수정하다

The Korean verb 수정하다 (sujeonghada) is a formal and widely used vocabulary word that translates to 'to revise,' 'to modify,' or 'to correct.' It is derived from the Hanja (Chinese characters) 修 (수 - to study, repair, or cultivate) and 正 (정 - right, correct, or proper). When combined, the literal meaning is 'to make something right' or 'to cultivate correctness.' In contemporary Korean, this word is predominantly used in contexts where an existing plan, document, schedule, or piece of work needs to be altered to improve its accuracy, update its contents, or fix errors. Unlike the verb 고치다 (gochida), which can be used for physical repairs like fixing a broken television or a torn shirt, 수정하다 is almost exclusively reserved for abstract, written, or conceptual modifications. This distinction is crucial for learners aiming for a B2 level, as using the correct verb dictates the naturalness of the sentence. Understanding the nuances of 수정하다 opens up a significant portion of professional and academic Korean, allowing learners to navigate office environments, university settings, and formal correspondence with ease.

Hanja Breakdown

修 (수): To repair, to cultivate. 正 (정): Right, correct. Together: To make right.

When you use 수정하다, you are implying that there is already a baseline or a draft in existence. You cannot 'sujeong' something from scratch; you must have a foundation that requires tweaking. For example, if you write an essay and your teacher finds grammatical mistakes, you will need to '수정하다' the essay. If a company sets a meeting for 3 PM but the CEO is delayed, the secretary will '수정하다' the schedule to 4 PM. This implies a deliberate, thoughtful process of alteration aimed at optimization or correction. The word carries a tone of professionalism and objectivity. In casual conversations, native speakers might simply use 바꾸다 (to change) or 고치다 (to fix), but in any setting that requires a degree of formality—such as news broadcasts, business emails, academic papers, or official announcements—수정하다 is the preferred choice.

Synonym Comparison

수정하다 vs. 고치다: 고치다 is broader and includes physical repairs. 수정하다 is for texts, plans, and data.

Furthermore, the concept of 수정 extends into various specialized fields. In IT and software development, developers '수정하다' code to fix bugs or add features. In the publishing industry, editors ask authors to '수정하다' their manuscripts. In the realm of law and politics, legislators '수정하다' bills and laws before they are passed. This versatility makes it an indispensable word for anyone looking to work or study in South Korea. The passive form, 수정되다 (to be revised/modified), is equally important and frequently appears in official notices, such as 'The flight schedule has been modified' (비행 일정이 수정되었습니다). Mastering both the active and passive forms will significantly enhance your reading and listening comprehension in formal contexts.

Passive Form

수정되다 (sujeongdoeda) - To be revised, to be modified.

To fully grasp '수정하다', one must also understand its collocations. It frequently pairs with nouns like 계획 (plan), 일정 (schedule), 문서 (document), 보고서 (report), 원고 (manuscript), and 법안 (bill). You will rarely hear it paired with words related to emotions, physical appearance, or tangible goods. For instance, you wouldn't say you are going to '수정하다' your hairstyle; you would use 바꾸다 (change) or 머리를 하다 (do one's hair). By restricting the use of 수정하다 to its proper domain of abstract, informational, and structural entities, learners can avoid awkward phrasing and sound much more like educated native speakers. The word is a cornerstone of the B2 vocabulary, bridging the gap between everyday survival Korean and advanced, professional fluency.

Using 수정하다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior as a standard 하다 verb in Korean. Because it is a transitive verb, it requires an object, which is marked by the object particles 을/를. The basic sentence structure follows the Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order typical of Korean: [Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 수정하다. For example, '제가 보고서를 수정했습니다' (I revised the report). The conjugation of 수정하다 follows regular patterns, making it relatively easy to manipulate once you know the basics. In the present tense, it becomes 수정해요 (polite) or 수정합니다 (formal). In the past tense, it is 수정했어요 or 수정했습니다. In the future tense, it takes the form 수정할 거예요 or 수정하겠습니다. The formal future tense (수정하겠습니다) is particularly common in business environments when an employee is promising a superior or a client that they will make the requested changes to a document or project.

Basic Conjugation

Present: 수정해요 / 수정합니다. Past: 수정했어요 / 수정했습니다. Future: 수정할 거예요 / 수정하겠습니다.

A critical aspect of using this word is mastering its passive counterpart, 수정되다. In Korean, the passive voice is frequently used when the focus is on the action or the result rather than the person performing the action. This is especially true in formal announcements, system notifications, and news reports. For instance, instead of saying 'The manager changed the schedule,' a company notice will likely say 'The schedule has been changed' (일정이 수정되었습니다). The object particle 을/를 changes to the subject particle 이/가 when using the passive form. So, '계획을 수정하다' (to modify the plan) becomes '계획이 수정되다' (the plan is modified). Recognizing and producing this shift in particles is a key competency for B2 learners.

Active vs. Passive

Active: [Noun]을/를 수정하다. Passive: [Noun]이/가 수정되다.

Another common grammatical structure used with 수정하다 is the request form. When asking someone to make a revision, you would use the ~아/어 주다 grammar pattern. '수정해 주세요' (Please revise it) is the standard polite request. In more formal or deferential situations, such as emailing a client or a professor, you would elevate this to '수정해 주시겠습니까?' (Would you please revise it?) or '수정 부탁드립니다' (I request a revision). The noun form '수정' can also be combined with other verbs, such as '수정을 요구하다' (to demand a revision) or '수정을 거치다' (to go through a revision). These combinations are highly prevalent in academic writing and professional correspondence, adding a layer of sophistication to your Korean.

Request Forms

Standard: 수정해 주세요. Formal: 수정 부탁드립니다.

Adverbs play a significant role in modifying the verb 수정하다 to provide more context about the nature of the change. If a document only needs minor tweaks, you would say '조금 수정하다' (to revise a little) or '부분적으로 수정하다' (to revise partially). If a complete overhaul is required, '전면적으로 수정하다' (to revise entirely) or '대폭 수정하다' (to revise drastically) are the appropriate phrases. Understanding how to pair these adverbs with 수정하다 allows learners to communicate precise instructions and feedback. Furthermore, the verb can be used in nominalized forms using ~기 or ~는 것, such as '계획을 수정하는 것은 어렵습니다' (Modifying the plan is difficult). This flexibility makes 수정하다 a highly productive verb in intermediate to advanced Korean discourse.

The verb 수정하다 is ubiquitous in modern South Korean society, particularly in environments that prioritize organization, documentation, and formal communication. The most prominent setting where you will encounter this word is the corporate workplace. In Korean business culture, which heavily relies on reports, proposals, and hierarchical approval processes (결재), documents rarely pass on the first try. Superiors will frequently instruct their subordinates to '수정하다' a report. You will hear phrases like '김 대리, 이 기획안 다시 수정해 오세요' (Assistant Manager Kim, please revise this proposal and bring it back). Email correspondence is another major domain for this word. When sending an updated file, a professional might write, '요청하신 대로 내용을 수정하여 첨부합니다' (I have revised the contents as requested and attached the file). The ability to comprehend and use 수정하다 in these contexts is absolutely essential for anyone working in a Korean company.

Business Context

Used constantly for reports (보고서), proposals (기획안), and contracts (계약서).

Another significant area where 수정하다 is frequently used is in academia and education. University students and professors use this word when discussing essays, theses, and research papers. A professor might leave feedback on a student's draft saying, '서론 부분을 수정할 필요가 있습니다' (The introduction needs to be revised). During peer reviews or study groups, students will talk about '수정하는 중' (in the middle of revising). Furthermore, in the publishing and media industries, the editing process is heavily reliant on this concept. Editors ask writers to '원고를 수정하다' (revise the manuscript), and journalists '기사를 수정하다' (correct the article) if a factual error is discovered after publication. The word implies a standard of quality that must be met through careful review and alteration.

Academic Context

Used for essays (논문), assignments (과제), and drafts (초안).

The digital and technological landscape is yet another domain where 수정하다 is inescapable. In software development, programmers '코드를 수정하다' (modify the code) to fix bugs or optimize performance. On websites, apps, and social media platforms, the 'Edit' button is almost universally labeled as '수정'. If you post a comment on a Korean blog or forum and want to change it, you will click the '수정' button. If you are updating your personal information on a shopping website, you will go to '회원정보 수정' (Modify Member Information). This digital prevalence means that even learners who do not work in formal Korean environments will interact with this word regularly when navigating the Korean internet, using Korean apps, or playing Korean video games.

Digital Context

Used for editing posts (게시글), comments (댓글), and personal info (개인정보).

Finally, you will hear 수정하다 in everyday administrative and logistical situations. If you make a reservation at a restaurant or a hotel and need to change the time or the number of guests, you would call and say '예약 내용을 수정하고 싶은데요' (I would like to modify my reservation details). While '바꾸다' (to change) is also acceptable here, '수정하다' sounds more polite and precise, especially when dealing with formal establishments. In news broadcasts, anchors use the passive form to announce changes in government policies, weather forecasts, or public transportation schedules. '태풍의 영향으로 열차 운행 시간이 수정되었습니다' (Train operation times have been modified due to the typhoon). Its wide-ranging applicability across business, academia, technology, and daily administration makes it a high-frequency, high-utility word.

One of the most frequent mistakes Korean learners make with 수정하다 is confusing it with other verbs that mean 'to fix' or 'to change,' particularly 고치다 and 바꾸다. Because English often uses 'fix' or 'change' interchangeably for both physical objects and abstract concepts, learners tend to map '수정하다' directly onto these English words without considering the semantic boundaries in Korean. The golden rule is that 수정하다 is almost exclusively used for abstract, written, planned, or digital things. You cannot use 수정하다 for physical objects that are broken. For example, if your smartphone screen is cracked, saying '스마트폰을 수정했어요' (I revised my smartphone) is entirely incorrect and will sound very strange to a native speaker. The correct verb for repairing a physical object is 고치다 (to fix) or 수리하다 (to repair). 수정하다 implies altering the content, structure, or parameters of something, not restoring a physical item to its working condition.

Mistake 1: Physical Repairs

Incorrect: 컴퓨터를 수정하다. Correct: 컴퓨터를 고치다/수리하다.

Another common error involves using 수정하다 when exchanging one item for another entirely different item. The verb 바꾸다 (to change, to exchange) is the appropriate choice in these scenarios. For instance, if you buy a shirt at a store, realize it is the wrong size, and go back to exchange it for a larger one, you cannot say '옷을 수정해 주세요' (Please revise the clothes). This would imply you want the tailor to alter the physical fabric of the shirt (which would actually be 수선하다). To exchange the item, you must say '옷을 바꿔 주세요' (Please exchange the clothes). 수정하다 implies keeping the original entity but tweaking its internal details, whereas 바꾸다 often implies a complete swap or a fundamental change in state. Understanding this distinction prevents awkward situations in retail and daily life.

Mistake 2: Exchanging Items

Incorrect: 상품을 수정하다. Correct: 상품을 바꾸다/교환하다.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the register and tone of 수정하다. While it is not exclusively a formal word, it carries a slightly academic or professional weight. Using it in highly casual, intimate conversations can sometimes sound overly stiff or unnatural. For example, if you are texting a close friend about changing the time you are going to meet for coffee, saying '우리 약속 시간을 수정하자' (Let's revise our appointment time) sounds like a business memo. A native speaker would more naturally say '우리 만나는 시간 바꾸자' (Let's change our meeting time). While the former is grammatically correct and perfectly understandable, mastering the pragmatics of Korean requires knowing when to drop the formal Hanja-based vocabulary in favor of native Korean verbs like 바꾸다 or 고치다 for a friendlier, more natural tone.

Mistake 3: Overly Formal Tone

Using 수정하다 with close friends for simple changes instead of 바꾸다.

Finally, a grammatical mistake often seen at the intermediate level is the incorrect use of particles with the passive form 수정되다. Because English speakers are used to saying 'I revised the document' and 'The document was revised' with the same word order in their heads, they sometimes say '문서를 수정되었습니다' (using the object particle 을/를 with the passive verb). This is grammatically incorrect in Korean. When the verb becomes passive (수정되다), the object becomes the subject, and must take the subject particles 이/가 or the topic particles 은/는. The correct sentence is '문서가 수정되었습니다' (The document was revised). Drilling the active/passive particle shift is essential for mastering not just 수정하다, but all ~하다/~되다 verb pairs in the Korean language.

The Korean language has a rich vocabulary for expressing concepts of change, repair, and modification. Understanding the subtle differences between 수정하다 and its synonyms is a hallmark of advanced proficiency. The most common synonym, which we have already contrasted, is 고치다 (gochida). 고치다 is a native Korean word that broadly means 'to fix,' 'to repair,' or 'to cure.' It is much more versatile than 수정하다. You can 고치다 a broken watch, a bad habit, a disease, or a typo in a text. When it comes to written documents or plans, 고치다 and 수정하다 can often be used interchangeably. For instance, '글을 고치다' and '글을 수정하다' both mean to revise a piece of writing. However, 수정하다 sounds more formal and professional, making it the preferred choice in academic and business settings, while 고치다 is perfectly acceptable in both formal and casual contexts but carries a slightly less elevated tone.

고치다 (To fix, to cure, to correct)

Broader than 수정하다. Can be used for physical objects, habits, illnesses, and texts.

Another highly relevant synonym is 변경하다 (byeongyeonghada). This Hanja-based word translates to 'to change' or 'to alter.' While 수정하다 implies making a correction or an improvement to an existing thing, 변경하다 simply means changing from one state, time, or condition to another, without necessarily implying that the original was 'wrong' or 'flawed.' For example, if you change your flight date from Monday to Tuesday because your plans changed, you would use '일정을 변경하다' (to change the schedule). If you change the schedule because you made a mistake in the original booking, '일정을 수정하다' (to correct the schedule) might be more appropriate. In administrative contexts, such as changing a password or an address, 변경하다 is very frequently used alongside 수정하다.

변경하다 (To change, to alter)

Focuses on the act of changing from A to B, not necessarily fixing an error.

When dealing specifically with texts and publishing, 교정하다 (gyojeonghada) is a more specialized synonym. 교정하다 means 'to proofread' or 'to correct (errors in a text).' It is narrower in scope than 수정하다. While 수정하다 can mean rewriting entire paragraphs or changing the plot of a story, 교정하다 strictly refers to fixing typographical, grammatical, or spelling errors. A proofreader's job is 교정, while an author or editor might do the broader 수정. Additionally, 교정하다 has a secondary meaning in the medical and physical realm: to correct a physical deformity or alignment, such as '치아를 교정하다' (to get braces / correct teeth) or '자세를 교정하다' (to correct one's posture). You cannot use 수정하다 for teeth or posture.

교정하다 (To proofread, to correct alignment)

Used for fixing typos in texts, or correcting physical alignment (teeth, posture).

Lastly, 바꾸다 (bakkuda) is the most basic, everyday native Korean verb for 'to change' or 'to exchange.' It is the most encompassing word of the group. You can 바꾸다 your clothes, your mind, your phone, or your schedule. As mentioned in the common mistakes section, 바꾸다 is often the better choice in casual conversation to avoid sounding too stiff. While '계획을 수정하다' (revise the plan) and '계획을 바꾸다' (change the plan) can describe the same action, the former sounds like a formal business meeting, and the latter sounds like friends deciding to go to a movie instead of a park. Mastering this spectrum of vocabulary—from the casual 바꾸다 to the versatile 고치다, the formal 변경하다, the specific 교정하다, and the professional 수정하다—will give your Korean immense precision and natural fluency.