Explanation at your level:
You use 견디다 when something is hard. If it is cold, you say 'I endure the cold'. It means you do not stop.
Use this word when you stay in a tough place. For example, if you have a lot of homework, you must 견디다 until you finish.
This word is perfect for describing resilience. When you face a difficult boss or a long commute, you are 견디다-ing through the situation.
At this level, you can use it to describe abstract concepts like pressure or loneliness. It moves beyond physical endurance to mental strength.
Advanced users employ this to describe stoicism. It implies a conscious decision to remain firm despite overwhelming odds or systemic pressure.
In literary contexts, 견디다 represents the human condition. It captures the profound struggle of existence and the quiet dignity of simply carrying on.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Means to endure or withstand.
- Used for physical and emotional hardship.
- Essential for expressing resilience.
- Commonly used with '잘' or '끝까지'.
The word 견디다 is a fundamental Korean verb that captures the essence of resilience. At its core, it means to endure or withstand.
Think of it as the mental or physical strength required to stay in a situation that isn't pleasant. Whether it is cold weather, hard work, or emotional pain, using this word shows that you are not giving up.
It is a very common word because life often presents challenges. Using it correctly helps you express your perseverance and patience in a natural way.
The word 견디다 has deep roots in the Korean language. It is a native Korean word, not derived from Chinese characters (Hanja).
Historically, it has been used to describe the act of holding out against the elements. In ancient agricultural society, surviving a harsh winter or a drought was the ultimate test of 견디다.
Over centuries, the meaning expanded from purely physical survival to include emotional and social endurance. It is a testament to the Korean cultural value of indomitability.
You use 견디다 whenever someone is facing a struggle. It is highly versatile and works in both formal and informal settings.
Common collocations include 추위를 견디다 (endure the cold) or 고통을 견디다 (endure pain). It is often paired with adverbs like 잘 (well) to say 'I endured it well'.
While it is neutral in tone, it carries a sense of seriousness. You wouldn't use it for minor inconveniences, but rather for things that truly test your limits.
1. 눈물겹게 견디다: To endure with tears in one's eyes. 2. 배고픔을 견디다: To endure hunger. 3. 유혹을 견디다: To resist temptation. 4. 시련을 견디다: To withstand a trial or hardship. 5. 하루하루를 견디다: To endure day by day.
These expressions show how the word is applied to various human experiences, from physical hunger to emotional trials.
As a regular verb, it follows standard conjugation rules. The stem is 견디-. In the present tense, it becomes 견뎌요 (polite) or 견딘다 (plain).
Pronunciation is straightforward: 'Gyeon-di-da'. The 'gyeo' sound is similar to the 'yeo' in 'beyond' but with a 'g' at the start. Stress is generally even, but the second syllable often takes a slight emphasis.
It rhymes loosely with words ending in '-ida' sounds, though in Korean, rhyming is less common than in English poetry.
Fun Fact
It is a purely native Korean word, reflecting the resilience of the Korean people.
Pronunciation Guide
Korean phonetics
Korean phonetics
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'gyeon'
- Dropping the 'di' sound
- Incorrect rhythm
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Verb + -아/어 내다
견뎌내다
Verb + -기 힘들다
견디기 힘들다
Verb + -ㄹ 수 없다
견딜 수 없다
Examples by Level
추위를 견디다.
Endure the cold.
Basic verb phrase.
힘들어도 견디다.
Endure even if it is hard.
Conditional.
잘 견디고 있어요.
I am enduring well.
Present continuous.
아픔을 견디다.
Endure the pain.
Direct object.
무더위를 견디다.
Endure the heat.
Noun + verb.
졸음을 견디다.
Endure the sleepiness.
Noun + verb.
배고픔을 견디다.
Endure the hunger.
Noun + verb.
끝까지 견디다.
Endure until the end.
Adverbial phrase.
그는 힘든 상황을 잘 견뎠다.
우리는 더위를 견디기 힘들었다.
그녀는 슬픔을 견디고 웃었다.
소음을 견디는 것은 어렵다.
그는 매일의 스트레스를 견딘다.
우리는 이 시기를 견뎌야 한다.
그는 고통을 참으며 견뎠다.
나는 기다림을 견디기 어렵다.
그는 어려운 환경 속에서도 꿋꿋이 견뎠다.
이 기계는 높은 온도를 견딜 수 있다.
그녀는 외로움을 견디며 공부했다.
우리는 변화를 견뎌내야 한다.
그는 비난을 견디지 못하고 떠났다.
이 건물은 지진을 견딜 수 있게 설계되었다.
그는 가난을 견디며 꿈을 키웠다.
우리는 서로를 의지하며 견뎠다.
그는 엄청난 압박감을 견뎌냈다.
그녀는 수년간의 고생을 견디고 성공했다.
이 재료는 부식을 견디는 성질이 있다.
우리는 불확실한 미래를 견뎌야 한다.
그는 모욕을 견디며 침묵을 지켰다.
이 식물은 척박한 환경을 견딜 수 있다.
그는 고독을 견디는 법을 배웠다.
우리는 이 시련을 함께 견뎌내자.
그는 운명의 가혹함을 묵묵히 견뎌냈다.
이 구조물은 극한의 기후를 견디도록 제작되었다.
그녀는 내면의 갈등을 견디며 결정을 내렸다.
그는 사회적 편견을 견디며 자신의 길을 갔다.
우리는 역사의 소용돌이를 견뎌낸 세대다.
그는 고통스러운 기억을 견디며 살아가고 있다.
이 이론은 비판을 견디지 못하고 폐기되었다.
그는 자신의 신념을 지키기 위해 고난을 견뎠다.
그는 실존적 허무를 견디며 삶의 의미를 찾았다.
이 고전은 세월의 풍파를 견디고 오늘날까지 전해진다.
그는 인간의 나약함을 견디는 법을 깨달았다.
그녀는 침묵의 무게를 견디며 깊은 사유에 잠겼다.
이 예술 작품은 시대의 변화를 견디는 힘이 있다.
그는 운명에 순응하지 않고 고통을 견뎌냈다.
우리는 상실의 아픔을 견디는 법을 배워야 한다.
그는 절대고독을 견디며 진리를 탐구했다.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"눈물겹게 견디다"
To endure with tears
그는 눈물겹게 견뎠다.
literary"이를 악물고 견디다"
To grit one's teeth and endure
이를 악물고 견뎠다.
neutral"죽을 힘을 다해 견디다"
To endure with all one's might
죽을 힘을 다해 견뎠다.
casual"묵묵히 견디다"
To endure silently
그는 묵묵히 견뎠다.
neutral"하루하루를 견디다"
To endure day by day
하루하루를 견디고 있다.
neutral"어떻게든 견디다"
To endure somehow
어떻게든 견뎌내야지.
casualEasily Confused
Both mean to hold back.
참다 is internal suppression, 견디다 is external endurance.
화가 나도 참았다 vs 추위를 견뎠다.
Both imply lasting.
버티다 is more physical and casual.
조금만 버티자 vs 고통을 견디다.
It is a compound of 견디다.
견뎌내다 emphasizes the successful result.
시련을 견뎌냈다.
Formal synonym.
감내하다 is very formal, used for fate/hardship.
운명을 감내하다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Noun + 을/를 + 견디다
나는 추위를 견딘다.
Subject + Adverb + 견디다
그는 잘 견뎠다.
Subject + Noun + 을/를 + 견뎌내다
우리는 고난을 견뎌냈다.
Subject + 견딜 수 없다
나는 이 소음을 견딜 수 없다.
Subject + Noun + 을/를 + 묵묵히 견디다
그는 슬픔을 묵묵히 견뎠다.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
참다 is more about suppressing emotion/action, 견디다 is about enduring a state.
Irregular conjugation check.
Must use noun form.
Often needs an adverb.
Correct structure for 'cannot endure'.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a mountain standing tall in a storm.
Context
Use it for long-term situations.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the value of perseverance.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a regular verb.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'gyeon' sound.
Mistake
Don't confuse with 참다 (suppress).
Fact
Native Korean word.
Study
Use it in sentences about your day.
Collocation
Always pair with '잘' for positive reinforcement.
Negative form
Use '견딜 수 없다' for 'unbearable'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Gyeon (sounds like 'gain') + di (die) + da. You gain strength even if you feel like you might die from the difficulty.
Visual Association
A person standing tall in a storm.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write three things you are enduring this week.
Wortherkunft
Korean
Original meaning: To sustain pressure
Kultureller Kontext
None.
Similar to 'endure' or 'bear'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 압박을 견디다
- 업무를 견디다
- 스트레스를 견디다
In nature
- 추위를 견디다
- 더위를 견디다
- 비바람을 견디다
Emotional
- 슬픔을 견디다
- 외로움을 견디다
- 고통을 견디다
Daily life
- 기다림을 견디다
- 졸음을 견디다
- 배고픔을 견디다
Conversation Starters
"What is the hardest thing you have ever endured?"
"Do you think it is better to endure or to give up?"
"How do you endure stress at work?"
"What helps you endure difficult times?"
"Can you endure the cold weather?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to endure something difficult.
What are you enduring right now and how are you coping?
Is there a difference between enduring and just waiting?
How does '견디다' relate to your personal goals?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenThey overlap but 견디다 implies enduring a state, while 참다 is suppressing an impulse.
Yes, e.g., a building enduring an earthquake.
견뎠다.
It is neutral and commonly used.
견딜 수 없다 or 견디지 못하다.
Yes.
Yes, 배고픔을 견디다.
견딤.
Teste dich selbst
나는 추위를 ___.
Correct verb for enduring cold.
What does 견디다 mean?
Definition check.
견디다 is a noun.
It is a verb.
Word
Bedeutung
Common collocation.
Subject-Object-Adverb-Verb.
그는 모든 시련을 ___.
Correct compound verb.
견디다 can be used for inanimate objects like buildings.
Buildings can endure weather.
Which is most formal?
Register nuance.
Complex sentence structure.
이 작품은 시간의 ___를 견뎠다.
Idiomatic collocation.
Ergebnis: /10
Summary
To 견디다 is to choose to stay strong when the situation tries to break you.
- Means to endure or withstand.
- Used for physical and emotional hardship.
- Essential for expressing resilience.
- Commonly used with '잘' or '끝까지'.
Memory Palace
Visualize a mountain standing tall in a storm.
Context
Use it for long-term situations.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the value of perseverance.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a regular verb.
Beispiel
힘든 시간을 잘 견뎌내서 자랑스러워요.
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B1Deviating from what is normal or usual; abnormal.
비정상이다
A2To be abnormal or irregular.
에 대해서
A2Indicating the topic or subject; about, concerning.
누적되다
B1To be accumulated or added up over a period of time. It is frequently used to describe the buildup of fatigue, debt, or environmental damage.
몸살
A2General body aches and fatigue, often accompanying a cold or flu.
몸살나다
A2To suffer from body aches and fatigue, often due to a cold.
쑤시다
B1To have a dull, throbbing pain; to ache.
에취
A2Achoo! (onomatopoeia for sneezing).
급성적이다
A2To be acute or sudden (e.g., an illness).
급성이다
A2Having a rapid onset and short course; to be acute (illness).
