At the A1 level, you only need to know that '얕아지다' means something is not deep anymore. Think about a swimming pool or the sea. When you walk into the ocean, the water is deep, but when you walk back to the beach, the water becomes 'shallow' (얕아져요). You can remember it as the opposite of '깊어지다' (to become deep). At this stage, focus on simple sentences like '물이 얕아졌어요' (The water became shallow). It is a combination of '얕다' (shallow) and '아지다' (to become).
At the A2 level, you start using '얕아지다' for things you can't see, like sleep and breathing. If you are sleeping and someone makes a noise, your sleep might become shallow (잠이 얕아져요). If you run fast and then stop, your breath might be shallow at first. You should also be able to use the past tense '얕아졌다' to describe a change you noticed. For example, '비가 안 와서 시냇물이 얕아졌어요' (The stream became shallow because it didn't rain).
At the B1 level, you should use '얕아지다' in more complex sentences and understand its metaphorical meanings. For example, you can describe a conversation or a person's thoughts as becoming shallow. It implies a lack of seriousness or depth. You should also be comfortable using it with connective endings like '-어서' or '-으니까'. For example, '강물이 얕아지니까 건너기 쉬워요' (Since the river became shallow, it is easy to cross).
At the B2 level, you can use '얕아지다' to discuss social trends or environmental issues. You might read an article about how '인간 관계가 얕아지고 있다' (human relationships are becoming shallow) due to social media. You should recognize the nuance that this word often carries a negative connotation when applied to human intellect or emotions. You should also be able to distinguish it clearly from '낮아지다' (to become low) and '얇아지다' (to become thin) in professional or academic writing.
At the C1 level, you use '얕아지다' in literary and highly formal contexts. It can describe the waning of an era's intellectual depth or the subtle physiological changes in a dying patient's breath in a novel. You understand how the word functions in passive-like structures and can use it to create vivid imagery. For example, '철학적 사유가 얕아지는 시대' (An era where philosophical thought is becoming shallow). You are also aware of its use in specialized fields like oceanography or pulmonary medicine.
At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '얕아지다'. You can use it to discuss the nuances of linguistic change, the shifting depths of historical analysis, or in complex poetic metaphors. You can manipulate the word within highly sophisticated grammatical structures, such as using it as a noun-modifying clause in a multi-layered sentence. You understand the historical etymology and how it contrasts with archaic forms of the word.

얕아지다 in 30 Sekunden

  • 얕아지다 means 'to become shallow' and is used for water, sleep, and thoughts.
  • It is a verb created from the adjective 얕다 (shallow) + -아지다 (to become).
  • Commonly used to describe decreasing water levels in rivers or lakes during droughts.
  • Metaphorically used for light sleep or superficial knowledge and relationships.

The Korean verb 얕아지다 is a compound word formed by combining the adjective 얕다 (shallow) with the auxiliary verb ending -아지다, which signifies a change in state or process. In its most literal sense, it describes a physical reduction in depth, such as a river becoming easier to cross during a drought or a hole being partially filled. However, its usage extends far beyond the physical realm into physiological and metaphorical contexts that are essential for intermediate learners to master.

Physical Depth
Used when the water level of a lake, sea, or river decreases, or when a physical depression in the ground becomes less deep. This is common in environmental reporting or geographical descriptions.

가뭄 때문에 강물이 눈에 띄게 얕아졌다.

Translation: The river water became noticeably shallower due to the drought.
Physiological States
Frequently used to describe breathing (숨) or sleep (잠). When one is startled or ill, their breathing might become shallow. Similarly, as one approaches waking up, their sleep state becomes lighter.

Metaphorically, 얕아지다 can describe human qualities such as knowledge, thoughts, or relationships. If someone stops studying deeply, their knowledge might be described as becoming 'shallow.' If a conversation lacks substance, the interaction is characterized by this verb. It carries a slightly negative nuance in these contexts, implying a loss of depth, wisdom, or sincerity.

Abstract Concepts
Refers to thoughts, knowledge, or feelings losing their profound nature. For example, '생각이 얕아지다' suggests one is thinking less deeply about a matter.

나이가 들면서 오히려 생각이 얕아지는 기분이 든다.

Understanding the transition from an adjective (얕다 - to be shallow) to a verb (얕아지다 - to become shallow) is a key milestone in Korean grammar. This transformation allows speakers to describe dynamic changes in the world around them, making their speech more descriptive and precise.

Using 얕아지다 correctly requires understanding its role as an intransitive verb. It describes a change that happens to a subject, so it is almost always paired with the subject markers -이/가. You will rarely see it with the object marker -을/를 unless it is part of a complex causative construction.

Common Subject Pairings
Water (물, 강물), Breath (숨, 호흡), Sleep (잠), Knowledge (지식), Thoughts (생각), Relationships (관계).

When describing nature, the verb often appears in the past tense (얕아졌다) because the speaker is observing a completed change. For example, 'The shore has become shallow' would be '해안가가 얕아졌다.' In contrast, when discussing a recurring phenomenon or a general truth, the present tense or progressive form is used.

썰물이 되면 바닷물이 점점 얕아집니다.

Translation: When the tide goes out, the sea water gradually becomes shallower.

In medical or wellness contexts, you might hear this regarding breathing. A doctor might observe, '환자의 호흡이 얕아지고 있습니다' (The patient's breathing is becoming shallow). Here, the -고 있다 form emphasizes the ongoing process, which is critical for monitoring health conditions.

For metaphorical use, consider social commentary. '요즘 사람들의 대화가 점점 얕아지고 있다' (People's conversations these days are becoming increasingly shallow). This uses the verb to criticize a lack of depth in modern interaction. It is a powerful word for expressing dissatisfaction with superficiality.

Sentence Patterns
[Subject] + 이/가 + [Adverb] + 얕아지다. (e.g., 물이 급격히 얕아지다 - Water becomes shallow rapidly.)

You will encounter 얕아지다 in various real-life scenarios, ranging from news broadcasts to quiet bedside conversations. In the news, it is a staple during the summer months when reporting on droughts or the safety of swimming areas. Reporters might warn parents that '해수욕장의 수심이 갑자기 얕아지는 구간이 있으니 주의하십시오' (Be careful as there are sections where the beach depth suddenly becomes shallow).

In the Media
Weather reports, environmental documentaries, and health segments often use this term to describe changing conditions in nature or the human body.

In literature and drama (K-Dramas), the word takes on a more poetic or psychological tone. A character might describe their failing feelings for a partner by saying their 'love has become shallow' (사랑이 얕아졌다). Or, in a thriller, a narrator might describe a victim's breathing: '그의 숨소리가 점점 얕아졌다' (His breathing became increasingly shallow), creating a sense of urgency and impending danger.

새벽이 오자 나의 잠도 서서히 얕아졌다.

Translation: As dawn approached, my sleep also gradually became shallow.

In daily conversation, it's used when discussing hobbies or interests. If you used to be a hardcore fan of a hobby but now only participate occasionally, you might say '관심이 좀 얕아졌어' (My interest has become a bit shallow/faded). It’s a polite way to admit you aren't as invested as you once were without saying you've quit entirely.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing 얕아지다 with 낮아지다 (to become low). While both describe a decrease in vertical measurement, 낮아지다 refers to height from a base (like a temperature or a mountain), whereas 얕아지다 refers specifically to depth from a surface downwards (like water or a hole).

Confusing Depth vs. Height
Incorrect: 온도가 얕아졌다 (The temperature became shallow). Correct: 온도가 낮아졌다 (The temperature became low).

Another error involves the use of particles. Because 얕아지다 is an intransitive verb (describing a change of state), it cannot take an object. You cannot '얕아지다' something. If you want to express that you made the water shallow, you must use the causative form or a different construction.

Wrong: 나는 물을 얕아졌다. (X)
Right: 물이 얕아졌다. (O)

Learners also sometimes confuse 얕아지다 with 적어지다 (to become fewer/less in quantity). While a shallow pool might have less water, the verb 얕아지다 describes the *dimension*, not the *amount*. If you are talking about the volume of water decreasing, 줄어들다 or 적어지다 is more appropriate.

To truly master Korean, you need to know which synonyms to use in specific contexts. While 얕아지다 is the standard term for becoming shallow, other words might be more precise depending on what exactly is changing.

낮아지다 (To become low)
Used for height, levels, or values. '수위가 낮아지다' (The water level becomes low) is very similar to '물이 얕아지다', but focuses on the measured level rather than the perceived depth.
얇아지다 (To become thin)
Often confused by beginners. This refers to the thickness of a solid object. '얼음이 얇아지다' (The ice becomes thin) is different from the water underneath becoming shallow.
줄어들다 (To decrease/shrink)
Focuses on the reduction of quantity or size. If a pond is drying up, you could say the water is '줄어들다'.

In metaphorical contexts, if you want to say someone's knowledge is becoming shallow in a more formal or academic way, you might use 피상적으로 흐르다 (to flow superficially). For relationships, 소원해지다 (to become distant) is a common alternative that captures the emotional change better than '얕아지다'.

비교:
1. 물이 얕아지다 (Depth decreases)
2. 수위가 낮아지다 (Level drops)
3. 얼음이 얇아지다 (Thickness decreases)

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The auxiliary verb '-어지다' was added later in the development of the language to turn static adjectives into dynamic verbs of change.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ja.tʰa.dʑi.da/
US /ja.tʰa.dʑi.da/
The primary stress is on the first syllable '야'.
Reimt sich auf
높아지다 (to become high) 좋아지다 (to become good) 작아지다 (to become small) 밝아지다 (to become bright) 좁아지다 (to become narrow) 짧아지다 (to become short) 맑아지다 (to become clear) 얇아지다 (to become thin)
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing it as 'yat-ah-ji-da' instead of 'ya-ta-ji-da'.
  • Confusing the 't' (ㅌ) sound with 'ch' (ㅊ).
  • Mumbling the 'ji-da' ending.
  • Putting too much stress on the second syllable.
  • Failing to aspirate the 't' sound.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know the root word '얕다'.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires correct conjugation of -아지다.

Sprechen 4/5

Pronunciation of '얕아' requires care with the 't' sound.

Hören 3/5

Common in weather and health contexts.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

얕다 (shallow) 깊다 (deep) 물 (water) 잠 (sleep) 숨 (breath)

Als Nächstes lernen

깊어지다 (to become deep) 낮아지다 (to become low) 멀어지다 (to become distant) 좁아지다 (to become narrow) 넓어지다 (to become wide)

Fortgeschritten

피상적 (superficial) 심오하다 (profound) 퇴적 (sedimentation) 수심 (water depth) 호흡 (respiration)

Wichtige Grammatik

-아/어지다 (Change of state)

얕다 -> 얕아지다, 깊다 -> 깊어지다

-아/어서 (Reason/Cause)

물이 얕아져서 건너기 쉬워요.

-고 있다 (Progressive)

강물이 점점 얕아지고 있어요.

-ㄴ/은 것 같다 (Seems to be)

잠이 얕아진 것 같아요.

-기 시작하다 (Start to)

호흡이 얕아지기 시작했다.

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

수영장 물이 얕아졌어요.

The pool water became shallow.

Past tense of 얕아지다.

2

바다가 얕아져요.

The sea is becoming shallow.

Present tense.

3

물이 얕아지면 좋겠어요.

I wish the water would become shallow.

-면 좋겠다 (I wish/hope).

4

여기는 물이 얕아지는 곳이에요.

This is a place where the water becomes shallow.

Noun modifying form -는.

5

물이 얕아져서 건너갔어요.

The water became shallow, so I crossed.

-아서 (reason/sequence).

6

조금만 더 얕아지면 돼요.

It just needs to become a little shallower.

-면 되다 (it's enough if).

7

강물이 얕아졌니?

Did the river become shallow?

-니? (informal question).

8

비가 안 와서 얕아졌어요.

It became shallow because it didn't rain.

Negative '안' + past tense.

1

잠이 얕아져서 금방 깼어요.

My sleep became shallow, so I woke up quickly.

-아서 (cause).

2

할아버지의 숨이 얕아졌어요.

Grandfather's breath became shallow.

Honorific subject particle '의'.

3

갑자기 물이 얕아지니까 조심해.

The water suddenly becomes shallow, so be careful.

-니까 (reason).

4

공부를 안 해서 지식이 얕아졌어요.

My knowledge became shallow because I didn't study.

Metaphorical use.

5

호수가 점점 얕아지고 있어요.

The lake is gradually becoming shallower.

-고 있다 (progressive).

6

상처가 얕아지는 것 같아요.

The wound seems to be getting shallower.

-는 것 같다 (it seems like).

7

목소리가 얕아지면 안 돼요.

Your voice shouldn't become shallow (weak).

-면 안 되다 (must not).

8

이곳은 수심이 얕아지는 구간입니다.

This is a section where the water depth becomes shallow.

Formal style -입니다.

1

두 사람의 대화가 점점 얕아지는 것 같아 걱정이다.

I'm worried the conversation between the two is becoming shallow.

Metaphorical use for interaction.

2

가뭄이 계속되면 강바닥이 얕아질 수밖에 없다.

If the drought continues, the riverbed has no choice but to become shallow.

-을 수밖에 없다 (no choice but to).

3

잠이 얕아질 때쯤 알람이 울렸다.

The alarm went off just as my sleep was becoming shallow.

-을 때쯤 (around the time when).

4

생각이 얕아지지 않도록 책을 많이 읽어야 해요.

You should read many books so your thoughts don't become shallow.

-지 않도록 (so that... not).

5

호흡이 얕아지면 깊게 들이마셔 보세요.

If your breathing becomes shallow, try taking a deep breath.

Imperative -아/어 보세요.

6

관계가 얕아지기 전에 대화를 나누세요.

Have a conversation before the relationship becomes shallow.

-기 전에 (before).

7

물의 깊이가 얕아지는 현상을 관찰했다.

I observed the phenomenon of the water depth becoming shallow.

Noun modification of '현상'.

8

지식이 얕아지는 것을 경계해야 합니다.

We must be wary of our knowledge becoming shallow.

Formal -아야 합니다.

1

퇴적물이 쌓이면서 항구의 수심이 얕아졌다.

The harbor's depth became shallow as sediment accumulated.

-으면서 (while/as).

2

현대 사회에서는 정보는 넘치지만 지식은 얕아지고 있다.

In modern society, information overflows but knowledge is becoming shallow.

Contrastive -지만.

3

환자의 맥박이 약해지고 호흡이 얕아지는 위급한 상황입니다.

It is an emergency where the patient's pulse is weakening and breathing is becoming shallow.

Coordinating -고.

4

환경 오염으로 인해 하천이 얕아지는 문제가 심각하다.

The problem of streams becoming shallow due to environmental pollution is serious.

-로 인해 (due to).

5

토론이 얕아지지 않으려면 충분한 자료 조사가 필요하다.

Sufficient data research is needed to prevent the discussion from becoming shallow.

-으려면 (if one intends to).

6

나이가 들수록 잠이 얕아지는 것은 자연스러운 현상이다.

It is a natural phenomenon that sleep becomes shallower as one gets older.

-을수록 (the more... the more).

7

대중의 관심이 얕아지자 그 가수는 활동을 중단했다.

As public interest became shallow, the singer stopped their activities.

-자 (as soon as/when).

8

바다의 깊이가 얕아지는 곳에는 암초가 많다.

There are many reefs in places where the sea depth becomes shallow.

Relative clause.

1

인간의 사유가 얕아지는 현상은 문명의 위기를 암시한다.

The phenomenon of human thought becoming shallow implies a crisis of civilization.

Academic tone.

2

지구 온난화로 인해 북극해의 수심이 얕아지는 지역이 늘고 있다.

Due to global warming, areas where the Arctic Ocean's depth is becoming shallow are increasing.

Environmental context.

3

그녀의 사랑은 시간이 갈수록 얕아지다 못해 결국 사라졌다.

Her love became so shallow over time that it eventually vanished.

-다 못해 (unable to... anymore).

4

작가의 통찰력이 얕아진 탓에 작품의 완성도가 떨어졌다.

The quality of the work dropped because the author's insight became shallow.

-ㄴ 탓에 (because of - negative).

5

전통 문화에 대한 이해가 얕아지는 것을 방지해야 한다.

We must prevent the understanding of traditional culture from becoming shallow.

-는 것을 방지하다.

6

철학적 담론이 얕아지는 세태를 비판하는 목소리가 높다.

There are many voices criticizing the social trend where philosophical discourse is becoming shallow.

Socio-political context.

7

강의 하류로 갈수록 물살은 느려지고 수심은 얕아진다.

As you go downstream, the current slows and the depth becomes shallower.

Geographical description.

8

수면의 질이 떨어지면 잠이 얕아지는 악순환이 반복된다.

If sleep quality drops, a vicious cycle of shallow sleep repeats.

Medical/Psychological context.

1

언어의 품격이 얕아지는 것은 곧 사고의 빈곤을 의미한다.

The shallowing of linguistic dignity signifies the poverty of thought.

Philosophical maxim.

2

역사적 성찰이 얕아질 때 민족의 정체성은 흔들리기 마련이다.

When historical reflection becomes shallow, a nation's identity is bound to waver.

-기 마련이다 (bound to).

3

예술적 감수성이 얕아지는 현대인들에게 고전의 가치를 전한다.

Conveying the value of classics to modern people whose artistic sensitivity is becoming shallow.

Complex noun modification.

4

강물이 얕아지며 드러난 강바닥은 마치 우리네 삶의 민낯 같았다.

The riverbed revealed as the water became shallow was like the bare face of our lives.

Poetic metaphor.

5

학문의 깊이가 얕아지는 것을 경계하며 평생을 연구에 매진했다.

Wary of the shallowing of academic depth, he devoted his life to research.

-며 (simultaneous action).

6

정치적 논쟁이 얕아질수록 선동적인 구호가 난무하게 된다.

The shallower the political debate becomes, the more inflammatory slogans proliferate.

-을수록 (proportional relationship).

7

인간 소외 현상은 인간에 대한 이해가 얕아지는 데서 기인한다.

The phenomenon of human alienation stems from the shallowing of human understanding.

-는 데서 기인하다 (originate from).

8

영혼의 울림이 얕아지는 시대에 진정한 예술의 역할을 묻는다.

In an era where the resonance of the soul is becoming shallow, we ask about the true role of art.

Rhetorical literary style.

Häufige Kollokationen

강물이 얕아지다
수심이 얕아지다
잠이 얕아지다
호흡이 얕아지다
지식이 얕아지다
생각이 얕아지다
관계가 얕아지다
흥미가 얕아지다
숨소리가 얕아지다
우정이 얕아지다

Häufige Phrasen

수심이 얕아지는 구간

— A section where the water depth becomes shallow.

수심이 얕아지는 구간에서는 다이빙을 금지합니다.

잠이 얕아지는 시간

— The time when one's sleep becomes light.

새벽 4시는 보통 잠이 얕아지는 시간이다.

생각이 얕아지는 것을 경계하다

— To be wary of one's thoughts becoming shallow.

우리는 늘 생각이 얕아지는 것을 경계해야 한다.

강바닥이 보일 정도로 얕아지다

— To become shallow enough to see the riverbed.

강물이 강바닥이 보일 정도로 얕아졌다.

호흡이 얕아지고 맥박이 뛰다

— Breathing becomes shallow and pulse races.

긴장하자 호흡이 얕아지고 맥박이 뛰기 시작했다.

지식의 깊이가 얕아지다

— The depth of knowledge becomes shallow.

전문 서적을 멀리하면 지식의 깊이가 얕아진다.

대화가 얕아지다

— Conversation becomes superficial.

서로 할 말이 없어서 대화가 얕아졌다.

관심이 얕아지다

— Interest becomes shallow/fades.

새로운 취미가 생겨서 예전 취미에 대한 관심이 얕아졌다.

물이 점점 얕아지다

— Water gradually becomes shallower.

해변 쪽으로 갈수록 물이 점점 얕아진다.

사랑이 얕아지다

— Love becomes shallow.

오랜 시간이 흐르면서 두 사람의 사랑이 얕아졌다.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

얕아지다 vs 낮아지다

Used for level/height (low), whereas 얕아지다 is for depth (shallow).

얕아지다 vs 얇아지다

Used for thickness of objects like paper, while 얕아지다 is for depth of water or holes.

얕아지다 vs 작아지다

Used for general size/volume, while 얕아지다 is specifically for vertical depth.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"생각이 얕아지면 입이 가벼워진다"

— When thoughts become shallow, one speaks carelessly.

생각이 얕아지면 입이 가벼워지니 말을 조심해라.

Proverbial
"얕아진 물에 배 띄우기"

— Trying to do something impossible (like sailing a boat in shallow water).

그 계획은 얕아진 물에 배 띄우는 격이다.

Metaphorical
"잠이 얕아지면 꿈이 많다"

— When sleep is shallow, one dreams a lot.

요즘 잠이 얕아졌는지 꿈이 많아졌다.

Common Saying
"지식이 얕아지면 목소리가 커진다"

— Empty vessels make the most noise (shallow knowledge leads to loud arguing).

지식이 얕아질수록 목소리만 커지는 법이다.

Sarcastic
"얕아진 강물은 소리가 크다"

— Shallow rivers make the most noise (similar to 'empty vessels').

얕아진 강물은 소리가 크다더니 그가 딱 그렇다.

Literary
"숨이 얕아지면 생명이 위태롭다"

— When breath becomes shallow, life is in danger.

숨이 얕아지면 생명이 위태로우니 즉시 병원에 가야 한다.

Medical/Proverbial
"정이 얕아지면 남보다 못하다"

— When affection becomes shallow, people are worse than strangers.

정이 얕아지면 남보다 못한 사이가 된다.

Social
"뿌리가 얕아지면 나무가 넘어진다"

— If roots become shallow (weak), the tree falls.

기초 지식이 얕아지면 실력이 금방 무너진다.

Metaphorical
"바닥이 얕아지다"

— To reach the bottom or reveal one's limits.

그의 인내심이 바닥이 얕아지듯 드러났다.

Metaphorical
"그릇이 얕아지다"

— To become small-minded or lose character.

욕심 때문에 그의 그릇이 얕아졌다.

Metaphorical

Leicht verwechselbar

얕아지다 vs 낮아지다

Both mean a decrease in vertical measurement.

낮아지다 is height from ground up or a numeric value; 얕아지다 is depth from surface down.

산의 높이가 낮아지다 (X) -> 산의 높이가 낮아지다 (O); 물이 낮아지다 (X) -> 물이 얕아지다 (O).

얕아지다 vs 얇아지다

The spelling and pronunciation are similar (ya-ta vs yal-ba).

얇아지다 refers to thickness (like a book or clothes); 얕아지다 refers to depth (like a pool).

책이 얕아지다 (X) -> 책이 얇아지다 (O).

얕아지다 vs 적어지다

Shallow water often implies less water.

적어지다 is about quantity; 얕아지다 is about the dimension of depth.

물이 적어지다 (Amount decreases); 물이 얕아지다 (Depth decreases).

얕아지다 vs 좁아지다

Both describe a reduction in space.

좁아지다 is for width/breadth; 얕아지다 is for depth.

길이 얕아지다 (X) -> 길이 좁아지다 (O).

얕아지다 vs 줄어들다

General term for decreasing.

줄어들다 is very broad; 얕아지다 is specific to depth.

강물이 줄어들다 (General); 강물이 얕아지다 (Specific to depth).

Satzmuster

A1

N이/가 얕아졌어요.

물이 얕아졌어요.

A2

N이/가 점점 얕아져요.

호수가 점점 얕아져요.

B1

N이/가 얕아져서 V-아/어요.

잠이 얕아져서 금방 깼어요.

B2

N이/가 얕아지는 것을 관찰하다.

수심이 얕아지는 것을 관찰했다.

C1

N이/가 얕아짐에 따라...

수심이 얕아짐에 따라 생태계가 변했다.

C2

N이/가 얕아지는 현상을 비판하다.

사유가 얕아지는 현상을 비판했다.

B1

N이/가 얕아지지 않게 조심하세요.

생각이 얕아지지 않게 조심하세요.

A2

N이/가 얕아지는 것 같아요.

숨이 얕아지는 것 같아요.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

얕음 (shallowness)
얕은수 (a shallow trick)

Verben

얕보다 (to look down on/underestimate)
얕잡다 (to underestimate)

Adjektive

얕다 (shallow)

Verwandt

깊어지다 (to become deep)
낮아지다 (to become low)
줄어들다 (to decrease)
마르다 (to dry up)
변하다 (to change)

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in specific domains like weather, health, and social commentary.

Häufige Fehler
  • 물을 얕아지게 했다 물을 얕게 만들었다

    얕아지다 is intransitive. To say 'made it shallow', use 얕게 만들다.

  • 종이가 얕아졌어요 종이가 얇아졌어요

    Paper is thin (얇다), not shallow.

  • 키가 얕아졌어요 키가 작아졌어요

    Height of a person uses '작다', not '얕다'.

  • 수온이 얕아졌어요 수온이 낮아졌어요

    Temperature level uses '낮다', not '얕다'.

  • 얕아졌다 (pronounced yat-ah-jeot-da) [야타졌다]

    The ㅌ sound must carry over to the next syllable.

Tipps

Verb vs Adjective

Remember 얕다 is 'to be shallow' (adjective) and 얕아지다 is 'to become shallow' (verb). Use the former for states and the latter for changes.

Water Safety

If you see a sign '수심이 얕아짐', it means the water is getting shallower. Useful for swimming!

Medical Usage

In medical contexts, '호흡이 얕아지다' is a critical observation. It means the patient is not taking deep breaths.

Metaphorical Subtlety

Using '생각이 얕아지다' about someone else can be quite insulting. Use it carefully.

Word Pairing

Always pair it with '점점' (gradually) to sound more natural when describing a process.

Don't confuse with 얇아지다

The 'ㄹ' in 얇아지다 makes it 'thin'. The lack of 'ㄹ' in 얕아지다 makes it 'shallow'.

Linking Sound

Practice the link: 얕 + 아 = [야타]. This is a common pattern in Korean phonetics.

News Keywords

When you see '가뭄' (drought), expect to see '얕아지다' or '낮아지다' nearby.

Passive Nuance

-아지다 inherently has a passive feel. You don't need a passive marker.

Yacht Mnemonic

A Yacht needs deep water; if it's 얕아지다, the Yacht is in trouble!

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Yacht' (야트/얕) getting stuck because the water 'became shallow' (얕아지다).

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a ruler being pushed into water, but as time goes by, more and more of the ruler is visible above the surface.

Word Web

얕다 깊다 생각 지식 변화

Herausforderung

Try to use 얕아지다 to describe your energy level or your interest in a movie that is getting boring.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Middle Korean adjective '얕다' (shallow). The root '얕' has been used for centuries to describe lack of depth.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To be shallow or not deep.

Koreanic

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using this to describe a person's character directly, as it can be offensive.

English speakers often say 'getting shallow' or 'becoming superficial'. The Korean term covers both literal and metaphorical senses just like in English.

News reports on the Han River depth during droughts. Medical dramas describing a patient's 'shallow breathing' (호흡이 얕아지다). Self-help books warning about 'shallow thinking' (얕아지는 생각).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Nature/Weather

  • 가뭄으로 강물이 얕아지다
  • 썰물 때 바다가 얕아지다
  • 수심이 얕아지는 해변
  • 시냇물이 얕아지다

Sleep/Health

  • 잠이 얕아지다
  • 호흡이 얕아지다
  • 맥박이 얕아지다
  • 의식이 얕아지다

Intellect/Philosophy

  • 생각이 얕아지다
  • 지식이 얕아지다
  • 학문의 깊이가 얕아지다
  • 통찰력이 얕아지다

Social/Relationships

  • 관계가 얕아지다
  • 대화가 얕아지다
  • 우정이 얕아지다
  • 관심이 얕아지다

Construction/Physical objects

  • 구덩이가 얕아지다
  • 홈이 얕아지다
  • 그릇이 얕아지다
  • 상처가 얕아지다

Gesprächseinstiege

"요즘 잠이 얕아져서 자꾸 깨요."

"가뭄 때문에 강물이 너무 얕아진 것 같아요."

"현대 사회의 대화가 점점 얕아지고 있다고 생각하세요?"

"수영할 때 갑자기 물이 얕아지는 곳을 조심해야 해요."

"책을 안 읽으면 지식이 얕아지는 기분이 들어요."

Tagebuch-Impulse

최근에 당신의 잠이 얕아진 적이 있나요? 이유가 무엇이었나요?

강물이 얕아지는 것을 본 경험에 대해 써 보세요.

사람들 사이의 대화가 얕아지는 현상에 대해 어떻게 생각하나요?

어떤 취미에 대한 당신의 관심이 얕아진 적이 있나요?

생각이 얕아지지 않기 위해 당신은 어떤 노력을 하나요?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, for height decreasing, you should use '키가 작아지다' or '낮아지다' (if referring to a level).

Not necessarily. When describing a river becoming safe to cross, it is positive or neutral. However, for thoughts/feelings, it is usually negative.

The most direct opposite is '깊어지다' (to become deep).

Use '얼음이 얇아지다', not '얕아지다'.

Yes, '호흡이 얕아지다' is the standard way to say breathing is becoming shallow.

It is always 얕아지다. 얕아하다 is not a standard word.

No, use '줄어들다' or '바닥나다' for money.

It sounds like 't' and moves to the next syllable: [ya-ta-ji-da].

Yes, if you fill a hole with dirt, you can say '구덩이가 얕아졌다'.

It is generally considered A2 for literal meanings and B1/B2 for metaphorical meanings.

Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence: 'The water became shallow.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'My sleep became shallow because of the noise.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The river is gradually becoming shallower.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'Be careful as the water suddenly becomes shallow.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'His breathing became shallow.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'I hope the water becomes shallow soon.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The depth of the pool became shallow.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'Don't let your thoughts become shallow.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The knowledge of modern people is becoming shallow.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The relationship became shallow after the argument.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The sea is becoming shallow due to the tide.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'I woke up because my sleep was shallow.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The stream became shallow because it didn't rain.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The patient's breathing is becoming shallow.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The harbor depth became shallow due to sediment.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'Conversations are becoming shallower these days.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The pond water has become very shallow.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'If the water becomes shallow, we can cross.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'My interest in the hobby has become shallow.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence: 'The philosophical depth of the era is becoming shallow.'

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

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce: '얕아지다'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce: '얕아졌어요'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The water is getting shallow.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'My sleep became shallow.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Breathing became shallow.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Be careful of shallow water.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Thoughts are becoming shallow.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '수심이 얕아지다'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Since it didn't rain, the river became shallow.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I woke up because my sleep was shallow.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Don't let your knowledge become shallow.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The tide makes the water shallow.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The pool depth became shallow.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I observed the water becoming shallow.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Relationship is becoming shallow.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write the verb: '물이 점점 얕아지네요.'

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

Listen and write the noun: '잠이 얕아져서 힘들어요.'

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

Listen and write the reason: '가뭄 때문에 강물이 얕아졌다.'

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

Identify the tense: '얕아지고 있습니다.'

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

Listen and translate: '수심이 얕아지는 곳입니다.'

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

Listen and write the subject: '호흡이 얕아졌어요.'

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

Identify the ending: '얕아지니까 조심해.'

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

Listen and translate: '생각이 얕아지면 안 된다.'

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

Listen and write the adverb: '갑자기 물이 얕아졌다.'

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

Listen and translate: '지식이 얕아지는 것을 경계해라.'

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

Identify the word: [야타지다]

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

Listen and write the connector: '얕아져서 건넜어요.'

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

Listen and translate: '관계가 얕아졌다.'

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

Listen and write the object: '수심이 얕아지는 구간.'

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

Listen and identify the tone: '얕아집니다.'

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

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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