Korean Dictionary
How to say "Contrast" in Korean
“Contrast” in Korean is 대비 (pronounced "Daebi").
대비
Daebi
Usage & Context
The difference between elements to create visual interest. A key principle in Korean design and art.
Example Sentence
대비는 디자인을 더 흥미롭게 만듭니다.
Contrast makes design more interesting.
How to use 대비 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Contrast” is 대비, romanized as Daebi.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 대비.
Pronunciation Guide
대비 (Dae-bi) starts with 'dae' which sounds like the English word 'day'. 'Bi' sounds like the English word 'bee'. The stress is fairly even across both syllables.
More Example Sentences
A photography enthusiast discussing different photo styles.
흑백 사진은 색채 대비가 강해서 더 극적인 느낌을 줘요.
Black and white photos have strong color contrast, giving a more dramatic feel.
An art teacher giving feedback to a student.
명암 대비를 잘 활용하면 그림이 훨씬 생동감 있어 보여요.
If you utilize light and shadow contrast well, the painting looks much more vibrant.
A user giving feedback on a website or app design.
이 디자인은 색상 대비가 너무 강해서 눈이 피로해요.
This design has too strong a color contrast, making my eyes tired.
Cultural Context
대비 is a fundamental principle in all visual arts and design in Korea. It's taught in relation to various elements such as color (색채 대비), light and dark (명암 대비), texture, size, and shape to create visual interest and hierarchy. Beyond art, '대비' is also commonly used in a broader sense meaning 'comparison' or 'in contrast to' (e.g., '작년 대비' - compared to last year). In K-beauty, '대비' is often discussed for makeup techniques, such as creating contrast for contouring or highlighting.
Editorial note
We review entries like 대비 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
색채 대비
Color contrast
명암 대비
Light and shadow contrast
대비 효과
Contrast effect
Related Expressions
조화
johwa
Harmony (often seen as an opposite principle)
명암
myeongam
Light and shadow
강조
gangjo
Emphasis
균형
gyunhyeong
Balance
More Art & Design Words
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