a difficult life (팔자가 사납다) or a sharp look (눈매가 사납다).

The Korean adjective 사납다 (Sanapda) is a multifaceted word primarily used to describe something or someone that is fierce, ferocious, violent, or wild. While its most immediate application might be toward a growling dog or a wild predator, its semantic range extends deeply into human personality, natural phenomena, and even the abstract concept of fate. At its core, it conveys a sense of untamed energy or an aggressive nature that is difficult to control or approach. When you describe an animal as 사납다, you are warning others of its propensity to bite or attack. When applied to the weather, it suggests a storm so violent that it feels hostile to human presence. Interestingly, in the context of human appearance, it often describes someone whose facial features—particularly the eyes—give off a sharp, intimidating, or unfriendly vibe.

Animal Behavior: Used to describe animals that are aggressive or prone to attacking. For example, a watchdog that barks aggressively at strangers is described as '사나운 개'.

저 개는 성격이 아주 사납다. (That dog has a very fierce personality.)

Natural Forces: Describes weather conditions like storms, wind, or waves that are rough and violent. It implies a level of danger posed by the elements.

바람이 사납게 부는 밤이었다. (It was a night where the wind blew fiercely.)

Human Features: Often used with '눈매' (shape of eyes) to describe an intimidating or sharp look that makes a person seem unapproachable or angry.

그는 눈매가 사나워서 오해를 자주 받는다. (Because his eyes look fierce, he is often misunderstood.)

Furthermore, the word appears in the common idiom '팔자가 사납다', which refers to having a 'fierce' or difficult fate. This suggests that one's life path is rocky, filled with misfortune, or characterized by constant struggle. In historical dramas (Sageuk), you might hear kings or generals described as 사납다 when they are ruthless in battle. However, in modern daily life, you are most likely to encounter it when talking about pets or the weather. Understanding the nuance between 'scary' (무섭다) and 'fierce' (사납다) is crucial; '무섭다' is your feeling of fear, while '사납다' is the objective quality of the thing causing that fear. If a dog is 사납다, you feel 무섭다.

Using 사납다 correctly requires an understanding of the 'ㅂ' irregular conjugation. Like other adjectives ending in 'ㅂ' (such as 덥다 or 춥다), when '사납다' meets a suffix starting with a vowel, the 'ㅂ' changes to '우'. This results in forms like '사나워' (informal), '사나워요' (polite), and '사나운' (adjective form modifying a noun). Mastery of these transformations is essential for natural communication.

Noun Modification: To describe a noun directly, use '사나운'. This is the most common way to characterize animals or people's eyes.

사나운 짐승들이 숲속에 살고 있다. (Fierce beasts are living in the forest.)

Sentence Ending (Polite): When stating a fact about something's nature in a polite conversation, use '사나워요'.

요즘 바다 날씨가 무척 사나워요. (The sea weather is very rough/fierce these days.)

Adverbial Form: To describe 'how' an action is performed fiercely, use '사납게'. This often describes natural movements or aggressive actions.

파도가 사납게 몰아쳤다. (The waves surged fiercely.)

When using 사납다 in complex sentences, it can be combined with connectors like -아서/어서 (because) or -지만 (but). For example, "성격이 사납지만 마음은 따뜻해요" (His personality is fierce, but his heart is warm). This contrast is a common trope in Korean storytelling. Additionally, pay attention to the subject-particle relationship. Usually, '이/가' is used with the subject that possesses the fierce quality. If you are talking about a specific body part like the eyes, you say '눈매가 사납다'. If you are talking about the overall person, '그 사람은 사납다'. In formal writing, such as news reports about a hurricane, you will see the form '사납습니다' or '사나웠습니다' (past tense). The past tense follows the same irregular rule: 사납 + 었다 becomes 사나웠다.

In South Korea, you will encounter 사납다 in several distinct environments, ranging from the mundane to the highly dramatic. One of the most common places is at the entrance of a house or a farm where a guard dog is kept. You might see a sign that says '개 조심' (Beware of Dog), and if you ask the owner about the dog, they might reply, '우리 개가 좀 사나워요' (Our dog is a bit fierce). This serves as a practical warning to keep your distance.

News and Weather Reports: During typhoon season, meteorologists frequently use '사납다' to describe the state of the sea or the wind. It conveys the intensity and danger of the storm more vividly than just saying 'strong'.

태풍의 영향으로 물결이 매우 사납겠습니다. (Due to the typhoon, the waves will be very fierce.)

Dramas and Webtoons: In character descriptions, especially for antagonists or 'tough' protagonists, '사나운 인상' (a fierce impression) is a common phrase. It helps the audience immediately understand the character's vibe.

첫인상이 사나워 보이지만 사실은 착해요. (He looks fierce at first glance, but he's actually kind.)

Another interesting place you hear this word is in literature or historical discussions. When describing the Mongolian invasions or the fierce resistance of Korean soldiers, '사납다' might be used to describe the '기세' (spirit/vigor) of the warriors. It suggests a bravery that is aggressive and overwhelming. In modern slang, while not a slang word itself, it is sometimes used jokingly among friends when someone gets unusually angry or snappy: '와, 오늘 왜 이렇게 사나워?' (Wow, why are you so fierce/snappy today?). This usage lightens the heavy meaning of the word but still points to the aggressive energy the person is emitting. Whether you are watching the evening news, reading a manhwa, or visiting a rural village, '사납다' is a key descriptive tool in the Korean linguistic arsenal.

For English speakers learning Korean, 사납다 can be tricky because its English equivalents (fierce, violent, wild) are often used differently. The most common mistake is confusing '사납다' with '무섭다' (scary). While they are related, they describe different perspectives of a situation. '사납다' describes the *nature* of the subject, whereas '무섭다' describes the *feeling* of the observer. If you say '나는 사납다', you are saying 'I am a fierce person/animal', not 'I am scared'. To say 'I am scared', you must use '나는 무섭다'.

Mistake 1: Incorrect Conjugation: Many learners forget the 'ㅂ' irregular rule and say '사납아요' or '사납어'. This is grammatically incorrect. Always remember: 사납 + 아/어 → 사나워.

Wrong: 바람이 사납아요.
Right: 바람이 사나워요.

Mistake 2: Using it for 'Strong' (Physical Strength): If you want to say someone is physically strong (like a weightlifter), do not use '사납다'. Use '힘이 세다' or '강하다'. '사납다' implies aggression and wildness, not just lifting capacity.

Wrong: 그는 근육이 많아서 사납다.
Right: 그는 근육이 많아서 강하다.

Another nuance is the difference between '사납다' and '거칠다' (rough). While they overlap when describing weather or waves, '거칠다' is more about the texture or the lack of smoothness (like rough skin or rough language), whereas '사납다' is about the intensity of the violence or aggression. If a storm is just '거칠다', it might be bumpy; if it's '사납다', it's actively trying to tear things down. Lastly, avoid using '사납다' to describe a 'fierce competition' in a positive, professional sense. For that, Koreans usually use '치열하다' (intense/fierce). Using '사납다' there would make the competition sound like a literal brawl between wild animals rather than a high-stakes business or sports event.

To truly master Korean, you need to know when to use 사납다 and when a synonym might be more appropriate. Korean has a rich vocabulary for describing various intensities of aggression and roughness.

사납다 vs. 거칠다 (Rough/Coarse): '사납다' emphasizes the fierce and dangerous nature. '거칠다' emphasizes the lack of refinement or smoothness. You have '거친 피부' (rough skin) but '사나운 개' (fierce dog).

사납다 vs. 흉포하다 (Ferocious/Atrocious): '흉포하다' is a much stronger, more academic or formal term. It is often used for violent criminals or extremely dangerous man-eating beasts. It implies a level of evil or extreme cruelty.

사납다 vs. 치열하다 (Intense/Fierce Competition): When describing a struggle for success, like an entrance exam or a sports match, '치열하다' is the correct choice. '사납다' is rarely used for social competitions.

경쟁이 아주 치열해요. (The competition is very fierce.)

In literary contexts, you might see '맹렬하다' (violent/fierce), which is often used for fire or attacks. '불길이 맹렬하다' (the flames are fierce). While '사납다' could also work, '맹렬하다' gives a sense of unstoppable momentum. When describing a person's temper, '불같다' (like fire) is a common idiomatic alternative to '성격이 사납다'. By choosing the right word, you can convey exactly whether you mean someone is dangerous (사납다), unrefined (거칠다), or simply very focused and competitive (치열하다).

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

There is a linguistic theory that '사납다' might be related to the word '산' (mountain) or '살' (flesh/life), implying a wild, mountain-like nature, though this is debated.

Guia de pronúncia

UK sɐ.nɐp̚.t͈ɐ

US sɑ.nɑp̚.t͈ɑ

The stress is relatively even, but the second syllable '납' can feel slightly stronger due to the final consonant.

Rima com

가깝다 (gakkapda - near) 어렵다 (eoryeopda - difficult) 무섭다 (museopda - scary) 차갑다 (chagapda - cold) 즐겁다 (jeulgeopda - joyful) 아쉽다 (aswipda - regrettable) 더럽다 (deoreopda - dirty) 가볍다 (gabyeopda - light)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing '사' with a heavy 'sh' sound (like 'sha').
Releasing the 'p' in '납' with a puff of air.
Failing to tense the 'ㄷ' in '다' to a 'tt' sound.
Incorrectly conjugating to '사납아요' instead of '사나워요'.
Confusing the vowel 'ㅏ' with 'ㅓ'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts, though metaphorical uses need more context.

Escrita 3/5

Requires remembering the 'ㅂ' irregular conjugation.

Expressão oral 3/5

Pronunciation of the '납' and '다' transition requires practice for natural flow.

Audição 2/5

Distinct sound makes it relatively easy to catch in speech.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

개 (dog) 바람 (wind) 무섭다 (scary) 성격 (personality) 눈 (eye)

Aprenda a seguir

거칠다 (rough) 순하다 (gentle) 포악하다 (atrocious) 치열하다 (intense) 팔자 (fate)

Avançado

흉포하다 맹렬하다 살벌하다 엄하다

Gramática essencial

'ㅂ' Irregular Conjugation

사납다 + 어요 -> 사나워요 (The ㅂ changes to 우).

Noun Modifying Adjectives (-ㄴ/은)

사납다 -> 사나운 (사나운 개).

Adverbial Suffix -게

사납다 -> 사납게 (사납게 짖다).

State Change -어지다

사나워지다 (to become fierce).

Exclamatory Ending -네요

정말 사납네요! (It's really fierce!)

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Exemplos por nível

그 개는 아주 사나워요.

That dog is very fierce.

사나워요 is the polite present form of 사납다.

사나운 개를 조심하세요.

Be careful of the fierce dog.

사나운 is the noun-modifying form.

고양이가 사나워요?

Is the cat fierce?

A simple question using the polite ending.

이 동물은 사납지 않아요.

This animal is not fierce.

-지 않다 is the negative form.

사나운 동물이 무서워요.

I am afraid of fierce animals.

Shows the relationship between 사납다 (fierce) and 무섭다 (scared).

우리 집 개는 안 사나워요.

Our house dog is not fierce.

안 is a short form of negation.

저기 사나운 개가 있어요.

There is a fierce dog over there.

Uses the existence verb 있어요.

사나워요! 오지 마세요.

It's fierce! Don't come.

Imperative negative -지 마세요.

오늘 바람이 정말 사납네요.

The wind is really fierce today.

-네요 expresses surprise or realization.

바다 날씨가 사나워서 배가 못 가요.

Because the sea weather is rough, the boat cannot go.

-아서/어서 expresses cause or reason.

그 남자는 눈매가 참 사나워요.

That man has very fierce eyes.

눈매 means the shape or look of the eyes.

어제는 파도가 아주 사나웠어요.

The waves were very fierce yesterday.

사나웠어요 is the past tense form.

사나운 짐승이 나타났어요.

A fierce beast appeared.

짐승 is a general word for beast or animal.

인상이 사나워서 말을 못 걸겠어요.

His impression is fierce, so I can't talk to him.

인상 refers to the impression someone's face gives.

이 개는 왜 이렇게 사나울까요?

Why is this dog so fierce?

-을까요 is used for wondering or asking for an opinion.

사나운 동물들이 숲에 많아요.

There are many fierce animals in the forest.

Plural marker -들 added to 동물.

그녀는 성격이 사납기로 유명해요.

She is famous for having a fierce personality.

-기로 유명하다 means to be famous for doing/being something.

팔자가 사나워서 고생을 많이 했어요.

Because my fate was fierce, I suffered a lot.

팔자가 사납다 is an idiom for having a hard life.

바람이 사납게 불어서 간판이 떨어졌어요.

The wind blew so fiercely that the sign fell down.

사납게 is the adverbial form.

사나운 파도를 뚫고 배가 나아갔다.

The boat pushed through the fierce waves.

뚫고 means 'piercing through' or 'pushing through'.

그는 사나운 눈초리로 나를 쳐다봤다.

He looked at me with a fierce glare.

눈초리 refers to the look or glare from the eyes.

산짐승이 사나워지기 전에 피하세요.

Avoid it before the mountain beast becomes fierce.

-어지다 denotes a change in state.

말투가 사나워서 싸움이 났어요.

The way of speaking was fierce, so a fight broke out.

말투 means one's manner of speaking.

사나운 기세로 적군이 몰려왔다.

The enemy troops swarmed in with a fierce momentum.

기세 refers to vigor, spirit, or momentum.

그의 사나운 농담에 분위기가 싸해졌다.

The atmosphere became chilly due to his fierce (harsh) joke.

싸해지다 means to become cold or awkward (atmosphere).

세상 인심이 갈수록 사나워지고 있다.

The world's public sentiment is getting fiercer (harsher) as time goes on.

인심 refers to the hearts of the people or public sentiment.

태풍이 지나간 자리에는 사나운 흔적만 남았다.

Only fierce (violent) traces remained where the typhoon passed.

흔적 means traces or marks.

그는 사나운 운명을 극복하고 성공했다.

He overcame his fierce destiny and succeeded.

극복하다 means to overcome.

맹수처럼 사나운 눈빛이 인상적이었다.

The look in his eyes, fierce like a wild beast, was impressive.

맹수 means a fierce/wild beast like a lion or tiger.

사나운 물살 때문에 수영하기 위험해요.

It is dangerous to swim because of the fierce current.

물살 refers to the current of water.

그녀의 사나운 말씨가 비수가 되어 꽂혔다.

Her fierce words became a dagger and pierced me.

비수 means a dagger; often used metaphorically for words.

사나운 경쟁 사회에서 살아남기 힘들다.

It is hard to survive in a fierce, competitive society.

경쟁 사회 means competitive society.

작가는 사나운 시대의 아픔을 소설에 담았다.

The author captured the pain of a fierce era in the novel.

시대 refers to an era or period of time.

사나운 폭풍우가 몰아치던 그날 밤을 잊을 수 없다.

I cannot forget that night when the fierce storm raged.

폭풍우 means storm and rain.

그의 사나운 집념이 결국 불가능을 가능케 했다.

His fierce tenacity eventually made the impossible possible.

집념 means tenacity or obsession.

사나운 민심을 달래기 위해 정부가 대책을 내놓았다.

The government proposed measures to soothe the fierce public sentiment.

달래다 means to soothe or appease.

사나운 불길이 순식간에 온 산을 뒤덮었다.

Fierce flames covered the entire mountain in an instant.

순식간에 means 'in the blink of an eye'.

그의 눈에는 사나운 광기가 서려 있었다.

There was a fierce madness in his eyes.

광기 means madness or insanity.

사나운 파도가 해안가를 무참히 할퀴고 지나갔다.

Fierce waves ruthlessly clawed the coastline and passed.

무참히 means ruthlessly or cruelly.

사나운 침략자들에 맞서 백성들이 일어났다.

The people rose up against the fierce invaders.

침략자 means invader.

권력에 대한 사나운 탐욕이 파멸을 불렀다.

Fierce greed for power brought about destruction.

탐욕 means greed or avarice.

자연의 사나운 위력 앞에 인간은 무력할 뿐이다.

In the face of nature's fierce power, humans are merely helpless.

위력 means power or might.

사나운 비판의 화살이 그에게 집중되었다.

Arrows of fierce criticism were focused on him.

화살 is literally an arrow, used metaphorically here.

사나운 역사의 소용돌이 속에서 그는 길을 잃었다.

He lost his way in the fierce whirlpool of history.

소용돌이 means whirlpool or vortex.

인간 내면에 도사린 사나운 본능이 깨어났다.

The fierce instinct lurking within the human interior awoke.

도사리다 means to lurk or be coiled up.

사나운 추위가 대지를 꽁꽁 얼려버렸다.

The fierce cold froze the earth solid.

대지 refers to the great earth or land.

사나운 독설로 상대방의 기를 꺾어 놓았다.

He broke the opponent's spirit with fierce, poisonous talk (vituperation).

독설 means poisonous tongue or biting remarks.

사나운 운명의 장난에 그는 평생을 방황했다.

He wandered all his life due to the prank of a fierce destiny.

장난 means prank or trickery.

Sinônimos

사납다 거칠다 흉포하다 맹렬하다 포악하다 치열하다 강렬하다 무시무시하다

Antônimos

순하다 온순하다 부드럽다 잔잔하다

Colocações comuns

사나운 개

눈매가 사납다

팔자가 사납다

날씨가 사납다

파도가 사납다

사나운 짐승

성격이 사납다

바람이 사납다

인상이 사납다

말투가 사납다

Frases Comuns

개 조심, 사나움

— Beware of dog, it's fierce. Often seen on warning signs.

대문에 '사나운 개 조심'이라고 적혀 있다.

꿈자리가 사납다

— To have a disturbed or ominous dream. It suggests a bad feeling about the future.

어젯밤 꿈자리가 사나워서 기분이 안 좋다.

기세가 사납다

— To have a fierce momentum or spirit. Used for storms or charging armies.

불길의 기세가 워낙 사나워 끌 수가 없었다.

성질이 사납다

— To have a fierce or ill-tempered disposition.

성질 사나운 사람과는 엮이지 마라.

눈초리가 사납다

— To have a fierce or sharp glare.

사나운 눈초리로 노려보았다.

물살이 사납다

— The water current is fierce and dangerous.

강의 물살이 사나워 수영 금지다.

추위가 사납다

— The cold is fierce/biting.

올겨울은 추위가 유난히 사납다.

말씨가 사납다

— One's way of speaking is harsh or aggressive.

사나운 말씨는 적을 만든다.

민심이 사납다

— Public sentiment is hostile or angry.

경기가 안 좋아 민심이 사납다.

운수가 사납다

— To have bad luck or a fierce (difficult) fortune.

오늘따라 운수가 사납네.

Frequentemente confundido com

사납다 vs 무섭다

무섭다 is the feeling of fear; 사납다 is the quality of the object. A dog is 사납다, so you feel 무섭다.

사납다 vs 거칠다

거칠다 means rough/unrefined. A person's skin can be 거칠다, but their temper is 사납다.

사납다 vs 강하다

강하다 means strong. You can be strong without being fierce/aggressive.

Expressões idiomáticas

"팔자가 사납다"

— To have a hard life or a destiny full of misfortune.

팔자가 사나워 젊어서 남편을 잃었다.

Neutral/Traditional

"꿈자리가 사납다"

— To have bad or scary dreams that leave one feeling uneasy.

꿈자리가 사나운 걸 보니 무슨 일이 생기려나 보다.

Neutral

"눈매가 사납다"

— To look intimidating or unfriendly due to the shape of one's eyes.

눈매가 사나워 보이지만 실제로는 다정하다.

Neutral

"성깔이 사납다"

— To have a very fierce or nasty temper (informal).

그 친구 성깔 사나운 건 알아줘야 해.

Informal

"말문이 사납다"

— To speak in a very harsh or aggressive manner.

말문이 사나운 사람과는 대화하기 힘들다.

Neutral

"운수가 사납다"

— To experience a series of unfortunate events in a single day.

아침부터 지갑을 잃어버리다니 운수가 사납다.

Neutral

"기세가 사납다"

— To be in a state of overwhelming and aggressive momentum.

적군의 기세가 워낙 사나워 후퇴할 수밖에 없었다.

Literary

"세상이 사납다"

— The world/society is becoming dangerous, harsh, or unfriendly.

세상이 사나워져서 밤길 조심해야 한다.

Neutral

"입매가 사납다"

— To have a harsh or stubborn-looking mouth shape.

그는 입매가 사나워 고집이 세 보인다.

Neutral

"손끝이 사납다"

— To be clumsy or destructive with one's hands (literally 'fierce fingertips').

그는 손끝이 사나워 물건을 잘 부순다.

Colloquial

Fácil de confundir

사납다 vs 사나이

They sound similar.

사나이 means a 'man' or 'tough guy'. 사납다 is an adjective for 'fierce'.

그 사나이는 성격이 사납다. (That man has a fierce personality.)

사납다 vs 치열하다

Both translate to 'fierce' in English.

치열하다 is for competition/intensity. 사납다 is for aggression/violence.

경쟁이 치열하다 vs 개가 사납다.

사납다 vs 포악하다

Both mean violent/fierce.

포악하다 is much stronger and implies cruelty or tyranny.

포악한 독재자 (A cruel dictator).

사납다 vs 날카롭다

Both can describe eyes.

날카롭다 means 'sharp'. 사납다 means 'fierce'. Sharp eyes can be attractive; fierce eyes are intimidating.

날카로운 칼 vs 사나운 개.

사납다 vs 매섭다

Both describe fierce weather or looks.

매섭다 often implies a 'biting' or 'stinging' quality, like a cold wind or a sharp scolding.

매서운 추위 (Biting cold).

Padrões de frases

[Noun]이/가 사나워요.

개가 사나워요.

사나운 [Noun]을/를 조심하세요.

사나운 개를 조심하세요.

[Noun]이/가 사나워서 [Result].

바람이 사나워서 집에 있었어요.

[Noun]이/가 사납게 [Verb].

파도가 사납게 쳐요.

[Noun]이/가 사나워 보이다.

그는 인상이 사나워 보여요.

[Noun]이/가 사나워지다.

날씨가 갑자기 사나워졌어요.

사나운 [Noun]에 맞서다.

사나운 운명에 맞서 싸웠다.

사나운 [Noun]의 소용돌이.

사나운 역사의 소용돌이.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

사나움 (sana-um) - fierceness, ferocity

사나이 (sana-i) - man, fellow (historically related, though usage has diverged)

Verbos

사나워지다 (sana-wo-jida) - to become fierce/violent

Adjetivos

사납다 (sana-pda) - fierce, violent

Relacionado

무섭다 (scary)

거칠다 (rough)

포악하다 (atrocious)

순하다 (gentle)

강하다 (strong)

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Como usar

frequency

High in specific contexts (animals, weather, looks), medium in general conversation.

Erros comuns

사납아요 → 사나워요
This is a 'ㅂ' irregular adjective. The 'ㅂ' must change to '우' when followed by '아/어'.
나는 사나워요 (meaning 'I am scared') → 나는 무서워요
'사나워요' means YOU are fierce. '무서워요' means you feel fear.
경쟁이 사납다 → 경쟁이 치열하다
While 'fierce competition' works in English, Koreans use '치열하다' for social or professional intensity.
사납은 개 → 사나운 개
When modifying a noun, the 'ㅂ' irregular rule still applies. ㅂ becomes 우 + ㄴ = 운.
근육이 많아서 사납다 → 근육이 많아서 강하다
'사납다' is about aggression, not physical muscle mass. Use '강하다' for strength.

Dicas

Master the ㅂ Irregular

Always remember that 사납다 behaves like 덥다 (hot) or 춥다 (cold). The 'ㅂ' disappears and '우' takes its place before a vowel. Practice: 사나워요, 사나워서, 사나우면.

Dog Talk

If you see a dog in Korea, asking '사나워요?' is a polite way to check if it's safe to pet. It's better than asking if it's 'scary' (무서워요?).

Eyes and Impressions

Use '눈매가 사납다' or '인상이 사납다' to describe that 'sharp' look some people have. It's a very common descriptive phrase in Korean.

Nature's Fury

When the wind or waves are dangerous, '사납다' is the perfect word. It sounds more dramatic and serious than just 'strong' (세다).

Fate and Fortune

Learn '팔자가 사납다'. Even if you don't use it, you will hear it in dramas when characters talk about their difficult lives.

Be Careful with People

Calling a person '사납다' directly can be an insult. It's better to use it for specific traits like '말투' (way of speaking) or '눈매' (look in the eyes).

The Tense 'T'

In the dictionary form '사납다', the '다' becomes a strong 'tt' sound. Make sure to tense your vocal cords for that final syllable.

Contrast with 순하다

To remember 사납다, always pair it with its opposite, 순하다 (gentle). A '순한 개' is a good dog; a '사나운 개' is a fierce dog.

Adverbial Use

Use '사납게' to add flavor to your verbs. Instead of '바람이 불어요', try '바람이 사납게 불어요' to create a more vivid image.

Historical Vibe

In historical stories, '사납다' can be a compliment for a brave soldier's spirit. Context is everything!

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine a **SANA** (사나) from the K-pop group Twice acting like a **P**redator (ㅂ). She's usually sweet, but in this scene, she's **사납다** (fierce)!

Associação visual

Picture a 'Beware of Dog' sign with a picture of a wolf. The dog on the sign looks very **사납다**.

Word Web

개 (dog) 바람 (wind) 파도 (waves) 눈매 (eyes) 성격 (personality) 팔자 (fate) 맹수 (wild beast) 태풍 (typhoon)

Desafio

Try to find three things today that you can describe as '사납다'. It could be the wind, a character in a movie, or even a grumpy cat.

Origem da palavra

The word '사납다' is a native Korean word (Pure Korean). It has been used since Middle Korean to describe aggression and roughness.

Significado original: Originally meant 'rough', 'wild', or 'intense'.

Koreanic

Contexto cultural

Be careful when describing a person as '사납다'. It can be seen as a criticism of their personality or looks, suggesting they are mean or intimidating.

English speakers often use 'fierce' positively (e.g., 'that outfit is fierce'). In Korean, '사납다' is almost never used for fashion or positive style; it's mostly about aggression or danger.

The phrase '사나운 개' is a staple in Korean children's stories about caution. The movie 'The Fierce Wife' (사나운 아내) - a common trope in older Korean comedy. Weather reports during 'Hinnamnor' or other major typhoons.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Describing Pets

사나운 개
우리 개는 안 사나워요
고양이가 사나워졌어요
사나운 동물을 조심하세요

Weather Reports

바람이 사납다
파도가 사납다
날씨가 사나워지다
사나운 태풍

First Impressions

눈매가 사납다
인상이 사납다
사나워 보이다
인상이 사나워서 오해를 사다

Talking about Luck

팔자가 사납다
운수가 사납다
꿈자리가 사납다
사나운 운명

Conflict Situations

말투가 사납다
사나운 눈초리
성격이 사납다
사납게 대하다

Iniciadores de conversa

"어제 꿈자리가 사나웠는데, 혹시 무슨 일 없었어?"

"저 집 개는 왜 저렇게 사나운지 알아?"

"오늘 바다 날씨가 사나운데 낚시 갈 수 있을까?"

"그 배우는 눈매가 사나워서 악역을 자주 맡는 것 같아."

"요즘 세상 인심이 너무 사나워진 것 같지 않아?"

Temas para diário

사나운 동물을 만났던 경험에 대해 써 보세요.

날씨가 사나웠던 날, 무엇을 했나요?

첫인상이 사나워 보였지만 실제로는 착했던 친구가 있나요?

만약 당신의 팔자가 사납다면 어떻게 극복하고 싶나요?

사나운 말투가 인간관계에 미치는 영향에 대해 생각해 보세요.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Generally, no. It usually has a negative or intimidating connotation. However, you might say someone has a '사나운 눈매' but a '착한 마음' to show they are misunderstood.

The most common opposite is '순하다' (gentle/mild), often used for pets or children.

No. '사나워요' means the subject is fierce. '무서워요' means 'I am scared' or 'It is scary'. You feel 무서워요 because the dog is 사나워요.

Use '사나웠어요' (polite) or '사나웠다' (plain/informal). The 'ㅂ' changes to '워' before the past tense suffix.

No. For spicy food, use '맵다'. '사납다' is for behavior or natural forces.

Yes, it is the adverbial form of '사납다', meaning 'fierce-ly' or 'violent-ly'.

Yes, in historical or literary contexts, it describes a warrior's aggressive and powerful spirit.

It means you had a very disturbing or bad dream that makes you feel uneasy about the day ahead.

You can say '사나운 개 조심하세요' or simply '개 조심'.

Yes, especially when talking about dogs, the weather, or someone's first impression.

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