At the A1 level, '치중하다' is quite difficult. You don't need to use it yet. Instead, think of it as a very strong way to say 'focus.' Imagine you have five apples but you only look at one apple and forget the others. That is '치중하다.' In simple Korean, you would just say '하나만 봐요' (I only look at one) or '공부만 해요' (I only study). This word is for when you grow up and want to talk about big problems in the world or in a company. For now, just remember: it means 'putting too much weight on one side.' It's like a seesaw that is not balanced because one person is too heavy.
At the A2 level, you might see '치중하다' in short news clips or simple reading passages about school or health. It means 'to focus heavily on one thing.' You use the particle '-에' with it. For example, '성적에 치중하다' means focusing only on grades. It is different from '집중하다' (to concentrate). You use '집중하다' when you are doing your homework right now. You use '치중하다' when you talk about your general habit of caring too much about one thing. It’s a good word to know if you want to sound more professional when talking about your study habits or your health routines.
At the B1 level, you should start recognizing the nuance of 'imbalance' in '치중하다.' It's not just focusing; it's often focusing *too much* on one thing while ignoring others. If you are preparing for a job, and you only study English but forget to practice your interview skills, you are '영어에만 치중하고 있어요.' This word is very common in discussions about social issues in Korea, like the heavy focus on university entrance exams. You should be able to understand it when you hear it on the news or read it in a newspaper column. Remember the grammar: [Noun] + 에 치중하다.
At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, you should be able to use '치중하다' accurately in both writing and speaking. You should use it to analyze situations where there is a lack of balance. It is a key vocabulary item for the TOPIK II exam. You can use it to criticize a policy, a business strategy, or a social trend. For example, '외형적인 성장에만 치중한 나머지 내실을 기하지 못했다' (By focusing only on outward growth, we failed to ensure internal stability). You should also be able to distinguish it from synonyms like '전념하다' (positive devotion) and '몰두하다' (immersion).
At the C1 level, you should use '치중하다' to discuss complex socio-economic theories or philosophical imbalances. You can use it to describe historical trends or artistic movements. For example, you might discuss how certain eras '치중' on rationalism while neglecting emotion. At this level, you should also be comfortable using the passive form '치중되다' and the noun form '치중' in complex sentence structures. You should recognize when a writer is using this word to subtly signal a critical viewpoint. It becomes a tool for nuanced argumentation and high-level discourse.
At the C2 level, '치중하다' is a basic part of your academic and professional lexicon. You use it with total precision, often pairing it with advanced Hanja-based synonyms to create a sophisticated flow. You might use it in a doctoral thesis to describe the 'theoretical bias' (이론적 치중) of previous research. You understand its etymological roots deeply and can use it to explain the structural imbalances in global systems or intricate psychological states. At this level, the word is not just a verb but a conceptual building block for high-level systemic analysis.

치중하다 in 30 Sekunden

  • Means to put heavy weight or focus on one specific area.
  • Often implies an imbalance or neglect of other important factors.
  • Used with the particle '-에' (e.g., 성적에 치중하다).
  • Common in formal contexts like news, business, and academic writing.

The Korean verb 치중하다 (chijunghada) is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe a state of disproportionate focus. Derived from the Hanja characters 置 (chi - to place) and 重 (jung - heavy/weight), it literally translates to 'placing weight' on something. In practical usage, it doesn't just mean to concentrate; it implies that because so much energy or importance is being given to one specific area, other equally important aspects are being neglected or overshadowed. This nuance makes it a critical word for discussing imbalances in life, policy, or strategy.

Core Nuance
Unlike '집중하다' (to concentrate), which is generally positive or neutral, '치중하다' often carries a slightly critical or analytical tone, suggesting that the focus is 'too much' on one side of a scale.

You will frequently encounter this word in academic critiques, news editorials, and professional feedback. For instance, if a company is so worried about immediate profits that they stop investing in research and development, a commentator would say they are '치중' on short-term gains. It captures the essence of a 'lopsided' approach.

우리 교육 시스템은 인성 교육보다는 성적 향상에만 치중하다 보니 많은 부작용이 생기고 있습니다. (Since our education system focuses only on improving grades rather than character education, many side effects are occurring.)

In interpersonal relationships, the word might describe someone who cares only about appearances while ignoring personality. In the context of health, it could describe someone who only does weight training while ignoring cardiovascular health. It is a word about the lack of equilibrium.

그는 이론에만 치중하여 실질적인 경험이 부족하다. (He focuses only on theory and thus lacks practical experience.)

Societal Context
In Korea, this word is often used to criticize the 'spec-oriented' (qualifications-oriented) job market or the 'exam-heavy' education system.

Furthermore, the word is indispensable in the business world. When discussing strategy, managers might warn against '치중' on a single market or product line, advocating for diversification. It is a word used by those who value balance and holistic views.

내수 시장에만 치중하는 것은 위험한 전략일 수 있습니다. (Focusing heavily only on the domestic market can be a dangerous strategy.)

Using 치중하다 correctly requires understanding its grammatical partnership with the particle -에. Unlike many English verbs that take a direct object, '치중하다' is an intransitive verb in Korean that points toward a target using the dative particle. You do not '치중' a thing; you '치중' *at/to* a thing.

The Standard Pattern
[Target Noun] + 에 + 치중하다. Example: 외형에 치중하다 (To focus on outward appearance).

Because it is a '하다' verb, it follows standard conjugation rules. In formal writing, you will see it as '치중한다', and in polite conversation as '치중해요'. However, note that this word is quite formal. You wouldn't typically use it while chatting about what you're focusing on for lunch; instead, you'd use it when discussing life goals, study habits, or corporate directions.

과거의 영광에만 치중하다 보면 미래를 대비할 수 없습니다. (If you focus too heavily only on past glory, you cannot prepare for the future.)

One interesting aspect of '치중하다' is how it contrasts with '집중하다'. While you can '집중' (concentrate) on a difficult math problem for an hour, you '치중' (place weight) on math studies over English studies throughout a semester. '치중' usually implies a longer-term allocation of resources, time, or mental energy.

When used as a modifier, it becomes '치중하는' (present) or '치중한' (past). For example, '수출에 치중한 정책' (A policy focused heavily on exports). This is very common in news headlines where space is limited but precise meaning is required.

양적인 팽창에만 치중한 결과, 질적인 저하가 발생했다. (As a result of focusing only on quantitative expansion, a decline in quality occurred.)

Common Collocations
수출에 치중하다 (focus on exports), 성적에 치중하다 (focus on grades), 외모에 치중하다 (focus on looks), 홍보에 치중하다 (focus on promotion).

In summary, use '치중하다' when you want to point out that someone is 'leaning' too far in one direction at the expense of another. It is a powerful word for critique and strategic analysis.

You are most likely to hear 치중하다 in environments where critical thinking and evaluation take place. It is a staple of the '9 PM News' in Korea, especially during segments discussing government policy, economic trends, or social issues. If the government announces a new budget that favors the elderly over the youth, critics will likely use this word to describe the imbalance.

정부가 단기적 성과에만 치중하고 있다는 비판이 제기되었습니다. (Criticism has been raised that the government is focusing only on short-term results.)

In the academic world, professors often use '치중하다' when reviewing a student's thesis or a fellow researcher's paper. If a study has a great theoretical framework but lacks empirical data, the professor might say, '이 논문은 이론적인 고찰에 너무 치중되어 있습니다' (This paper is too focused on theoretical consideration).

Another common place is in the fitness and beauty industry. In a culture that values 'self-management' (자기계발), you might hear people discussing whether they should focus more on diet or exercise. If someone is losing weight but losing muscle too, a trainer might say they are '식단에만 치중하고 계시네요' (You are focusing only on your diet).

Professional Feedback
In a corporate setting, during a performance review, a manager might say, '업무의 속도에만 치중하지 말고 정확도도 신경 써 주세요' (Don't just focus on work speed, please pay attention to accuracy as well).

Lastly, in the world of art and design, this word is used to describe works that prioritize aesthetics over functionality (or vice versa). A critic might comment on a building that is beautiful but uninhabitable by saying it '예술성에만 치중했다' (focused only on artistry).

디자인에만 치중한 나머지 사용자의 편의성을 놓쳤습니다. (By focusing only on design, user convenience was missed.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with 치중하다 is confusing it with 집중하다 (jipjunghada). While both involve focusing, they are not interchangeable. '집중하다' is the neutral 'to concentrate' or 'to pay attention' (e.g., concentrating on a book). '치중하다' is 'to put weight on' (e.g., putting more weight on sales than on service). If you tell a friend 'I am 치중-ing on my homework,' it sounds like you are making a strategic decision to prioritize homework over everything else in your life, which sounds a bit dramatic for a simple study session.

The Particle Error
Mistake: [Noun]을/를 치중하다. Correct: [Noun]에 치중하다. Because '치중' means 'placing weight', the 'weight' is placed *onto* a target.

Another mistake is using it for purely positive scenarios without realizing its inherent implication of 'neglect of others'. If you say '저는 한국어 공부에 치중하고 있어요' (I am focusing heavily on Korean study), you are subtly implying that you are ignoring your other subjects or your social life. If you just want to say you are studying hard, '열심히 공부하고 있어요' or '공부에 전념하고 있어요' is better.

Learners also sometimes confuse '치중하다' with '중시하다' (to value/regard as important). While related, '중시하다' is about your values, while '치중하다' is about your *actions* and the *allocation* of your efforts. You might '중시' (value) health but '치중' (focus weight) on work because you are too busy.

틀린 예: 나는 건강을 치중한다. (X) -> 건강에 치중한다. (O)

Finally, remember the register. Using '치중하다' in a very casual setting (like with children) can feel overly stiff. It's a 'B2' level word for a reason—it belongs in discussions about balance, policy, and serious life choices.

When 치중하다 feels too formal or doesn't quite fit the nuance, there are several alternatives you can use. Understanding the subtle differences between these synonyms will greatly enhance your Korean fluency.

치중하다 vs. 집중하다
집중하다 (Concentrate) is about mental focus in the moment. 치중하다 (Heavy focus/bias) is about the distribution of effort or importance over time.
치중하다 vs. 전념하다
전념하다 (Devote oneself) is more positive. It means giving your whole heart and mind to one task. 치중하다 sounds more like a strategic or even problematic imbalance.
치중하다 vs. 몰두하다
몰두하다 (Be absorbed) describes being 'lost' in something, like a hobby or a book. It is about the depth of involvement, whereas 치중하다 is about the weight of priority.

If you want to describe a situation where things are biased or leaning toward one side without necessarily talking about an 'action' of focusing, you can use 편중되다 (pyeonjungdoeda). This is often used for data or wealth distribution.

부의 편중 현상이 심화되고 있다. (The phenomenon of wealth concentration/bias is intensifying.)

For a more casual way to say you are focusing on something, you might use 신경 쓰다 (singyeong sseuda), which means 'to pay attention to' or 'to care about'. This is much more common in daily speech.

Another related term is 주력하다 (juryeokhada), which means to put one's main strength into something. This is very common in business when a company chooses its 'main' product (주력 상품).

우리는 신제품 개발에 주력하고 있습니다. (We are focusing our main efforts on new product development.)

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The 'Jung' (重) in '치중하다' is the same character used in '중력' (gravity). So, '치중하다' is like applying your own mental gravity to one thing.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /tɕʰi.dzuŋ.ɦa.da/
US /tʃi.dʒuŋ.hɑ.dɑ/
The primary stress is on the second syllable '중' (jung), as it carries the weight of the meaning.
Reimt sich auf
신중하다 (sinjunghada - to be cautious) 위중하다 (wijunghada - to be serious/critical) 비중 (bijung - importance/weight) 소중하다 (sojunghada - to be precious) 엄중하다 (eomjunghada - to be strict/grave) 정중하다 (jeongjunghada - to be polite) 육중하다 (yukjunghada - to be massive/heavy) 가중하다 (gajunghada - to aggravate/increase)
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing 'chi' as 'shi' (시중하다 is a different word meaning 'to attend to').
  • Not aspirating the 'ch' enough.
  • Pronouncing 'jung' as 'jong'.
  • Making the 'h' in 'hada' too harsh.
  • Stress on the first syllable.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 4/5

Common in newspapers and textbooks, requiring B2 level vocabulary knowledge.

Schreiben 5/5

Requires correct particle usage (-에) and understanding of the nuanced 'imbalance' meaning.

Sprechen 4/5

Useful for formal discussions, though '집중하다' is more common in daily speech.

Hören 4/5

Frequently heard in news and documentaries; easy to confuse with similar-sounding words.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

집중하다 (to concentrate) 무게 (weight) 중요하다 (to be important) 부분 (part) 관심 (interest)

Als Nächstes lernen

편중되다 (to be biased) 전념하다 (to devote oneself) 주력하다 (to focus efforts) 균형 (balance) 소홀히 하다 (to neglect)

Fortgeschritten

경도되다 (to be leaned/inclined toward) 천착하다 (to study deeply/dig into) 집착하다 (to be obsessed) 매몰되다 (to be buried/lost in)

Wichtige Grammatik

Dative Particle -에

일**에** 치중하다 (Focus **on** work)

Modifier -는/-한

수출에 치중**하는** 국가 (A country that focuses on exports)

Reason -아/어서 vs -느라

공부에 치중하**느라** 잠을 못 잤다 (I couldn't sleep because I was focusing on studying [negative result])

Passive -되다

권력이 한 명에게 치중**되었다** (Power was concentrated on one person)

Contrast -기보다(는)

형식에 치중하**기보다** 내용을 중시해라 (Value the content rather than focusing on the form)

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

그는 공부에 치중해요.

He focuses heavily on studying.

Focus + 에 치중하다

2

저는 운동에 치중해요.

I focus heavily on exercise.

Target + 에

3

친구는 외모에 치중해요.

My friend focuses heavily on looks.

Noun + 에

4

게임에만 치중하지 마세요.

Don't focus only on games.

Negative command: -지 마세요

5

돈에 치중하는 사람은 슬퍼요.

A person who focuses only on money is sad.

Noun modifying: -하는

6

우리는 건강에 치중해야 해요.

We must focus on health.

Must: -해야 해요

7

그녀는 일에 치중하고 있어요.

She is focusing heavily on work.

Progressive: -고 있어요

8

하나에만 치중하면 안 돼요.

You shouldn't focus on only one thing.

Should not: -면 안 돼요

1

시험 성적에만 치중하면 힘들어요.

It's hard if you only focus on test scores.

Conditional: -면

2

회사는 홍보에 치중하고 있습니다.

The company is focusing heavily on promotion.

Formal progressive: -고 있습니다

3

그는 이론 공부에 치중했어요.

He focused heavily on studying theory.

Past tense: -했어요

4

외형에 치중하는 것은 좋지 않아요.

Focusing on appearance is not good.

Gerund: -하는 것

5

수출에 치중하는 나라가 많아요.

There are many countries that focus on exports.

Modifier: -하는

6

취미 생활에 너무 치중하지 마세요.

Don't focus too much on your hobbies.

Adverb: 너무 (too much)

7

그는 자기 관리에 치중하는 편이에요.

He tends to focus on self-management.

Tendency: -는 편이다

8

우리는 결과에 치중할 수밖에 없어요.

We have no choice but to focus on the results.

No choice but: -을 수밖에 없다

1

이 책은 이론보다는 실습에 치중하고 있다.

This book focuses more on practice than theory.

Comparison: -보다는

2

단기적인 이익에 치중하는 것은 위험합니다.

Focusing on short-term profits is dangerous.

Adjective: 단기적인

3

그녀는 자녀의 영어 교육에 치중하고 있다.

She is focusing heavily on her child's English education.

Possessive: 자녀의

4

정부는 경제 성장에 치중한 정책을 발표했다.

The government announced a policy focused on economic growth.

Past modifier: -한

5

너무 한 가지 분야에만 치중하지 마십시오.

Please do not focus only on one field.

Formal command: -지 마십시오

6

그 영화는 영상미에만 치중하여 스토리가 빈약하다.

The movie focused only on visual beauty, so the story is weak.

Reason: -하여 (formal -해서)

7

과거에는 수출에 치중했지만 이제는 내수도 중요합니다.

In the past, we focused on exports, but now the domestic market is also important.

Contrast: -했지만

8

그는 학업에 치중하느라 건강을 돌보지 못했다.

He couldn't take care of his health because he focused on his studies.

Because of doing: -느라

1

양적 팽창에만 치중하다 보면 질적 저하를 초래할 수 있다.

If you focus only on quantitative expansion, it can lead to qualitative decline.

If you keep doing: -다 보면

2

이 보고서는 환경 보호보다는 개발에 치중되어 있다.

This report is focused more on development than environmental protection.

Passive: 치중되어 있다

3

전통적인 방식에만 치중해서는 혁신을 이룰 수 없다.

You cannot achieve innovation if you only focus on traditional methods.

Conditional emphasis: -해서는

4

그는 대인 관계보다 업무 성과에 치중하는 경향이 있다.

He tends to focus on work performance more than interpersonal relationships.

Tendency: -는 경향이 있다

5

수도권에만 치중된 투자가 지역 불균형을 심화시킨다.

Investment focused only on the capital area deepens regional imbalance.

Passive modifier: -된

6

보여주기식 행정에 치중하는 것은 국민의 신뢰를 잃는 길이다.

Focusing on show-off administration is the way to lose the people's trust.

Noun phrase: 보여주기식 (for show)

7

그 선수는 기술 훈련에 치중하여 체력 보강이 시급하다.

That athlete focused on technical training, so reinforcing physical strength is urgent.

Urgency: 시급하다

8

마케팅에만 치중할 것이 아니라 제품의 본질에 집중해야 한다.

We should not just focus on marketing but on the essence of the product.

Not just A but B: -을 것이 아니라

1

신자유주의 체제하에서 효율성에만 치중한 결과 양극화가 심해졌다.

As a result of focusing only on efficiency under the neoliberal system, polarization has worsened.

Under a system: 체제하에서

2

이 철학자는 존재론보다는 인식론에 치중하여 논의를 전개한다.

This philosopher develops his discussion by focusing more on epistemology than ontology.

Formal development: 논의를 전개하다

3

현대 건축은 미학적 가치에 치중한 나머지 기능성을 간과하는 경우가 많다.

Modern architecture often overlooks functionality by focusing too much on aesthetic value.

Too much that: -한 나머지

4

특정 계층에 치중된 복지 정책은 사회적 갈등을 야기할 소지가 있다.

Welfare policies focused on a specific class have the potential to cause social conflict.

Potential: -을 소지가 있다

5

과거 지향적인 사고에 치중하면 시대의 흐름을 읽지 못하게 된다.

If you focus on past-oriented thinking, you will be unable to read the trends of the times.

Resulting state: -게 된다

6

이 소설은 심리 묘사에 치중하여 사건의 전개가 다소 느린 편이다.

This novel focuses on psychological description, so the development of events is somewhat slow.

Somewhat: 다소

7

데이터 분석에만 치중하다 보면 직관의 중요성을 잊기 쉽다.

If you focus only on data analysis, it is easy to forget the importance of intuition.

Easy to: -기 쉽다

8

형식에 치중하기보다 내용의 충실함을 기하는 것이 본질이다.

The essence is to ensure the richness of content rather than focusing on form.

Ensuring: -을 기하다

1

거시경제적 지표에만 치중한 분석은 서민들의 실질적인 고통을 외면할 위험이 크다.

Analysis focusing only on macroeconomic indicators runs a high risk of ignoring the actual suffering of ordinary people.

Ignoring: 외면하다

2

서구 중심적 사고에 치중된 역사 서술을 극복하려는 시도가 이어지고 있다.

Attempts to overcome historical narratives focused on Western-centric thinking are continuing.

Overcoming: 극복하다

3

기술적 진보에만 치중한 문명은 윤리적 공백이라는 위기에 직면하게 된다.

A civilization focused only on technological progress will face a crisis called an ethical vacuum.

Facing a crisis: 위기에 직면하다

4

이 연구는 양적 연구 방법론에 치중하여 질적 데이터의 풍부함을 담아내지 못했다.

This study focused on quantitative research methodology and failed to capture the richness of qualitative data.

Capturing: 담아내다

5

정치적 논리에만 치중한 의사결정은 국가의 장기적 발전을 저해한다.

Decision-making focused only on political logic hinders the long-term development of the nation.

Hinder: 저해하다

6

성공 지시적 가치관에 치중된 사회에서 개인의 행복은 뒷전으로 밀려나기 마련이다.

In a society focused on success-oriented values, individual happiness is bound to be pushed to the background.

Bound to: -기 마련이다

7

예술이 상업성에만 치중할 때, 그 본연의 비판적 기능을 상실하게 된다.

When art focuses only on commercialism, it loses its inherent critical function.

Inherent: 본연의

8

이론적 정합성에만 치중한 나머지 현실 세계의 복잡성을 단순화하는 오류를 범했다.

By focusing only on theoretical consistency, they made the error of simplifying the complexity of the real world.

Committing an error: 오류를 범하다

Synonyme

몰두하다 집중하다 기울이다 편중하다

Gegenteile

분산하다 소홀히 하다

Häufige Kollokationen

외모에 치중하다
성적에 치중하다
수출에 치중하다
이론에 치중하다
홍보에 치중하다
결과에 치중하다
형식에 치중하다
단기 성과에 치중하다
양적 성장에 치중하다
특정 분야에 치중하다

Häufige Phrasen

한쪽에 치중하다

— To lean toward one side.

어느 한쪽에 치중하지 않는 태도가 중요하다.

치중된 시각

— A biased or focused perspective.

치중된 시각으로 세상을 보면 안 된다.

치중을 두다

— To place emphasis (similar to 치중하다).

그는 실용성에 치중을 두고 물건을 고른다.

내실보다 외형에 치중하다

— To focus on appearance rather than substance.

내실보다 외형에 치중하는 것은 속 빈 강정이다.

현실에 치중하다

— To focus heavily on reality/practicality.

이상보다는 현실에 치중하는 편이다.

과거에 치중하다

— To focus too much on the past.

과거에 치중하면 미래로 나아갈 수 없다.

양에 치중하다

— To focus on quantity.

양에 치중하기보다 질을 높여야 한다.

특정 계층에 치중하다

— To focus on a specific class of people.

정책이 특정 계층에 치중되어 비판을 받았다.

이론적 치중

— Theoretical bias/focus.

이론적 치중을 벗어나 현장 목소리를 들어야 한다.

지나치게 치중하다

— To focus excessively.

지나치게 성적에 치중하는 풍토를 바꿔야 한다.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

치중하다 vs 집중하다

집중하다 is simple concentration. 치중하다 is placing heavy weight/priority, often implying imbalance.

치중하다 vs 시중하다

시중하다 means to attend to or wait on someone. They sound similar but are unrelated.

치중하다 vs 중시하다

중시하다 means to value something as important. 치중하다 is the action of focusing your efforts on it.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"속 빈 강정"

— A hollow grain cookie; something that looks good on the outside but has no substance. Often used when someone '외모에 치중' (focuses on looks) but has no character.

그 건물은 외형에만 치중해서 속 빈 강정 같다.

Colloquial
"주객전도"

— The guest becoming the host. Used when the secondary thing becomes the main focus (치중).

본업보다 취미에 치중하니 주객전도다.

Formal/Idiomatic
"수박 겉 핥기"

— Licking the outside of a watermelon. Doing something superficially because of '형식에 치중' (focusing on form).

형식에만 치중하면 수박 겉 핥기가 되기 쉽다.

Colloquial
"사상누각"

— A castle built on sand. Used for things that lack substance because they '외형에만 치중' (focused only on appearance).

내실 없이 확장만 치중하면 사상누각일 뿐이다.

Formal
"과유불급"

— Too much is as bad as too little. Perfect for describing '지나친 치중' (excessive focus).

성공에만 치중하는 것도 과유불급이다.

Formal/Hanja
"안하무인"

— Acting as if no one is around. Sometimes used for people who '자기 이익에만 치중' (focus only on their own interest).

자기 이익에만 치중하는 안하무인 격인 태도.

Formal
"동문서답"

— East question, West answer. Used when someone '형식에 치중' and misses the point of a question.

질문의 본질보다 답변 형식에 치중하니 동문서답이 나온다.

Colloquial
"탁상공론"

— Table-top discussion. Used when someone '이론에만 치중' (focuses only on theory) and ignores reality.

이론에만 치중한 대책은 탁상공론에 불과하다.

Formal
"일편단심"

— Single-hearted devotion. A positive version of being focused on one thing.

그는 한 우물 파기에만 치중하는 일편단심의 소유자다.

Literary
"우물 안 개구리"

— A frog in a well. Used for someone who '자신의 분야에만 치중' and doesn't know the world.

자기 전공에만 치중하면 우물 안 개구리가 된다.

Colloquial

Leicht verwechselbar

치중하다 vs 전념하다

Both involve focusing on one thing.

전념하다 is usually positive (devoting oneself). 치중하다 can be critical (lopsided focus).

예술에 전념하다 (Positive) vs. 상업성에 치중하다 (Critical).

치중하다 vs 몰두하다

Both involve deep focus.

몰두하다 is about immersion/absorption (like a hobby). 치중하다 is about strategic priority/weight.

게임에 몰두하다 (Absorbed) vs. 게임 개발에 치중하다 (Strategically focused).

치중하다 vs 편중되다

Both involve imbalance.

편중되다 is usually passive (to be biased/lopsided). 치중하다 is usually active (to focus weight).

부의 편중 (Wealth bias) vs. 수출에 치중하다 (Focus on exports).

치중하다 vs 주력하다

Both mean to focus efforts.

주력하다 is often used for a company's main 'strength' or 'thrust'. 치중하다 is more general.

수출에 주력하다 (Putting main strength into exports).

치중하다 vs 관심을 갖다

Both involve interest/focus.

관심을 갖다 is just 'to have interest'. 치중하다 is much stronger and involves action/resources.

건강에 관심을 갖다 (Interested) vs. 건강 관리에 치중하다 (Focusing heavily on management).

Satzmuster

A2

[Noun]에 치중해요.

저는 건강에 치중해요.

B1

[Noun]에만 치중하지 마세요.

돈에만 치중하지 마세요.

B1

[Noun]에 치중하는 편이에요.

그는 외모에 치중하는 편이에요.

B2

[Noun]에 치중한 나머지 [Result].

홍보에 치중한 나머지 품질이 나빠졌다.

B2

[Noun]에 치중하기보다 [Noun]에 집중해야 한다.

이론에 치중하기보다 실전에 집중해야 한다.

C1

[Noun]에 치중된 [Noun].

수도권에 치중된 인구 분포.

C1

[Noun]에 치중하다 보면 [Result].

성과에만 치중하다 보면 스트레스를 받는다.

C2

[Noun]에 치중한 분석은 [Problem]을 야기한다.

수치에 치중한 분석은 오해를 야기한다.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

치중 (chijung - the act of focusing heavily/weighting)
비중 (bijung - relative importance/weight)
중점 (jungjeom - emphasis/core point)

Verben

치중되다 (chijungdoeda - to be focused/weighted [passive])
치중하다 (chijunghada - to focus heavily [active])

Verwandt

집중 (concentration)
편중 (bias/leaning)
중시 (regarding as important)
전념 (devotion)
몰두 (absorption)

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in formal writing and news; moderately common in serious adult conversation.

Häufige Fehler
  • 성적을 치중하다 성적에 치중하다

    You cannot use the object particle '을/를' with '치중하다'.

  • 커피에 치중하다 커피에 집중하다

    '치중하다' is too formal and heavy for small, everyday tasks.

  • 치중해요 (in a very casual text to a younger friend) 신경 써요 / 집중해요

    It's too stiff for casual texting.

  • Using it for a perfectly balanced focus. 전념하다 / 집중하다

    '치중하다' usually implies an imbalance.

  • Confusing '치중' with '시중' 치중 (focus) / 시중 (attending)

    They sound similar but have completely different meanings.

Tipps

Particle Choice

Remember to use '-에'. It marks the target where you are 'placing the weight'.

The Seesaw Effect

Use this word when you want to describe a situation that is not balanced.

Keep it Formal

Save this word for essays, news, or professional discussions. It's a bit heavy for casual chat.

Check Your Tone

If you want to be purely positive, use '전념하다' instead.

TOPIK Success

Using '치중하다' in your TOPIK writing task 53 or 54 can help you get a higher score for vocabulary.

News Keywords

When you hear '치중' on the news, get ready to hear a critique of a government or company policy.

Societal Critique

This word is a key tool for understanding Korean social criticism regarding education and beauty standards.

Hanja Power

Learning the Hanja '중' (heavy) will help you remember many other words like '중요', '중력', and '비중'.

Professionalism

Using this word in a job interview to describe your strategic focus can make you sound very intelligent.

Visual Aid

Imagine a giant weight labeled 'JUNG' being dropped onto a specific task.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'CHEE-ky' person putting all their 'JUNG-le' weight on one side of a scale. They are '치중'-ing.

Visuelle Assoziation

A scale or a seesaw that is completely tipped to one side because a heavy 'JUNG' (weight) was 'CHI' (placed) there.

Word Web

Weight Balance Imbalance Priority Neglect Strategy Bias Focus

Herausforderung

Try to find one thing in your life you are '치중'-ing on right now. Write a sentence like: '나는 요즘 일에만 치중하고 있다.' (I am focusing only on work these days.)

Wortherkunft

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja) roots. 'Chi' (置) means to place, set, or put. 'Jung' (重) means heavy, weight, or important.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Literally 'to place weight'. It originally referred to the strategic placement of importance or resources.

Sino-Korean

Kultureller Kontext

It is generally a neutral to critical word. It is not offensive, but using it to describe someone's passion might sound like you are criticizing them for ignoring other things.

In English, we might say 'to be lopsided' or 'to put all your eggs in one basket.' '치중하다' is a more formal, verb-based way to express this.

News reports on '입시 치중 교육' (Exam-focused education). Business books discussing '단기 성과 치중' (Focusing on short-term results). Documentaries about '수도권 치중 현상' (The phenomenon of concentration in the capital area).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Education

  • 입시 교육에 치중하다
  • 암기 위주에 치중하다
  • 성적 향상에 치중하다
  • 지식 전달에 치중하다

Business

  • 수익성에 치중하다
  • 마케팅에 치중하다
  • 신제품 개발에 치중하다
  • 단기 성과에 치중하다

Social Issues

  • 수도권에 치중되다
  • 특정 계층에 치중하다
  • 외형적 성장에 치중하다
  • 보여주기식에 치중하다

Personal Development

  • 외모에 치중하다
  • 스펙 쌓기에 치중하다
  • 이론 공부에 치중하다
  • 취미에 치중하다

Art & Criticism

  • 기교에 치중하다
  • 형식미에 치중하다
  • 상업성에 치중하다
  • 영상미에 치중하다

Gesprächseinstiege

"요즘 우리 사회가 너무 외모에만 치중한다고 생각하지 않으세요? (Don't you think our society focuses too much on looks lately?)"

"공부할 때 이론과 실습 중 어디에 더 치중하는 편인가요? (When studying, do you tend to focus more on theory or practice?)"

"정부가 경제 성장에만 치중하는 것에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요? (What do you think about the government focusing only on economic growth?)"

"회사에서 업무 속도와 정확도 중 무엇에 더 치중해야 할까요? (In a company, should we focus more on work speed or accuracy?)"

"자녀 교육에서 인성보다 성적에 치중하는 풍토가 문제라고 보시나요? (Do you see the trend of focusing on grades over character in education as a problem?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

내가 최근에 너무 한 가지에만 치중해서 놓치고 있는 것은 무엇인지 써 보세요. (Write about what you are missing because you've been focusing too heavily on one thing lately.)

균형 잡힌 삶을 위해 내가 치중해야 할 부분은 무엇인가요? (What area should I focus on to achieve a balanced life?)

우리나라(또는 거주 국가)의 교육 시스템이 어디에 치중하고 있는지 분석해 보세요. (Analyze what the education system in your country is focusing on.)

외형보다 내실에 치중하기 위해 실천할 수 있는 일들을 적어 보세요. (List things you can do to focus on substance rather than appearance.)

과거의 성공에 치중하는 것이 미래의 발전에 어떤 영향을 미치는지 생각해보세요. (Think about how focusing on past success affects future development.)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, that sounds very strange. '치중하다' is for significant topics like education, business, or life strategies. For coffee, use '집중하다' or '신경 쓰다'.

Not always, but it often implies that because you are focusing on one thing, you are missing something else. It's 'analytical' rather than purely 'positive'.

Always use the particle '-에'. For example: '성공에 치중하다'.

Yes, '치중' (chijung). You can say '치중을 두다' (to place weight/focus).

'집중' is mental focus in the moment. '치중' is strategic focus or priority over a period of time.

Yes, '치중되다' (to be focused/weighted) is very common when talking about resources or populations.

Yes, it is a very common word in TOPIK II (Intermediate/Advanced) reading and listening sections.

No, you must say '공부에 치중하다'. It is an intransitive verb.

'균형을 잡다' (to balance) or '분산하다' (to distribute/scatter).

Yes, 置 (Place) + 重 (Heavy).

Teste dich selbst 192 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence using '치중하다' about education.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He focuses heavily on his work.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '치중하다' to describe a company's marketing strategy.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using the passive form '치중되다'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Don't focus only on looks; look at the inside.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '치중한 나머지'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a movie that has good visuals but a bad story using '치중하다'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The government is focusing on economic growth.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about focusing on theory vs practice.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '치중하다' to describe someone's hobby taking over their life.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Focusing on quantity can lead to lower quality.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '수출에 치중하다'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe a person who cares too much about money.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'It is a lopsided policy.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about focusing on the past.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '치중하다' with '경향' (tendency).

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'We focus on quality.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about a report's focus.

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writing

Translate: 'Please don't focus on just one thing.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '치중함'.

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Describe a time you focused too much on one thing.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

What is your main focus in life right now?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Do you think social media makes people focus too much on looks?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Is it better to focus on theory or practice?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

What should the government focus on more?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How do you balance your work and life?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

What is a problem with the current education system?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Do you focus on quantity or quality when working?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Why is it dangerous to focus only on the short term?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

What are you 'chi-jung-ing' on this week?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Give an example of 'show-off' administration.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How can we avoid being biased?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Is marketing more important than the product?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Why do people focus on specs?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

What is your opinion on 'Seoul-centrism'?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Is it okay to focus on money?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How do you choose a restaurant?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

What do you think of modern art?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How do you study Korean?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

What is the most important thing in a friendship?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the target: '정부는 이번 예산을 일자리 창출에 치중하여 편성했습니다.'

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

Listen and identify the problem: '외형적 성장에만 치중하다 보니 내실이 부족해졌습니다.'

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

Listen and identify the speaker's advice: '성적에만 치중하지 말고 다양한 활동을 해 보세요.'

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

Listen and identify the subject: '수도권 치중 현상을 해결하기 위해 공공기관을 지방으로 이전합니다.'

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

Listen and identify the focus: '이 영화는 화려한 액션에 치중하고 있습니다.'

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

Listen and identify the reason: '홍보에만 치중하느라 제품 개발을 소홀히 했습니다.'

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

Listen and identify the trend: '최근 소비자들은 가성비보다 가심비에 치중하는 경향이 있습니다.'

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

Listen and identify the area: '회사는 신기술 개발에 주력하며 연구에 치중하고 있습니다.'

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

Listen and identify the critique: '이론에만 치중한 대책은 현실성이 떨어집니다.'

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

Listen and identify the goal: '우리는 고객 만족에 최우선으로 치중하고 있습니다.'

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

Listen and identify the focus of the study: '본 연구는 아동의 심리 발달에 치중하여 진행되었습니다.'

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

Listen and identify the warning: '단기 성과에 치중하면 장기 성장을 놓칩니다.'

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

Listen and identify the focus of the interview: '면접에서는 직무 역량에 치중한 질문이 많았습니다.'

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

Listen and identify the imbalance: '수출에만 치중된 구조를 개선해야 합니다.'

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

Listen and identify the focus of the diet: '단백질 섭취에 치중한 식단을 짜야 합니다.'

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

/ 192 correct

Perfect score!

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