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A2 adjective #4,000 am häufigsten 7 Min. Lesezeit

잘 익다

jal ikda Top 4,000

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Erklärung 잘 익다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know '잘 익다' in its simplest form: describing food you are about to eat. Think of it as 'The food is ready.' You might use it at a BBQ restaurant to ask if the meat is okay to eat. It is usually used in the past tense '익었어요' because you are describing a state that has already happened. For example, '사과가 익었어요' (The apple is ripe). At this stage, focus on the relationship between heat and food being ready.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use '잘 익다' to describe preferences and natural processes. You can distinguish between '잘 익은 것' (something well-ripened) and '안 익은 것' (something not ripe/cooked). You can use it to talk about the weather affecting fruit or to give simple instructions in the kitchen. You should also be aware of the adverb '잘' which adds the meaning of 'properly' or 'perfectly.' You might say, '김치가 잘 익어서 맛있어요' (The kimchi is delicious because it's well-fermented).

At the B1 level, you should understand the more nuanced uses of '익다,' specifically regarding Korean fermentation culture. You can talk about the different stages of kimchi (fresh vs. fermented). You also begin to see the word in metaphorical contexts, such as an atmosphere or a situation 'ripening.' You can use the causative form '익히다' (to cook/ripen something) to give more complex cooking instructions or explain how to prepare a traditional dish. You understand that '익다' implies a passage of time that leads to a better state.

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At the B2 level, you use '잘 익다' fluently in a variety of contexts, including professional or specialized settings like a kitchen or a farm. You understand the difference between '익다' and more technical terms like '발효되다' (ferment) or '숙성되다' (age/mature). You can use the word to describe the maturity of a person's skills or the 'ripeness' of a plan. You are comfortable using it in various grammatical structures, such as '익을 대로 익다' (to be as ripe as it can be), to express emphasis.

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At the C1 level, '잘 익다' becomes a tool for expressive and literary descriptions. You can use it to describe the subtle changes in nature or the deep, complex flavors of aged food. You understand its use in proverbs and idiomatic expressions. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'ripening' in human life versus mere 'aging.' Your usage is nuanced, recognizing that '잘 익다' carries a positive connotation of harmony and readiness that other words like '오래되다' (to be old) lack.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '잘 익다.' You can appreciate and use it in high-level literature, poetry, and academic discussions about food science or sociology. You understand the historical and cultural weight the word carries in a society that values patience (as seen in fermentation). You can use the word to describe abstract concepts like the 'ripening' of a democracy or the 'well-cooked' nature of a complex legal argument. You can play with the word's multiple meanings to create puns or sophisticated metaphors.

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잘 익다 in 30 Sekunden

Refers to food being perfectly cooked or fruit being fully ripe.
Used for fermentation stages in foods like kimchi.
Metaphorically describes maturity in skills or situations.
Essential for dining, especially at Korean BBQ restaurants.

The phrase 잘 익다 is a fundamental expression in the Korean language that bridges the gap between culinary precision and the natural cycles of growth. At its core, it combines the adverb 잘 (well) with the verb 익다 (to ripen, to be cooked, or to ferment). This combination is essential for daily life in Korea, whether you are sitting at a bustling barbecue restaurant in Gangnam or picking out fresh produce at a local market in Jeju. Understanding this term requires looking at it through three distinct lenses: the kitchen, the orchard, and the fermentation jar.

Culinary Context: In the context of cooking, particularly meat, it signifies that the food has reached the perfect internal temperature and texture for consumption. In a Korean BBQ setting, you will often hear diners asking if the pork belly is ready.

고기가 잘 익다 (The meat is well-cooked).

Beyond simple heat, the word carries a heavy weight in the world of Korean fermentation. Kimchi, the soul of Korean cuisine, is not merely 'old' or 'rotten'; it is 익은 (ripened/fermented). When kimchi is 잘 익다, it has reached that tangy, carbonated, and deeply flavorful stage that makes it perfect for Kimchi-jjigae. This process of 'ripening' through fermentation is seen as a transformation where the ingredients harmonize over time.

Agricultural Context: When referring to fruit or grains, it describes the natural process of reaching maturity. A red apple or a golden field of rice is described using this term to indicate they are ready for harvest.

Metaphorically, the term can also apply to human skills or social situations. When a person’s skills are 'well-ripened,' it means they have achieved a high level of mastery through time and experience. Similarly, if an atmosphere is 'well-ripened' (분위기가 잘 익다), it means the mood has reached a peak level of comfort or excitement. This versatility makes it one of the most culturally significant adjectives for learners to master.

Using 잘 익다 correctly involves understanding its conjugation and its relationship with different subjects. Because it functions as a descriptive verb (adjective) in many contexts but behaves like an active verb in others, learners must be careful with tense. When you see a fruit that is already ripe, you use the past tense form 익었다 to describe its current state, much like how 'is ripened' works in English.

Subject-Verb Agreement: The subject is usually food (meat, rice, noodles) or nature (fruit, crops). The adverb '잘' (well) is placed directly before the verb to emphasize the quality of the state.

이 사과는 아주 잘 익어서 달아요. (This apple is very sweet because it is well-ripened.)

In a restaurant, you might use the present progressive or a question to check on your food. For instance, 'Is the meat cooked well?' would be '고기가 잘 익었나요?'. Notice the use of the past tense marker -었-. In Korean, once something has reached the state of being cooked, it is considered a completed action that results in a current state.

Fermentation Nuance: When talking about Kimchi, '잘 익은 김치' refers to kimchi that has the perfect amount of 'sourness' from fermentation. If it goes too far, it becomes '신 김치' (sour/over-ripened kimchi).

Finally, consider the causative form 익히다 (to make something cook/ripen). While 익다 is intransitive (the meat cooks), 익히다 is transitive (you cook the meat). If you want to say 'Cook the meat well,' you would say '고기를 잘 익혀 주세요.'

You will encounter 잘 익다 in numerous everyday scenarios in Korea. The most common is undoubtedly at a Gogi-jib (BBQ house). The server might walk by, flip your Samgyeopsal, and say, '이제 잘 익었으니 드셔도 됩니다' (It’s well-cooked now, so you can eat). This is a signal of hospitality and safety, ensuring the guest enjoys the meat at its peak flavor profile.

마트에서: "이 수박 잘 익은 걸로 골라주세요." (At the mart: "Please pick a well-ripened watermelon for me.")

In television cooking shows (Mukbang or K-Food variety shows like 'Baek Jong-won's Alley Restaurant'), experts often discuss the degree of ripening in kimchi or the char on a steak. They might describe the 'deep taste' that comes from 잘 익은 ingredients. You will also hear it in weather reports during the autumn harvest season, where reporters describe the rice fields 'ripening' under the sun.

Social Contexts: At home, a mother might tell her children to wait because the rice isn't '익다' yet. Or at a traditional market, a vendor might shout about their 'well-ripened' persimmons (홍시) to attract customers.

Furthermore, in more poetic or literary settings, you might hear about 'ripening years' or 'ripening wisdom.' While '성숙하다' is more formal for 'mature,' 잘 익다 is used to give a more organic, grounded feeling to the growth of a person's character or a long-term project.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using 요리하다 (to cook) when they actually mean 익다 (to be cooked). In English, 'The meat is cooking' and 'I am cooking the meat' use the same verb. In Korean, these are strictly separated. If you say '고기가 요리해요,' you are saying 'The meat is doing the cooking,' which makes no sense!

Mistake: Confusing Active and Passive: Learners often forget that '익다' is an intransitive state. You don't '익다' the food; the food '익다's on its own due to heat or time.

Wrong: 저는 고기를 잘 익었어요.
Right: 저는 고기를 잘 익혔어요.

Another mistake involves the distinction between 'ripe' and 'sweet.' While 잘 익다 usually implies sweetness in fruit, it is not a synonym for 달다 (to be sweet). A fruit can be ripe but not sweet, or sweet but not yet fully ripe (though rare). Ensure you are describing the physical state of maturity, not just the taste.

Finally, watch out for the pronunciation of the batchim 'ㄺ'. In 익다, the 'ㄱ' sound is dominant. However, when followed by a vowel, like in 익어, the 'ㄱ' moves to the next syllable. Some learners over-complicate the double consonant rules; just remember it's a hard 'k' sound followed by 'da'.

While 잘 익다 is the most common way to express 'well-done' or 'ripe,' there are several synonyms and alternatives that provide more specific nuance depending on the context. Understanding these will elevate your Korean from basic to intermediate or advanced.

무르익다 (To be fully ripe / To reach a climax): This is a more intensive version of 익다. It is often used for fruit that is incredibly soft and ready to drop, or metaphorically for a situation that has reached its peak maturity.
성숙하다 (To be mature): This is the Sino-Korean word (成熟) used almost exclusively for people, minds, or social systems. You wouldn't use this for a piece of steak.

가을이 깊어가며 곡식이 무르익고 있다. (As autumn deepens, the grains are becoming fully ripe.)

In the context of cooking meat, you might hear '바싹 익히다' which means to cook something until it is crispy or very well-done. Conversely, '살짝 익히다' means to cook something lightly or rare. These modifiers change the '잘' (well) to something more specific.

For fruit, you might also hear '여물다', which specifically refers to grains or fruits becoming hard and full as they ripen. This is often used in rural settings or in literature to describe the bounty of the harvest. Using these alternatives correctly shows a deep appreciation for the specificities of the Korean language.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word '익다' is also the root for 'familiar' in Korean (익숙하다). The idea is that as you see something or someone repeatedly, your relationship with them 'ripens' or 'cooks' until it is familiar.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /tɕal iɡ.da/

US /tɕal iɡ.da/

Primary stress is on the first syllable of the verb '익' (ik).

Reimt sich auf

찍다 (jjik-da) 찍다 (jjik-da) 식다 (sik-da) 직다 (jik-da) 픽다 (pik-da) 믹다 (mik-da) 킥다 (kik-da) 틱다 (tik-da)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing '익' as 'ing' like in English.
Slurring the 'l' in 'jal' so it sounds like 'jar'.
Forgetting the tense 'k' sound before 'da'.
Pronouncing '익어' as 'ik-eo' with a pause instead of the smooth liaison 'i-geo'.
Confusing the pronunciation with '읽다' (to read), though they sound identical in some forms.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts, though the double consonant 'ㄺ' can be tricky for beginners.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires understanding the difference between the intransitive '익다' and causative '익히다'.

Sprechen 2/5

Very common and easy to use in restaurant settings.

Hören 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to pick out in food contexts.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

잘 (well) 고기 (meat) 사과 (apple) 맛있다 (to be delicious) 먹다 (to eat)

Als Nächstes lernen

익히다 (to cook - causative) 굽다 (to grill) 숙성 (aging/fermentation) 성숙하다 (to be mature) 무르익다 (to reach a climax)

Fortgeschritten

발효학 (fermentation science) 농경 문화 (agricultural culture) 미학적 성숙 (aesthetic maturity)

Wichtige Grammatik

Causative Verbs (-히-)

익다 (to cook) -> 익히다 (to make cook)

Past Tense as Resultant State

익었어요 (It is in a ripened state)

Adverbial Modification (잘)

잘 + Verb (Doing the action well)

Noun Modifying Form (-은)

잘 익은 과일 (Well-ripened fruit)

Reason/Cause (-어서)

잘 익어서 맛있어요 (It's delicious because it's ripe)

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Beispiele nach Niveau

고기가 잘 익었어요.

The meat is well-cooked.

Past tense '익었어요' is used to describe a current finished state.

사과가 잘 익었어요.

The apple is well-ripened.

Used here for fruit maturity.

밥이 잘 익었나요?

Is the rice well-cooked?

Question form using -었나요.

이 김치는 잘 익었어요.

This kimchi is well-fermented.

Refers to the sour, fermented state.

바나나가 잘 익었어요.

The banana is well-ripened.

Simple subject-verb structure.

고기를 잘 익혀요.

Cook the meat well.

Causative form '익히다' in imperative.

아직 안 익었어요.

It's not cooked/ripe yet.

Negative '안' before the verb.

잘 익은 수박이에요.

It is a well-ripened watermelon.

Noun modifying form '익은'.

잘 익은 과일이 달아요.

Well-ripened fruit is sweet.

Noun modifying form '익은' acting as an adjective.

스테이크를 잘 익혀 주세요.

Please cook the steak well.

Requesting a specific state of cooking.

김치가 잘 익어서 찌개를 만들어요.

Since the kimchi is well-fermented, I'm making stew.

Using -어서 to show reason/cause.

토마토가 빨갛게 잘 익었네요.

The tomatoes have ripened nicely and red.

Exclamatory ending -네요.

고기가 잘 익을 때까지 기다리세요.

Wait until the meat is well-cooked.

-을 때까지 meaning 'until'.

잘 익은 감은 부드러워요.

A well-ripened persimmon is soft.

Contrasting state and texture.

라면 면이 잘 익었는지 보세요.

Check if the ramen noodles are well-cooked.

-는지 보다 meaning 'check if'.

포도가 보라색으로 잘 익었어요.

The grapes have ripened into a purple color.

Using '으로' to indicate resulting color.

김치가 아주 잘 익어서 국물 맛이 깊어요.

The kimchi is so well-fermented that the broth has a deep flavor.

Connecting fermentation to taste depth.

곡식이 잘 익어가는 들판을 보니 기분이 좋아요.

I feel good looking at the fields where the grains are ripening.

-어 가다 expressing a process in progress.

삼겹살을 겉은 바삭하고 속은 잘 익게 구워야 해요.

You have to grill pork belly so the outside is crispy and the inside is well-cooked.

-게 to indicate the manner or state of the result.

이 복숭아는 너무 잘 익어서 손만 대도 터질 것 같아요.

This peach is so ripe it seems like it will burst if I just touch it.

-을 것 같다 to express a supposition.

된장이 잘 익으려면 시간이 더 필요해요.

For the soybean paste to ferment well, more time is needed.

-으려면 meaning 'if you want to/in order to'.

잘 익은 벼는 고개를 숙인다는 속담이 있어요.

There is a proverb that says well-ripened rice bows its head.

A common proverb about humility.

고기가 타지 않게 속까지 잘 익히는 것이 중요해요.

It is important to cook the inside well without burning the outside.

-지 않게 meaning 'so that it doesn't'.

햇볕이 좋아서 과일들이 아주 잘 익고 있네요.

The fruits are ripening very well because the sunlight is good.

Reason -어서 combined with process -고 있다.

분위기가 잘 익었을 때 제안을 하는 것이 좋습니다.

It is good to make a proposal when the atmosphere has ripened (is just right).

Metaphorical use for 'atmosphere'.

오랜 시간 숙성되어 잘 익은 와인처럼 그의 연기는 깊이가 있다.

Like a well-aged wine, his acting has depth.

Comparison between fermentation and human skill.

가을 햇살 아래 무르익은 감들이 가지마다 매달려 있다.

Fully ripened persimmons are hanging from every branch under the autumn sun.

Using '무르익다' for advanced emphasis.

충분히 잘 익지 않은 김치로 찌개를 끓이면 맛이 덜해요.

If you make stew with kimchi that isn't sufficiently fermented, the taste is lacking.

Double negative '충분히 잘 익지 않은'.

그의 기술은 이제 잘 익어서 전문가 수준에 도달했다.

His skills have now ripened (matured) and reached an expert level.

Metaphorical use for 'skill'.

고기를 센 불에 겉만 태우지 말고 중불에서 속까지 잘 익히세요.

Don't just burn the outside on high heat; cook the inside well on medium heat.

-지 말고 (don't do X, do Y).

잘 익은 사과만을 골라 담는 작업이 한창이다.

The work of picking only the well-ripened apples is in full swing.

-만을 (only) emphasizing the selection.

발효 식품은 잘 익을수록 영양가가 높아집니다.

The more well-fermented a fermented food is, the higher its nutritional value becomes.

-을수록 meaning 'the more... the more'.

그의 문장은 세월의 흐름과 함께 잘 익은 술처럼 향기롭다.

His sentences are as fragrant as well-aged liquor, seasoned by the passage of time.

Literary simile.

갈등이 해결되려면 상황이 조금 더 잘 익어야 할 것 같습니다.

It seems the situation needs to 'ripen' a bit more for the conflict to be resolved.

Abstract usage for social situations.

잘 익은 벼 이삭이 황금빛 물결을 이루며 장관을 연출한다.

The well-ripened ears of rice create a golden wave, presenting a magnificent sight.

High-level descriptive vocabulary.

인격이 잘 익은 사람과 대화를 나누는 것은 큰 즐거움이다.

It is a great pleasure to converse with a person whose character is well-matured.

Metaphor for character/personality.

전통 방식대로 옹기에서 잘 익은 장맛은 흉내 낼 수 없다.

The taste of sauces well-fermented in earthenware pots in the traditional way cannot be imitated.

Focusing on traditional authenticity.

시나리오가 충분히 잘 익을 때까지 감독은 촬영을 미루었다.

The director postponed filming until the scenario had sufficiently 'ripened' (matured/perfected).

Usage in creative processes.

잘 익은 열매를 맺기 위해서는 인고의 시간이 필요하다.

To bear well-ripened fruit, a time of patient endurance is necessary.

Philosophical abstraction.

그의 목소리는 나이가 들수록 더 잘 익어 깊은 울림을 준다.

His voice 'ripens' as he ages, giving off a deep resonance.

Metaphor for artistic quality over time.

성숙한 민주주의는 시민 의식이 잘 익었을 때 비로소 발현된다.

Mature democracy is finally manifested when civic consciousness is well-ripened.

Sociopolitical metaphor.

고전의 가치는 시대의 격변 속에서도 잘 익은 지혜를 제공한다는 데 있다.

The value of classics lies in providing well-ripened wisdom even amidst the upheavals of the times.

Academic/Philosophical context.

발효의 미학은 기다림 끝에 얻어지는 잘 익은 조화에 있다.

The aesthetics of fermentation lie in the well-ripened harmony achieved through waiting.

Abstract noun usage.

작가의 사유가 잘 익어 한 권의 책으로 결실을 맺었다.

The author's thoughts ripened and bore fruit as a single book.

Intellectual maturation metaphor.

무르익은 가을 정취가 산천을 온통 울긋불긋하게 물들였다.

The fully ripened autumn atmosphere dyed the mountains and rivers in various colors.

Poetic personification of atmosphere.

잘 익은 고독은 때로 창조적 영감의 원천이 되기도 한다.

Well-ripened solitude sometimes becomes a source of creative inspiration.

Psychological/Existential metaphor.

역사의 흐름이 잘 익어 마침내 변화의 임계점에 도달했다.

The flow of history 'ripened' and finally reached the critical point of change.

Historical/Sociological metaphor.

잘 익은 관계일수록 서로의 침묵조차 편안하게 느껴지는 법이다.

In a well-ripened relationship, even each other's silence feels comfortable.

Interpersonal maturity metaphor.

Häufige Kollokationen

고기가 잘 익다

과일이 잘 익다

김치가 잘 익다

벼가 잘 익다

속까지 잘 익다

빨갛게 잘 익다

분위기가 잘 익다

노릇노릇 잘 익다

술이 잘 익다

생각이 잘 익다

Häufige Phrasen

잘 익은 김치

— Kimchi that has fermented to the perfect tangy taste.

잘 익은 김치로 볶음밥을 만들었어요.

잘 익은 수박

— A watermelon that is sweet and red inside.

잘 익은 수박을 고르는 법을 알려주세요.

속까지 잘 익히다

— To cook something thoroughly to the center.

닭고기는 속까지 잘 익혀야 안전해요.

노랗게 잘 익은

— Ripened to a yellow color (usually grains or bananas).

노랗게 잘 익은 바나나가 맛있어요.

빨갛게 잘 익은

— Ripened to a red color (apples, strawberries).

빨갛게 잘 익은 딸기를 땄어요.

맛있게 잘 익은

— Ripened/cooked in a way that is tasty.

맛있게 잘 익은 고기 한 점 드세요.

적당히 잘 익은

— Appropriately well-ripened/cooked.

적당히 잘 익은 김치가 최고예요.

아주 잘 익은

— Very well-ripened/cooked.

아주 잘 익은 복숭아는 향이 좋아요.

다 익다

— To be completely finished cooking/ripening.

고기가 다 익었어요.

덜 익다

— To be undercooked or unripe.

고기가 아직 덜 익었어요.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

잘 익다 vs 맛있다

While '잘 익다' often results in being '맛있다' (delicious), they are not synonyms. Something can be well-cooked but not tasty if the ingredients are bad.

잘 익다 vs 요리하다

'요리하다' is the action of cooking. '익다' is the state of the food being cooked.

잘 익다 vs 성숙하다

'성숙하다' is specifically for human maturity. Use '익다' for food and '성숙하다' for people's minds.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다"

— The more successful or knowledgeable a person is, the more humble they should be.

그는 대단한 학자임에도 항상 겸손하다. 정말 '벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다'는 말이 맞다.

Proverb

"익은 밥 먹고 선소리한다"

— To say something nonsensical or talk nonsense after eating a good meal (acting foolishly).

말도 안 되는 소리 하지 마. 익은 밥 먹고 선소리하는 거야?

Colloquial

"익을 대로 익다"

— To be as ripe or mature as possible; to reach a limit.

두 사람의 관계는 이제 익을 대로 익어서 결혼만 남았다.

Neutral

"설익은 지식"

— Half-baked knowledge; knowing only a little but acting like an expert.

설익은 지식으로 남을 가르치려 들지 마라.

Formal

"분위기가 무르익다"

— The atmosphere has reached its peak or become very comfortable.

파티 분위기가 무르익었을 때 주인공이 나타났다.

Neutral

"기회가 익다"

— The opportunity is ripe/ready.

드디어 기회가 익었으니 이제 행동할 때다.

Literary

"과일이 익듯"

— Naturally, over time (like fruit ripening).

우리 사랑도 과일이 익듯 천천히 깊어졌다.

Poetic

"얼굴이 익다"

— To look familiar (literally: face is 'ripened' to recognition).

저 사람 어디서 본 것 같은데, 얼굴이 참 익네요.

Common

"눈에 익다"

— To be familiar to one's eyes.

이 동네 풍경이 눈에 익어요.

Common

"손에 익다"

— To get used to something; for a task to become familiar to one's hands.

새 컴퓨터가 이제 손에 익었어요.

Common

Leicht verwechselbar

잘 익다 vs 읽다

They sound similar (ik-da vs. ilk-da).

'읽다' has a silent 'ㄹ' in the 'ㄺ' batchim when followed by a consonant, making them sound identical as [익다]. Context is key.

책을 읽다 (Read a book) vs. 고기가 익다 (Meat is cooking).

잘 익다 vs 이끼

Similar starting sound.

'이끼' means moss (nature). '익다' is a verb.

바위에 이끼가 있다.

잘 익다 vs 이기다

Phonetically close.

'이기다' means to win or to knead dough.

경기에 이기다.

잘 익다 vs 입다

Both start with '이'.

'입다' means to wear clothes.

옷을 입다.

잘 익다 vs 잇다

Short and starts with '이'.

'잇다' means to connect or link.

두 점을 잇다.

Satzmuster

N이/가 잘 익었어요.

고기가 잘 익었어요.

잘 익은 N을/를 먹어요.

잘 익은 사과를 먹어요.

N이/가 잘 익어서 V.

김치가 잘 익어서 찌개를 끓여요.

N을/를 잘 익히세요.

고기를 잘 익히세요.

N이/가 잘 익을 때까지 V.

과일이 잘 익을 때까지 기다려요.

N이/가 무르익다.

가을이 무르익다.

잘 익은 N처럼 V.

잘 익은 술처럼 향기롭다.

N이/가 잘 익은 상태에서 V.

시민 의식이 잘 익은 상태에서 투표를 한다.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

익힘 (the act of cooking/ripening)

성숙 (maturity)

발효 (fermentation)

Verben

익히다 (to cook/ripen something - causative)

무르익다 (to become fully ripe)

설익다 (to be undercooked/unripe)

Adjektive

익은 (cooked/ripe - modifying form)

잘 익은 (well-cooked/ripe)

Verwandt

굽다 (to grill)

삶다 (to boil)

찌다 (to steam)

삭다 (to ferment/decompose)

자라다 (to grow)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, especially regarding food and nature.

Häufige Fehler

고기가 요리됐어요. → 고기가 잘 익었어요.
English speakers translate 'The meat is cooked' literally. In Korean, '요리되다' is rarely used for the state of being done; '익다' is the natural choice.
저는 사과를 익었어요. → 사과가 익었어요.
You cannot '익다' an object because '익다' is intransitive. The apple is the subject that ripens.
이 사람은 잘 익은 사람이에요. → 이 사람은 성숙한 사람이에요.
Using '익다' for a person's character sounds like you are comparing them to a piece of fruit in a weird way. Use '성숙하다' for 'mature.'
고기가 잘 익는 중이에요. → 고기가 잘 익고 있어요.
While '익는 중' is grammatically possible, '익고 있어요' is the much more common way to say something is currently cooking.
빵이 잘 익었어요. → 빵이 잘 구워졌어요.
For baked goods, '구워지다' (to be baked) is more natural than '익다'.

Tipps

At the BBQ

Always check the middle of the meat. If someone asks '다 익었나요?', they are asking if it's finished. If you answer '잘 익었어요,' you are saying it's perfect.

Picking Fruit

When buying fruit, look for the '잘 익은 것.' Usually, this means the color is deep and the smell is strong. Use this phrase to ask the seller for help.

Verb vs Adjective

Remember that '익다' is a verb. So it conjugates like a verb (익는다 in plain present), but it often functions to describe a state like an adjective.

Kimchi Stages

Don't throw away kimchi that is '너무 익다' (too ripe). That is the best stage for making Kimchi-jjigae or Kimchi-jeon!

Compliments

Telling a host '고기가 정말 잘 익었네요' is a great way to compliment their grilling skills.

The Batchim

The 'ㄺ' batchim in '익다' can be confusing. Just remember: before '다,' it's [익다]. Before a vowel like '어,' it's [이거].

Expand to Maturity

Once you master '잘 익다' for food, try using '무르익다' for the atmosphere of a party to sound more like a native speaker.

Causative Form

Use '익히다' when you are the one doing the cooking. '고기를 잘 익혀야 해요' (You must cook the meat well).

Variety Shows

Watch Korean cooking shows. You will hear '잘 익다' almost every five minutes. It's the most common way to describe the 'moment of readiness'.

Nature's Colors

Notice how '잘 익다' is often paired with colors: 빨갛게 (red), 노랗게 (yellow), 노릇노릇 (golden brown).

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of the word 'IK' sounds like 'ICK' if it's NOT ripe, but in Korean, 'IK' means it IS ripe and ready! Add 'JAL' (which sounds like 'Jolly') because you are jolly when the food is well-cooked.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a bright red apple (잘 익은 사과) next to a sizzling piece of meat (잘 익은 고기). Both are ready to jump into your mouth.

Word Web

Food BBQ Apple Kimchi Ready Sweet Hot Time

Herausforderung

Go to a Korean restaurant and check the meat. Use the phrase '고기가 잘 익었어요' when it's ready.

Wortherkunft

The word '익다' is a pure Korean verb that has existed since Middle Korean. It originally meant to reach a state of completion or readiness through natural or external heat.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To become ready or mature.

Koreanic

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using '익다' for people; use '성숙하다' instead to avoid sounding like you are talking about them like food, unless using the specific idioms.

English speakers often use 'ripe' only for fruit and 'cooked' for meat. In Korean, the unity of these concepts under '익다' emphasizes the natural progression toward readiness.

The proverb '벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다' is taught to every Korean child. K-Dramas often use the 'fermentation' of kimchi as a metaphor for a couple's developing love. Food critics in Korea use '잘 익다' to judge the quality of traditional restaurants.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Korean BBQ Restaurant

고기가 잘 익었나요?
더 잘 익혀 주세요.
잘 익은 걸로 주세요.
이제 잘 익었어요.

Fruit Market

이 수박 잘 익었나요?
잘 익은 사과를 골라주세요.
이건 아직 안 익었어요.
빨갛게 잘 익었네요.

Home Cooking

김치가 잘 익어서 맛있어.
밥이 잘 익었는지 확인해봐.
고기를 속까지 잘 익혀야 해.
라면 면이 잘 익었어.

Autumn Season

벼가 잘 익어서 황금빛이야.
감나무에 감이 잘 익었어.
가을은 열매가 잘 익는 계절이야.
곡식이 잘 익고 있어.

Social Gathering

분위기가 아주 잘 익었네.
이야기가 잘 익어간다.
우리의 우정도 잘 익었어.
시간이 흐르니 실력이 잘 익었구나.

Gesprächseinstiege

"이 고기 이제 잘 익은 것 같은데 먹어볼까요?"

"어떤 김치를 좋아하세요? 저는 잘 익은 김치를 좋아해요."

"이 사과 정말 잘 익었네요. 어디서 사셨어요?"

"스테이크는 어떻게 익혀 드릴까요? 잘 익혀 드릴까요?"

"가을이 오니 들판에 벼가 잘 익은 게 참 보기 좋지 않나요?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

오늘 먹은 음식 중에서 가장 잘 익은 것은 무엇이었나요?

내가 가진 기술 중에 '잘 익었다'고 생각하는 것이 있나요?

잘 익은 김치로 만들고 싶은 요리가 있다면 무엇인가요?

나무에서 잘 익은 과일을 따본 적이 있나요? 그때의 기분을 써보세요.

사람의 인격이 '잘 익는 것'은 어떤 의미라고 생각하나요?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Technically, you can, but Koreans usually use '잘 구워지다' (well-baked) for bread. '익다' is more for things that change state via boiling, steaming, or direct heat like meat and grains. For example, '빵이 잘 익었다' sounds a bit like the dough is no longer raw, but '잘 구워졌다' sounds like it is a finished bakery product.

Yes, but specifically for 'well-done.' If you want 'medium,' you would say '적당히 익혀주세요' or '미디엄으로 해주세요.' '잘 익히다' almost always implies cooking it thoroughly so there is no raw part.

Usually, yes. It implies the 'optimal' state. However, if something is '너무 익다' (over-ripened/over-cooked), it might be bad. '잘' specifically adds the 'well' or 'properly' nuance.

Not directly. You wouldn't say '그 사람이 잘 익었다.' Instead, you would use '곱게 늙다' (to age gracefully) or '성숙하다' (to be mature). However, poetically, you might say '세월이 익다' to mean time has passed and ripened a person's life.

You can say '안 익었다' (not cooked) or '설익었다' (undercooked/half-cooked). '덜 익었다' (less cooked) is also very common when you want it to cook more.

Yes. '익은 김치' is perfectly fermented and tasty. '신 김치' (sour kimchi) is fermented even further. While '신 김치' is great for stew, '익은 김치' is usually better for eating as a side dish.

Yes! '라면이 잘 익었다' means the noodles are perfectly soft and ready to eat. If they are '안 익었다,' they are still hard.

In Korean, certain verbs use the past tense to describe a current state that resulted from a past process. Since the ripening happened before you looked at it, it 'has ripened' and thus 'is ripe.' It's similar to 'married' (결혼했다) in Korean.

The direct opposite is '안 익다' (not ripe/cooked) or '설익다' (poorly cooked/unripe).

Yes, in specific compound phrases like '낯이 익다' (a face is familiar) or '손에 익다' (to be used to a task). This comes from the same root of 'ripening' into familiarity.

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