Learn Hardcore Korean: jjalbeun meoriga gwanrihagi pyeonhaeyo.

In Korean, when an adjective modifies a noun directly, it takes its attributive form. The base adjective 짧다 (“to be short”) changes to 짧은 before a noun. So 짧은 머리 literally means “short hair,” with 짧은 describing 머리.

What does the particle -가 do in 짧은 머리가? Could I use -는 instead?

Here, -가 marks 머리 as the grammatical subject, presenting “short hair” as new information. You can replace it with the topic marker -는—짧은 머리는 관리하기 편해요—which makes it feel more like stating a general fact or contrastive point.

Why is 관리하기 used instead of 관리해요?

관리하기 is the noun (gerund) form of the verb 관리하다 (“to manage/maintain”). The suffix -기 turns the verb into a noun (“managing/maintenance”). We need this noun form to pair with 편하다 in the pattern -하기 편하다 (“be easy to do”).

Can you explain the pattern -하기 편하다?

Sure. You take a verb, attach -기 to make it a noun, then add 편하다 (“to be easy/comfortable”).
• 관리하다 → 관리하기 (“managing”)
• 관리하기 + 편하다 → “to be easy to manage”
Thus, 관리하기 편해요 means “(it) is easy to manage.”

Why is 편해요 used here instead of 쉬워요?

Both 편하다 and 쉽다 can express that something is easy. However, Korean speakers often use the set phrase -하기 편하다 when talking about the convenience or comfort of doing something. You could say 관리하기 쉬워요, and it’d be understood, but 편하다 emphasizes how convenient or hassle-free it is.

Could I rephrase this as 머리가 짧으면 관리하기 편해요?

Yes. 머리가 짧으면 관리하기 편해요 (“If your hair is short, it’s easy to manage”) uses a conditional clause. The meaning stays essentially the same, but the original 짧은 머리가 관리하기 편해요 states it as a general fact rather than in an “if… then…” structure.

Is 관리하다 the only verb I can use here? What about 유지하다?

You can use 유지하다 (“to maintain/keep up”) instead: 짧은 머리는 유지하기 편해요. The nuance shifts slightly—관리하다 covers day-to-day care (washing, styling, trimming), while 유지하다 focuses on keeping the length or style over time. Both are correct depending on what you want to emphasize.