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A1 verb 9 Min. Lesezeit

맞추다

matchuda

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Erklärung 맞추다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '맞추다' is primarily used in very concrete, everyday situations. The most common use you will encounter is setting an alarm clock (알람을 맞추다) or a regular clock (시계를 맞추다). At this stage, you should focus on the word as an action of 'setting' or 'adjusting' a mechanical device to a specific time. You might also see it used in simple games, like 'matching' colors or shapes. The grammar is straightforward: [Object] + [맞추다]. It is helpful to memorize it as part of a daily routine set of verbs. For example, 'I wake up, set my alarm, and match my clothes.' Even at this basic level, understanding that '맞추다' involves an active choice—you are the one doing the adjusting—is key. You will typically use it in the present tense (맞춰요) or past tense (맞췄어요).

As you move to A2, the scope of '맞추다' expands to include social coordination and simple comparisons. You will start using it to 'match' or 'coordinate' times with friends (시간을 맞추다). For instance, if you and a friend want to meet for coffee, you have to 'match' your free times. You will also use it in educational contexts, such as 'matching' your answers with a friend after a small quiz (답을 맞추다). This is a crucial distinction from '맞히다' (to get it right), which you should begin to notice at this level. You might also encounter it when shopping for simple items that require adjustment, like a watch strap or a belt. The focus at A2 is on using the word to facilitate basic social interactions and manage your daily life more effectively in Korean.

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At the B1 level, '맞추다' begins to take on more abstract and idiomatic meanings. You will learn common phrases like '발을 맞추다' (to walk in step / to cooperate) and '입을 맞추다' (to agree on a story / to kiss). You will also use it in professional or academic settings to talk about meeting deadlines (기한을 맞추다) or satisfying specific requirements (요구 조건을 맞추다). At this stage, you should be comfortable using '맞추다' to describe the process of tailoring clothes or ordering custom-made goods (옷을 맞추다). This reflects a deeper understanding of Korean culture and the nuances of service. You will also start to use it in more complex sentence structures, such as using it with the '-기 위해' (in order to) pattern: '기한을 맞추기 위해 열심히 일했어요' (I worked hard to meet the deadline).

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By B2, you should be able to use '맞추다' to describe the harmonization of complex ideas or systems. It is often used in discussions about teamwork and organizational synergy. For example, '팀원들과 호흡을 맞추다' means to develop a good rapport or 'sync' with your team members. You will also encounter the word in the context of 'catering to' or 'flattering' someone, particularly in the phrase '비위를 맞추다' (to humor someone / to play up to someone). This level requires understanding the social dynamics and subtle power plays involved in 'adjusting' oneself to others. You will also see '맞추다' used in more technical or artistic contexts, such as 'matching' the focus of a camera lens or 'aligning' the perspective of a story. Your ability to use the word across these varied domains shows a high level of functional fluency.

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At the C1 level, '맞추다' is used to discuss high-level concepts like social alignment, political coordination, and philosophical harmony. You might use it to describe how a company 'aligns' its values with global standards or how a piece of literature 'matches' the aesthetic trends of its era. The nominalized form '맞춤형' (customized/tailored) becomes very important here, appearing in discussions about '맞춤형 교육' (customized education) or '맞춤형 복지' (tailored welfare). You should be able to distinguish '맞추다' from highly formal synonyms like '일치시키다' or '부합하다' and choose the most appropriate one based on the register. At this stage, you are not just using the word; you are using it to express precise, nuanced thoughts about how different elements of society or thought interact and harmonize.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of '맞추다' and can use it in literary, academic, and highly specialized contexts. You can appreciate the subtle wordplay in poetry or prose that uses '맞추다' to describe the alignment of souls or the matching of cosmic forces. You understand its historical development and how it relates to other words in the '맞-' family. You can use it to debate complex issues, such as the ethics of 'matching' genetic traits in biotechnology or the challenges of 'aligning' diverse cultural perspectives in a globalized world. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, and you can effortlessly navigate the word's many idiomatic, literal, and metaphorical layers. At this level, '맞추다' is a tool for sophisticated expression, allowing you to describe the delicate balance of the world with precision and grace.

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맞추다 in 30 Sekunden

맞추다 means to adjust, match, or align something to a specific standard or another object.
Common uses include setting alarms, checking answers, and ordering custom-made clothes or shoes.
It is different from '맞히다,' which means to guess correctly or hit a target.
It often implies social harmony, such as coordinating schedules or walking in step with others.

The Korean verb 맞추다 is a versatile and essential term that every Korean learner must master early on. At its core, it signifies the act of bringing two or more things into a state of harmony, alignment, or agreement. It is the causative form of the word 맞다 (to be right/correct), meaning that when you use 맞추다, you are the active agent making something 'right' or 'fitting.' Whether you are physically fitting puzzle pieces together or metaphorically aligning your schedule with a friend, this word covers the spectrum of coordination.

Physical Alignment: This refers to the act of putting pieces together or adjusting mechanical devices. For example, assembling furniture or focusing a camera lens involves 맞추다.
Temporal and Functional Adjustment: Setting an alarm or a clock is one of the most common daily uses. You are adjusting the time to a specific standard.
Social and Interpersonal Harmony: In a social context, it means to cater to someone's mood or to coordinate actions with others, such as walking in step or agreeing on a story.

One of the most culturally significant uses of 맞추다 is in the world of custom tailoring. In Korea, if you are getting a suit or a pair of shoes custom-made, you use this verb to describe the process of having them 'fitted' or 'ordered' to your specific measurements. This reflects a deeper cultural value of precision and the importance of things fitting perfectly to the individual.

내일 여행을 위해서 알람을 일찍 맞췄어요.
(I set the alarm early for tomorrow's trip.)

Furthermore, the word is used when comparing things to see if they match. In a classroom, students might 'match' their answers with the teacher's answer key. It is important to note that you aren't necessarily 'hitting' the right answer (which would be 맞히다), but rather comparing your work against a standard to see if they align. This distinction is a common point of confusion for many learners but is vital for sounding natural in Korean.

In more advanced contexts, you will hear it used in business to describe meeting deadlines (기한을 맞추다) or satisfying customer requirements. It implies a sense of effort and intentionality. You are not just letting things happen; you are actively adjusting variables to ensure a successful outcome. This makes 맞추다 a proactive verb, often associated with diligence and attention to detail. As you continue your Korean journey, you will find this word appearing in idioms and complex sentences, always carrying that underlying theme of alignment and intentional adjustment.

Using 맞추다 correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb, meaning it almost always takes an object marked by the particles 을/를. The sentence structure typically follows: [Subject] + [Object] + [맞추다]. Because it is a regular verb, its conjugations follow standard patterns, making it relatively easy to apply once you understand the context.

Daily Routine Patterns: When setting an alarm: 알람을 맞추다. When setting a watch: 시계를 맞추다. These are the most frequent A1-level applications.
Collaborative Patterns: When coordinating with others: 시간을 맞추다 (to coordinate time) or 일정을 맞추다 (to align schedules).

In polite conversation, you will often use the -아요/어요 ending. For example, 맞춰요 (present tense) or 맞췄어요 (past tense). When asking someone to adjust something for you, the -아/어 주세요 form is common: "초점을 좀 맞춰 주세요" (Please adjust the focus for me). This is particularly useful when taking photos or using technology.

친구와 점심 시간을 맞추기가 힘들어요.
(It is hard to coordinate lunch time with my friend.)

Another interesting grammatical use is in the context of 'matching' or 'comparing.' When you are checking your test results, you say 답을 맞추다. Here, the object is the 'answers.' You are taking your answers and placing them alongside the correct ones to see if they align. If you were to say 답을 맞히다, it would mean you successfully chose the correct answer during the test. The nuance is subtle but critical for accuracy.

우리 같이 정답을 맞춰 볼까요?
(Shall we check/match the correct answers together?)

Finally, consider the honorific forms. While 맞추다 doesn't have a unique honorific root, you can add -(으)시다 to create 맞추시다 when referring to an esteemed person's actions. For example, "선생님께서 안경 도수를 맞추셨어요" (The teacher had their glasses prescription adjusted). This versatility across formality levels makes it a workhorse of the Korean language, applicable from the most casual settings to formal business environments.

You will encounter 맞추다 in a variety of real-world scenarios in Korea, ranging from the mundane to the highly specialized. One of the first places you might hear it is in a tailor shop (양복점) or a handmade shoe shop (수제화점). The shopkeeper will ask about your measurements to 맞추다 the clothing to your body. This is the gold standard for a perfect fit.

In the Classroom: Teachers frequently say, "옆 사람과 답을 맞춰 보세요" (Try matching/checking answers with the person next to you). It is a standard part of the collaborative learning process.
In the Office: Project managers will discuss "마감 기한을 맞추다" (meeting the deadline). If a team is out of sync, a leader might urge them to "호흡을 맞추다" (work in harmony/sync up).

If you are a fan of Korean dramas or variety shows, you will hear this word in the context of games and puzzles. When celebrities try to solve a puzzle or a quiz that requires collective agreement, they often talk about 입을 맞추다. While this literally means 'to touch mouths' (kiss), in a variety show or legal context, it almost always means 'to get their stories straight' or 'to agree on what to say.'

두 사람이 미리 입을 맞춘 것 같아요.
(It seems like those two agreed on their story beforehand.)

In everyday life, you might hear it at a restaurant or a cafe. If you are ordering for a large group, you might try to 가격을 맞추다 (match/adjust the total price) to a certain budget. Or, if you are at a karaoke bar (노래방), you might need to 박자를 맞추다 (keep the beat) with your friends. The word is deeply embedded in the social fabric of Korea, emphasizing the act of doing things together or according to a set standard.

Lastly, in the digital age, you'll see 맞춤 (the nominalized form) everywhere. 맞춤 추천 means 'personalized recommendation' (like on Netflix or YouTube), and 맞춤법 refers to 'orthography' or 'spelling'—literally the law of matching letters to the correct standard. Seeing this word in its various forms will help you realize how central the concept of 'matching' and 'adjusting' is to the Korean language and culture.

The most frequent and confusing mistake learners (and even some native speakers) make is distinguishing between 맞추다 and 맞히다. While they sound somewhat similar and both relate to 'correctness,' their grammatical functions and nuances are distinct. Misusing them can change the entire meaning of your sentence.

맞추다 (Matching/Comparing): Use this when you have two things and you are checking them against each other. "답을 맞추다" means you are looking at your answer and the correct answer side-by-side.
맞히다 (Hitting/Guessing Correctly): Use this when you hit a target or correctly guess a riddle. "정답을 맞히다" means you successfully got the answer right.

Another common error is using 맞추다 when you simply mean 'to be right.' Remember, 맞추다 is an action you perform on an object. If you want to say 'That's right,' you should use 맞아요 (from the verb 맞다), not 맞춰요. Using 맞춰요 in that context would sound like you are telling the other person to 'adjust' something, which would be very confusing.

❌ 정답을 맞췄어요! (I matched the answer!) - Usually wrong if you mean 'I got it right.'
✅ 정답을 맞혔어요! (I got the answer right!) - The correct way to say you guessed correctly.

Learners also struggle with the spelling of the conjugated forms. Because of the -추- stem, when it meets -어, it becomes 맞춰. Many people accidentally write 맞쳐, which is incorrect. Always remember that the 우 and 어 combine into the 워 diphthong. This is a common spelling mistake even for Korean children as they learn to write.

Finally, avoid using 맞추다 when the adjustment is purely internal or emotional without an external standard. For example, if you are 'adjusting' to a new culture, you would use 적응하다 (to adapt). 맞추다 almost always implies an external object or a specific standard you are trying to reach. Keeping these distinctions in mind will prevent the most common pitfalls and help you use the word with the precision of a native speaker.

While 맞추다 is a very broad term, there are several more specific verbs you might use depending on the situation. Understanding these alternatives will help you add nuance to your Korean. For instance, if you are talking about technical adjustments, 조절하다 (to control/regulate) or 조정하다 (to adjust/coordinate) might be more appropriate.

조절하다 (Control/Regulate): Used for volume, temperature, or speed. "볼륨을 조절하다" (Adjust the volume). It implies fine-tuning a level.
조정하다 (Mediate/Adjust): Often used for schedules or opinions. "의견을 조정하다" (Coordinate/adjust opinions). It has a more formal and administrative feel.
정렬하다 (Align/Sort): Used when lining things up in a row. "파일을 이름순으로 정렬하다" (Sort files by name).

If the 'matching' is about appearance or how well two things go together, you might use 어울리다 (to suit/match/get along). While 맞추다 is an action you take, 어울리다 is a state of being. For example, "이 넥타이가 셔츠와 잘 어울려요" (This tie goes well with the shirt). You wouldn't use 맞추다 here unless you were actively 'adjusting' the tie to match.

에어컨 온도를 24도로 조절해 주세요.
(Please adjust the air conditioner temperature to 24 degrees.)

In the context of 'fitting' or 'ordering,' 주문하다 (to order) is a common alternative. However, 맞추다 specifically implies that the item is being custom-made for you, whereas 주문하다 could just mean ordering a standard item off a menu or website. If you are 'matching' your pace to someone else, you could also use 보조를 맞추다, which is a more formal way of saying 발을 맞추다.

Lastly, consider 일치시키다 (to make identical/unify). This is much more formal and often used in academic or technical writing to describe making two sets of data or two viewpoints exactly the same. While 맞추다 is common in daily speech, 일치시키다 is what you would see in a scientific paper or a legal document. By learning these synonyms, you can move from basic communication to a more sophisticated and precise level of Korean.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The suffix '-추-' is a relatively rare causative suffix in modern Korean compared to '-이-', '-히-', or '-리-', but it appears in several important verbs like '낮추다' (to lower) and '늦추다' (to delay).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ma.tɕʰu.da/

US /ma.tʃu.da/

The primary stress is on the second syllable 'chu' when emphasized, but in natural speech, it is relatively flat.

Reimt sich auf

비추다 (bichuda) - to shine 감추다 (gamchuda) - to hide 멈추다 (meomchuda) - to stop 부추다 (buchuda) - to incite (less common) 갖추다 (gatchuda) - to be equipped with 낮추다 (natchuda) - to lower 늦추다 (neut-chuda) - to delay 들추다 (deul-chuda) - to pick up/reveal

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the final 't' in 'mat' separately. In Korean, 'mat' and 'chu' blend so the 't' becomes part of the aspirated 'ch'.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'machida' (to finish), which has a different vowel in the second syllable.
Under-aspirating the 'ch' sound, making it sound like 'ju'.
Over-emphasizing the final 'da' syllable.
Failing to diphthongize '맞춰' (ma-chwo) correctly in conjugated forms.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

Easy to recognize in simple contexts like alarms or puzzles.

Schreiben 3/5

Spelling the conjugated form '맞춰' and distinguishing from '맞히다' can be tricky.

Sprechen 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward, but choosing the right context requires practice.

Hören 2/5

Easily heard in daily life, but must be distinguished from '맞다' or '맞히다'.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

맞다 (to be right) 시계 (clock) 옷 (clothes) 답 (answer) 시간 (time)

Als Nächstes lernen

맞히다 (to hit/guess right) 조절하다 (to adjust/regulate) 조정하다 (to coordinate) 어울리다 (to suit) 적응하다 (to adapt)

Fortgeschritten

부합하다 (to correspond to) 일치하다 (to coincide) 조율하다 (to tune/mediate) 고증하다 (to historically verify)

Wichtige Grammatik

Causative Suffix -추-

낮다 (low) -> 낮추다 (to lower); 늦다 (late) -> 늦추다 (to delay).

-에 맞춰서 (In accordance with)

음악에 맞춰서 춤을 춰요.

Object Particle 을/를

알람을 맞추다 (Must use the object particle).

Honorific -(으)시다

선생님께서 시계를 맞추십니다.

Conjugation of '우' + '어'

맞추 + 어 -> 맞춰.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

알람을 7시에 맞췄어요.

I set the alarm for 7 o'clock.

Past tense of 맞추다 (맞췄어요).

시계를 맞추세요.

Please set the clock.

Imperative form (-(으)세요).

퍼즐을 맞춰요.

I am doing a puzzle. (Literally: Matching the puzzle pieces.)

Present tense (맞춰요).

친구와 시간을 맞춰요.

I am coordinating time with a friend.

Using '시간' as the object.

이 옷을 몸에 맞춰요.

I fit this clothing to my body.

Indicating the target of alignment with '-에'.

안경을 맞췄어요.

I got new glasses. (Literally: Had glasses adjusted/made.)

Common expression for getting a prescription.

신발을 맞추고 싶어요.

I want to have shoes custom-made.

Using the '-고 싶다' (want to) pattern.

답을 맞춰 봅시다.

Let's check the answers.

Using '-아/어 보다' (to try) and '-(으)ㅂ시다' (let's).

내일 몇 시에 맞출까요?

What time shall we set (it) for tomorrow?

Suggestive ending '-(으)ㄹ까요?'

우리 서로 발을 맞춰서 걸어요.

Let's walk in step with each other.

Using '-아/어 서' to connect actions.

선생님하고 정답을 맞췄어요.

I checked the correct answers with the teacher.

The particle '-하고' means 'with'.

카메라 초점을 잘 맞추세요.

Please adjust the camera focus well.

Focus (초점) is the object.

입맛에 맞춰서 소금을 넣으세요.

Add salt to match your taste.

Using '-에 맞춰서' (in accordance with).

이 퍼즐은 맞추기가 너무 힘들어요.

This puzzle is too hard to put together.

Using '-기' to turn the verb into a noun.

우리는 약속 시간을 맞췄어요.

We coordinated our appointment time.

Object is '약속 시간'.

양복을 한 벌 맞추러 가요.

I am going to get a suit custom-made.

Using '-(으)러 가다' (go in order to).

프로젝트 마감 기한을 맞춰야 해요.

I have to meet the project deadline.

Using '-아야/어야 하다' (have to).

두 사람이 입을 맞춘 것 같아요.

It seems like the two of them agreed on their story.

Idiom '입을 맞추다' (agree on a story).

고객의 요구에 맞춰서 디자인을 수정했어요.

I revised the design to match the customer's request.

Using '에 맞춰서' for adaptation.

노래에 맞춰서 춤을 춰 보세요.

Try dancing to the music (matching the music).

The music provides the standard for the action.

서로의 의견을 맞추는 과정이 필요해요.

A process of aligning each other's opinions is necessary.

Noun-modifying form '-는'.

그는 사장님의 비위를 맞추느라 바빠요.

He is busy humoring (catering to) the boss.

Idiom '비위를 맞추다' (humor someone).

우리는 보조를 맞춰서 나아가야 합니다.

We must move forward in step with each other.

Formal ending '-(으)ㅂ니다'.

이 컴퓨터는 제 용도에 맞춰서 조립했어요.

I assembled this computer to match my needs.

Assembled/Customized (조립/맞춤).

팀원들과 호흡을 맞추는 것이 가장 중요합니다.

Syncing up (working in harmony) with team members is most important.

Idiom '호흡을 맞추다' (to sync up).

그 배우는 캐릭터에 맞춰서 목소리를 바꿨어요.

The actor changed their voice to match the character.

Using '에 맞춰서' for artistic adjustment.

수준에 맞춘 개별 학습이 효과적이에요.

Individualized learning tailored to one's level is effective.

Past-participle modifier '맞춘'.

우리는 예산에 맞춰서 여행 계획을 짰어요.

We made travel plans to match our budget.

Budget (예산) as the constraint.

상황에 맞춰서 적절하게 대응해야 합니다.

You must respond appropriately according to the situation.

Adverbial use '적절하게' (appropriately).

이 안경은 도수가 저한테 안 맞는 것 같아요. 다시 맞춰야겠어요.

The prescription for these glasses doesn't seem to fit me. I'll have to get them adjusted again.

Future/Intention '-겠어요'.

그들은 서로의 눈높이를 맞추려고 노력했어요.

They tried to see eye-to-eye (match their eye levels).

Idiom '눈높이를 맞추다' (see eye-to-eye).

전통적인 방식에 맞춰서 제사를 지냈어요.

We performed the ancestral rites according to traditional methods.

Tradition (전통적인 방식) as the standard.

기업은 시장의 흐름에 발을 맞춰야 생존할 수 있습니다.

Companies can only survive if they keep pace with market trends.

Metaphorical use of '발을 맞추다'.

정부는 시대의 변화에 맞춘 새로운 정책을 발표했습니다.

The government announced new policies tailored to the changes of the times.

Formal, news-style sentence.

작가는 독자의 기호에 맞추기보다 자신의 예술 세계를 고집했어요.

The writer insisted on their own artistic world rather than catering to the readers' tastes.

Contrastive structure '-기보다'.

이 기기는 사용자의 편의에 맞춰 최적화되어 있습니다.

This device is optimized to match the user's convenience.

Passive form '최적화되어 있다' (is optimized).

그녀는 주변의 기대에 맞추느라 정작 자신을 잃어버렸어요.

In the process of meeting the expectations of those around her, she actually lost herself.

Reasoning suffix '-느라' (due to doing something).

우리는 글로벌 표준에 맞춰 시스템을 재정비했습니다.

We reorganized our system to align with global standards.

Standard (표준) as the benchmark.

서로의 가치관을 맞추는 일은 결코 쉽지 않습니다.

Aligning each other's values is by no means easy.

Emphasis '결코' (never/by no means).

그 연구는 최신 트렌드에 맞춰진 설계로 주목받았습니다.

The study received attention for its design, which was tailored to the latest trends.

Passive modifier '맞춰진' (tailored/aligned).

우주의 섭리에 맞춰 살아가는 것이 진정한 도(道)입니다.

Living in accordance with the providence of the universe is the true Way.

Philosophical use of '맞춰 살아가다'.

그 법안은 헌법의 정신에 맞추어 엄격하게 심사되었습니다.

The bill was strictly reviewed in alignment with the spirit of the Constitution.

Legal/Formal register.

문학 작품은 시대적 배경과 호흡을 같이 하며 독자와 보조를 맞춘다.

Literary works breathe with their historical background and keep pace with the readers.

Highly literary and metaphorical expression.

그 예술가는 찰나의 순간에 초점을 맞춰 영원을 포착하려 했다.

The artist tried to capture eternity by focusing on a fleeting moment.

Abstract use of '초점을 맞추다'.

개인의 자유와 공동체의 이익을 맞추는 지점을 찾는 것이 정치의 본질이다.

Finding the point where individual freedom and the community's interests align is the essence of politics.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

신기술의 발전 속도에 맞춰 윤리적 가이드라인을 정립해야 한다.

Ethical guidelines must be established in step with the speed of new technology development.

Necessity '-해야 한다'.

그 교향곡은 모든 악기가 완벽하게 합을 맞춰 장엄한 선율을 만들어냈다.

The symphony created a majestic melody with every instrument in perfect synchronization.

Musical/Artistic coordination '합을 맞추다'.

역사적 사실에 맞춰 고증을 거친 드라마가 인기를 끌고 있다.

Dramas that have undergone historical research to match historical facts are gaining popularity.

Historical accuracy (고증) and alignment.

Häufige Kollokationen

알람을 맞추다

시간을 맞추다

초점을 맞추다

퍼즐을 맞추다

기한을 맞추다

입을 맞추다

발을 맞추다

비위를 맞추다

옷을 맞추다

정답을 맞추다

Häufige Phrasen

눈높이를 맞추다

— To see eye-to-eye or adjust one's level to match another (often used for parents/teachers and children).

아이의 눈높이에 맞춰서 설명해 주세요.

입맛에 맞추다

— To adjust something to suit someone's taste.

손님들의 입맛에 맞춰 요리했어요.

호흡을 맞추다

— To work in perfect harmony or synchronization with others.

두 배우가 환상적인 호흡을 맞췄어요.

비위를 맞추다

— To humor or flatter someone to keep them in a good mood.

상사의 비위를 맞추기가 쉽지 않아요.

장단을 맞추다

— To chime in with someone or follow someone's lead (literally, matching the beat).

그는 친구의 이야기에 장단을 잘 맞춰 준다.

수지타산을 맞추다

— To make ends meet or ensure a project is profitable (matching income and expenses).

이 사업은 수지타산을 맞추기가 어렵다.

퍼즐 조각을 맞추다

— To put puzzle pieces together; often used metaphorically for solving a mystery.

사건의 퍼즐 조각이 하나씩 맞춰지고 있다.

간을 맞추다

— To season food to the right taste (matching the saltiness).

소금으로 국의 간을 맞추세요.

박자를 맞추다

— To keep the beat or rhythm.

음악에 맞춰서 박자를 맞춰 보세요.

초점을 맞추다

— To focus on something (literally or figuratively).

이번 회의는 문제 해결에 초점을 맞춥시다.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

맞추다 vs 맞히다

Most common confusion. 맞히다 is for hitting a target or getting an answer correct. 맞추다 is for comparing or adjusting.

맞추다 vs 맞다

맞다 is the state of being correct or fitting. 맞추다 is the action of making it so.

맞추다 vs 마치다

Sounds similar but means 'to finish' or 'to end'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"입을 맞추다"

— To kiss OR to get stories straight/collude. Context determines which one.

그들은 경찰 조사 전에 입을 맞췄다.

Neutral/Informal

"발을 맞추다"

— To walk in step OR to cooperate/keep pace with someone.

변화하는 시대에 발을 맞춰야 한다.

Neutral

"비위를 맞추다"

— To cater to someone's whims; to suck up to someone.

그는 돈을 위해 권력자의 비위를 맞췄다.

Neutral/Slightly Negative

"눈을 맞추다"

— To make eye contact OR to fall in love/have an understanding.

두 사람은 서로 눈을 맞추며 웃었다.

Neutral/Romantic

"호흡을 맞추다"

— To work together seamlessly; to be 'in sync'.

오랜 동료라 그런지 호흡이 잘 맞는다.

Neutral

"장단을 맞추다"

— To play along with someone's mood or words.

옆에서 장단을 맞춰 주니 이야기가 더 재미있어졌다.

Informal

"코드(code)를 맞추다"

— To be on the same wavelength (modern slang/idiom).

우리는 유머 코드가 잘 맞춘다 (Note: Usually '맞다' is used here, but '맞추다' is the action of trying to find that common ground).

Slang/Informal

"격(格)을 맞추다"

— To maintain dignity or act according to one's status.

격에 맞춘 옷차림이 중요하다.

Formal

"수준을 맞추다"

— To adjust to a certain level (e.g., teaching at a student's level).

학생들의 수준에 맞춰 강의를 준비했다.

Neutral

"초점을 맞추다"

— To focus energy or attention on a specific goal.

우리는 혁신에 초점을 맞추고 있다.

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

맞추다 vs 맞히다

Similar sound and both relate to 'correctness'.

맞히다 is about the result (hitting the mark), while 맞추다 is about the process (aligning or comparing).

정답을 맞히다 (to get the answer right) vs 답을 맞추다 (to check answers with someone).

맞추다 vs 조절하다

Both mean 'to adjust'.

조절하다 is more for technical levels (volume, temp), while 맞추다 is more general for alignment and matching.

볼륨을 조절하다 vs 시간을 맞추다.

맞추다 vs 어울리다

Both relate to things 'matching'.

어울리다 is an adjective-like verb for visual suitableness; 맞추다 is an active verb for making things fit.

이 옷이 잘 어울려요 vs 이 옷을 몸에 맞췄어요.

맞추다 vs 조정하다

Both mean 'to coordinate/adjust'.

조정하다 is more formal, often used for opinions or legal/administrative settings.

분쟁을 조정하다 vs 약속 시간을 맞추다.

맞추다 vs 정렬하다

Both involve 'alignment'.

정렬하다 is specifically about putting things in a physical or logical row/order.

데이터를 정렬하다 vs 초점을 맞추다.

Satzmuster

[Time]에 알람을 맞추다

7시에 알람을 맞췄어요.

[Person]와/과 시간을 맞추다

친구와 시간을 맞추기가 힘들어요.

[Standard]에 맞춰서 [Action]

계획에 맞춰서 일을 진행하세요.

[Clothing]을/를 맞추다

정장을 한 벌 맞추고 싶어요.

[Person]의 비위를 맞추다

그는 사장님의 비위를 잘 맞춘다.

[Action]에 호흡을 맞추다

우리는 서로 호흡을 맞춰서 춤을 췄다.

[Abstract Concept]에 발을 맞추다

기술 발전에 발을 맞춰야 합니다.

[Value]에 초점을 맞추다

이 정책은 복지에 초점을 맞추고 있다.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

맞춤 Custom-made; tailoring; matching.

맞춤법 Spelling; orthography (literally: the law of matching).

맞춤형 Customized; tailored type.

Verben

맞다 To be right; to fit (intransitive base form).

맞히다 To hit a target; to guess correctly (causative of hitting).

맞물리다 To be interlocked; to mesh together.

Adjektive

알맞다 To be appropriate; to be suitable.

걸맞다 To be suitable; to be well-matched.

Verwandt

조절 (adjustment)

일치 (agreement)

조화 (harmony)

균형 (balance)

정렬 (alignment)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very High. It is in the top 1000 most common Korean verbs.

Häufige Fehler

Using 맞추다 for 'That's right.' → 맞아요.
맞추다 is an action. 맞다 is the state. If you agree with someone, say '맞아요.'
Spelling it as 맞쳐요. → 맞춰요.
The stem is 맞추-, so when it meets -어, it must become 맞춰.
Saying '정답을 맞췄어요' when you mean 'I got the answer right.' → 정답을 맞혔어요.
맞추다 means you compared your answer to the key. 맞히다 means you correctly guessed it.
Using it without an object particle. → 시간을 맞추다.
Since it is a transitive verb, the object particle 을/를 is usually required unless dropped in casual speech.
Using 맞추다 for adapting to a culture. → 적응하다.
맞추다 implies matching a specific external standard or object. For general adaptation, use 적응하다.

Tipps

Aspirated 'CH'

Ensure you emphasize the '추' (chu) sound. It is aspirated, meaning a puff of air should come out. This distinguishes it from '주' (ju).

Alarm Settings

Always use '맞추다' for alarms. It's one of the most natural 'native' sounding uses of the word for beginners.

Puzzle Pieces

Think of jigsaw puzzles whenever you use this word. It helps reinforce the idea of 'fitting things together.'

The '워' Diphthong

Remember that '맞추다' + '-어' = '맞춰'. Don't write '맞쳐' or '맞추어' (though '맞추어' is technically correct, it's rarely used in speech).

Social Harmony

In Korea, '맞춰 주다' (to adjust for someone) is seen as a kind, cooperative act. It shows you are willing to compromise.

Deadlines

Memorize '기한을 맞추다'. It's a standard phrase in any Korean workplace.

Camera Focus

When asking someone to take a photo, you can say '초점 좀 맞춰 주세요' if the image is blurry.

Custom Items

If you see a shop sign saying '맞춤', it means they offer custom-made products.

Story Alignment

Remember that '입을 맞추다' is often used in news about people coordinating their lies or stories.

Nominalization

The form '맞춤형' (customized) is a very common buzzword in marketing and government policy.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Match' (like a fire match or a sports match). When you use '맞추다', you are actively 'Matching' two things together—like matching your alarm to a time or matching puzzle pieces.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine two hands bringing two separate puzzle pieces together until they click. That 'click' is the essence of '맞추다'.

Word Web

Alarm Puzzle Tailor Schedule Focus Answers Rhythm Harmony

Herausforderung

Try to use '맞추다' in three different ways today: 1. Setting an alarm. 2. Checking a translation answer. 3. Planning a meeting time with a friend.

Wortherkunft

The word '맞추다' is derived from the middle Korean root '맞-' (mat-), which relates to meeting or being correct. It incorporates the causative suffix '-추-' (-chu-), which transforms the state of 'being right' into the action of 'making right' or 'bringing together.'

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To cause something to meet or to make something fit a standard.

Koreanic

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful with '비위를 맞추다' as it can imply someone is being insincere or overly sycophantic. Use it cautiously when describing others' behavior.

English speakers often use 'set,' 'adjust,' 'match,' or 'coordinate' depending on the context, whereas Korean uses '맞추다' for all of these, making it a very powerful high-frequency word.

The phrase '입을 맞추다' is a common trope in Korean legal dramas (K-Dramas) when suspects conspire. K-Pop idols often talk about '호흡을 맞추다' in interviews when discussing their group's chemistry. The '맞춤법' (spelling) is a frequent topic of debate on Korean variety shows and social media.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Morning Routine

알람을 맞추다
시계를 맞추다
옷을 맞춰 입다
시간을 확인하다

Education/Testing

답을 맞추다
정답을 확인하다
옆 사람과 맞추다
채점하다

Socializing

시간을 맞추다
약속을 잡다
비위를 맞추다
발을 맞추다

Shopping/Fashion

옷을 맞추다
신발을 맞추다
사이즈를 재다
가격을 맞추다

Work/Office

기한을 맞추다
일정을 맞추다
호흡을 맞추다
요구에 맞추다

Gesprächseinstiege

"내일 몇 시에 알람을 맞출 거예요?"

"우리 언제 만날까요? 시간을 좀 맞춰 봐요."

"이 옷 어디서 맞췄어요? 정말 잘 어울려요."

"혹시 어제 시험 답 맞춰 봤어요?"

"새로 산 카메라 초점은 어떻게 맞춰요?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

오늘 하루 중 다른 사람과 시간을 맞추기 위해 노력했던 경험을 써 보세요.

내가 가장 좋아하는 퍼즐이나 게임을 맞췄을 때의 기분을 설명해 보세요.

누군가의 비위를 맞추느라 힘들었던 적이 있나요? 그 상황을 적어 보세요.

나에게 딱 맞춘(customized) 물건이 있다면 무엇인지 소개해 보세요.

미래의 목표에 맞춰서 지금 내가 준비하고 있는 것들에 대해 써 보세요.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Use '맞다' when you want to say something IS correct or fits (e.g., 'This answer is right'). Use '맞추다' when you are the one DOING the matching or adjusting (e.g., 'I am matching the answers').

No! In fact, in news or crime contexts, it almost always means 'to conspire' or 'to get stories straight.' Only in romantic contexts does it mean 'to kiss.'

You say '알람을 맞췄어요.' This is the standard and most natural way to express setting an alarm.

Yes, you can, but '조절하다' is slightly more common for technical levels like volume or temperature. '맞추다' works if you are matching it to a specific level (e.g., 'Match the volume to the background music').

'답을 맞추다' means comparing your answer to the key to see if they match. '답을 맞히다' means you actually got the answer correct on the test.

It becomes '맞춰요.' The '우' in the stem '맞추-' combines with '-어' to form '워'.

Usually, we use '소개하다' (introduce) or talk about '궁합이 맞다' (having good chemistry). '맞추다' is not typically used for matchmaking people.

It means to humor someone or cater to their mood, often to stay in their good graces. It can be slightly negative, implying flattery.

Yes! '맞춤법' literally means 'the law of matching' letters to the correct standard, which is why it means 'spelling' or 'orthography.'

Yes, you can use it for fitting parts together, though '조립하다' (to assemble) is more specific. '맞추다' emphasizes the alignment of the pieces.

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