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B1 verb #8,500 am häufigsten 8 Min. Lesezeit

소멸하다

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At the A1 level, '소멸하다' is a very difficult word that you usually won't need. It means something 'goes away' completely. Think of it like a magic trick where something doesn't just hide, but it is gone forever. You might see it on a phone app if your points are going to disappear. For now, just remember that it is a very formal way to say 'disappear' or 'finish.' You should use '사라지다' or '없어요' instead for daily things like your pencil or your friend. This word is mostly for big things like stars in the sky or rules in a book. If you see it, just think 'it's gone forever.'

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At the A2 level, you can start to recognize '소멸하다' in formal settings. It is often used for things that have a 'deadline.' For example, if you have gift cards or points, they have a date when they '소멸' (expire). It is different from '사라지다' because '사라지다' is usually about something you can see with your eyes, like a bird flying away. '소멸하다' is about things that exist as a rule or a state. You might hear it on the news when a big storm or typhoon gets weak and finally stops. It is a good word to know if you are looking at your bank account or a contract in Korea.

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At the B1 level, you should understand the specific nuances of '소멸하다.' This verb is used to describe the extinction of species, the expiration of legal rights, and the dissipation of natural phenomena like typhoons. It is a Hanja-based word (消滅), where '소' means to disappear and '멸' means to perish. You will see this word frequently in news articles about the environment (species extinction) and the economy (points or debts disappearing). It is an intransitive verb, so you use it with the subject markers -이/-가. For example, '권리가 소멸하다' (a right expires). Using this word instead of '사라지다' makes your Korean sound more professional and precise.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use '소멸하다' comfortably in academic or professional discussions. It is the standard term for 'annihilation' in physics and 'extinction' in sociology. For instance, you might discuss '지방 소멸' (the disappearance of rural areas) due to low birth rates. You should also distinguish it from '멸종하다' (extinction of a species) and '해소하다' (resolution of a problem). While '멸종' is strictly biological, '소멸' is much broader. You should also be aware of the causative form '소멸시키다,' which means to actively destroy or make something cease to exist, often used in legal contexts like '소멸시키다' a debt or evidence.

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At the C1 level, you should appreciate the philosophical and literary weight of '소멸하다.' It often appears in literature to describe the transient nature of life or the ultimate end of the universe. In legal Korean, it is a technical term used for the 'extinction of obligations' or 'extinction of claims' (채권의 소멸). You should be able to navigate complex sentences where '소멸' is used as a noun in compound phrases like '소멸시효' (statute of limitations). At this level, you should also understand its usage in high-level science, such as '쌍소멸' (pair annihilation) in particle physics. Your usage should reflect an understanding that this word implies a transition from existence to absolute non-existence.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '소멸하다' across all registers. You can use it to discuss abstract concepts like the '소멸 of the self' in Buddhist philosophy or the '소멸 of cultural identity' in the age of globalization. You understand the historical evolution of the word and can identify its use in archaic or highly specialized legal texts. You are able to distinguish the subtle emotional difference between '소멸' (a neutral, often scientific or legal cessation) and '멸망' (a more tragic, violent downfall of a kingdom or civilization). Your mastery allows you to use the word with perfect precision in academic writing, legal briefs, and high-level debate.

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소멸하다 in 30 Sekunden

소멸하다 means to disappear or cease to exist in a formal or permanent way.
It is commonly used for legal rights expiring, species going extinct, or storms dissipating.
Derived from Hanja (消滅), it implies a total and often irreversible erasure of something.
Unlike '사라지다' (to vanish from sight), it focuses on the end of existence or validity.

The Korean verb 소멸하다 (somyeol-hada) is a sophisticated term that translates primarily to 'to disappear,' 'to cease to exist,' or 'to perish.' While everyday Korean uses words like 사라지다 (to disappear) for common things like a person leaving a room or clouds clearing, 소멸하다 carries a much heavier, more formal, and often permanent weight. It is derived from the Hanja characters 消 (소 - to extinguish/melt) and 滅 (멸 - to destroy/perish). This etymological roots suggest a process where something is not just hidden from view, but effectively erased from existence or validity.

Legal and Administrative Context: In the world of law and finance, this word is ubiquitous. It refers to the expiration of rights, claims, or digital assets. For instance, if you have credit card points that you don't use within five years, they don't just 'go away'; they 소멸. Similarly, a 'statute of limitations' in Korean is called 소멸시효, literally meaning the 'extinction period of a right.'

사용하지 않은 포인트는 유효기간이 지나면 자동으로 소멸합니다.
(Unused points will automatically expire/disappear once the validity period passes.)

Environmental and Biological Context: When scientists talk about the extinction of a species or the disappearance of a natural resource, 소멸하다 provides the necessary gravity. It implies a total cessation of existence for that group or entity. If a language dies out because its last speaker passes away, that language has 소멸-ed. It is a word of finality and irreversible loss.

환경 오염으로 인해 많은 생물 종이 소멸할 위기에 처해 있습니다.
(Many biological species are in danger of becoming extinct due to environmental pollution.)

Philosophical and Scientific Context: In physics or philosophy, the word describes the state of matter or energy ceasing to be in its current form. It is used in discussions about the beginning and end of the universe, or the 'annihilation' of particles. When matter and antimatter meet, they 소멸 each other, releasing energy.

물질과 반물질이 만나면 거대한 에너지를 내며 소멸한다.
(When matter and antimatter meet, they annihilate/disappear while releasing immense energy.)

In summary, 소멸하다 is the go-to word for formal disappearance. Whether it is a dying star, a cancelled debt, or an extinct bird, this verb captures the essence of something moving from 'being' to 'non-being'. It is rarely used for trivial things like losing your keys or a person leaving a party, where 잃어버리다 or 가다 would be appropriate.

Using 소멸하다 correctly requires understanding its role as an intransitive verb (자동사), meaning it describes a subject that disappears on its own or undergoes the process of disappearing. While there is a transitive form 소멸시키다 (to make something disappear/annihilate), 소멸하다 itself focuses on the subject's state of vanishing.

Subject Markers: Typically, the subject ending in -이/가 is what is disappearing. For example, '권리가 소멸하다' (A right expires). You will rarely see an object marker -을/를 used directly with 소멸하다 unless it's being used in a very specific causative sense in older literature, but in modern Korean, stick to the intransitive use.

태풍이 육지에 상륙하면서 세력이 약해져 결국 소멸했다.
(As the typhoon made landfall, its strength weakened and it eventually dissipated.)

Tense and Aspect: Because 소멸 describes a definitive change in state, it is frequently used in the past tense (소멸했다) to indicate that something is already gone, or in the future tense (소멸할 것이다) to predict an end. The present progressive (소멸하고 있다) is used for gradual processes like a language slowly losing its speakers.

지방의 작은 마을들이 인구 감소로 인해 소멸할 위기에 처해 있다.
(Small rural villages are at risk of disappearing due to population decline.)

Common Noun Combinations: This verb often pairs with abstract nouns:
1. 권리 (Right): Legal rights vanishing.
2. 증거 (Evidence): Evidence being destroyed or lost.
3. 인류 (Mankind): The end of humanity.
4. 자국 (Trace): Traces or marks fading away completely.

시간이 흐르면서 아픈 기억도 조금씩 소멸해 갔다.
(As time passed, even the painful memories gradually faded away into non-existence.)

When writing, use 소멸하다 to add a layer of seriousness. In a news report about a forest fire, saying 'the fire disappeared' (불이 사라졌다) sounds like it just went out, but saying 'the fire was extinguished/dissipated' (화마가 소멸했다) sounds much more professional and dramatic.

If you live in Korea or consume Korean media, you will encounter 소멸하다 in very specific but high-frequency scenarios. It is not a word for the dinner table, but it is a word for the news, the bank, and the classroom.

Scenario 1: Banking and Membership Apps: Every month, Korean telecommunications companies (SKT, KT, LG U+) and credit card companies send out notifications. A common phrase is '포인트 소멸 예정 안내' (Notice of Scheduled Point Expiration). Here, 소멸 is the standard technical term for points reaching their end-of-life.

이번 달 말에 고객님의 마일리지가 소멸될 예정입니다.
(Your mileage is scheduled to expire at the end of this month.)

Scenario 2: Weather Forecasts and Disaster Reports: During the typhoon season (August-September), the news tracks typhoons from their birth in the Pacific to their death. When a typhoon loses its tropical characteristics or simply peters out, the meteorologist will say, '태풍이 소멸되었습니다' (The typhoon has dissipated/ceased to exist).

제10호 태풍은 오늘 새벽 동해상에서 소멸했습니다.
(The 10th typhoon dissipated over the East Sea early this morning.)

Scenario 3: Social Issues and Demographics: Korea is currently facing a 'low birth rate' crisis. You will often hear the term '지방 소멸' (Regional Extinction), referring to the fear that rural towns will completely disappear as young people move to Seoul and fewer babies are born. This is a very hot political and social topic.

지방 소멸 문제를 해결하기 위해 정부가 대책을 마련하고 있습니다.
(The government is preparing measures to solve the problem of regional extinction.)

You might also hear this in historical documentaries when talking about the '소멸' of ancient kingdoms like Gaya or the '소멸' of certain cultural traditions. It emphasizes that these things are not just gone for now, but gone from history.

Because 소멸하다 is a synonym for 'to disappear,' learners often use it in places where it sounds unnatural or overly dramatic. Here are the most frequent errors and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Using it for People or Physical Objects: If your friend leaves the room, you should never say '친구는 소멸했다'. This sounds like your friend was vaporized or ceased to exist as a biological entity. Use 갔다 (went) or 사라졌다 (disappeared from view). Use 소멸 only if you are talking about the entire human race going extinct.

Wrong: 내 지갑이 소멸했다. (My wallet ceased to exist.)
Right: 내 지갑이 사라졌다. (My wallet disappeared/is gone.)

Mistake 2: Confusing Passive and Active Forms: Learners often try to say 소멸되다 (to be disappeared/extinguished) thinking it's different from 소멸하다. In many cases, they are interchangeable, but 소멸하다 is the standard dictionary form for the process itself. However, 소멸시키다 is the causative form ('to make something disappear'). Don't say 소멸하다 when you are the one actively destroying something.

그는 모든 증거를 소멸했다 (X) → 소멸시켰다 (O).
(He destroyed all the evidence.)

Mistake 3: Over-formality: Using 소멸하다 in a casual conversation with friends can make you sound like a robot or a villain in a sci-fi movie. If you tell your mom 'the milk in the fridge has 소멸-ed', she will think you are being very strange. Use 다 마셨다 (drank it all) or 없다 (there isn't any).

To avoid these mistakes, always check the 'scale' of what is disappearing. Is it a whole species? A legal right? A typhoon? Use 소멸하다. Is it your pen? Your friend? Your lunch? Stick to 사라지다 or 없어지다.

Korean has many words for 'disappearing.' Choosing the right one depends on the context and the level of formality you want to achieve. Let's compare 소멸하다 with its closest cousins.

소멸하다 vs. 사라지다: 사라지다 is the general, everyday word. It can mean something is hidden from sight or gone. 소멸하다 is formal and implies total extinction or expiration.
Example: '안개가 사라지다' (Fog clears - common) vs. '공룡이 소멸하다' (Dinosaurs went extinct - formal/scientific).

소멸하다 vs. 멸종하다: 멸종하다 (滅種-) specifically means the extinction of a biological species (literally 'extinguish the seed'). 소멸하다 is broader; it can be used for species, but also for rights, energy, or weather patterns.
Example: '북극곰이 멸종할 위기다' (Polar bears are at risk of extinction) is more specific than '소멸'.

소멸하다 vs. 없어지다: 없어지다 simply means 'to become not there.' It is the most common way to say something is lost or used up. 소멸하다 is much more 'final' and 'technical.'
Example: '돈이 없어졌다' (The money is gone/I lost it) vs. '채무가 소멸했다' (The debt was legally extinguished/voided).

소멸하다 vs. 해소되다: 해소되다 (解消-) is used when a problem, stress, or a conflict is resolved or 'dissolved.' While 소멸 means it's gone, 해소 implies a positive resolution of a negative state.
Example: '갈등이 해소되다' (Conflict is resolved) vs. '갈등의 원인이 소멸하다' (The cause of the conflict ceased to exist).

By mastering these distinctions, you can move from basic 'survival' Korean to a more nuanced, professional level of expression. Pay attention to how news anchors use 소멸 and you'll see it's all about the gravity of the situation.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The character '멸' (滅) also appears in the word '멸종' (extinction) and '멸망' (downfall). It's a very 'strong' character that implies total destruction.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /so.mjʌl.ɦa.da/

US /soʊ.mjʌl.hɑː.dɑː/

Stress is generally even across syllables in Korean, but a slight emphasis may be placed on the first syllable '소' of the root.

Reimt sich auf

조절하다 (jo-jeol-ha-da) 연결하다 (yeon-gyeol-ha-da) 판결하다 (pan-gyeol-ha-da) 해결하다 (hae-gyeol-ha-da) 전멸하다 (jeon-myeol-ha-da) 파멸하다 (pa-myeol-ha-da) 분열하다 (bun-yeol-ha-da) 강렬하다 (gang-ryeol-ha-da)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'myeol' as 'me-ol' (two syllables). It should be one smooth glide.
Making the 'h' in 'hada' too strong. In fast speech, it often weakens.
Confusing '소멸' (disappearance) with '소명' (calling/vocation).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 4/5

Common in news and formal documents, but requires Hanja knowledge for deep understanding.

Schreiben 5/5

Hard to use naturally without sounding overly formal or dramatic.

Sprechen 5/5

Rarely used in daily casual speech except for specific topics like points.

Hören 3/5

Easy to recognize in weather reports or app notifications once learned.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

사라지다 없어지다 죽다 끝나다 시간

Als Nächstes lernen

멸종하다 멸망하다 해소하다 실효 유효기간

Fortgeschritten

공소시효 제척기간 쌍소멸 무위이화

Wichtige Grammatik

-어/아 가다 (Progressive action)

전통이 소멸해 가고 있다.

-게 되다 (Becoming state)

결국 권리가 소멸하게 되었다.

-기 전에 (Before doing)

포인트가 소멸하기 전에 사용하세요.

Passive -되다

권리가 소멸되었다.

Causative -시키다

그는 증거를 소멸시켰다.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

포인트가 소멸해요.

The points are disappearing/expiring.

Simple present tense with the subject 'points'.

그것은 소멸했어요.

That thing disappeared forever.

Past tense of 소멸하다.

이름이 소멸해요?

Does the name disappear?

Question form of the present tense.

구름이 소멸해요.

The clouds are dissipating.

Using 소멸하다 for natural phenomena (simple).

별이 소멸해요.

A star is ceasing to exist.

Formal word for a star 'dying'.

권리가 소멸해요.

The right is disappearing.

Basic legal usage.

돈이 소멸했어요.

The (digital) money disappeared/expired.

Often used for digital currency expiration.

소멸하지 마세요.

Please don't disappear (forever).

Negative imperative form.

유효기간이 지나면 포인트가 소멸합니다.

If the validity period passes, points expire.

Conditional -면 with formal ending -합니다.

태풍이 바다에서 소멸했습니다.

The typhoon dissipated over the sea.

Past tense in a formal report style.

오래된 전통이 소멸하고 있어요.

Old traditions are disappearing.

-고 있다 indicates a continuing process.

공룡은 아주 오래전에 소멸했습니다.

Dinosaurs became extinct a long time ago.

Using 소멸 as a synonym for extinction.

이 권리는 곧 소멸할 것입니다.

This right will soon expire.

-ㄹ 것이다 indicates future certainty.

증거가 소멸하기 전에 찾으세요.

Find the evidence before it disappears.

-기 전에 means 'before doing'.

마을이 소멸할까 봐 걱정돼요.

I'm worried the village might disappear.

-ㄹ까 봐 expresses worry or fear.

빛이 소멸하고 어둠이 왔어요.

The light vanished and darkness came.

Using 소멸 for abstract contrast.

사용하지 않은 마일리지는 5년 후 소멸됩니다.

Unused mileage will expire after 5 years.

소멸되다 is the passive/resultative form often used in notices.

환경 오염으로 인해 많은 식물이 소멸했습니다.

Many plants have disappeared due to environmental pollution.

-로 인해 indicates a cause or reason.

그 나라는 전쟁으로 인해 소멸하고 말았다.

That country ended up disappearing due to war.

-고 말았다 indicates an unfortunate eventual result.

법적으로 이 채무는 이미 소멸했습니다.

Legally, this debt has already been extinguished.

Adverbial '법적으로' (legally) sets the context.

인류가 소멸하지 않도록 노력해야 합니다.

We must work hard so that humanity does not perish.

-지 않도록 means 'so that... not'.

작은 섬들이 해수면 상승으로 소멸할 위기입니다.

Small islands are at risk of disappearing due to rising sea levels.

'위기' (crisis/risk) is a common noun paired with 소멸.

그의 흔적은 시간이 지나며 완전히 소멸했다.

His traces completely vanished as time passed.

완전히 (completely) emphasizes the finality of 소멸.

소수 언어가 소멸하는 것을 막아야 합니다.

We must stop minority languages from disappearing.

-는 것 nominalizes the verb phrase.

국가 소멸의 위기를 극복하기 위해 출산율을 높여야 한다.

To overcome the crisis of national extinction, the birth rate must be raised.

소멸 is used here as a noun modifying '위기'.

태풍이 온대 저기압으로 변하며 소멸할 것으로 보입니다.

The typhoon is expected to dissipate as it turns into a temperate low pressure system.

-ㄹ 것으로 보이다 is a formal way to express a prediction.

채권자가 권리를 행사하지 않으면 채권은 소멸시효에 걸린다.

If a creditor does not exercise their rights, the claim is subject to the statute of limitations.

Technical legal term '소멸시효' (extinctive prescription).

우주는 팽창하다가 결국 소멸하게 될까요?

Will the universe eventually cease to exist after expanding?

-게 되다 indicates a change in state or eventual outcome.

물질이 반물질과 결합하면 빛을 내며 소멸한다.

When matter combines with antimatter, it annihilates while emitting light.

Scientific usage for particle annihilation.

범인은 증거를 소멸시키기 위해 불을 질렀다.

The criminal set a fire to destroy (make disappear) the evidence.

소멸시키다 is the causative form ('to make something disappear').

전통문화가 소멸해 가는 과정은 매우 안타깝다.

The process of traditional culture disappearing is very regrettable.

-어 가다 indicates a process continuing into the future or progressing.

기억은 뇌세포의 파괴와 함께 소멸하기도 한다.

Memories also disappear along with the destruction of brain cells.

-기도 하다 means 'also does' or 'sometimes does'.

해당 법률의 폐지로 인해 관련 권리들이 일제히 소멸되었다.

Due to the repeal of the law, the related rights were all extinguished at once.

Passive voice '소멸되었다' emphasizes the external cause (law repeal).

자아가 소멸하는 경지에 이르는 것은 불교의 목표 중 하나이다.

Reaching a state where the self ceases to exist is one of the goals of Buddhism.

Abstract philosophical usage of 소멸.

디지털 기록은 영구적일 것 같지만, 저장 매체의 훼손으로 소멸할 수 있다.

Digital records seem permanent, but they can disappear due to damage to storage media.

Contrast between '영구적' (permanent) and '소멸' (disappearance).

언어의 소멸은 단순한 의사소통 수단의 상실이 아니라 문화의 소멸이다.

The disappearance of a language is not just the loss of a means of communication, but the disappearance of a culture.

Parallel structure using 소멸 as a noun.

블랙홀 근처에서는 시공간의 개념조차 소멸할 수도 있다.

Near a black hole, even the concept of space-time might cease to exist.

'조차' (even) adds emphasis to the extreme situation.

그 기업의 파산으로 주식의 가치는 완전히 소멸했다.

With the company's bankruptcy, the value of the stocks completely vanished.

Economic context of value disappearing.

고대 문명의 소멸 원인을 밝히기 위해 고고학자들이 연구 중이다.

Archaeologists are conducting research to uncover the cause of the disappearance of ancient civilizations.

Historical/Scientific investigation context.

감정의 소멸은 때로 영혼의 공허함을 불러일으킨다.

The disappearance of emotions sometimes brings about an emptiness of the soul.

Literary and psychological usage.

엔트로피 법칙에 따르면 우주는 결국 열적 죽음과 함께 소멸에 이를 것이다.

According to the law of entropy, the universe will eventually reach extinction along with heat death.

Scientific discourse using '소멸에 이르다' (reach extinction).

소멸시효의 완성은 법적 안정성을 기하기 위한 제도적 장치이다.

The completion of the statute of limitations is an institutional mechanism to ensure legal stability.

High-level legal terminology (소멸시효의 완성).

존재와 소멸 사이의 아슬아슬한 경계에서 인간은 고뇌한다.

Humans suffer on the precarious boundary between existence and non-existence.

Philosophical juxtaposition of 존재 (existence) and 소멸 (extinction).

그 시인은 죽음을 소멸이 아닌 새로운 시작으로 노래했다.

The poet sang of death not as an extinction, but as a new beginning.

Literary contrast using 'A가 아닌 B' (B, not A).

정보의 홍수 속에서 진실이 소멸해 버리는 역설적인 상황이 발생하고 있다.

A paradoxical situation is occurring where truth is disappearing amidst a flood of information.

-어 버리다 adds a sense of completion or regret to the disappearance.

양자 역학에서 입자의 생성과 소멸은 확률적으로 결정된다.

In quantum mechanics, the creation and annihilation of particles are determined probabilistically.

Advanced physics terminology (생성과 소멸 - creation and annihilation).

봉건 제도의 소멸은 근대 사회로 이행하는 결정적인 계기가 되었다.

The disappearance of the feudal system became a decisive turning point in the transition to modern society.

Historical analysis register.

그의 명성은 한순간의 실수로 인해 소멸의 길로 접어들었다.

His reputation entered the path of extinction due to a single moment's mistake.

Metaphorical usage (소멸의 길 - the path to extinction).

Synonyme

사라지다 멸망하다 없어지다

Gegenteile

발생하다 생성되다

Häufige Kollokationen

권리가 소멸하다

포인트가 소멸하다

태풍이 소멸하다

종이 소멸하다

증거를 소멸시키다

자취가 소멸하다

시효가 소멸하다

언어가 소멸하다

인류의 소멸

흔적이 소멸하다

Häufige Phrasen

소멸 위기

— A state of being in danger of disappearing or going extinct.

우리 마을은 인구 감소로 소멸 위기에 처했다.

자동 소멸

— Automatic expiration or disappearance without intervention.

이 쿠폰은 30일 후 자동 소멸됩니다.

소멸 시효

— The statute of limitations; the period after which a right can no longer be exercised.

소멸 시효가 지나기 전에 돈을 갚으라고 해야 해.

자연 소멸

— Natural disappearance or dissipation without external force.

감기 증상이 며칠 후 자연 소멸했다.

입자 소멸

— The annihilation of particles in physics.

입자의 생성과 소멸 과정을 연구한다.

권리 소멸

— The extinction or expiration of a legal right.

상속권의 소멸 여부를 확인해야 한다.

지방 소멸

— The disappearance of rural areas due to population decline.

지방 소멸은 한국 사회의 심각한 문제다.

증거 소멸

— The destruction or disappearance of evidence.

증거 소멸의 우려가 있어 구속 수사가 필요하다.

완전 소멸

— Complete disappearance or total extinction.

그 전염병은 백신 덕분에 완전 소멸했다.

소멸 단계

— The final stage of disappearing or fading away.

산불이 이제 소멸 단계에 접어들었다.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

소멸하다 vs 소명 (Calling/Vocation)

Sounds similar but means a divine calling or a duty.

소멸하다 vs 서명 (Signature)

Sounds similar but means signing a document.

소멸하다 vs 선멸 (Annihilation in war)

Specifically means to wipe out an enemy army.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"연기처럼 소멸하다"

— To disappear like smoke; to vanish without a trace.

나의 꿈이 연기처럼 소멸해 버렸다.

Literary

"역사의 뒤안길로 소멸하다"

— To disappear into the back alleys of history; to be forgotten by time.

그 왕국은 결국 역사의 뒤안길로 소멸했다.

Formal/Literary

"흔적도 없이 소멸하다"

— To disappear without even a trace.

눈이 녹으면서 발자국이 흔적도 없이 소멸했다.

Common

"한순간에 소멸하다"

— To disappear in a single moment.

그의 재산은 주식 폭락으로 한순간에 소멸했다.

Neutral

"뿌리째 소멸하다"

— To be destroyed or disappear down to the roots.

악습을 뿌리째 소멸해야 한다.

Formal

"물거품처럼 소멸하다"

— To disappear like water bubbles; to come to nothing.

우리의 계획이 물거품처럼 소멸했다.

Literary

"소리 소문 없이 소멸하다"

— To disappear without a sound or rumor; to vanish quietly.

그 앱은 소리 소문 없이 시장에서 소멸했다.

Common

"먼지처럼 소멸하다"

— To disappear like dust; to be insignificant and vanish.

인간의 육체는 죽으면 먼지처럼 소멸한다.

Philosophical

"영원히 소멸하다"

— To disappear forever.

한 번 소멸한 종은 다시 살릴 수 없다.

Formal

"기억 속에서 소멸하다"

— To disappear from one's memory.

그의 얼굴이 내 기억 속에서 조금씩 소멸하고 있다.

Literary

Leicht verwechselbar

소멸하다 vs 사라지다

Both mean 'to disappear'.

사라지다 is visual and general. 소멸하다 is formal and implies total extinction or legal expiration.

마술사가 사라졌다 (O), 마술사가 소멸했다 (X - sounds like he died).

소멸하다 vs 멸종하다

Both are used for things ending.

멸종하다 is only for biological species. 소멸하다 is for species, rights, points, and energy.

공룡이 멸종했다 (O), 공룡이 소멸했다 (O - but less specific).

소멸하다 vs 멸망하다

Both mean a complete end.

멸망하다 usually involves violence, war, or the fall of a structure like a kingdom. 소멸하다 can be a natural or legal process.

나라가 멸망했다 (O), 나라가 소멸했다 (O - implies it just ceased to exist).

소멸하다 vs 해소하다

Both involve something going away.

해소하다 is for problems or stress being 'solved'. 소멸하다 is for things 'ceasing to exist'.

스트레스가 해소됐다 (O), 스트레스가 소멸했다 (X - sounds like the emotion died).

소멸하다 vs 실효되다

Both used for things ending in law.

실효되다 means a law or contract 'loses its effect'. 소멸하다 means the 'right itself' is gone.

계약이 실효됐다 (O), 권리가 소멸했다 (O).

Satzmuster

N(이/가) 소멸하다

포인트가 소멸했다.

N으로 인해 N이/가 소멸하다

오염으로 인해 물고기가 소멸했다.

N이/가 소멸하기 전에 V

권리가 소멸하기 전에 신청하세요.

N이/가 소멸할 위기에 처하다

마을이 소멸할 위기에 처했다.

N을/를 소멸시키다

그는 기록을 소멸시켰다.

N의 소멸은 N을/를 의미한다

언어의 소멸은 문화의 상실을 의미한다.

N이/가 소멸됨에 따라 N

권리가 소멸됨에 따라 의무도 없어졌다.

N과 N 사이의 소멸

존재와 소멸 사이의 갈등.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

소멸 (消滅) - Disappearance, extinction, expiration

소멸시효 (消滅時效) - Statute of limitations

자연 소멸 (自然消滅) - Natural disappearance

Verben

소멸되다 (消滅--) - To be extinguished/disappeared (passive)

소멸시키다 (消滅---) - To extinguish, to destroy (causative)

Verwandt

사라지다 (To disappear)

없어지다 (To be gone)

멸종 (Extinction)

상실 (Loss)

폐지 (Abolition)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in specialized news, legal contexts, and digital notifications.

Häufige Fehler

Using '소멸하다' for losing a physical object. → 내 열쇠가 없어졌어.
소멸하다 is for extinction/expiration, not for misplacing common items like keys.
Using '소멸하다' as a transitive verb with an object. → 증거를 소멸시켰다.
소멸하다 is intransitive. To say you destroyed something, use the causative 소멸시키다.
Confusing '소멸' with '소명'. → 이것은 나의 소명이다 (This is my calling).
The sounds are similar, but the meanings are completely different. Don't mix them up in speech.
Using '소멸하다' for a person leaving. → 친구가 집에 갔다.
Saying a person '소멸했다' sounds like they were vaporized or died in a sci-fi way.
Using '소멸하다' for a problem being solved. → 문제가 해소되었다.
For problems, conflicts, or stress, '해소되다' (resolved) is the natural choice.

Tipps

Use for Digital Assets

Always use '소멸' when talking about digital points, coupons, or mileage expiring. It's the standard term in apps.

Intransitive vs. Causative

Remember: Something '소멸하다' (subject-focused), but you '소멸시키다' something (object-focused).

Hanja Roots

Remember 消 (extinguish) and 滅 (perish). This helps you distinguish it from other 'disappear' words.

Academic Tone

In essays about the environment or society, use '소멸' to give your writing more weight and authority.

Avoid for People

Unless you are a villain in a movie, don't say '내가 너를 소멸하겠다' (I will annihilate you). It sounds very unnatural.

News Keyword

When you hear '소멸' on the news, look for words like '태풍' (typhoon), '권리' (right), or '인구' (population).

Scientific Annihilation

In physics, '소멸' is the specific term for matter and antimatter destroying each other.

Visual Link

Visualize a 'Delete' button on a computer. That is the essence of '소멸'.

Formal Documents

If you see '소멸' in a contract, pay attention! It means a right or money is being taken away permanently.

Social Issues

Understanding '지방 소멸' will help you understand many political debates in modern Korea.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'SO' (So long!) and 'MYEOL' (Melt). When something '소멸's, you say 'So long!' as it 'Melts' away forever.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a candle flame being blown out in a dark room (extinguished) or a digital timer hitting zero and a file being deleted forever.

Word Web

Extinction Expiration Dissipation Annihilation Void Nullify Vanish Cease

Herausforderung

Try to find three things in your life that will '소멸' (like credit card points, a battery's life, or a cloud) and say the word out loud when you see them.

Wortherkunft

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja). '소' (消) means to melt, extinguish, or consume. '멸' (滅) means to destroy, perish, or go out (like a fire).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To be extinguished and perish; to vanish completely.

Sino-Korean

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using this word regarding people; it can sound like you are wishing for their non-existence or talking about them like objects.

English speakers might use 'expire' for points and 'extinct' for animals. Korean uses '소멸하다' for both, which can be confusing at first.

지방 소멸 (A famous socio-economic book/topic regarding Korea's population crisis). 쌍소멸 (Pair annihilation - a common topic in high school physics in Korea). Buddhist scriptures (Heart Sutra) often discuss the nature of existence and '소멸'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Customer Service / Apps

포인트 소멸 안내
소멸 예정 마일리지
쿠폰 소멸 일자
자동 소멸 처리

Weather Reports

태풍 소멸 지점
세력이 약화되어 소멸
해상에서 소멸
열대 저기압으로 소멸

Legal / Business

채권의 소멸
소멸시효 완성
권리 소멸 고지
증거 소멸 우려

Environmental News

생물 종 소멸
서식지 소멸
생태계 소멸
언어 소멸 위기

Demographics

지방 소멸 위험
인구 소멸 국가
마을 소멸 대응
학교 소멸

Gesprächseinstiege

"포인트가 곧 소멸한다는 문자를 받았어요. 어떻게 쓰면 좋을까요?"

"지방 소멸 문제에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"태풍이 언제쯤 소멸할지 뉴스 보셨나요?"

"멸종 위기 동물이 소멸하지 않게 하려면 무엇을 해야 할까요?"

"기억이 소멸한다는 것은 슬픈 일일까요, 아니면 다행인 일일까요?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

만약 당신의 모든 디지털 기록이 한순간에 소멸한다면 어떤 기분이 들까요?

우리 사회에서 소멸하지 않고 영원히 남았으면 하는 전통은 무엇인가요?

최근에 소멸한(사라진) 당신의 습관이나 생각에 대해 써 보세요.

지방 소멸을 막기 위한 당신만의 아이디어가 있다면 무엇인가요?

법적 권리가 소멸하는 것이 사회 정의에 도움이 된다고 생각하시나요?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, that would sound very strange. Use '잃어버리다' (to lose) or '없어지다' (to be gone). '소멸하다' implies the keys have ceased to exist in the universe.

They are very similar. '소멸하다' is the active form (though used intransitively), while '소멸되다' is the passive form. In most contexts like 'points expiring,' both are used, but '소멸되다' emphasizes that the points were 'made' to expire by the system.

Only in specific contexts like talking about credit card points, coupons, or a very serious news topic. In casual chat, people prefer '사라지다' or '없어지다'.

Use the causative form: '증거를 소멸시키다'. This is the standard legal phrase for tampering with evidence.

Generally, no. It sounds like science fiction or very cold. If a person dies, use '죽다' or '돌아가시다'. If they go missing, use '실종되다'.

It's a hot topic in Korea referring to rural areas (지방) becoming extinct (소멸) because people are moving to Seoul and not having enough babies to sustain the town.

Yes, it's natural, but weather forecasters will almost always use '태풍이 소멸했다' because it sounds more professional and scientific.

Yes, in a literary or scientific sense. '기억이 소멸하다' implies the memory is completely erased from the brain, not just forgotten temporarily.

It is the 'Statute of Limitations'. It's the period of time after which a legal claim or right 'expires' and can no longer be enforced.

Usually, it implies loss, but in Buddhism, the '소멸' of suffering (고통의 소멸) is the ultimate goal, which is a positive thing.

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