πŸ“

Describing Fit: Tight, Loose, Long, Short

Keywords
꽉 끼닀 / ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€ / κΈΈλ‹€ / 짧닀
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Vocabulary
🎯
TL;DR
  1. 꽉 끼닀 = to be tight (verb) πŸ‘–
  1. ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€ = to be loose (verb) πŸ‘•
  1. κΈΈλ‹€ = to be long (verb) πŸ“
  1. 짧닀 = to be short (verb) βœ‚οΈ
  1. λ”± λ§žλ‹€ = to fit perfectly (verb) πŸ‘Œ
πŸ”Š
Iru Helper Note
<mention-page url="https://app.notion.com/p/349be37590c08068a178f6d92b8a4a18">\
Try this: 이 λ°”μ§€λŠ” 꽉 끼고 μ € λ°”μ§€λŠ” ν—λ ν•΄μš”. μ†Œλ§€λŠ” κΈΈκ³  λ‹€λ¦¬λŠ” μ§§μ•„μš”. 이 μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆκ°€ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”.
(These pants are tight and those pants are loose. The sleeves are long and the legs are short. This size fits perfectly.)
Β 

🌈 The Big Picture

When trying on clothes or shoes, you need words to describe how they feel: 꽉 끼닀 (too tight), ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€ (too loose), κΈΈλ‹€/짧닀 (length issues), and λ”± λ§žλ‹€ (just right). These five words are essential for any shopping trip or fitting room conversation. πŸ‘–πŸ‘•πŸ“

🎨 The Core Fit Family

1. 꽉 끼닀 β€” to be tight πŸ‘–
꽉 (tightly, adverb) + 끼닀 (to fit/be squeezed into).
  • 바지가 꽉 κ»΄μš”. (The pants are tight.)
  • μ‹ λ°œμ΄ λ„ˆλ¬΄ 꽉 κ»΄μ„œ 발이 μ•„νŒŒμš”. (The shoes are so tight that my feet hurt.)
β€” Grammar note: 끼닀 + μ–΄μš” contracts to κ»΄μš” β€” remember this irregular contraction.
2. ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€ β€” to be loose πŸ‘•
A descriptive verb (adjective) meaning "loose" or "baggy."
  • 이 μ˜·μ€ μ’€ ν—λ ν•΄μš”. (This clothing is a bit loose.)
  • ν—λ ν•œ 바지가 νŽΈν•΄μš”. (Loose pants are comfortable.)
β€” Grammar note: ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ ν—λ ν•΄μš” (polite present); ν—λ ν•œ + noun = "loose ~".
3. κΈΈλ‹€ β€” to be long πŸ“
A descriptive verb (adjective) for length.
  • μ†Œλ§€κ°€ λ„ˆλ¬΄ κΈΈμ–΄μš”. (The sleeves are too long.)
  • μΉ˜λ§ˆκ°€ κΈΈμ–΄μš”. (The skirt is long.)
β€” Grammar note: κΈΈλ‹€ is γ„Ή-irregular β€” κΈΈλ‹€ β†’ κΈΈμ–΄μš”, but κΈΈλ‹€ β†’ κΈ΄ + noun ("long ~"), dropping γ„Ή before γ„΄.
4. 짧닀 β€” to be short βœ‚οΈ
A descriptive verb (adjective) for length, the opposite of κΈΈλ‹€.
  • 바지가 μ§§μ•„μš”. (The pants are short.)
  • 머리가 μ§§μ•„μš”. (My hair is short.)
β€” Grammar note: 짧닀 β†’ μ§§μ•„μš” (polite present); 짧은 + noun = "short ~".
5. λ”± λ§žλ‹€ β€” to fit perfectly πŸ‘Œ
λ”± (exactly, adverb) + λ§žλ‹€ (to fit/match).
  • 이 μ‹ λ°œμ΄ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”. (These shoes fit perfectly.)
  • μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆκ°€ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”. (The size is just right.)
β€” Grammar note: λ”± emphasizes precision β€” λ”± λ§žλ‹€ = "fits exactly," stronger than just λ§žλ‹€ alone.

πŸ› οΈ How They Work in a Sentence

  1. 바지가 꽉 κ»΄μ„œ ν—λ ν•œ μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆλ‘œ λ°”κΏ¨μ–΄μš”.
      2. (The pants were tight, so I exchanged them for a looser size.)
      β€” 꽉 끼닀 + ~μ•„μ„œ/μ–΄μ„œ ("so/because") + ν—λ ν•œ μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆλ‘œ λ°”κΎΈλ‹€ ("exchange for a loose size").
  1. μ†Œλ§€λŠ” 긴데 λ‹€λ¦¬λŠ” μ§§μ•„μš”.
      2. (The sleeves are long, but the legs are short.)
      β€” κΈΈλ‹€ β†’ 긴데 ("long, but...") contrasted with 짧닀 β†’ μ§§μ•„μš”.
  1. 이 μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆκ°€ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”. 꽉 끼지도 ν—λ ν•˜μ§€λ„ μ•Šμ•„μš”.
      2. (This size fits perfectly. It's neither tight nor loose.)
      β€” ~지도 ~지도 μ•Šλ‹€ = "neither X nor Y" β€” a useful negation pattern for comparisons.

🧩 General Formation Rule

  • 꽉 끼닀/ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€/κΈΈλ‹€/짧닀/λ”± λ§žλ‹€ β€” descriptive verbs for fit
  • 꽉 끼닀 β†’ 꽉 κ»΄μš” (tight)
  • ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ ν—λ ν•΄μš” (loose)
  • κΈΈλ‹€ β†’ κΈΈμ–΄μš” / κΈ΄ + noun (long)
  • 짧닀 β†’ μ§§μ•„μš” / 짧은 + noun (short)
  • λ”± λ§žλ‹€ β†’ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš” (fits perfectly)

πŸ“š Cross-check note

All vocabulary cross-checked against korean.go.kr βœ…

πŸͺž Synonym Alert

  • 꽉 끼닀 vs μž‘λ‹€ β€” 꽉 끼닀 = "tight" (snug fit issue); μž‘λ‹€ = "small" (overall size too small).
  • ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€ vs 크닀 β€” ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€ = "loose" (fit issue); 크닀 = "big" (overall size too large).
  • κΈΈλ‹€ vs λŠ˜μ–΄μ§€λ‹€ β€” κΈΈλ‹€ = "long" (length); λŠ˜μ–΄μ§€λ‹€ = "to stretch out/sag" (fabric losing shape over time).
  • 짧닀 vs μž‘λ‹€ β€” 짧닀 = "short" (length); μž‘λ‹€ = "small" (overall size) β€” don't conflate.
  • λ”± λ§žλ‹€ vs 잘 λ§žλ‹€ β€” λ”± λ§žλ‹€ = "fits exactly/perfectly" (precise); 잘 λ§žλ‹€ = "fits well" (general, slightly less precise).

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ Saying 꽉 λΌμ–΄μš” β†’ βœ… 꽉 κ»΄μš” (끼닀 + μ–΄μš” β†’ κ»΄μš”, contraction).
  • ❌ Saying 헐렁이닀 β†’ βœ… ν—λ ν•΄μš” (conjugates with ν•΄μš”, not 이닀).
  • ❌ Saying 길은 바지 β†’ βœ… κΈ΄ 바지 ("long pants") β€” κΈΈλ‹€ drops γ„Ή before γ„΄.
  • ❌ Saying 짧닀 for "small overall" β†’ βœ… μž‘λ‹€ for size; 짧닀 only for length/duration.
  • ❌ Dropping μš” in polite speech β†’ βœ… λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”, not λ”± λ§žμ•„ (in formal/polite contexts).
꽉 끼닀, ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€, κΈΈλ‹€, 짧닀, λ”± λ§žλ‹€ β€” 핏을 μ •ν™•νžˆ λ§ν•΄μš”! πŸ‘–πŸ‘•πŸ“βœ‚οΈπŸ‘Œ
Β 
Try this exercise
Fill in each blank with the correct word/phrase (꽉 κ»΄μš”, ν—λ ν•΄μš”, κΈΈμ–΄μš”, μ§§μ•„μš”, or λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”).
A. 바지가 ___. (The pants are tight.)
Answer
꽉 κ»΄μš”
B. 이 μ˜·μ€ μ’€ ___. (This clothing is a bit loose.)
Answer
ν—λ ν•΄μš”
C. μ†Œλ§€κ°€ λ„ˆλ¬΄ ___. (The sleeves are too long.)
Answer
κΈΈμ–΄μš”
D. 머리가 ___. (My hair is short.)
Answer
μ§§μ•„μš”
E. 이 μ‹ λ°œμ΄ ___. (These shoes fit perfectly.)
Answer
λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”
F. μ‹ λ°œμ΄ λ„ˆλ¬΄ ___μ„œ 발이 μ•„νŒŒμš”. (The shoes are so tight my feet hurt.)
Answer
꽉 끼어
G. ___ν•œ 바지가 νŽΈν•΄μš”. (Loose pants are comfortable.)
Answer
헐렁
H. μΉ˜λ§ˆκ°€ ___. (The skirt is long.)
Answer
κΈΈμ–΄μš”
I. 바지가 ___. (The pants are short.)
Answer
μ§§μ•„μš”
J. μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆκ°€ ___. (The size is just right.)
Answer
λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”
πŸ“š
Vocabulary Box
  • 꽉 끼닀 β€” tight; 꽉 κ»΄μš”
  • ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€ β€” loose; ν—λ ν•΄μš”
  • κΈΈλ‹€ β€” long; κΈΈμ–΄μš” / κΈ΄ + noun
  • 짧닀 β€” short; μ§§μ•„μš” / 짧은 + noun
  • λ”± λ§žλ‹€ β€” fits perfectly; λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”
πŸ’‘
Pitfalls reminder
  • 꽉 κ»΄μš”, not 꽉 λΌμ–΄μš”
  • κΈ΄ 바지, not 길은 바지
  • 짧닀 (length) β‰  μž‘λ‹€ (size)
πŸ”
Want more reps? Try on a few items at home and describe each: 꽉 κ»΄μš”? ν—λ ν•΄μš”? κΈΈμ–΄μš”? μ§§μ•„μš”? λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”?
Β 
πŸ“¦
Practice Hub: Describing Fit: Tight, Loose, Long, Short
Five exercises to lock in 꽉 끼닀, ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€, κΈΈλ‹€, 짧닀, and λ”± λ§žλ‹€. Work through each, then check your answers in the toggles.

Exercise 1 β€” Word Recall: Korean β†’ English πŸ‘–πŸ‘•

A. 꽉 끼닀
Answer
to be tight
B. ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€
Answer
to be loose
C. κΈΈλ‹€
Answer
to be long
D. 짧닀
Answer
to be short
E. λ”± λ§žλ‹€
Answer
to fit perfectly
F. 바지가 꽉 κ»΄μš”
Answer
The pants are tight.
G. ν—λ ν•œ 바지
Answer
loose pants
H. κΈ΄ 바지
Answer
long pants
I. 짧은 치마
Answer
short skirt
J. μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆκ°€ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”
Answer
The size fits perfectly.
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • 꽉 끼닀 = tight, ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€ = loose
  • κΈΈλ‹€ = long, 짧닀 = short
  • λ”± λ§žλ‹€ = fits perfectly
  • κΈ΄/짧은/ν—λ ν•œ + noun = modifier forms
Β 

Exercise 2 β€” Word Recall: English β†’ Korean πŸ“βœ‚οΈ

A. to be tight
Answer
꽉 끼닀
B. to be loose
Answer
ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€
C. to be long
Answer
κΈΈλ‹€
D. to be short
Answer
짧닀
E. to fit perfectly
Answer
λ”± λ§žλ‹€
F. The pants are tight.
Answer
바지가 꽉 κ»΄μš”.
G. loose pants
Answer
ν—λ ν•œ 바지
H. long pants
Answer
κΈ΄ 바지
I. short skirt
Answer
짧은 치마
J. The size fits perfectly.
Answer
μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆκ°€ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”.
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • 꽉 끼닀 β†’ 꽉 κ»΄μš” (contraction!)
  • κΈΈλ‹€ β†’ κΈ΄ (γ„Ή drops before γ„΄)
  • μž‘λ‹€ = small (size), not 짧닀
  • 잘 λ§žλ‹€ = fits well (less precise than λ”± λ§žλ‹€)
Β 

Exercise 3 β€” Pattern Practice: Conjugate Correctly πŸ‘Œ

A. 바지가 꽉 ___. (끼닀)
Answer
κ»΄μš”
B. 이 μ˜·μ€ μ’€ ___. (ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€)
Answer
ν—λ ν•΄μš”
C. μ†Œλ§€κ°€ λ„ˆλ¬΄ ___. (κΈΈλ‹€)
Answer
κΈΈμ–΄μš”
D. 머리가 ___. (짧닀)
Answer
μ§§μ•„μš”
E. μ‹ λ°œμ΄ ___. (λ”± λ§žλ‹€)
Answer
λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”
F. ___ 바지가 νŽΈν•΄μš”. (ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€, modifier)
Answer
ν—λ ν•œ
G. ___ 치마λ₯Ό μž…μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. (짧닀, modifier)
Answer
짧은
H. ___ μ†Œλ§€κ°€ λΆˆνŽΈν•΄μš”. (κΈΈλ‹€, modifier)
Answer
κΈ΄
I. μ‹ λ°œμ΄ λ„ˆλ¬΄ ___μ„œ 발이 μ•„νŒŒμš”. (끼닀)
Answer
꽉 끼어
J. μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆκ°€ ___. (λ”± λ§žλ‹€)
Answer
λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • 끼닀 β†’ κ»΄μš” (contraction)
  • ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ ν—λ ν•΄μš”/ν—λ ν•œ
  • κΈΈλ‹€ β†’ κΈΈμ–΄μš”/κΈ΄; 짧닀 β†’ μ§§μ•„μš”/짧은
  • λ”± λ§žλ‹€ β†’ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”
Β 

Exercise 4 β€” Pattern Practice: Translate to English πŸ‘–

A. 바지가 꽉 κ»΄μ„œ ν—λ ν•œ μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆλ‘œ λ°”κΏ¨μ–΄μš”.
Answer
The pants were tight, so I exchanged them for a looser size.
B. μ†Œλ§€λŠ” 긴데 λ‹€λ¦¬λŠ” μ§§μ•„μš”.
Answer
The sleeves are long, but the legs are short.
C. 이 μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆκ°€ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”. 꽉 끼지도 ν—λ ν•˜μ§€λ„ μ•Šμ•„μš”.
Answer
This size fits perfectly. It's neither tight nor loose.
D. μ‹ λ°œμ΄ λ„ˆλ¬΄ 꽉 κ»΄μ„œ 발이 μ•„νŒŒμš”.
Answer
The shoes are so tight that my feet hurt.
E. ν—λ ν•œ 바지가 νŽΈν•΄μš”.
Answer
Loose pants are comfortable.
F. μΉ˜λ§ˆκ°€ κΈΈμ–΄μš”.
Answer
The skirt is long.
G. 머리가 μ§§μ•„μš”.
Answer
My hair is short.
H. 이 μ‹ λ°œμ΄ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”.
Answer
These shoes fit perfectly.
I. 이 μ˜·μ€ μ’€ ν—λ ν•΄μš”.
Answer
This clothing is a bit loose.
J. μ†Œλ§€κ°€ λ„ˆλ¬΄ κΈΈμ–΄μš”.
Answer
The sleeves are too long.
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • ~지도 ~지도 μ•Šλ‹€ = "neither X nor Y"
  • ~λŠ”λ° = "but/while" (contrast)
  • ~μ•„μ„œ/μ–΄μ„œ = "so/because"
Β 

Exercise 5 β€” Mixed Mastery: Translate to Korean βœ‚οΈπŸ‘Œ

A. The pants are tight.
Answer
바지가 꽉 κ»΄μš”.
B. This clothing is a bit loose.
Answer
이 μ˜·μ€ μ’€ ν—λ ν•΄μš”.
C. The sleeves are too long.
Answer
μ†Œλ§€κ°€ λ„ˆλ¬΄ κΈΈμ–΄μš”.
D. The pants are short.
Answer
바지가 μ§§μ•„μš”.
E. The size is just right.
Answer
μ‚¬μ΄μ¦ˆκ°€ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”.
F. Loose pants are comfortable.
Answer
ν—λ ν•œ 바지가 νŽΈν•΄μš”.
G. The skirt is long.
Answer
μΉ˜λ§ˆκ°€ κΈΈμ–΄μš”.
H. My hair is short.
Answer
머리가 μ§§μ•„μš”.
I. These shoes fit perfectly.
Answer
이 μ‹ λ°œμ΄ λ”± λ§žμ•„μš”.
J. The shoes are so tight that my feet hurt.
Answer
μ‹ λ°œμ΄ λ„ˆλ¬΄ 꽉 κ»΄μ„œ 발이 μ•„νŒŒμš”.
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • λ„ˆλ¬΄ = "too" (excessive)
  • μ’€ = "a bit/somewhat" (softener)
  • Review all five words and their conjugations before moving on
꽉 끼닀, ν—λ ν•˜λ‹€, κΈΈλ‹€, 짧닀, λ”± λ§žλ‹€ β€” μ—°μŠ΅ μ™„λ£Œ! πŸ‘–πŸ‘•πŸ“βœ‚οΈπŸ‘Œ