At the A1 level, the word '변동하다' is quite difficult. You don't need to use it yet! Instead, you should learn the simple word '바뀌다' (to change). '바뀌다' is used for everything: changing your mind, changing your clothes, or a change in the weather. '변동하다' is a very formal word that adults use when talking about money or business. If you see this word in a book, just remember it means 'to change' in a serious way, like a price going up and down. You might see it in a train station if the time of the train changes. For now, focus on '바뀌다' and '변하다'.
At the A2 level, you might start seeing '변동하다' in news snippets or formal announcements. It is a verb that means 'to change' or 'to shift,' but it's usually for numbers or official plans. For example, if a bus schedule changes, you might see the word '변동'. The '-하다' part makes it a verb. You should know that this word is more formal than '바뀌다'. You would use it when talking about things like 'the price of apples' (사과 가격) or 'the schedule' (일정). It's helpful to recognize it in reading, even if you still prefer to use '바뀌다' when speaking.
At the B1 level, you should begin to use '변동하다' in specific contexts. This is the level where you start learning more Sino-Korean words (Hanja). '변동하다' comes from 變 (change) and 動 (move). You should use this word when discussing fluctuations in prices, exchange rates, or formal schedules. It implies that something is moving away from its original state. For example, '환율이 변동하다' (The exchange rate fluctuates). It is very common in business emails and news reports. Using this word instead of '바뀌다' makes you sound more professional and precise. You should also learn the noun form '변동' (change/fluctuation).
At the B2 level, you are expected to use '변동하다' naturally in professional and academic discussions. You should understand its nuance of 'fluctuation'—that is, change that happens within a range or over time. You should be able to use it with various adverbs like '급격히' (sharply) or '미세하게' (slightly). You should also distinguish it from '변경하다' (to intentionally alter something) and '변화하다' (a general transformation). At this level, you might use it to describe societal shifts or economic trends in an essay. For example, '사회 구조가 급격히 변동하고 있다' (The social structure is shifting rapidly).
At the C1 level, '변동하다' is a basic part of your professional vocabulary. You should understand its use in complex economic theories and high-level news analysis. You should be familiar with related terms like '변동성' (volatility), '변동 금리' (variable interest rate), and '계층 변동' (class mobility). You can use the word to describe subtle shifts in data or abstract concepts. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's formal register. You would use it in research papers to describe variables that shift throughout an experiment. You are also expected to recognize it in literature where it might describe the 'shifting' fortunes of a character or a family.
At the C2 level, your mastery of '변동하다' is near-native. You understand all its connotations, including its use in legal, economic, and philosophical texts. You can explain the difference between '변동' and other similar roots like '변천', '변혁', or '변이' with ease. You use the word effortlessly in high-stakes environments, such as delivering a keynote speech on global market fluctuations or writing a policy brief. You are also aware of how the word has been used historically in Korean literature and social discourse to describe the turbulent changes in modern Korean history. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a precise tool for nuanced communication.

변동하다 in 30 Sekunden

  • A formal verb meaning to fluctuate or shift.
  • Commonly used for prices, exchange rates, and schedules.
  • Implies movement or instability rather than a single change.
  • Essential for business, economics, and news contexts.

The Korean verb 변동하다 (byeondong-hada) is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe shifts, fluctuations, or changes in state, particularly when dealing with quantitative data, economic conditions, or formal schedules. Rooted in Hanja—變 (변 - change) and 動 (동 - move)—the word literally translates to 'change and move.' This dynamic aspect is crucial; it doesn't just mean a one-time change, but often implies a sequence of movements or a lack of stability. In English, we often translate this as 'to fluctuate,' 'to shift,' or 'to undergo change.' Unlike the more common and general verb '바뀌다' (to change), 변동하다 carries a formal and statistical nuance, making it a staple in news reports, financial analysis, and official announcements.

Economic Context
In the world of finance, this word is indispensable. It describes how stock prices, exchange rates, and interest rates move up and down over time. It suggests a level of volatility or a deviation from a fixed point.
Structural Shifts
When a company undergoes a reorganization or when political boundaries are redrawn, 변동하다 is used to signify that the internal structure or the status quo has shifted significantly.

최근 유가가 급격히 변동하고 있습니다. (Recently, oil prices have been fluctuating sharply.)

Understanding the nuance of 변동하다 requires recognizing its systemic nature. It is rarely used for personal choices, such as changing one's clothes or changing one's mind in a casual setting. Instead, it views change through a lens of observation and measurement. For example, if a flight schedule changes due to weather, the airline might say the schedule has '변동' (noun form). It suggests that there is a standard or a previous state that has been altered by external forces. This makes the word feel objective and detached, which is why it is preferred in professional environments.

인구 구조가 변동함에 따라 새로운 정책이 필요합니다. (As the population structure shifts, new policies are required.)

Statistical Usage
In research, this verb describes data points that do not remain constant. If a graph shows a line going up and down, that data is '변동하고 있다'.

Furthermore, 변동하다 often appears in the passive or resultative sense via its noun form '변동'. You will frequently see '변동이 있다' (there is a change/fluctuation) or '변동이 없다' (there is no change). These phrases are common in everyday professional life, such as checking if there are any changes to a meeting time or a project plan. By mastering this word, you move beyond basic Korean and begin to express concepts related to economics, sociology, and formal management with precision.

기온이 심하게 변동하는 환절기에는 건강에 유의해야 합니다. (During the change of seasons when temperatures fluctuate severely, you should be careful with your health.)

To use 변동하다 correctly, you must focus on the subject of the sentence. The subject is usually something that can be measured or a formal arrangement. It is an intransitive verb in many contexts (the subject changes), but it can also function as a general action of shifting. Because it is a '-하다' verb, it follows the standard conjugation patterns for verbs ending in '하다', such as '변동해요', '변동했습니다', and '변동할 것입니다'.

With Economic Indicators
When talking about prices (가격), exchange rates (환율), or interest rates (금리), 변동하다 is the standard choice. It emphasizes the movement within a market.

주식 시장의 주가가 매일 변동하고 있어서 투자자들이 긴장하고 있습니다. (Stock prices in the market are fluctuating every day, so investors are nervous.)

In formal reporting, you will often see it combined with adverbs that describe the degree of change. Common adverbs include '급격히' (rapidly/sharply), '미세하게' (finely/slightly), '심하게' (severely), and '지속적으로' (continuously). These modifiers help specify the nature of the fluctuation. For instance, '급격히 변동하다' is a common phrase in news headlines regarding economic crises or sudden weather shifts.

계획이 변동될 경우 즉시 알려드리겠습니다. (If the plan changes, I will let you know immediately.)

Another important usage is in the context of '변동 금리' (variable interest rate) versus '고정 금리' (fixed interest rate). Here, the root '변동' acts as a modifier. Understanding how 변동하다 functions as a verb allows you to easily grasp these related noun forms. In writing, it is often used in the '-(으)ㅁ에 따라' pattern, which means 'according to the fact that [subject] fluctuates/changes.'

수요와 공급에 따라 가격이 변동하는 것은 자연스러운 경제 현상입니다. (It is a natural economic phenomenon that prices fluctuate according to supply and demand.)

Scientific and Technical Use
In science, it describes variables. '실험 결과값이 시간마다 변동했다' (The experimental results fluctuated every hour). This usage highlights the lack of a constant value.

Finally, consider the register. You would use 변동하다 when writing an email to a client about a shipping date change, but you would likely use '바뀌다' when telling a friend you changed your phone number. The choice of 변동하다 signals professionalism and an awareness of the systemic nature of the change being discussed.

If you turn on a Korean news channel like KBS, MBC, or SBS, you will hear 변동하다 within the first five minutes of the economic briefing. News anchors use it to describe the KOSPI index, the value of the Won against the Dollar, and the rising or falling prices of real estate. It is the 'voice of the market.' When experts are interviewed about the economy, they use this word to sound authoritative and precise.

“오늘 외환 시장에서 원-달러 환율이 큰 폭으로 변동했습니다.” (Today, in the foreign exchange market, the Won-Dollar exchange rate fluctuated significantly.)

In a corporate setting, you'll hear it during meetings and presentations. A project manager might say, '일정에 변동이 생겼습니다' (A change has occurred in the schedule). While they use the noun form '변동' here, the underlying verb 변동하다 is what defines the action. It is also common in administrative announcements at train stations or airports. If a platform changes or a departure is delayed, the announcement might use terms related to '변동' to inform passengers of the shift in the status quo.

You will also encounter this word in academic lectures, especially in the social sciences, economics, and natural sciences. A sociology professor might discuss '계층 이동과 사회 구조의 변동' (Class mobility and shifts in social structure). In this context, the word takes on a grander scale, referring to historical or societal movements that happen over decades. It implies that the structure of society is not static but is constantly 'moving and changing.'

“기후 변화로 인해 해수면이 변동하고 있는 상황입니다.” (Due to climate change, sea levels are currently fluctuating/shifting.)

Public Announcements
Hear it at: Subway stations (schedule shifts), Government briefings (policy updates), and Banks (interest rate changes).

Lastly, in the digital world, you might see this word in apps related to finance or cryptocurrency. Tracking the '변동률' (rate of fluctuation) is a key feature of these platforms. When you see a red or blue number next to a stock price, that is the visual representation of the market 변동하고 (fluctuating). It is a word that captures the pulse of modern, data-driven life.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using 변동하다 for personal or trivial changes. Because the English word 'change' is so broad, it's tempting to use this formal Korean verb in the wrong context. For example, if you change your mind about what to eat for lunch, you should use '마음을 바꾸다' or '생각이 변하다'. Saying '제 생각이 변동했습니다' sounds incredibly strange and robotic, as if your thoughts were a statistical index being tracked by a computer.

Mistake: Personal Transformation
Don't use 변동하다 for: changing clothes, changing a hobby, or a person's character changing. Use '갈아입다', '바꾸다', or '변하다' instead.

Incorrect: 저는 어제 머리 모양을 변동했어요. (I fluctuated my hairstyle yesterday.)

Correct: 저는 어제 머리 모양을 바꿨어요. (I changed my hairstyle yesterday.)

Another mistake is confusing 변동하다 with 변경하다 (to alter/modify). While both relate to change, 변경하다 implies a deliberate, intentional act of modifying something like a reservation, a setting, or a name. 변동하다 often describes a natural or systemic fluctuation that happens, sometimes outside of direct control. If you manually change a meeting time, you are '변경'ing it. If the market causes the time to shift (somehow), it is '변동'ing.

Learners also struggle with the particle usage. Since 변동하다 is often used as an intransitive verb, the subject should take the '이/가' particle. For example, '가격이 변동하다' (The price fluctuates). However, people sometimes mistakenly use the object particle '을/를' as if they are 'fluctuating the price' themselves. While you can '변동시키다' (to cause to fluctuate), the base verb 변동하다 is usually about the subject's own movement.

Incorrect: 정부가 환율을 변동했어요. (The government fluctuated the exchange rate.)

Correct: 환율이 변동했습니다. (The exchange rate fluctuated.)

Finally, avoid using 변동하다 when the change is permanent and one-way, like 'becoming' something else. If a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, it '변하다' (transforms), it doesn't '변동하다'. The latter implies the possibility of further movement or an ongoing state of instability.

Korean has a rich set of words for 'change,' and choosing the right one is key to sounding natural. Let's compare 변동하다 with its closest relatives. The most common synonym is 변화하다 (to change/transform). While 변화하다 is very general and can apply to almost anything (weather, personality, society), 변동하다 is more specific to numerical or systemic shifts.

변동하다 vs. 변화하다
Use 변동하다 for prices, rates, and schedules. Use 변화하다 for general transformations, like 'The city has changed a lot.'
변동하다 vs. 변경하다
Use 변경하다 when you intentionally 'alter' or 'switch' something, like a password or a flight booking. 변동하다 is more about the observation of a shift.

Another interesting comparison is with 유동하다 (to flow/be fluid). While 변동하다 focuses on the change in value or state, 유동하다 emphasizes the fluid, non-fixed nature of something. You might hear about '유동 인구' (floating population) in a city. Similarly, 동요하다 (to be shaken/waver) is used when a person's emotions or a situation is unstable and 'shaking,' often in a negative or uncertain way.

“물가가 변동하고 있지만, 정책은 유지되고 있습니다.” (Prices are fluctuating, but the policy is being maintained.)

For academic contexts, you might see 변천하다 (to change through the phases of time). This is specifically for historical changes, such as 'The transition of Korean traditional clothing' (한복의 변천). It suggests a long-term evolution rather than the short-term ups and downs of 변동하다.

In summary, while 바뀌다 is your 'all-purpose' tool, 변동하다 is your 'precision' tool for professional, economic, and formal contexts. Learning when to switch from the general to the specific is a major step in reaching B2 and C1 proficiency levels in Korean.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The character 變 (변) also appears in '변신' (transformation/metamorphosis), like a superhero changing form. The character 動 (동) appears in '자동차' (automobile), meaning 'self-moving car'.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /pjʌnduŋɦada/
US /pjʌnduŋɦada/
Primary stress is on the first syllable '변' (byeon).
Reimt sich auf
활동하다 (hwal-dong-hada) 운동하다 (un-dong-hada) 이동하다 (i-dong-hada) 작동하다 (jak-dong-hada) 노동하다 (no-dong-hada) 진동하다 (jin-dong-hada) 감동하다 (gam-dong-hada) 선동하다 (seon-dong-hada)
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing '변' as '빈' (bin).
  • Over-aspirating the 'h' in '하다'.
  • Merging '동' and '하' too quickly so it sounds like '동아'.
  • Failure to nasalize the 'ㅇ' (ng) sound in '동'.
  • Pronouncing '변' with a flat English 'b' instead of the Korean 'ㅂ' (lightly voiced/unaspirated).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Common in news and formal texts, easy to recognize once the Hanja is known.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires understanding of formal register to use correctly instead of '바뀌다'.

Sprechen 4/5

Mostly used in professional settings; sounds robotic in casual speech.

Hören 3/5

Clearly pronounced in news broadcasts.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

바뀌다 변하다 움직이다 가격 일정

Als Nächstes lernen

변경하다 유동하다 변동성 변천하다 조정하다

Fortgeschritten

추이 변혁 이행 전환 고착

Wichtige Grammatik

-(으)ㅁ에 따라

가격이 변동함에 따라 수요도 변한다. (As the price fluctuates, demand also changes.)

-기 마련이다

시장은 변동하기 마련이다. (The market is bound to fluctuate.)

-아/어지다 (Passive/Resultative)

일정이 변동되어 죄송합니다. (I am sorry as the schedule has been changed.)

-(으)ㄹ 가능성이 크다

내일 기온이 변동할 가능성이 큽니다. (There is a high possibility that the temperature will fluctuate tomorrow.)

-ㄹ/을 때마다

가격이 변동할 때마다 체크해요. (I check every time the price fluctuates.)

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

가격이 변동해요.

The price changes.

Simple present tense.

2

시간이 변동했어요.

The time changed.

Past tense.

3

변동이 있어요?

Is there a change?

Noun form with exist verb.

4

변동이 없어요.

There is no change.

Negative existence.

5

계획이 변동해요.

The plan changes.

Subject + verb.

6

날씨가 변동해요.

The weather changes (fluctuates).

Formal weather context.

7

숫자가 변동해요.

The numbers change.

Simple subject.

8

기분이 변동해요.

The mood changes (fluctuates).

Used for emotional shifts.

1

기차 시간이 변동할 수 있습니다.

The train time can change.

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 (can/may).

2

내일 날씨가 심하게 변동할 거예요.

The weather will fluctuate severely tomorrow.

Future tense with adverb.

3

사과 가격이 매일 변동해요.

The price of apples fluctuates every day.

Recurring action.

4

회의 일정이 조금 변동되었습니다.

The meeting schedule has changed a bit.

Passive-like honorific form.

5

점수가 자주 변동해서 걱정이에요.

I'm worried because the scores fluctuate often.

-아/어서 (reason).

6

버스 노선이 변동할 예정입니다.

The bus route is scheduled to change.

-(으)ㄹ 예정 (scheduled to).

7

환율이 변동하면 알려주세요.

Please let me know if the exchange rate changes.

-(으)면 (if/when).

8

온도가 변동하기 시작했어요.

The temperature started to fluctuate.

-기 시작하다 (start to).

1

최근 주식 시장의 주가가 급격히 변동하고 있습니다.

Recently, stock prices in the market have been fluctuating rapidly.

Present progressive with adverb.

2

수요에 따라 제품의 가격이 변동할 수 있습니다.

The price of the product may fluctuate depending on demand.

-에 따라 (according to).

3

인구 구조가 변동함에 따라 정책도 바뀌어야 합니다.

As the population structure shifts, policies must also change.

-(으)ㅁ에 따라 (as/according to).

4

예산이 부족해서 계획이 변동될 수밖에 없었습니다.

Because the budget was insufficient, the plan had to be changed.

-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 (no choice but to).

5

기온이 변동하는 환절기에는 감기를 조심해야 합니다.

You should be careful of colds during the change of seasons when temperatures fluctuate.

Noun modifying form.

6

부동산 가격이 변동하는 원인을 분석해 봅시다.

Let's analyze the causes of real estate price fluctuations.

-자 (let's) with noun modification.

7

그 회사는 매달 매출액이 크게 변동합니다.

That company's sales figures fluctuate greatly every month.

Large scale change.

8

정치적 상황에 따라 국경이 변동하기도 했습니다.

Borders have also shifted depending on the political situation.

-기도 하다 (sometimes does).

1

금리가 변동함에 따라 대출 상환 부담이 커지고 있습니다.

As interest rates fluctuate, the burden of loan repayment is increasing.

Economic consequence.

2

유가가 변동하면 전 세계 물가에 큰 영향을 미칩니다.

When oil prices fluctuate, it has a significant impact on global prices.

Global cause and effect.

3

사회 계층이 활발하게 변동하는 사회가 건강한 사회입니다.

A society where social classes shift actively is a healthy society.

Sociological context.

4

실험 조건이 변동되지 않도록 주의 깊게 관찰하십시오.

Observe carefully so that experimental conditions do not fluctuate.

-지 않도록 (so that... not).

5

항공권 가격은 예약 시점에 따라 천차만별로 변동합니다.

Airline ticket prices fluctuate enormously depending on the time of booking.

Idiom '천차만별' (thousands of differences).

6

시장의 불확실성으로 인해 환율이 무질서하게 변동하고 있다.

Due to market uncertainty, exchange rates are fluctuating in a disorderly manner.

-로 인해 (due to).

7

조직의 구조가 변동되면서 업무 분담이 다시 이루어졌다.

As the organizational structure shifted, the division of tasks was reorganized.

Passive + sequential action.

8

계절에 따라 강수량이 심하게 변동하는 지역입니다.

It is a region where precipitation fluctuates severely according to the season.

Geographical context.

1

자본주의 체제 하에서 경기 순환에 따라 고용률은 변동하기 마련이다.

Under a capitalist system, the employment rate is bound to fluctuate according to the business cycle.

-기 마련이다 (is bound to).

2

디지털 기술의 발달은 직업 세계의 지형을 근본적으로 변동시켰다.

The development of digital technology has fundamentally shifted the landscape of the professional world.

Causative form '변동시키다'.

3

화폐 가치가 급격히 변동할 경우 경제적 혼란이 야기될 수 있다.

If currency value fluctuates sharply, economic chaos can be triggered.

Formal conditional.

4

기후 위기로 인해 생태계의 균형이 위험한 수준으로 변동하고 있다.

Due to the climate crisis, the balance of the ecosystem is shifting to a dangerous level.

Environmental scientific context.

5

여론의 향방이 변동함에 따라 선거 전략도 수정이 불가피하다.

As the direction of public opinion shifts, modifications to election strategy are inevitable.

Political context.

6

심리적 요인에 의해 소비 패턴이 변동하는 현상을 연구 중이다.

I am studying the phenomenon where consumption patterns fluctuate due to psychological factors.

Academic research context.

7

국제 정세가 변동함에 따라 외교적 기조를 재검토해야 할 시점이다.

As the international situation shifts, it is time to re-examine our diplomatic stance.

High-level policy discussion.

8

데이터의 오차 범위를 고려할 때, 결과값이 미세하게 변동하는 것은 정상이다.

Considering the error margin of the data, it is normal for the results to fluctuate slightly.

Technical scientific context.

1

역사의 흐름 속에서 권력의 핵심은 끊임없이 변동하며 새로운 질서를 창출해 왔다.

In the flow of history, the core of power has constantly shifted, creating new orders.

Philosophical historical context.

2

거시 경제적 변수들이 복합적으로 작용하여 시장의 변동성을 심화시키고 있다.

Macroeconomic variables are acting in complex ways, intensifying market volatility.

Advanced economic analysis.

3

인간의 욕망과 가치관은 시대적 배경에 따라 유동적으로 변동한다.

Human desires and values shift fluidly according to the background of the times.

Abstract philosophical context.

4

언어의 의미 체계는 고정된 것이 아니라 사회적 합의에 의해 변동하는 유기체와 같다.

The semantic system of language is not fixed but is like an organism that shifts through social consensus.

Linguistic theory.

5

지각 변동으로 인해 형성된 지형은 지구의 역사를 고스란히 간직하고 있다.

The topography formed by crustal movements (shifts) preserves the history of the Earth.

Geological term '지각 변동'.

6

기술 혁신은 기존의 산업 생태계를 근본적으로 변동시키는 기폭제가 된다.

Technological innovation becomes a catalyst that fundamentally shifts the existing industrial ecosystem.

Business strategy context.

7

제도적 장치가 마련되지 않은 상태에서 인구 이동이 변동하면 사회적 갈등이 증폭될 수 있다.

If population movements shift without institutional mechanisms in place, social conflicts can be amplified.

Social policy analysis.

8

우주의 팽창 속도가 변동하고 있다는 가설은 현대 물리학의 큰 화두이다.

The hypothesis that the expansion rate of the universe is fluctuating is a major topic in modern physics.

Astrophysics context.

Häufige Kollokationen

가격이 변동하다
환율이 변동하다
일정이 변동하다
금리가 변동하다
심하게 변동하다
급격히 변동하다
미세하게 변동하다
수치가 변동하다
계획이 변동하다
순위가 변동하다

Häufige Phrasen

변동 사항

— Changed items or matters. Used to ask for updates.

변동 사항이 있으면 연락 주세요.

변동 금리

— Variable interest rate. A common financial term.

변동 금리보다 고정 금리가 안전할까요?

지각 변동

— Crustal movement (geology) or a massive shift in power/market.

정치권에 큰 지각 변동이 예상됩니다.

가격 변동성

— Price volatility. A technical term in economics.

비트코인은 가격 변동성이 매우 크다.

변동 폭

— The range of fluctuation. How much something moved.

오늘 주가의 변동 폭이 컸습니다.

일정 변동

— Schedule change. Common in business settings.

일정 변동에 대해 사과드립니다.

인구 변동

— Population shift/change. Used in sociology.

인구 변동에 따른 대책이 필요하다.

기온 변동

— Temperature fluctuation. Used in weather reports.

하루 사이의 기온 변동이 심하다.

수요 변동

— Fluctuation in demand. Used in business strategy.

수요 변동을 예측하는 것이 중요하다.

순위 변동

— Change in ranking. Used in charts or sports.

음원 차트의 순위 변동이 빠르다.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

변동하다 vs 변경하다

변경하다 is intentional (changing a password), while 변동하다 is often an observed fluctuation (prices shifting).

변동하다 vs 변화하다

변화하다 is general (changing weather/personality), while 변동하다 is specific to numbers and systems.

변동하다 vs 변하다

변하다 is common and can mean 'to become' (caterpillar to butterfly), which 변동하다 cannot.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"지각 변동이 일어나다"

— A massive shift or upheaval occurs in a certain field.

IT 업계에 지각 변동이 일어나고 있다.

Formal/Journalistic
"변동의 여지가 있다"

— There is room for change or fluctuation.

아직은 계획에 변동의 여지가 있습니다.

Formal
"종잡을 수 없이 변동하다"

— To fluctuate unpredictably or wildly.

날씨가 종잡을 수 없이 변동하고 있다.

Neutral
"큰 폭으로 변동하다"

— To fluctuate by a large margin.

환율이 큰 폭으로 변동했다.

Formal
"미세한 변동을 보이다"

— To show slight fluctuations.

환자의 상태가 미세한 변동을 보이고 있다.

Medical/Formal
"변동이 심하다"

— To be very volatile or unstable.

감정의 변동이 심한 편이다.

Neutral
"변동을 거듭하다"

— To fluctuate repeatedly over a period.

순위가 변동을 거듭한 끝에 결정되었다.

Formal
"변동에 민감하다"

— To be sensitive to fluctuations.

시장은 금리 변동에 민감하다.

Economic
"변동을 예측하다"

— To predict fluctuations.

미래의 인구 변동을 예측하기는 어렵다.

Academic
"변동이 감지되다"

— A shift or change is detected.

전선에서 수상한 변동이 감지되었다.

Military/Formal

Leicht verwechselbar

변동하다 vs 변화 (Change)

Both mean 'change'.

변화 is a broad transformation of state. 변동 is a shift or fluctuation, usually numerical or formal.

사계절의 변화 (Change of seasons) vs. 환율의 변동 (Fluctuation of exchange rates).

변동하다 vs 변경 (Alteration)

Both mean 'change'.

변경 is about correcting or switching a fixed thing (date, name). 변동 is about the movement of a variable.

이름 변경 (Name change) vs. 주가 변동 (Stock price fluctuation).

변동하다 vs 변천 (Transition)

Both mean 'change'.

변천 is historical and over a long period. 변동 is usually short-term or statistical.

언어의 변천 (Evolution of language) vs. 기온의 변동 (Temperature fluctuation).

변동하다 vs 이동 (Movement)

변동 has the root 'move' (동).

이동 is physical movement from A to B. 변동 is a shift in value or state.

위치 이동 (Change of location) vs. 순위 변동 (Change in ranking).

변동하다 vs 동요 (Agitation)

Both involve the root '동' (move).

동요 usually implies emotional or social unrest/shaking. 변동 is more objective and analytical.

민심의 동요 (Agitation of public sentiment) vs. 지수의 변동 (Fluctuation of the index).

Satzmuster

A2

[Subject]이/가 변동해요.

가격이 변동해요.

B1

[Subject]이/가 [Adverb] 변동하고 있습니다.

주가가 급격히 변동하고 있습니다.

B1

[Subject]이/가 변동함에 따라 [Result].

환율이 변동함에 따라 물가가 올랐다.

B2

[Subject]에 변동이 생기다.

일정에 변동이 생겼습니다.

B2

[Subject]의 변동 폭이 크다/작다.

기온의 변동 폭이 큽니다.

C1

[Subject]을/를 변동시키다 (Causative).

정부가 금리를 변동시켰다.

C1

[Subject]이/가 변동하기 마련이다.

여론은 변동하기 마련이다.

C2

[Concept]의 변동은 [Observation]을 시사한다.

인구의 변동은 사회적 불안을 시사한다.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

변동 (byeondong) - fluctuation/change
변동성 (byeondongseong) - volatility
변동률 (byeondongnyul) - rate of fluctuation
변동액 (byeondong-aek) - amount of change (money)

Verben

변동하다 (byeondong-hada) - to fluctuate
변동시키다 (byeondong-sikida) - to cause to fluctuate
변동되다 (byeondong-doeda) - to be fluctuated/changed

Adjektive

변동적인 (byeondong-jeogin) - fluctuating/variable

Verwandt

변화 (change)
변경 (alteration)
이동 (movement)
동요 (agitation)
불안정 (instability)

So verwendest du es

frequency

High in news, business, and science; Low in casual conversation.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using it for changing clothes. 옷을 갈아입다.

    변동하다 is for systemic or numerical shifts, not personal actions.

  • Using the object particle '을' with the base verb. 가격이 변동하다 (Subject).

    변동하다 is usually intransitive. If you want to say someone changed it, use '변동시키다'.

  • Confusing it with '변경하다' in a reservation context. 예약을 변경하다.

    Changing a specific booking is '변경'. A general shift in availability is '변동'.

  • Using it for 'becoming' something (transformation). 나비로 변하다.

    Permanent transformations use '변하다', not '변동하다'.

  • Using it in very casual slang with friends. 마음이 바뀌었어.

    Using '변동하다' for a change of heart with friends sounds like a robot.

Tipps

Professionalism

Use '변동하다' in emails to clients to sound more professional than using '바뀌다'.

Root Power

Remember 變 (Change) and 動 (Move). This helps you distinguish it from other '변' words.

Numbers First

If you see a number changing, '변동' is almost always the right word to use.

Passive Preference

In business, '변동되다' is often preferred over '변동하다' to sound more indirect and polite.

Common Pairs

Memorize '가격 변동' and '일정 변동' as set phrases; they are used daily in Korea.

News Trigger

When you hear '변동' on the news, get ready to hear about money, stocks, or weather.

Tone Check

Use a neutral, matter-of-fact tone when using this word. It's an objective observation.

Adverb Match

Always try to add an adverb like '급격히' (rapidly) to '변동하다' to sound more like a native writer.

Synonym Choice

Don't confuse '변동' (fluctuation) with '변경' (alteration). '변경' is for when *you* change something.

Visual Aid

Picture a wavy line on a chart. That wavy line is '변동'.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'BYEON' (Beyond) 'DONG' (Dongle) that keeps shifting its signal. It's 'fluctuating' beyond its spot.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a stock market graph with a line going up and down. Above the graph, write '변동하다'.

Word Web

Price (가격) Stock (주식) Schedule (일정) Fluctuation (변동) Movement (이동) Change (변화) Market (시장) Volatility (변동성)

Herausforderung

Try to find the word '변동' in a Korean news article about the economy today. Write down the sentence and translate it.

Wortherkunft

Composed of two Hanja characters: 變 (변) meaning 'change' or 'transform' and 動 (동) meaning 'move' or 'action'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To move and change; an action that results in a different state.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based)

Kultureller Kontext

This is a neutral, formal word with no negative social connotations, though it can imply instability in economic contexts.

In English, we might use 'change' for everything, but in Korean, using the specific '변동하다' in business is like using 'fluctuate' instead of 'go up and down' in English.

Economic news reports on KOSPI fluctuations. Weather forecasts during the 'Jangma' (monsoon) season. Sociological studies on Korean social mobility (계층 변동).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Financial News

  • 주가가 급등락하며 변동하고 있다.
  • 환율 변동에 주의해야 한다.
  • 금리 변동 폭이 커졌다.
  • 시장 변동성을 분석하다.

Travel and Logistics

  • 비행기 출발 시간이 변동되었습니다.
  • 배송 일정이 변동될 수 있습니다.
  • 예약 사항에 변동이 생겼습니다.
  • 노선 변동 안내를 확인하세요.

Weather and Environment

  • 기온이 심하게 변동하는 시기입니다.
  • 해수면 높이가 변동하고 있습니다.
  • 강수량 변동이 예측됩니다.
  • 기후 변동에 대응하다.

Academic Research

  • 데이터 수치가 시간별로 변동한다.
  • 변수 간의 상관관계와 변동.
  • 인구 구조의 변동을 연구하다.
  • 사회적 지위의 변동.

Business Meetings

  • 프로젝트 계획에 변동이 있습니다.
  • 예산 변동 사항을 보고하다.
  • 인력 구성이 변동되었습니다.
  • 수요 변동에 따라 생산을 조절하다.

Gesprächseinstiege

"요즘 물가가 너무 자주 변동해서 장보기가 겁나요. (Prices fluctuate so often lately that I'm scared to go grocery shopping.)"

"주식 시장이 변동할 때 어떻게 대처하시나요? (How do you deal with it when the stock market fluctuates?)"

"오늘 회의 일정에 변동이 생겼다고 들으셨어요? (Did you hear that there was a change in today's meeting schedule?)"

"환율이 변동하기 전에 미리 환전하는 게 좋을까요? (Would it be better to exchange money before the rate fluctuates?)"

"최근에 우리 회사의 조직 구조가 변동될 거라는 소문 들었어? (Did you hear the rumor that our company's organizational structure will change?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

오늘 나의 감정 상태가 어떻게 변동했는지 기록해 보세요. (Record how your emotional state fluctuated today.)

최근 1년 동안 내 주변 환경에서 가장 크게 변동한 것은 무엇인가요? (What has shifted the most in your environment over the past year?)

경제적 변동이 나의 소비 습관에 어떤 영향을 미치는지 써 보세요. (Write about how economic fluctuations affect your spending habits.)

만약 내가 세상의 한 가지 수치를 변동시킬 수 있다면 무엇을 바꾸고 싶나요? (If you could fluctuate one number in the world, what would you want to change?)

과거와 현재를 비교했을 때 우리 사회의 어떤 가치관이 변동했나요? (What values in our society have shifted when comparing the past and the present?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, that would sound very strange. Use '옷을 갈아입다' or '옷을 바꾸다'. '변동하다' is for formal or numerical shifts like prices or schedules.

'변동하다' is the active verb (the subject fluctuates). '변동되다' is the passive form (the subject is changed). In business, '일정이 변동되었습니다' is very common because it sounds like the schedule was changed by circumstances.

Yes, very often. You will see it in phrases like '변동 사항' (changes), '변동 금리' (variable rate), and '변동 폭' (range of fluctuation).

Use '변화' for general things like 'My heart has changed' (내 마음이 변했어) or 'The city has changed' (도시가 변화했다). Use '변동' for 'The price changed' (가격이 변동했다).

Yes, it is typically introduced at the intermediate level (B1/B2) as students begin to learn more formal and Hanja-based vocabulary for professional use.

Not always, but 'fluctuate' is the best English equivalent in economic contexts. In other contexts, it can simply mean 'to shift' or 'to change formally'.

Common adverbs include '급격히' (sharply), '심하게' (severely), '미세하게' (slightly), and '지속적으로' (continuously).

Technically yes, like '감정이 변동하다', but it sounds a bit clinical. '감정 기복이 심하다' (to have severe mood swings) is a more natural way to express this.

Yes, it's used to describe variables that change during an experiment or data that shifts over time.

You say '변동 사항 없습니다' (There are no changed items/matters).

Teste dich selbst 192 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence using '가격' and '변동하다' in the past tense.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '환율' and '급격히' and '변동하다'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'There are no changes to the schedule.' (Use '변동 사항')

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about weather temperature fluctuating.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Explain the difference between '변경' and '변동' in one sentence (Korean).

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '변동함에 따라' in a sentence about demand and price.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a formal notice about a flight schedule change.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about stock market volatility using '변동성'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The population structure is shifting.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '변동의 여지' in a sentence about a plan.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '심하게 변동하다'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The meeting time has changed.' (Formal)

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about interest rates (금리).

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '지각 변동' in a metaphorical sentence about technology.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about ranking changes in a music chart.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Please check the changes.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '변동될 예정입니다'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '미세하게 변동하다' in a scientific context.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'As the economy shifts, people's lives change.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about emotional swings using '감정'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce '변동하다' clearly focusing on the 'ng' sound.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'The price fluctuates' in formal Korean.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Tell your boss 'The schedule has changed' using '변동'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Describe a wavy line on a graph using '변동하고 있다'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask 'Are there any changes?' formally.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain why you are late using '일정 변동'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Talk about why the exchange rate is fluctuating (simple).

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'Interest rates are bound to fluctuate'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Warn someone about weather fluctuations.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'The ranking changed' in a formal way.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask a clerk if the price fluctuates daily.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Tell a client 'We will notify you if there are changes'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Read '주가가 급격히 변동하고 있습니다' with news anchor intonation.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Discuss the 'variable interest rate' (변동 금리) briefly.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'There is no room for change' using '변동의 여지'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain '지각 변동' in a business context.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'The population is shifting rapidly'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Express worry about stock volatility.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Confirm that there are no changes.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'The value shifts according to demand'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen to the word: '변동'. Is it a noun or a verb root?

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

Listen: '가격이 변동했어요.' Did the price change or stay the same?

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

Listen: '일정에 변동이 없습니다.' Should you expect a new schedule?

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

Listen for the adverb: '급격히 변동하다'. Was the change small or large?

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

Listen: '변동 금리'. Is this about a fixed rate?

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

Listen: '환율이 변동하고 있습니다.' What is changing?

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

Listen: '지각 변동'. Is this about geography or time?

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

Listen: '변동 사항을 확인하세요.' What should you do?

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

Listen: '미세하게 변동하다'. Was the change obvious?

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

Listen: '변동 폭이 큽니다.' Is the graph line very wavy or almost flat?

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

Listen: '계획이 변동될 수 있습니다.' Is the plan definitely changing?

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

Listen: '인구 변동'. What is shifting?

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

Listen: '순위 변동'. Is this about a race or a price?

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

Listen: '변동성'. Is this a noun ending in -ity?

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

Listen: '변동 사항 없습니다.' Is the speaker apologizing?

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

/ 192 correct

Perfect score!

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