Meaning and Usage
The Korean adjective '가늘다' describes something that is thin, slender, or fine in shape. It often refers to objects that are long and narrow or have a small diameter.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear '가늘다' used to describe physical features such as fingers, hair strands, or streams of water. It conveys delicacy or fineness.
Collocations and Patterns
- 가늘고 긴 (thin and long): Used to describe slender shapes, e.g., fingers or lines.
- 가늘게 흐르다 (to flow thinly): Describes a gentle, narrow flow, often of water or sound.
Register and Nuance
'가늘다' is a neutral descriptive adjective suitable for everyday conversation and writing. It does not carry strong emotional connotations but can imply delicacy or fragility depending on context.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse '가늘다' with '가는' (the attributive form) or with '얇다' (also meaning thin but usually for flat objects like paper or fabric). Remember, '가늘다' emphasizes slenderness in shape rather than thinness in thickness.