At the A1 level, '막대하다' is quite an advanced word. Beginners usually learn '크다' (big) or '많다' (many/much) to describe size and quantity. However, you can think of '막대하다' as the 'super version' of '많다' used in serious situations. Imagine you have a lot of money—that's '돈이 많아요'. But if a whole country has a huge amount of money for a project, a news reporter might say '막대한 예산'. For now, just remember that when you see '막대-', it means something is very, very big, usually something you can't touch, like 'influence' or 'damage'. You don't need to use it yet, but recognizing it in news headlines will help you understand the scale of what is being discussed. It's like the difference between saying 'a big problem' and 'an immense crisis'.
As an A2 learner, you are starting to see more Hanja-based words. '막대하다' comes from Chinese characters (莫大) which mean 'nothing is bigger'. You will mostly see this word in the form '막대한' followed by a noun. For example, '막대한 돈' (immense money) or '막대한 힘' (immense power). While you might still use '정말 커요' or '진짜 많아요' in daily life, start noticing '막대하다' in newspapers or when people talk about the economy. It's a formal word. If you use it, people will think your Korean is very polite and serious. Try to remember it as a pair with '피해' (damage) or '손실' (loss), as these are the most common ways it's used in Korea.
At the B1 level, you should begin to distinguish between different types of 'bigness'. You already know '크다' and '대단하다'. Now, '막대하다' adds a layer of formal magnitude. It is specifically used for abstract things that have a large effect. If you are describing the results of a business deal or a natural disaster, '막대하다' is the perfect word. It sounds more objective and professional than '엄청나다'. For example, '이번 투자로 막대한 이익을 얻었습니다' (We gained immense profit from this investment). Notice that it's not just about the amount, but the *significance* of that amount. Start trying to use '막대한' in your writing tasks, especially when discussing social issues or economic topics.
B2 is the level where '막대하다' becomes a core part of your active vocabulary. You are expected to understand and use it in formal contexts like the TOPIK II exam. At this stage, you should know its common collocations: 막대한 영향력 (enormous influence), 막대한 지장 (immense hindrance), 막대한 자금 (immense funds). You should also understand its nuance compared to '거대하다' (physical size) and '방대하다' (volume of info). In a discussion about government policy, using '막대한 예산이 소요됩니다' (It requires an immense budget) shows you can handle the formal register required for professional or academic Korean. You should be comfortable using it as both an attributive (막대한) and a predicate (막대하다).
For C1 learners, '막대하다' is a tool for precision. You should be able to use it to create complex sentences that describe systemic impacts. For example, '기술 유출은 국가 경쟁력에 막대한 타격을 줄 수 있다' (Technology leakage can deal an immense blow to national competitiveness). You should also be aware of its historical and literary usage. Because it is a Hanja word, it carries a certain weight and authority. You can use it to emphasize the gravity of a situation without needing extra adverbs like '매우' or '정말'. In high-level debates, '막대하다' helps you quantify abstract concepts in a way that sounds authoritative and well-reasoned. You should also be able to recognize it in classical-style modern prose.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of '막대하다' and its stylistic implications. You understand that while it is a common word in news, overusing it in a simple context can sound hyperbolic or overly dramatic. You know how to balance it with other high-level adjectives like '심대하다' (profound/serious) or '막중하다' (of great importance/heavy responsibility). You can appreciate the word's etymological roots and how it fits into the broader spectrum of Korean superlatives. In professional writing, you use '막대하다' to denote scale that has structural consequences, distinguishing it perfectly from '방대하다' (breadth) or '광범위하다' (wide range). Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker who has a high level of education.

막대하다 in 30 Sekunden

  • 막대하다 means 'immense' or 'enormous', focusing on abstract scale and impact.
  • It is a formal word commonly used in news, business, and academic reports.
  • Commonly paired with nouns like damage (피해), loss (손실), and influence (영향력).
  • Avoid using it for physical size; use 거대하다 or 크다 for buildings or objects.

The Korean adjective 막대하다 (莫大--) is a powerhouse of a word used to describe something that is so large in scale, volume, or degree that it is almost immeasurable. Rooted in Hanja, where '막' (莫) means 'not' or 'nothing' and '대' (大) means 'big,' the literal etymological sense is 'nothing is bigger than this.' In contemporary Korean, it is rarely used to describe physical objects like a tall building or a large mountain—for those, you would use '거대하다' or '크다'. Instead, '막대하다' specializes in the realm of the abstract, the financial, and the influential. It is the go-to word when discussing economic losses, the impact of a historical event, or the sheer amount of resources required for a national project. When you hear this word, think of 'immensity' that carries weight and consequence. It is a formal term, frequently appearing in news broadcasts, academic papers, and business reports. For example, if a company suffers a '막대한 손실' (immense loss), it implies a crisis level that could threaten its existence. If a person has '막대한 영향력' (enormous influence), they are likely a kingmaker or a global icon whose every word shifts markets or social trends.

Core Nuance
Focuses on the magnitude of abstract consequences rather than physical dimensions.
Financial Context
Used to describe budgets, costs, profits, and debts that are exceptionally high.
Social Context
Describes the reach of power, influence, or the scale of damage caused by disasters.

이번 홍수로 인해 농가들이 막대한 피해를 입었습니다. (The farms suffered enormous damage due to this flood.)

Understanding the weight of '막대하다' requires recognizing its gravity. It isn't just 'a lot' (많다); it is an 'overwhelming amount' that usually requires significant effort to manage or recover from. In a conversation about climate change, one might speak of the '막대한 비용' (immense cost) of transitioning to green energy. In history class, you might learn about the '막대한 지장' (huge hindrance) caused by a specific policy. It is a word that demands attention and signals that the topic at hand is of serious scale. Culturally, Koreans use this to emphasize the seriousness of a situation, especially in professional settings where precision in scale is necessary to convey urgency or importance.

그는 정계에 막대한 영향력을 행사하고 있다. (He exerts enormous influence in the political world.)

Collocation: Damage
막대한 피해 (Immense damage/loss)
Collocation: Budget
막대한 예산 (Enormous budget)

Grammatically, 막대하다 functions as a descriptive verb (adjective). The most frequent way you will encounter it is in its attributive form, 막대한, placed directly before a noun. Because it is a formal and heavy word, the nouns it modifies are usually Sino-Korean words (Hanja-based) that represent abstract concepts. Common partners include 손실 (loss), 피해 (damage), 영향 (influence), 이익 (profit), and 예산 (budget). When used as a predicate at the end of a sentence, it becomes '막대합니다' (formal) or '막대해요' (polite), though the attributive '막대한' is significantly more common in written texts and news reports.

새로운 프로젝트에는 막대한 자금이 필요합니다. (The new project requires an enormous amount of capital.)

To use it correctly, you must match its 'weight' with the context. If you say '막대한 사과' (an enormous apple), it sounds bizarre and humorous because '막대하다' is too 'serious' for a fruit. Instead, use it for things that change the course of a business or a life. For instance, '부모님의 막대한 사랑' (the immense love of parents) is a poetic and powerful way to describe a love that is beyond measure. In negative contexts, '막대한 지장을 초래하다' (to cause a huge hindrance) is a sophisticated way to express that something has seriously disrupted a process. Note that '막대하다' is often paired with verbs like '입다' (to suffer/sustain), '끼치다' (to cause/exert), and '필요하다' (to need).

With '입다' (To Suffer)
막대한 손실을 입다 - To suffer an enormous loss.
With '끼치다' (To Cause)
막대한 피해를 끼치다 - To cause immense damage.
With '행사하다' (To Exert)
막대한 영향력을 행사하다 - To exert enormous influence.

그 회사의 파산은 지역 경제에 막대한 타격을 주었다. (The bankruptcy of that company dealt a huge blow to the local economy.)

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the scale. If you are describing a 'big' mistake, '큰 실수' is standard, but '막대한 실수' suggests the mistake might lead to millions of dollars in losses or a national scandal. It elevates the level of intensity. In academic writing, using '막대한' shows a high level of vocabulary proficiency and allows for more precise descriptions of quantitative and qualitative magnitude. It is a key word for achieving B2 and C1 levels in the TOPIK exam, as it demonstrates an ability to discuss complex social and economic issues.

You are most likely to encounter 막대하다 in environments where high-stakes information is shared. This includes television news, financial podcasts, corporate boardrooms, and university lectures. In a typical 8 PM news segment, an anchor might report on a wildfire, saying, '이번 산불로 인해 막대한 산림이 훼손되었습니다' (An immense amount of forest was destroyed by this wildfire). Here, the word conveys the gravity of the environmental disaster. In the business section of a newspaper, you'll see headlines like '신제품 개발에 막대한 예산 투입' (Enormous budget invested in new product development), signaling a major strategic move by a conglomerate like Samsung or LG.

“정부는 이번 사태의 해결을 위해 막대한 공적 자금을 투입하기로 결정했습니다.” (The government has decided to inject an immense amount of public funds to resolve this situation.)

In historical documentaries, narrators use '막대하다' to describe the legacy of kings or the impact of wars. '세종대왕은 한국 문화에 막대한 업적을 남겼습니다' (King Sejong left an immense legacy in Korean culture). This usage elevates the subject, providing a sense of grandeur and historical weight. You might also hear it in legal dramas (K-Dramas) when lawyers discuss '막대한 손해 배상' (immense compensation for damages) during a trial involving a large corporation. It is a word that paints a picture of scale that is beyond the ordinary, often touching on the 'macro' level of society.

News Media
Reporting on natural disasters, economic shifts, or political scandals.
Business/Finance
Discussing quarterly losses, venture capital investments, or market influence.
Academic/History
Analyzing the impact of historical figures or scientific discoveries.

While it is less common in casual, everyday speech between friends (where '진짜 크다' or '대박이다' might be used), using it correctly in a professional setting in Korea will make you sound highly educated and articulate. If you are giving a presentation in Korean, using '막대하다' to describe the potential benefits of a partnership will sound much more persuasive and professional than using simpler adjectives. It shows you understand the formal registers of the language.

과학 기술의 발전은 인류의 삶에 막대한 변화를 가져왔다. (The development of science and technology has brought immense changes to human life.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with 막대하다 is using it to describe physical size. While 'immense' in English can describe a mountain or a whale, '막대하다' in Korean is almost exclusively for abstract concepts or quantities that are not easily visualized as a single physical object. For instance, you should not say '막대한 빌딩' (an immense building); instead, use '거대한 빌딩' or '아주 큰 빌딩'. Similarly, you wouldn't use it for a 'large' person. It is about the *scale of impact* or *quantity of resources*.

Incorrect Physical Usage
막대한 수박 (An immense watermelon) - ❌ Use '커다란 수박' instead.
Correct Abstract Usage
막대한 지장 (Immense hindrance) - ✅ This is a perfect abstract use.

Another common error is confusing it with synonyms like '엄청나다'. While '엄청나다' can often be used interchangeably, it is more colloquial and can be used for both positive and negative things, and even physical sizes. '막대하다' is more formal and is heavily weighted toward negative consequences (loss, damage) or neutral-to-positive high-scale concepts (influence, budget). Using '막대하다' in a casual text message to a friend about a 'huge' burger would feel out of place and overly dramatic.

그는 막대한 빚을 지고 있다. (He is in immense debt.) - Correct use of '막대하다' for a serious financial abstract.

Lastly, pay attention to the particles. Because it is an adjective, it doesn't take '을/를'. You say '피해가 막대하다' (The damage is immense) or '막대한 피해' (Immense damage). A common mistake is trying to use it as a verb like '막대하다' meaning 'to make big,' which is incorrect. It only describes the state of being big.

전쟁은 국가에 막대한 고통을 안겨주었다. (The war brought immense suffering to the nation.)

Korean has a rich variety of words to describe 'bigness,' each with its own specific flavor. Comparing 막대하다 with its cousins will help you choose the right word for the right moment. The most common alternative is 엄청나다. While both mean 'immense,' '엄청나다' is much more versatile. You can have an '엄청난' amount of food, an '엄청난' surprise, or '엄청난' speed. '막대하다' is more specialized for serious, large-scale impacts.

거대하다 (Huge/Gigantic)
Used for physical size. A giant robot or a massive corporation (as an entity) would be '거대하다'.
방대하다 (Vast/Extensive)
Used for volume of data, information, or territory. A library's collection or a research report is '방대하다'.
무궁무진하다 (Endless/Infinite)
Used for potential or variety. 'The possibilities are endless' would use this word.

Another interesting comparison is with 어마어마하다. This word carries a sense of 'awe' or being 'staggered' by the size. If you see a mansion that is so big it makes your jaw drop, you'd say it is '어마어마하다'. '막대하다' is more clinical and objective—it focuses on the fact of the magnitude rather than your emotional reaction to it. For example, a government report would use '막대한 예산' (objective), while a gossip magazine might use '어마어마한 저택' (emotional/impressive).

그 학자는 방대한 양의 자료를 분석했다. (That scholar analyzed a vast amount of data.) - Contrast with '막대한' which focuses on the impact of the research.

When you want to emphasize that something is 'not small' but in a subtle way, you might use '적지 않다' (is not small/is considerable). But when the scale is truly grand and impactful, '막대하다' remains the most professional and powerful choice in the Korean lexicon. Mastering these distinctions is what separates intermediate learners from advanced speakers.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

While '막대' can also mean a 'stick' (막대기) in native Korean, the adjective '막대하다' is completely unrelated to sticks; it's purely about the Hanja for 'immensity.'

Aussprachehilfe

UK mɐk.tɛ.ɦɐ.dɐ
US mɐk.tɛ.ɦɐ.dɐ
Stress is usually even, but the first syllable '막' is often emphasized in news reporting.
Reimt sich auf
방대하다 (bang-dae-ha-da) 위대하다 (wi-dae-ha-da) 거대하다 (geo-dae-ha-da) 중대하다 (jung-dae-ha-da) 관대하다 (gwan-dae-ha-da) 막강하다 (mak-gang-ha-da) 강대하다 (gang-dae-ha-da) 광대하다 (gwang-dae-ha-da)
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing '막' with a long vowel (it should be short).
  • Softening the 'ㄷ' into a 'ㄹ' (it must stay a clear 'd' sound).
  • Omitting the 'ㅎ' sound in '하다' (it should be lightly audible).
  • Confusing the 'ae' (ㅐ) sound with 'e' (ㅔ).
  • Failing to tense the 'ㄷ' after the 'ㄱ' stop.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 4/5

Common in newspapers but requires knowing Hanja-based vocabulary.

Schreiben 5/5

Hard to use naturally without understanding collocations.

Sprechen 4/5

Sounds very professional; not used in casual chatting.

Hören 3/5

Easy to hear in news due to the distinct 'Mak' sound.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

크다 (Big) 많다 (Many) 힘 (Power) 돈 (Money) 피해 (Damage)

Als Nächstes lernen

방대하다 (Vast) 거대하다 (Huge) 심대하다 (Profound) 막중하다 (Heavy/Important) 파급 효과 (Ripple effect)

Fortgeschritten

비대칭성 (Asymmetry) 부가가치 (Added value) 이권 (Interests/Rights) 오점 (Stain/Blot) 귀감 (Exemplar)

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective + -ㄴ/은 (Attributive Form)

막대한 (막대하다 + ㄴ)

-아/어지다 (To become...)

피해가 막대해졌다. (The damage became immense.)

-게 (Adverbial Form)

막대하게 영향을 미치다. (To influence immensely.)

-음/기 (Noun form)

그 규모의 막대함에 놀랐다. (I was surprised by the immensity of its scale.)

-지만 (But/However)

피해는 막대하지만 희망은 있다. (The damage is immense, but there is hope.)

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

돈이 막대해요.

The money is immense.

Simple predicate usage.

2

막대한 힘이 있어요.

There is immense power.

Attributive use with '힘' (power).

3

그는 막대한 돈이 필요해요.

He needs an immense amount of money.

Using '필요해요' (need).

4

피해가 막대합니다.

The damage is immense.

Formal ending '-습니다'.

5

막대한 사랑을 받아요.

I receive immense love.

Abstract concept '사랑' (love).

6

그 회사는 막대해요.

That company is immense (in scale).

Describing a large entity.

7

막대한 에너지가 나와요.

Immense energy comes out.

Using '나오다' (to come out).

8

우리는 막대한 시간이 있어요.

We have an immense amount of time.

Using '시간' (time).

1

이번 일로 막대한 손해를 봤어요.

I suffered an immense loss due to this matter.

손해를 보다 (to suffer a loss).

2

그 프로젝트는 막대한 예산이 들어요.

That project costs an immense budget.

예산이 들다 (to cost a budget).

3

태풍 때문에 막대한 피해를 입었습니다.

We suffered immense damage because of the typhoon.

피해를 입다 (to sustain damage).

4

그는 사회에 막대한 공헌을 했어요.

He made an immense contribution to society.

공헌을 하다 (to make a contribution).

5

막대한 양의 물이 필요합니다.

An immense amount of water is needed.

양 (amount/quantity).

6

이 책은 나에게 막대한 영향을 주었다.

This book gave me an immense influence.

영향을 주다 (to influence).

7

막대한 빚을 갚아야 해요.

I have to pay back an immense debt.

빚을 갚다 (to pay back debt).

8

그의 인기는 막대하다.

His popularity is immense.

Plain form predicate.

1

인터넷은 우리 삶에 막대한 변화를 가져왔다.

The internet brought immense changes to our lives.

변화를 가져오다 (to bring change).

2

정부는 막대한 자금을 시장에 풀기로 했다.

The government decided to release immense funds into the market.

자금을 풀다 (to release funds).

3

전쟁으로 인한 막대한 인명 피해가 발생했다.

Immense loss of life occurred due to the war.

인명 피해 (loss of life).

4

그 기업은 막대한 이익을 사회에 환원했다.

The corporation returned its immense profits to society.

이익을 환원하다 (to return profits).

5

막대한 지장을 초래해서 죄송합니다.

I am sorry for causing an immense hindrance.

지장을 초래하다 (to cause a hindrance).

6

그는 막대한 유산을 물려받았다.

He inherited an immense legacy/inheritance.

유산을 물려받다 (to inherit).

7

환경 오염은 막대한 비용을 발생시킨다.

Environmental pollution causes immense costs.

비용을 발생시키다 (to incur costs).

8

그의 결정은 회사에 막대한 타격을 주었다.

His decision dealt an immense blow to the company.

타격을 주다 (to deal a blow).

1

이번 정책 실패로 국가 예산에 막대한 손실이 생겼다.

The failure of this policy resulted in an immense loss to the national budget.

정책 실패 (policy failure).

2

그는 업계에서 막대한 영향력을 행사하는 인물이다.

He is a person who exerts enormous influence in the industry.

영향력을 행사하다 (to exert influence).

3

기후 변화는 인류의 생존에 막대한 위협이 되고 있다.

Climate change is becoming an immense threat to human survival.

위협이 되다 (to become a threat).

4

신기술 개발은 막대한 부가가치를 창출할 것이다.

The development of new technology will create immense added value.

부가가치를 창출하다 (to create added value).

5

부실 경영으로 인해 막대한 채무를 지게 되었다.

Due to poor management, they came to have immense debt.

채무를 지다 (to incur debt).

6

이번 수사는 정계에 막대한 파장을 불러일으켰다.

This investigation caused an immense stir in the political world.

파장을 불러일으키다 (to cause a stir/ripples).

7

그 프로젝트는 막대한 인적 자원이 투입되어야 한다.

The project requires the input of immense human resources.

인적 자원 (human resources).

8

막대한 데이터를 처리하기 위해 슈퍼컴퓨터가 필요하다.

A supercomputer is needed to process the immense data.

데이터를 처리하다 (to process data).

1

그 학설은 과학계에 막대한 패러다임의 변화를 몰고 왔다.

That theory brought about an immense paradigm shift in the scientific world.

패러다임의 변화 (paradigm shift).

2

급격한 금리 인상은 가계 경제에 막대한 부담을 준다.

A rapid increase in interest rates puts an immense burden on household economies.

부담을 주다 (to put a burden).

3

문화적 다양성은 국가 경쟁력에 막대한 자산이 된다.

Cultural diversity becomes an immense asset to national competitiveness.

자산이 되다 (to become an asset).

4

그 사건은 그의 명성에 막대한 오점을 남겼다.

That incident left an immense stain on his reputation.

오점을 남기다 (to leave a stain/blot).

5

정보의 비대칭성은 시장 효율성에 막대한 지장을 준다.

Asymmetry of information causes an immense hindrance to market efficiency.

정보의 비대칭성 (information asymmetry).

6

그의 희생은 후대에 막대한 귀감이 되고 있다.

His sacrifice serves as an immense exemplar for future generations.

귀감이 되다 (to be an exemplar/role model).

7

독점 기업의 횡포는 소비자에게 막대한 피해를 전가한다.

The tyranny of a monopoly passes immense damage onto consumers.

피해를 전가하다 (to shift/pass on damage).

8

자연 재해에 대한 대비 부족은 막대한 사회적 비용을 초래한다.

Lack of preparation for natural disasters causes immense social costs.

사회적 비용 (social cost).

1

지정학적 리스크의 증대는 글로벌 공급망에 막대한 불확실성을 가중시킨다.

The increase in geopolitical risks adds immense uncertainty to the global supply chain.

불확실성을 가중시키다 (to aggravate uncertainty).

2

그 작가의 문체는 현대 한국 문학에 막대한 족적을 남겼다.

The author's style left an immense footprint on modern Korean literature.

족적을 남기다 (to leave a footprint/mark).

3

인공지능의 진화는 노동 시장의 구조에 막대한 변혁을 예고하고 있다.

The evolution of AI is foretelling an immense transformation in the labor market structure.

변혁을 예고하다 (to herald transformation).

4

역사적 진실의 왜곡은 국가 간 관계에 막대한 걸림돌이 된다.

Distortion of historical truth becomes an immense stumbling block in international relations.

걸림돌이 되다 (to become a stumbling block).

5

초고령 사회로의 진입은 복지 예산에 막대한 과제를 던져주고 있다.

Entering a super-aged society is posing immense challenges to the welfare budget.

과제를 던져주다 (to pose a challenge).

6

기초 과학에 대한 막대한 투자가 없이는 원천 기술 확보가 불가능하다.

Without immense investment in basic science, securing original technology is impossible.

원천 기술 (source/original technology).

7

사이버 보안의 취약점은 국가 안보에 막대한 위해를 가할 수 있다.

Vulnerabilities in cybersecurity can inflict immense harm on national security.

위해를 가하다 (to inflict harm).

8

그 철학자의 사상은 서구 지성사에 막대한 파급력을 미쳤다.

The philosopher's thoughts had an immense ripple effect on Western intellectual history.

파급력을 미치다 (to have a ripple effect).

Synonyme

엄청나다 거대하다 방대하다 무지막지하다

Häufige Kollokationen

막대한 피해
막대한 손실
막대한 영향력
막대한 예산
막대한 자금
막대한 지장
막대한 이익
막대한 타격
막대한 비용
막대한 부

Häufige Phrasen

막대한 피해를 입다

— To suffer/sustain immense damage.

홍수로 인해 많은 농가가 막대한 피해를 입었다.

막대한 지장을 초래하다

— To cause an immense hindrance or disruption.

시스템 오류가 업무에 막대한 지장을 초래했다.

막대한 영향력을 행사하다

— To exert immense influence over someone or something.

그 정치인은 당내에서 막대한 영향력을 행사하고 있다.

막대한 예산이 소요되다

— To require/take up an immense budget.

신항만 건설에는 막대한 예산이 소요될 전망이다.

막대한 손실을 초래하다

— To lead to/cause immense losses.

잘못된 투자가 회사에 막대한 손실을 초래했다.

막대한 자산을 보유하다

— To possess/hold immense assets.

그 재단은 막대한 자산을 보유하고 사회 공헌을 한다.

막대한 빚을 지다

— To fall into/incur immense debt.

도박으로 인해 막대한 빚을 지게 된 사람들이 많다.

막대한 공헌을 하다

— To make an immense contribution.

그 과학자는 암 치료 연구에 막대한 공헌을 했다.

막대한 파장을 일으키다

— To cause a huge stir or ripple effect.

그의 발언은 사회적으로 막대한 파장을 일으켰다.

막대한 인력을 동원하다

— To mobilize an immense workforce/manpower.

구조 작업을 위해 막대한 인력을 동원했다.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

막대하다 vs 막대기

A 'stick' or 'rod'. Unrelated in meaning but sounds similar.

막대하다 vs 거대하다

Means 'huge' but usually for physical objects or organization size.

막대하다 vs 방대하다

Means 'vast' but usually for information, books, or data.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"막대한 손해를 끼치다"

— To inflict immense damage/loss on someone or something.

그의 실수는 팀에 막대한 손해를 끼쳤다.

Formal
"막대한 부를 거머쥐다"

— To seize/grab immense wealth.

그는 벤처 기업 창업으로 막대한 부를 거머쥐었다.

Journalistic
"막대한 영향을 끼치다"

— To have an immense impact/influence.

어린 시절의 경험은 인격 형성에 막대한 영향을 끼친다.

Academic
"막대한 자금을 쏟아붓다"

— To pour/invest immense funds into something.

정부는 인프라 구축에 막대한 자금을 쏟아붓고 있다.

Informal/Metaphorical
"막대한 대가를 치르다"

— To pay an immense price (consequence).

환경을 파괴한 인간은 이제 막대한 대가를 치르고 있다.

Serious/Moral
"막대한 이권을 챙기다"

— To take/grab immense interests/benefits (often selfishly).

그들은 권력을 이용해 막대한 이권을 챙겼다.

Critical
"막대한 전력을 소모하다"

— To consume/waste an immense amount of power/strength.

이번 전쟁으로 양국은 막대한 전력을 소모했다.

Military/Formal
"막대한 잠재력을 지니다"

— To possess immense potential.

이 신기술은 시장을 바꿀 막대한 잠재력을 지니고 있다.

Business
"막대한 사명감을 느끼다"

— To feel an immense sense of duty/mission.

그는 의사로서 막대한 사명감을 느끼며 일한다.

Formal/Personal
"막대한 가치를 지니다"

— To hold immense value.

이 유물은 역사적으로 막대한 가치를 지닌다.

Formal

Leicht verwechselbar

막대하다 vs 엄청나다

Both mean 'immense'.

엄청나다 is more common and less formal. It can describe physical things, feelings, and speeds. 막대하다 is formal and abstract.

엄청난 속도 (Immense speed) vs 막대한 영향 (Immense influence).

막대하다 vs 어마어마하다

Both mean 'huge'.

어마어마하다 emphasizes being 'awed' or 'shocked' by the size. 막대하다 is more objective and serious.

어마어마한 부자 (Shockingly rich person) vs 막대한 자산 (Immense assets).

막대하다 vs 광대하다

Both mean 'vast/big'.

광대하다 is for spatial vastness (e.g., a wide field). 막대하다 is for magnitude/impact.

광대한 대지 (Vast land) vs 막대한 피해 (Immense damage).

막대하다 vs 심대하다

Both mean 'very great'.

심대하다 is even more formal and usually used for damage, influence, or problems that are 'profound'.

심대한 타격 (Profound blow).

막대하다 vs 막중하다

Both start with '막'.

막중하다 means 'very heavy/important' regarding responsibility or duty.

막중한 책임 (Heavy responsibility).

Satzmuster

B2

A은/는 B에 막대한 영향을 미치다/주다

부모님의 교육 방식은 아이에게 막대한 영향을 미친다.

B2

A으로 인해 막대한 B을/를 입다

태풍으로 인해 막대한 재산 피해를 입었다.

C1

A에 막대한 예산/자금이 투입되다

우주 탐사 프로젝트에 막대한 예산이 투입되었다.

C1

A은/는 B에 막대한 지장을 초래하다

잦은 결근은 팀 프로젝트에 막대한 지장을 초래한다.

B2

막대한 양의 N이/가 필요하다

공장을 가동하려면 막대한 양의 전기가 필요하다.

C2

막대한 파장을 불러일으키다

그 스캔들은 정계에 막대한 파장을 불러일으켰다.

B2

막대한 이익을 남기다

그는 이번 거래로 막대한 이익을 남겼다.

C1

막대한 대가를 치르다

거짓말의 결과로 그는 막대한 대가를 치러야 했다.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

막대 (immensity/magnitude - though rarely used as a standalone noun in this sense; usually as part of the adjective root)

Adjektive

막대하다 (immense/enormous)

Verwandt

막중하다 (to be very important/heavy)
막강하다 (to be immensely powerful)
거대하다 (to be huge)
방대하다 (to be vast)
지대하다 (to be very great/immense)

So verwendest du es

frequency

High in written/media Korean; Medium-Low in spoken Korean.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using '막대하다' for a large building. 거대한 건물 / 아주 큰 건물

    '막대하다' is for abstract magnitude, not physical size.

  • Saying '막대한 수박' (an immense watermelon). 커다란 수박

    You cannot use this word for small physical objects, even if they are 'big' for their kind.

  • Using '막대하는' to modify a noun. 막대한

    It is an adjective, so the attributive form ends in -ㄴ.

  • Using it for 'a lot of friends'. 많은 친구들

    '막대하다' is too formal and serious for social circles.

  • Confusing it with '막대기' (stick). N/A

    Ensure you aren't trying to say 'stick-like' when you mean 'immense'.

Tipps

Professional Writing

Use '막대한' in business emails when discussing project impacts or budgets to sound more authoritative.

Abstract vs. Physical

Always remember: Abstract = 막대하다. Physical = 거대하다/크다. This will prevent 90% of mistakes.

The 'Damage' Pair

Memorize '막대한 피해' as a single unit. It is one of the most common phrases in Korean media.

Adjective Ending

Remember that '막대하다' is an adjective, so it uses '막대한' (not 막대하는) to modify nouns.

Presentation Power

Using '막대한 파급 효과' (immense ripple effect) in a presentation will impress Korean colleagues.

News Scanning

When scanning news, '막대한' usually signals the scale of a crisis or a major investment.

Synonym Choice

If the context is positive and emotional, '어마어마하다' might be better. If it's objective, stick with '막대하다'.

Hanja Root

Learning that '막' (莫) means 'not' helps you realize the word means 'not small' but in an extreme way.

Formal Situations

This is a 'suit and tie' word. Use it when the situation is serious.

Global Issues

Use it when discussing global warming, the economy, or international relations.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of the word 'MAX' (like maximum). '막' (Mak) sounds like Max. So '막대하다' is 'Max-Big-da'. Nothing is bigger than Max!

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant tidal wave labeled 'INFLUENCE' or 'LOSS' washing over a small city. The scale of the wave is '막대하다'.

Word Web

막대한 예산 (Budget) 막대한 손실 (Loss) 막대한 영향 (Influence) 막대한 피해 (Damage) 막대한 자금 (Funds) 막대한 이익 (Profit) 막대한 지장 (Hindrance) 막대한 부 (Wealth)

Herausforderung

Write three sentences about the economy of your country using '막대한'. For example, talk about the '막대한 예산' spent on education.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Sino-Korean (Hanja) word 莫大.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: 莫 (막) means 'no' or 'nothing,' and 大 (대) means 'big.' Together, they signify 'nothing is bigger than this' or 'unsurpassed greatness.'

Sino-Korean

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using it for '막대한 빚' (immense debt) or '막대한 피해' (immense damage) as these are sensitive topics. Ensure the context is appropriate for such a heavy word.

In English, we often use 'huge' or 'massive' for everything. In Korean, '막대하다' is specifically reserved for the serious, abstract, and impactful, making it narrower but more powerful than 'huge'.

K-News headlines often start with '막대한 피해...' during monsoon season. Economic textbooks discuss the '막대한 파급 효과' (immense ripple effect) of industrialization. Historical dramas (Sageuks) use it to describe the '막대한 은혜' (immense grace) of the King.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Economic News

  • 막대한 손실
  • 막대한 예산
  • 막대한 자금
  • 막대한 이익

Natural Disasters

  • 막대한 피해
  • 막대한 인명 피해
  • 막대한 수해
  • 막대한 타격

Personal Growth/Biography

  • 막대한 영향
  • 막대한 공헌
  • 막대한 유산
  • 막대한 사명감

Business Strategy

  • 막대한 투자
  • 막대한 비용
  • 막대한 잠재력
  • 막대한 지장

Politics/Law

  • 막대한 영향력
  • 막대한 파장
  • 막대한 배상금
  • 막대한 책임

Gesprächseinstiege

"이번 신규 프로젝트에 막대한 예산이 들어간다고 들었는데, 사실인가요?"

"그 영화 감독이 한국 영화계에 미친 영향은 정말 막대하다고 생각해요."

"요즘 기후 변화로 인해 막대한 피해를 입는 지역이 늘어나고 있어요."

"이 책이 당신의 가치관에 막대한 영향을 주었나요?"

"정부의 이번 결정이 시장에 막대한 파장을 일으킬까요?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

내 인생에서 나에게 막대한 영향을 준 사람은 누구이며, 그 이유는 무엇인가?

만약 나에게 막대한 자금이 생긴다면, 가장 먼저 하고 싶은 일은 무엇인가?

최근 뉴스에서 본 막대한 피해 사례에 대해 나의 생각을 적어보자.

기술의 발전이 우리 사회에 주는 막대한 이익과 손실에 대해 논해보자.

내가 미래에 사회에 남기고 싶은 막대한 업적은 무엇인가?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you should not. '막대하다' is used for abstract things like influence or money. To describe a physically large person, use '덩치가 크다' or '거구이다'. Using '막대하다' for a person would sound like you are calling them a 'financial loss' or 'huge impact' rather than describing their body.

It is neutral but often used in serious or negative contexts. While you can have '막대한 이익' (immense profit), it is very frequently used for '막대한 피해' (immense damage) or '막대한 손실' (immense loss). It emphasizes the scale, not the quality.

'큰' is the basic word for 'big'. '막대한' is much more formal and indicates a scale that is exceptionally high or immeasurable. You use '큰' for a big house, but '막대한' for a national budget.

The most common way is '막대한 + [Noun]'. For example: '막대한 지장을 주다' (To cause an immense hindrance). You can also end a sentence with it: '그 영향이 막대하다' (The influence is immense).

Yes, '막대한 시간' (immense amount of time) is possible when emphasizing that a project or task took an overwhelming amount of time, though '많은 시간' is more common.

Yes, it comes from 莫大 (Mòdà in Mandarin). It literally means 'nothing is bigger' (莫 = nothing, 大 = big).

Rarely. It's too formal for chatting with friends. You would hear it on the news or read it in a report. If you use it in casual speech, it sounds like you are being very dramatic or professional.

The top five are: 피해 (damage), 손실 (loss), 영향 (influence), 예산 (budget), and 자금 (funds).

Yes, '막대한 은혜' is a classic formal expression used to describe a huge favor or grace received from someone important.

Yes, '막대하게 영향을 미치다' is a very common phrase in academic writing to mean 'influenced immensely'.

Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen

writing

Translate: 'The company suffered an immense loss.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The project requires an immense budget.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He exerts enormous influence in politics.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The flood caused immense damage.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Technology has brought immense changes.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'We gained an immense profit.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'It caused an immense hindrance to my work.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He has an immense amount of debt.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'This book influenced me immensely.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Immense manpower was mobilized.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '막대한 피해'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '막대한 영향력'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '막대한 손실'.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '막대한 예산'.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '막대한 지장'.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '막대한 자금'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The impact is immense.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'It requires an immense amount of water.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He left an immense legacy.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The damage was immense.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How would you describe an immense financial loss in Korean?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How would you say 'immense influence'?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The damage is immense.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Immense budget.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How do you say 'immense contribution'?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'It has an immense impact.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Immense assets.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How do you say 'immense hindrance'?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'We need immense funds.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Immense ripple effect.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Describe a big historical event using '막대한'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask if a project costs a lot of money using '막대한'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'He is an influential person.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Immense changes occurred.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'It dealt a huge blow.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Immense amount of data.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Immense debt.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Immense potential.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Immense responsibility.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Immense value.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the key word: '이번 사고로 막대한 피해가 발생했습니다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and answer: '정부는 막대한 예산을 투입할 예정입니다.' What is the government doing?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and answer: '그는 정계에 막대한 영향력을 행사합니다.' What does he have?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and answer: '이번 화재로 막대한 재산 손실이 있었습니다.' What kind of loss occurred?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and answer: '신기술은 사회에 막대한 변화를 가져올 것입니다.' What will the new tech bring?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and answer: '그는 막대한 빚을 지고 힘들어하고 있습니다.' What is his problem?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and answer: '이 사업은 막대한 이익을 보장합니다.' What does the business guarantee?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and answer: '환경 오염은 막대한 사회적 비용을 초래합니다.' What does pollution cause?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and answer: '그는 막대한 유산을 기부했습니다.' What did he donate?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and answer: '지하철 고장은 출근길에 막대한 지장을 주었습니다.' What happened to the commute?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the noun: '막대한 자금이 필요합니다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the noun: '막대한 영향력을 미칩니다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the noun: '막대한 피해를 입었습니다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the noun: '막대한 손실을 보았습니다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the noun: '막대한 예산이 소요됩니다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 200 correct

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