At the A1 level, you can think of '유통되다' simply as a word for when things are 'in the store' or 'moving to stores.' Even though this is a slightly advanced word, you might see it on food packaging. Look for the word '유통기한' (yu-tong-gi-han) which means 'expiration date.' This tells you how long the food can stay in the store. At this level, just remember that '유통' has something to do with stores and buying things. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet, but recognizing it on a milk carton is a great first step. Imagine a truck taking milk from a farm to a big supermarket like E-mart; that process is '유통.'
At the A2 level, you can start using '유통되다' to describe where you can buy certain products. It means 'to be sold' or 'to be available in the market.' For example, you can say '이 물건은 한국에서 유통돼요' (This item is distributed in Korea). This is useful when you are shopping or asking about products. You are learning that things don't just appear in stores; they have to move through a system. You can use this word when talking about your favorite snacks or clothes being available in different cities. It's a more 'grown-up' way to say something is being sold. You should also know that it's a passive word, so the thing (the snack, the book) is the subject.
At the B1 level, you should understand '유통되다' in the context of simple business and economy. You can use it to talk about how goods move from factories to consumers. You might encounter this word in news articles about the economy or in school textbooks. You can describe the '유통 과정' (distribution process) and how it affects prices. For instance, if the distribution process is long, the price might go up. You can also use it to talk about money circulating in the economy. It's a key word for discussing how a society functions on a basic level. You should be able to form sentences like '인터넷을 통해 많은 정보가 유통되고 있다' (A lot of information is being circulated through the internet).
At the B2 level, you can use '유통되다' to discuss more complex topics like logistics, supply chain management, and illegal trade. You should be able to distinguish it from similar words like '공급되다' (to be supplied) or '배포되다' (to be distributed/handed out). You might use it in a debate about '불법 유통' (illegal distribution) of digital content or drugs. You understand that this word implies a systemic flow. You can also use it metaphorically to talk about the circulation of ideas in a society. Your sentences should be more detailed, using adverbs like '전국적으로' (nationwide) or '비밀리에' (secretly) to describe how something is being circulated. You can also discuss the impact of '유통 구조' (distribution structure) on the national economy.
At the C1 level, '유통되다' becomes a tool for professional and academic analysis. You can use it to discuss macroeconomic theories regarding currency circulation or the global logistics of multinational corporations. You might write an essay on how digital transformation has changed the way information is '유통' in the 21st century. You are comfortable using it in formal reports and can handle the nuances between the active '유통하다' and the passive '유통되다' perfectly. You might also explore the legal aspects of distribution, such as '유통망' (distribution networks) and anti-trust laws. At this level, you can analyze the word's Hanja roots to understand its deeper connection to other words like '통화' (currency) or '교통' (traffic/transportation).
At the C2 level, you have a complete, native-like grasp of '유통되다.' You can use it in highly specialized fields such as advanced economics, law, or philosophy. You might discuss the 'circulation of power' (권력의 유통) or the abstract flow of cultural capital. You can appreciate the word's use in high-level literature or complex legal documents where precise terminology is required. You are aware of the historical evolution of the term and how it has adapted to describe modern phenomena like blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi). You can effortlessly switch between registers, using the word in a formal lecture or in a nuanced discussion about market ethics. Your understanding is not just linguistic, but deeply contextual and conceptual.

유통되다 en 30 segundos

  • 유통되다 means to be distributed or circulated, primarily used for goods, money, and information in a systemic or commercial context.
  • It is a passive verb (되다), meaning the focus is on the object being moved rather than the person doing the moving.
  • Commonly heard in news reports regarding market trends, economic updates, or the spread of counterfeit currency and rumors.
  • Key related terms include 유통기한 (expiration date) and 유통망 (distribution network), which are essential for daily life in Korea.

The Korean verb 유통되다 (yutong-doeda) is a cornerstone of economic, logistical, and social vocabulary in South Korea. At its most fundamental level, it describes the process of something being circulated, distributed, or moved through a system from one point to another. The word is composed of two Hanja roots: 유 (流) meaning 'to flow' and 통 (通) meaning 'to pass through' or 'to communicate.' When combined with the auxiliary verb 되다 (to become/passive), it literally means 'to become a state of flowing through.' This word is not just about moving an object from Point A to Point B; it implies a continuous cycle or a systemic movement within a market or society. For English speakers, it is most frequently translated as 'to be distributed,' 'to be circulated,' or 'to be in the market.'

Economic Context
In the world of business and economics, 유통되다 refers to the movement of goods from producers to consumers. This includes the entire supply chain, from the factory floor to the wholesaler, then to the retailer, and finally into the hands of the buyer. If a new smartphone is released, you would say it is being '유통되다' across the country.
Financial Context
The word is heavily used when discussing currency. Whether it is legitimate banknotes or counterfeit bills, the act of money moving from hand to hand is described using this verb. If a government issues a new coin, it begins to '유통되다' in the economy.
Information and Media
In the digital age, information, rumors, and data can also be described as being '유통되다.' When a news story spreads through social media platforms, or when classified documents are leaked and move through various channels, this verb captures that movement of intangible assets.

최근 시장에서 가짜 지폐가 유통되다가 적발되었습니다. (Recently, counterfeit bills were caught being circulated in the market.)

Understanding when to use 유통되다 versus other similar words like '배달되다' (to be delivered) or '분배되다' (to be distributed/divided) is crucial. While '배달되다' focuses on the specific act of a package arriving at your door, 유통되다 focuses on the systemic existence of the product in the general marketplace. If a product is '유통되다,' it means it is available for purchase or is moving through the commercial ecosystem. It suggests a broader scope than just a single delivery. For example, if you say 'This milk is being 유통되다,' you are talking about the brand's presence in supermarkets nationwide, not just the one carton on your porch.

이 약은 현재 약국에서 합법적으로 유통되고 있습니다. (This medicine is currently being distributed legally in pharmacies.)

The word also carries a connotation of legitimacy or illegitimacy depending on the context. In news reports, you will often hear about '불법 유통' (illegal distribution). This could refer to drugs, pirated software, or smuggled goods. When the passive form 유통되다 is used in these contexts, it highlights the state of these items being 'out there' in the world. Conversely, in a positive sense, '유통되다' is used to describe the efficiency of a country's logistics. A well-developed society ensures that fresh produce is '유통되다' quickly from farms to urban dinner tables, minimizing waste and ensuring food security. The nuances of this word are deeply tied to the concepts of movement, access, and systemic flow.

Using 유통되다 correctly requires an understanding of its passive nature. Since it ends in 되다, the subject of the sentence is the thing that is being circulated or distributed. You will rarely see a person as the subject unless that person is somehow being 'circulated' (which would be a very strange or metaphorical sentence). Instead, the subjects are almost always inanimate objects, currency, or abstract concepts like information.

Subject Particles
The most common particles used with the subject are 이/가. For example, '상품이 유통되다' (The product is distributed). If you want to emphasize the subject or compare it, you use 은/는.
Location Particles
To describe where something is circulating, use the particle 에서 (in/at). Common locations include '시장에서' (in the market), '전국에서' (across the country), or '온라인상에서' (online).

그 소문은 인터넷을 통해 빠르게 유통되었습니다. (That rumor was circulated quickly through the internet.)

Grammatically, 유통되다 can be conjugated into various tenses and moods. In formal business reports, you will often see it in the plain form 유통된다 or the humble/polite 유통됩니다. In casual conversation, 유통돼요 is used. Because it is a process that often happens over time, the progressive form 유통되고 있다 (is being distributed) is extremely common. This highlights that the movement is ongoing. For instance, '신제품이 현재 유통되고 있습니다' tells the listener that the new product is currently in the process of reaching stores.

유통기한이 지난 음식이 시장에 유통되지 않도록 주의해야 합니다. (Care must be taken so that food past its expiration date is not distributed in the market.)

Another important structural aspect is using adverbs to describe the manner of distribution. Words like 광범위하게 (widely), 몰래 (secretly), or 원활하게 (smoothly) often precede 유통되다. For example, '자금이 원활하게 유통되어야 경제가 살아납니다' (The economy revives only when funds are circulated smoothly). This shows how the verb functions as a key component in describing the health and status of various systems. Whether you are talking about the '유통 경로' (distribution channel) or the '유통 과정' (distribution process), the verb 유통되다 serves as the functional heart of these descriptions, allowing you to explain how things move through the world.

You will encounter 유통되다 in a variety of real-world settings in Korea, ranging from the evening news to the labels on your grocery items. It is a word that bridges the gap between technical economic jargon and everyday practical information. If you live in Korea or consume Korean media, hearing this word is inevitable, and understanding its context will help you navigate daily life more effectively.

On the News (9 PM News)
News anchors frequently use this word when reporting on economic trends or criminal activities. You might hear: '불량 식품이 시중에 유통되어 소비자들의 주의가 필요합니다' (Unsanitary food is being circulated in the market, so consumer caution is required). This is the most common place to hear the word in its formal, passive sense.
In the Supermarket (Mart)
While you might not see the verb itself on a price tag, the noun form '유통기한' (expiration date, literally 'distribution limit period') is on almost every perishable item. Understanding '유통되다' helps you realize that '유통기한' is the date until which the product is allowed to be 'circulated' or sold in the store.

이 모델은 한국에서는 유통되지 않는 해외 전용 모델입니다. (This model is an overseas-exclusive model that is not distributed in Korea.)

In business meetings or office environments, '유통되다' is used to discuss logistics and supply chains. A manager might ask, '우리 제품이 대형 마트에서 어떻게 유통되고 있나요?' (How is our product being distributed in large supermarkets?). It is also common in the tech industry when discussing the '유통' of software or digital content. If a video game is '유통되다' through Steam or the App Store, it refers to its availability and movement through those digital platforms.

개인 정보가 불법적으로 유통되는 것을 막아야 합니다. (We must stop personal information from being circulated illegally.)

Finally, you might hear this word in documentaries or educational programs discussing history or sociology. For example, a historian might talk about how '상평통보' (a Joseon-era coin) was '유통되었다' during the 17th century, changing the Korean economy from barter-based to money-based. In every instance, the word carries the weight of a systemic process, making it a vital term for anyone looking to understand the mechanics of Korean society and economy.

While 유통되다 is a common word, learners often confuse it with other verbs that describe movement or giving. The most frequent mistake is using it interchangeably with 배달되다 (to be delivered) or 전달되다 (to be conveyed). However, these words have distinct boundaries that are important to respect for natural-sounding Korean.

Confusion with 배달되다 (Delivery)
Learners often say '피자가 유통되었어요' when they mean 'The pizza was delivered.' This is incorrect. 배달 is the act of bringing a specific order to a specific person. 유통 is the mass-scale movement of goods in a market. You would use 유통되다 for the flour used to make the pizza, but not the pizza itself being brought to your house.
Active vs. Passive Voice
Another mistake is using 유통되다 when the subject is the distributor. For example, '회사가 제품을 유통되었다' is grammatically wrong. Since '되다' is passive, you cannot have a direct object (제품을). You should say '회사가 제품을 유통했다' (Active) or '제품이 회사에 의해 유통되었다' (Passive).

❌ 이 편지는 전국으로 유통되었다. (Wrong for a single letter)
✅ 이 편지는 전국으로 전달되었다. (Correct: The letter was delivered/conveyed.)

There is also a subtle confusion between 유통되다 and 유포되다. While both involve 'circulation,' 유포되다 (to be spread/disseminated) is almost exclusively used for information, rumors, or viruses. You wouldn't say '사과가 유포되다' (apples are spread); you would say '사과가 유통되다.' Conversely, while you *can* say '정보가 유통되다' (information is circulated as a commodity), '정보가 유포되다' is more common when talking about the spread of a specific rumor or secret.

❌ 시장에서 가짜 뉴스가 유통되고 있어요. (Awkward if referring to social media)
✅ SNS에서 가짜 뉴스가 유포되고 있어요. (Natural: Fake news is spreading.)

Lastly, be careful with the particle 을/를. Because 유통되다 is passive, the noun before it should usually have 이/가. A common error is saying '상품을 유통되다.' This is a mix-up between the active '상품을 유통하다' and the passive '상품이 유통되다.' Always check if your subject is the 'doer' or the 'receiver' of the circulation action.

To truly master 유통되다, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. Korean has several words for 'distribution' or 'circulation,' each with its own specific nuance and register. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about logistics, charity, information, or general supply.

분배되다 (To be Distributed/Allocated)
While 유통되다 is about the 'flow' of goods in a market, 분배되다 is about the 'division' or 'allocation' of resources. It often carries a sense of fairness or proportion. For example, '이익이 공정하게 분배되다' (Profits are distributed fairly). You wouldn't use 유통되다 here because profit isn't 'circulating' in a market sense; it's being divided among people.
보급되다 (To be Supplied/Disseminated)
보급되다 is used when something becomes widely available or popular, often through a deliberate effort to spread it. It's common for technology or education. '스마트폰이 전 세계에 보급되었다' (Smartphones have been widely supplied/popularized worldwide). This implies a broader reach and adoption than just the commercial '유통'.
순환하다 (To Circulate/Cycle)
순환하다 is the most literal word for circulation, like blood in the body or air in a room. While money can '유통되다' (circulate in the economy), it can also '순환하다' (cycle through the system). However, you wouldn't use '순환하다' for groceries in a store.

농산물이 소비자에게 유통되는 과정이 너무 복잡합니다. (The process of agricultural products being distributed to consumers is too complex.)

When should you use 공급되다 (to be supplied)? Use it when focusing on the source providing something. '전기가 각 가정에 공급되다' (Electricity is supplied to each home). 유통되다 wouldn't work here because electricity isn't a 'good' that circulates through a retail market in the same way a box of cereal does. Another alternative is 배포되다, which is specific to documents, flyers, or software updates being 'handed out' or 'released.' If a company releases a free PDF, it is '배포되다,' not '유통되다,' because there is no commercial flow involved.

새로운 화폐가 시장에 유통되기 시작했습니다. (New currency has started to be circulated in the market.)

In summary, 유통되다 is the 'market' word. It belongs in the world of commerce, logistics, and macro-economics. While other words might overlap in meaning, '유통' specifically captures the commercial 'flow' through the veins of society. By mastering these distinctions, you can describe the movement of everything from a single piece of information to the entire global supply chain with precision.

Ejemplos por nivel

1

이 우유는 마트에서 유통돼요.

This milk is distributed in the mart.

유통돼요 is the casual polite form of 유통되다.

2

사과가 시장에 유통됩니다.

Apples are distributed in the market.

시장에 uses the location particle '에' to show where they are distributed.

3

새 장난감이 유통되고 있어요.

New toys are being distributed.

-고 있어요 indicates a progressive action.

4

이 빵은 전국에 유통돼요.

This bread is distributed nationwide.

전국에 means 'to the whole country'.

5

과자가 편의점에서 유통됩니다.

Snacks are distributed in convenience stores.

편의점에서 uses '에서' to show the place of activity.

6

책이 서점에 유통되고 있습니다.

Books are being distributed to bookstores.

서점에 indicates the destination.

7

옷이 온라인으로 유통돼요.

Clothes are distributed online.

온라인으로 means 'via online' or 'through online'.

8

물건이 많이 유통됩니다.

Many goods are distributed.

많이 is an adverb meaning 'a lot'.

1

이 제품은 아직 한국에서 유통되지 않아요.

This product is not yet distributed in Korea.

-지 않아요 is the negative form.

2

신선한 채소가 매일 유통됩니다.

Fresh vegetables are distributed every day.

매일 means 'every day'.

3

가짜 돈이 시중에 유통되고 있어요.

Counterfeit money is being circulated in the market.

시중에 refers to 'in the market' or 'in public'.

4

어떤 물건이 가장 많이 유통되나요?

What kind of goods are distributed the most?

-나요? is a polite questioning ending.

5

이 약은 병원에서만 유통됩니다.

This medicine is distributed only in hospitals.

-만 means 'only'.

6

중고 물건이 앱을 통해 유통돼요.

Used goods are circulated through the app.

~을 통해 means 'through' or 'via'.

7

수입 과일이 마트에 유통되고 있습니다.

Imported fruits are being distributed in the mart.

수입 means 'imported'.

8

소문이 학교에 빠르게 유통되었어요.

The rumor was circulated quickly in the school.

빠르게 is the adverb form of 빠르다 (fast).

1

유통 경로가 복잡하면 가격이 올라갑니다.

If the distribution channel is complex, the price goes up.

유통 경로 means 'distribution channel'.

2

인터넷 상에서 잘못된 정보가 유통되고 있습니다.

Incorrect information is being circulated on the internet.

잘못된 means 'wrong' or 'incorrect'.

3

농산물이 소비자에게 직접 유통되는 방식이 인기예요.

The method of agricultural products being distributed directly to consumers is popular.

~는 방식 means 'the way/method of...'.

4

이 화폐는 더 이상 유통되지 않습니다.

This currency is no longer circulated.

더 이상 ~지 않다 means 'no longer'.

5

대형 마트를 통해 대량으로 유통됩니다.

It is distributed in large quantities through large marts.

대량으로 means 'in large quantities'.

6

새로운 기술이 산업 전반에 유통되고 있어요.

New technology is being circulated throughout the industry.

산업 전반에 means 'across the whole industry'.

7

불법 복제 소프트웨어가 유통되다 적발되었습니다.

Pirated software was caught being circulated.

-다(가) indicates an action interrupted by another event.

8

물류 시스템이 좋아져서 물건이 빨리 유통돼요.

Because the logistics system improved, goods are distributed quickly.

-아/어져서 indicates a reason/cause.

1

유통 단계가 축소되어 생산자와 소비자 모두에게 이익입니다.

Distribution stages have been reduced, benefiting both producers and consumers.

축소되다 means 'to be reduced' or 'shrunk'.

2

개인 정보가 유통되는 것을 방지하기 위해 법이 강화되었습니다.

Laws have been strengthened to prevent personal information from being circulated.

-는 것을 방지하다 means 'to prevent the act of...'.

3

암시장에서 금지된 품목들이 유통되고 있다는 소문이 있다.

There are rumors that prohibited items are being circulated in the black market.

암시장 means 'black market'.

4

글로벌 공급망을 통해 부품이 전 세계로 유통됩니다.

Components are distributed worldwide through global supply chains.

공급망 means 'supply chain'.

5

비트코인과 같은 가상 화폐가 활발하게 유통되고 있습니다.

Virtual currencies like Bitcoin are being actively circulated.

활발하게 means 'actively' or 'energetically'.

6

정부는 물가 안정을 위해 유통 구조를 개선하기로 했다.

The government decided to improve the distribution structure to stabilize prices.

-기로 하다 means 'to decide to do something'.

7

이 영화는 극장이 아닌 OTT 플랫폼을 통해 유통되었습니다.

This movie was distributed through OTT platforms, not theaters.

A가 아닌 B means 'B, not A'.

8

유해 성분이 포함된 장난감이 유통되어 전량 회수 조치되었습니다.

Toys containing harmful ingredients were distributed and a total recall was ordered.

회수 조치 means 'recall measure'.

1

자본의 유통 속도가 빨라지면 경제 성장에 긍정적인 영향을 미칩니다.

If the velocity of capital circulation increases, it has a positive impact on economic growth.

유통 속도 refers to 'velocity of circulation' in economics.

2

지식과 정보가 자유롭게 유통되는 사회가 민주주의의 기초입니다.

A society where knowledge and information are freely circulated is the foundation of democracy.

기초 means 'foundation' or 'basis'.

3

해당 품목은 유통 과정에서의 오염 가능성이 제기되어 조사가 시작되었습니다.

An investigation began as the possibility of contamination during the distribution process was raised for the item.

제기되다 means 'to be raised' or 'brought up' (as in an issue).

4

디지털 화폐의 도입은 기존 화폐가 유통되는 방식을 근본적으로 바꿀 것입니다.

The introduction of digital currency will fundamentally change the way existing currency is circulated.

근본적으로 means 'fundamentally'.

5

유통망의 독점은 시장 경쟁을 저해하고 소비자 가격을 상승시킵니다.

Monopoly of distribution networks hinders market competition and raises consumer prices.

저해하다 means 'to hinder' or 'impede'.

6

문화적 자산이 세계적으로 유통되면서 국가 브랜드 가치가 상승했습니다.

As cultural assets were circulated globally, the national brand value rose.

-면서 indicates two actions happening simultaneously.

7

원자재가 원활하게 유통되지 않아 제조업체들이 어려움을 겪고 있습니다.

Manufacturers are experiencing difficulties because raw materials are not being circulated smoothly.

원자재 means 'raw materials'.

8

가짜 뉴스가 조직적으로 유통되는 현상은 사회적 신뢰를 무너뜨립니다.

The phenomenon of fake news being systematically circulated destroys social trust.

무너뜨리다 means 'to tear down' or 'destroy'.

1

권력의 유통 구조를 분석함으로써 우리는 사회의 위계 질서를 이해할 수 있다.

By analyzing the distribution structure of power, we can understand the hierarchical order of society.

-함으로써 means 'by doing' or 'through the act of'.

2

담론이 대중 사이에서 유통되는 방식은 시대의 이데올로기를 반영한다.

The way discourse is circulated among the public reflects the ideology of the era.

담론 means 'discourse'.

3

가치의 유통은 단순히 경제적 교환을 넘어 인간 관계의 본질을 규정한다.

The circulation of value goes beyond simple economic exchange and defines the essence of human relationships.

~을 넘어 means 'beyond' or 'surpassing'.

4

탈중앙화 금융 시스템에서는 중개자 없이도 자산이 안전하게 유통될 수 있다.

In a decentralized financial system, assets can be safely circulated even without intermediaries.

탈중앙화 means 'decentralization'.

5

사상의 유통은 때로 물리적 국경을 넘어 혁명의 불씨가 되기도 한다.

The circulation of ideas sometimes crosses physical borders and becomes the spark of revolution.

불씨 means 'spark' or 'seed' of something.

6

유통의 효율성은 현대 자본주의가 지탱되는 핵심적인 축 중 하나이다.

The efficiency of distribution is one of the core pillars supporting modern capitalism.

지탱되다 means 'to be supported' or 'sustained'.

7

정보의 과잉 유통은 오히려 진실을 가리는 장벽으로 작용할 수 있다.

The excessive circulation of information can actually act as a barrier that hides the truth.

과잉 means 'excess' or 'surplus'.

8

언어의 유통 과정에서 발생하는 의미의 변주는 문화적 풍요로움을 더한다.

The variation in meaning that occurs during the circulation of language adds to cultural richness.

변주 means 'variation'.

Colocaciones comunes

시중에 유통되다
전국적으로 유통되다
불법으로 유통되다
활발히 유통되다
비밀리에 유통되다
원활하게 유통되다
대량으로 유통되다
정상적으로 유통되다
온라인상에서 유통되다
잘못 유통되다

Frases Comunes

유통기한

— The expiration date for food or products. It literally means the 'distribution limit period'.

우유를 사기 전에 유통기한을 꼭 확인하세요.

유통망

— A distribution network. The system of shops and transport used to sell goods.

회사는 전국적인 유통망을 구축하고 있습니다.

유통업체

— A distribution company or a retailer.

많은 유통업체들이 할인 행사를 진행하고 있다.

유통 구조

— The structure of distribution, including wholesalers and retailers.

복잡한

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