극복하다
극복하다 in 30 Sekunden
- Means 'to overcome' or 'to conquer' a difficulty.
- Used for abstract challenges like fear, illness, or economic crises.
- Implies active effort, resilience, and a positive resolution.
- Commonly paired with the object particle 을/를 (e.g., 위기를 극복하다).
- Literal Meaning
- To conquer and restore balance.
우리는 마침내 그 위기를 극복하다.
- Psychological Nuance
- Implies immense internal willpower and resilience.
두려움을 극복하다는 것은 용기가 필요하다.
가난을 극복하다 위해 열심히 일했다.
- Common Objects
- Stress, trauma, poverty, illness, crisis.
언어 장벽을 극복하다는 것은 큰 성취입니다.
모든 어려움을 극복하다고 믿습니다.
- Basic Structure
- [Noun]을/를 극복하다
그는 마침내 암을 극복하다고 발표했다.
- Past Tense Usage
- Used to describe a challenge that has already been successfully defeated.
우리는 작년의 경제 위기를 성공적으로 극복하다 (극복했습니다).
어떤 시련이 와도 반드시 극복하다 (극복해 낼 것입니다).
- Adverbial Collocations
- 슬기롭게, 성공적으로, 완전히
팀원들의 협력으로 문제를 슬기롭게 극복하다 (극복했습니다).
시간이 지나면 이 슬픔도 자연스럽게 극복하다 (극복될 것입니다).
- News and Media
- Used to describe national or global crises being resolved.
정부는 현재의 경제 위기를 극복하다 위해 새로운 정책을 발표했습니다.
- Self-Help Contexts
- Focuses on personal growth, mental health, and breaking bad habits.
자신의 콤플렉스를 극복하다는 것은 진정한 자아를 찾는 과정입니다.
심각한 부상을 극복하다고 마침내 금메달을 목에 걸었습니다.
- Business Environment
- Used for market challenges, deficits, and corporate strategy.
우리 회사는 매출 감소라는 큰 산을 극복하다 (극복해야 합니다).
너라면 이 힘든 시기를 충분히 극복하다 (극복할 수 있을 거야).
- Mistake 1: Using it for competitions
- Do not use 극복하다 for winning games or sports matches.
Incorrect: 상대 팀을 극복하다. (Correct: 상대 팀을 이기다.)
- Mistake 2: Using it for simple problems
- Do not use it for math problems or simple daily tasks.
Incorrect: 컴퓨터 오류를 극복하다. (Correct: 컴퓨터 오류를 해결하다.)
- Mistake 3: Confusing with endurance
- Enduring (참다) is passive; overcoming (극복하다) is an active victory.
고통을 참는 것과 고통을 극복하다는 것은 완전히 다른 이야기입니다.
Incorrect: 위기가 극복하다. (Correct: 위기가 극복되다.)
올바른 문법을 사용하여 실수를 극복하다 (극복합시다).
- 이겨내다 (To win through / endure and overcome)
- More emotional and colloquial; emphasizes the struggle and ultimate victory.
그는 긴 투병 생활을 끝내 극복하다 (이겨냈습니다).
- 헤쳐나가다 (To navigate/push through)
- Focuses on the ongoing process of moving forward despite obstacles.
우리는 이 험난한 세상을 함께 극복하다 (헤쳐나가야 합니다).
- 타개하다 (To break through / resolve a deadlock)
- Highly formal; used for breaking through economic or diplomatic deadlocks.
정부는 수출 부진 상황을 극복하다 (타개하기) 위해 노력 중이다.
자신의 한계를 극복하다 (뛰어넘는) 선수가 되기를 바랍니다.
세대 차이를 극복하다 (뛰어넘어) 소통하는 것이 중요합니다.
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
-기 위해 (In order to) - Often used to state the purpose of overcoming.
-아/어 냈다 (Achieved after a struggle) - Highly collocated as 극복해 냈다.
-을 수 있다 (Can) - Used to express the ability to overcome.
Passive voice (이/가 되다) - 문제가 극복되다.
-음에도 불구하고 (Despite) - Overcoming despite something.
Beispiele nach Niveau
힘든 일을 극복해요.
I overcome hard things.
Basic present tense polite form.
우리는 극복할 수 있어요.
We can overcome it.
Using -ㄹ 수 있다 (can).
슬픔을 극복했어요.
I overcame sadness.
Past tense polite form.
감기를 극복했습니다.
I overcame the cold.
Formal past tense.
문제를 극복해.
Overcome the problem.
Informal present tense (반말).
같이 극복합시다.
Let's overcome it together.
Formal suggestive form (-ㅂ시다).
두려움을 극복해요.
I overcome fear.
Object particle 을 used with fear.
빨리 극복하고 싶어요.
I want to overcome it quickly.
Using -고 싶다 (want to).
저는 발표의 두려움을 극복했어요.
I overcame my fear of presentations.
Using a specific noun phrase as the object.
피로를 극복하기 위해 잠을 많이 잤어요.
I slept a lot to overcome fatigue.
Using -기 위해 (in order to).
이 어려운 시기를 극복할 거예요.
I will overcome this difficult time.
Future tense -ㄹ 거예요.
스트레스를 극복하는 방법을 알려주세요.
Please tell me how to overcome stress.
Modifying a noun with -는 방법 (way to).
운동으로 우울증을 극복했습니다.
I overcame depression through exercise.
Using (으)로 to indicate method.
가족의 사랑으로 병을 극복했어요.
I overcame the illness with my family's love.
Noun + 의 (possessive) and (으)로.
단점을 극복하려고 노력 중입니다.
I am trying to overcome my weaknesses.
Using -(으)려고 노력하다 (trying to).
나쁜 습관을 극복하기가 참 어려워요.
It is very hard to overcome bad habits.
Using -기가 어렵다 (it is hard to).
자신감을 가지고 이 위기를 극복해 봅시다.
Let's have confidence and try to overcome this crisis.
Using -아/어 보다 (try doing) in suggestive form.
그는 가난을 극복하고 훌륭한 의사가 되었습니다.
He overcame poverty and became a great doctor.
Connecting clauses with -고 (and then).
서로 도와준다면 어떤 어려움도 극복할 수 있을 것입니다.
If we help each other, we will be able to overcome any difficulty.
Conditional -ㄴ/는다면 and 어떤 ~도 (any).
언어 장벽을 극복하는 것은 유학 생활에서 가장 중요합니다.
Overcoming the language barrier is the most important thing in studying abroad.
Using -는 것 to turn the verb phrase into a noun subject.
실패를 두려워하지 말고 그것을 극복하는 법을 배워야 해.
Don't be afraid of failure, you must learn how to overcome it.
Using -지 말고 (don't do this, but) and -아/어야 하다 (must).
많은 사람들이 경제적 어려움을 극복하기 위해 투잡을 뛰고 있다.
Many people are working two jobs to overcome economic difficulties.
Present progressive -고 있다.
과거의 상처를 완전히 극복하는 데에는 오랜 시간이 걸린다.
It takes a long time to completely overcome past wounds.
Using -는 데(에) 시간이 걸리다 (takes time to).
우리는 기술적 한계를 극복해 내고 새로운 제품을 개발했습니다.
We overcame the technical limitations and developed a new product.
Using the emphatic auxiliary verb -아/어 내다.
정부는 현재의 인플레이션 위기를 슬기롭게 극복하기 위한 대책을 마련 중이다.
The government is preparing measures to wisely overcome the current inflation crisis.
Formal vocabulary and -기 위한 (for the purpose of).
양극화 현상을 극복하지 못하면 사회적 갈등은 더욱 심화될 것입니다.
If we cannot overcome polarization, social conflict will deepen further.
Using -지 못하면 (if unable to) and formal future tense.
그 기업은 혁신적인 마케팅 전략으로 매출 감소라는 난관을 극복해 냈다.
The company overcame the hurdle of declining sales with an innovative marketing strategy.
Using 이라는 (called/known as) to define the obstacle.
세대 간의 소통 부재를 극복하는 것이 우리 사회의 당면 과제입니다.
Overcoming the lack of communication between generations is our society's immediate task.
Advanced vocabulary (당면 과제, 소통 부재).
개인의 의지뿐만 아니라 사회적 지원이 있어야만 이 재난을 극복할 수 있다.
Only with social support as well as individual will can we overcome this disaster.
Using -뿐만 아니라 (not only) and -아/어야만 (only if).
역사적 트라우마가 완전히 극복되기 위해서는 진정성 있는 사과가 선행되어야 한다.
For historical trauma to be completely overcome, a sincere apology must precede.
Passive form 극복되다 and -기 위해서는 (in order for).
편견과 차별을 극복한 그녀의 이야기는 많은 이들에게 깊은 감동을 주었다.
Her story of overcoming prejudice and discrimination deeply moved many people.
Modifying a noun with the past tense verb (-ㄴ/은).
기후 변화라는 전 지구적 위기를 극복하기 위해 국제사회의 공조가 절실하다.
International cooperation is desperately needed to overcome the global crisis of climate change.
High-level vocabulary (전 지구적, 공조, 절실하다).
이러한 구조적 모순을 극복함에 있어 가장 큰 걸림돌은 기득권층의 저항이다.
In overcoming these structural contradictions, the biggest stumbling block is the resistance of the vested interests.
Using -음/기(에) 있어 (in doing/regarding).
단순히 위기를 모면하는 것을 넘어, 이를 근본적으로 극복할 수 있는 패러다임의 전환이 요구된다.
Beyond simply evading the crisis, a paradigm shift capable of fundamentally overcoming it is required.
Using -는 것을 넘어 (beyond doing) and passive 요구된다.
인간은 끊임없이 자신의 한계 상황에 직면하고 이를 극복해 나가는 실존적 존재이다.
Human beings are existential entities that constantly face their limit situations and continue to overcome them.
Philosophical vocabulary and -아/어 나가다 (continue to do).
그 소설은 억압적인 체제를 극복하려는 민중의 처절한 투쟁을 생생하게 묘사하고 있다.
The novel vividly depicts the desperate struggle of the people trying to overcome an oppressive regime.
Using -(으)려는 (intending to) and descriptive adverbs.
지역 이기주의를 극복하지 않고서는 국가 균형 발전을 이룩하기 요원하다.
Without overcoming regional egoism, achieving balanced national development is a distant hope.
Using -지 않고서는 (without doing) and 요원하다 (distant/unlikely).
외환위기 당시 온 국민이 금 모으기 운동에 동참하여 국난을 극복했던 경험은 우리 민족의 자산이다.
The experience of the entire nation participating in the gold-collecting campaign to overcome the national crisis during the financial crisis is our people's asset.
Complex sentence structure modifying 'experience'.
기술적 한계가 극복됨에 따라, 이전에는 상상조차 할 수 없었던 우주 탐사가 현실화되고 있다.
As technical limitations are overcome, space exploration that was previously unimaginable is becoming a reality.
Passive form with -음에 따라 (as/in accordance with).
그의 철학은 허무주의를 극복하고 삶의 의미를 적극적으로 창조해 내는 데 방점이 찍혀 있다.
His philosophy places its emphasis on overcoming nihilism and actively creating the meaning of life.
Using -는 데 방점이 찍혀 있다 (the emphasis is placed on).
인류가 당면한 생태적 위기를 극복하기 위해서는 인간 중심주의적 세계관 자체를 해체해야 한다는 주장이 대두되고 있다.
The argument is emerging that in order to overcome the ecological crisis facing humanity, the anthropocentric worldview itself must be dismantled.
Highly academic vocabulary and complex embedded clauses.
그 시인의 후기 작품들은 개인적 비애를 넘어 시대의 아픔을 보편적 인류애로 극복 승화시킨 절창으로 평가받는다.
The poet's later works are evaluated as masterpieces that sublimated and overcame the pain of the era into universal humanity, beyond personal sorrow.
Using compound concepts (극복 승화시키다) and literary terms.
자본주의의 내재적 모순이 극복 불가능한 임계점에 달했다는 비관론과, 기술 혁신을 통해 새로운 돌파구를 마련할 수 있다는 낙관론이 팽팽히 맞서고 있다.
Pessimism that capitalism's inherent contradictions have reached an insurmountable critical point and optimism that a new breakthrough can be made through technological innovation are in tight opposition.
Using 극복 불가능한 (impossible to overcome) as an adjective phrase.
이념적 양극화를 극복하기 위한 정치권의 수사적 노력에도 불구하고, 실질적인 협치 메커니즘의 부재는 여전히 뼈아픈 대목이다.
Despite the political sphere's rhetorical efforts to overcome ideological polarization, the absence of a practical governance mechanism remains a painfully acute point.
Advanced formal vocabulary (수사적, 협치, 뼈아픈 대목).
과거의 성공 방정식에 매몰된 조직 문화를 타파하고 환골탈태의 혁신을 이루어내지 못한다면, 작금의 경영 위기를 극복하기란 연목구어에 불과하다.
If we do not break down the organizational culture buried in past success formulas and achieve bone-crushing innovation, overcoming the current management crisis is nothing but seeking fish in a tree.
Using four-character idioms (사자성어: 환골탈태, 연목구어).
그 예술가는 자신의 신체적 장애를 단순한 결핍이 아닌 독창적 예술 세계를 구축하기 위한 동력으로 삼아 마침내 한계를 극복해 낸 입지전적인 인물이다.
The artist is a self-made figure who finally overcame his limitations by using his physical disability not as a mere deficiency but as a driving force to build an original artistic world.
Complex descriptive phrasing (입지전적인 인물).
팬데믹이 초래한 단절과 고립의 위기를 연대와 협력의 정신으로 극복해 낸 경험은 향후 인류가 나아갈 방향을 제시하는 중요한 이정표가 될 것이다.
The experience of overcoming the crisis of disconnection and isolation caused by the pandemic with the spirit of solidarity and cooperation will be an important milestone indicating the direction humanity should take in the future.
Long, flowing academic sentence structure.
언어의 한계가 곧 세계의 한계라는 비트겐슈타인의 명제를 빌리자면, 새로운 어휘의 획득은 곧 인식의 지평을 넓히고 기존의 사유 체계를 극복하는 과정이라 할 수 있다.
Borrowing Wittgenstein's proposition that the limits of language are the limits of the world, acquiring new vocabulary can be said to be the process of broadening the horizon of perception and overcoming the existing system of thought.
Philosophical citation and abstract conceptualization.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
Carries a heavy, positive, and resilient nuance. It is not for trivial matters.
Highly frequent in news, literature, and formal speech; moderately frequent in daily conversation.
In very casual speech, people might just say '이겨냈어' (I beat it/endured it) instead of '극복했어'.
- Using 극복하다 to mean 'winning a game'.
- Pronouncing it exactly as spelled (극-복-하-다).
- Using subject particles (이/가) with the active verb.
- Using it for simple, logical problems like math.
- Confusing it with 참다 (to endure).
Tipps
Always use 을/를
Never forget that 극복하다 is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object. Always attach 을 or 를 to the hardship you are facing. For example, '가난을 극복하다' is correct, not '가난이 극복하다'.
Master the sound changes
Do not pronounce it as geuk-bok-ha-da. The correct phonetic pronunciation is [극뽀카다]. The tensification of the middle syllable and the aspiration of the final syllable are crucial for sounding like a native speaker.
Pair with negative nouns
Only use this verb with things you want to get rid of. Words like 스트레스 (stress), 위기 (crisis), 두려움 (fear), and 병 (illness) are perfect matches. Do not use it with positive or neutral words.
Don't use for sports
If you are talking about winning a soccer game or beating an opponent in a competition, use 이기다. 극복하다 sounds too dramatic and incorrect for literal games. Save it for life's real hurdles.
Use the passive in essays
When writing formal essays or reports, the passive form 극복되다 sounds much more professional and objective. '문제가 극복되었다' (The problem was overcome) is better than '우리가 문제를 극복했다' in academic contexts.
Add '내다' for emphasis
If you want to emphasize how hard the struggle was and how great the victory is, change it to 극복해 냈다. It shows that you pushed through until the very end and achieved the result.
Learn the adverbs
Native speakers frequently pair this verb with specific adverbs. Memorize '슬기롭게 극복하다' (wisely overcome) and '성공적으로 극복하다' (successfully overcome). These combinations will make your Korean sound highly advanced.
Understand the historical weight
Koreans often use this word when talking about national history, like the IMF crisis or the Korean War. Recognizing this will help you understand the deep emotional resonance the word has in political and social discussions.
Mix it up with 이겨내다
If you are having a casual conversation with a friend about a personal struggle, you can use 이겨내다 instead. It feels a bit warmer and less formal than 극복하다, while meaning exactly the same thing.
Use it to cheer people up
It is a great word for giving advice or encouragement. Saying '너는 극복할 수 있어!' (You can overcome it!) is a powerful way to support a Korean friend who is going through a tough time.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a 'COOK' (극) who 'POKES' (복) a tough piece of meat until it is tender. He OVERCAME the tough meat! Geuk-bok-ha-da.
Wortherkunft
Sino-Korean (Hanja)
Kultureller Kontext
Do not use it to describe overcoming a person in a competitive sense (use 이기다 instead), as it sounds unnatural and overly dramatic.
Can be used in all levels of politeness. It is inherently a respectful and positive word.
Rarely used as slang; it maintains a relatively formal and serious tone even in casual speech.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"지금까지 살면서 가장 힘들었던 순간을 어떻게 극복하셨나요?"
"스트레스를 극복하는 자신만의 특별한 방법이 있나요?"
"외국어 학습의 슬럼프를 극복해 본 적이 있습니까?"
"우리 사회가 당면한 가장 큰 문제를 어떻게 극복해야 할까요?"
"두려움을 극복하고 새로운 도전을 해본 경험을 이야기해 주세요."
Tagebuch-Impulse
Write about a time you overcame a significant fear.
Describe a bad habit you want to overcome and your plan to do it.
Reflect on a historical event where your country overcame a major crisis.
How do you usually overcome feelings of sadness or depression?
Write a letter of encouragement to yourself to overcome a current struggle.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, that would sound very strange to a native speaker. 극복하다 is used for overcoming abstract hardships, difficulties, or crises. For winning a game, a sports match, or a competition, you should use the verb 이기다. Using 극복하다 for a video game makes it sound like the game was a severe life trauma. Save this word for serious challenges.
해결하다 means 'to solve' or 'to resolve', and is typically used for logical problems, technical issues, or conflicts that require a practical solution. 극복하다 means 'to overcome' and carries an emotional weight, implying a struggle against a hardship, weakness, or crisis. You solve (해결하다) a math problem, but you overcome (극복하다) poverty. While both result in a problem going away, the nuance of struggle is unique to 극복하다.
Due to Korean pronunciation rules, it is not pronounced exactly as it is spelled. The 'ㄱ' at the end of '극' makes the following 'ㅂ' tense, sounding like 'ㅃ' (뽀). Then, the 'ㄱ' at the end of '복' merges with the 'ㅎ' in '하다', creating an aspirated 'ㅋ' (카) sound. Therefore, the natural pronunciation is [극뽀카다] (geuk-ppo-ka-da). Practicing this specific pronunciation will make you sound much more fluent.
It is a Sino-Korean word, which generally gives it a slightly more formal and educated tone compared to pure Korean verbs. However, it is perfectly acceptable and common to use it in everyday conversation when discussing serious personal matters, like overcoming a fear or an illness. In highly casual settings, people might prefer '이겨내다', but '극복하다' is never considered inappropriately formal for discussing real hardships.
Yes, the passive form is 극복되다. This is very commonly used in news reports, academic writing, and formal presentations where the focus is on the problem being resolved rather than the person who resolved it. For example, '경제 위기가 극복되었다' means 'The economic crisis was overcome'. Remember to use the subject particle 이/가 instead of 을/를 when using the passive form.
Because it is a transitive verb (an action done to something), you must use the object particles 을 or 를. The noun preceding the particle is the challenge or difficulty you are facing. For example, 스트레스(를) 극복하다 (to overcome stress) or 위기(를) 극복하다 (to overcome a crisis). If you use the passive form (극복되다), you switch to the subject particles 이 or 가.
No, this is grammatically possible but semantically incorrect. The object of 극복하다 must be something negative, challenging, or undesirable. You overcome obstacles, fears, poverty, and illness. Happiness is a positive state, so you do not overcome it; you enjoy it or pursue it. Always pair this verb with a negative noun.
Adding '내다' to the end of an action verb emphasizes that the action was completed successfully after a significant amount of effort or struggle. Therefore, '극복해 내다' means to successfully overcome something despite it being very difficult. It adds a strong sense of achievement and finality to the sentence. It is highly recommended to use this form when praising someone's resilience.
While 극복하다 itself is not an idiom, it is closely related to several four-character idioms (Sajaseongeo) that share the same theme. For example, '칠전팔기' (falling seven times, standing up eight) perfectly encapsulates the spirit of 극복하다. Another is '전화위복' (turning misfortune into a blessing), which often happens after one successfully overcomes a crisis. Knowing these idioms will boost your advanced vocabulary.
You will hear it very frequently, especially if you watch the news, read newspapers, or listen to motivational content. Korea has a culture that highly values resilience and collective effort in the face of adversity, so the concept of 'overcoming' is a recurring theme in public discourse. Even in daily life, it is commonly used to encourage friends facing exams, job hunting, or personal issues.
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Summary
The verb 극복하다 is your go-to word for expressing triumph over adversity. Whether it is a personal struggle like overcoming a bad habit or a massive societal issue like an economic crisis, using this word shows resilience, effort, and ultimate victory.
- Means 'to overcome' or 'to conquer' a difficulty.
- Used for abstract challenges like fear, illness, or economic crises.
- Implies active effort, resilience, and a positive resolution.
- Commonly paired with the object particle 을/를 (e.g., 위기를 극복하다).
Always use 을/를
Never forget that 극복하다 is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object. Always attach 을 or 를 to the hardship you are facing. For example, '가난을 극복하다' is correct, not '가난이 극복하다'.
Master the sound changes
Do not pronounce it as geuk-bok-ha-da. The correct phonetic pronunciation is [극뽀카다]. The tensification of the middle syllable and the aspiration of the final syllable are crucial for sounding like a native speaker.
Pair with negative nouns
Only use this verb with things you want to get rid of. Words like 스트레스 (stress), 위기 (crisis), 두려움 (fear), and 병 (illness) are perfect matches. Do not use it with positive or neutral words.
Don't use for sports
If you are talking about winning a soccer game or beating an opponent in a competition, use 이기다. 극복하다 sounds too dramatic and incorrect for literal games. Save it for life's real hurdles.
Beispiel
그녀는 많은 어려움을 극복하고 마침내 성공했습니다.
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