의존하다 en 30 segundos
- 의존하다 means to depend on or rely on something/someone.
- It uses the particle '-에' for things and '-에게/께' for people.
- It is more formal and systemic than the emotional '의지하다'.
- Commonly used in economics, psychology, and technology contexts.
The Korean verb 의존하다 (uijon-hada) is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe a state of dependency where one entity relies on another for its existence, functionality, or well-being. Derived from the Hanja 依 (rely) and 存 (exist), it literally translates to 'relying to exist.' Unlike the more emotional '의지하다' (to lean on), 의존하다 often carries a more formal, systemic, or even clinical connotation. It is frequently used in contexts involving economics, technology, psychology, and social structures.
- Core Concept
- A relationship where 'A' cannot function properly without 'B'.
- Grammatical Particle
- Typically takes the particle -에 (to/on) to indicate the object of reliance.
- Semantic Range
- Covers everything from international trade dependencies to substance addiction.
한국 경제는 수출에 크게 의존하다.
In a B2 context, understanding the nuance between healthy support and detrimental dependency is key. When you use this word, you are often highlighting a vulnerability or a structural link. For instance, in modern society, we might say we are '의존적' (dependent) on smartphones. This isn't just about liking them; it's about the inability to navigate daily life without them.
그는 부모님께 경제적으로 의존하고 있다.
식물은 햇빛에 의존하여 광합성을 한다.
약물에 의존하는 습관은 위험하다.
우리는 서로에게 의존하며 살아간다.
- Synonym Comparison
- 의지하다 (Emotional/Personal) vs. 의존하다 (Systemic/Formal).
Using 의존하다 correctly requires understanding its collocations and the specific particles it demands. As a '하다' verb, it is versatile in conjugation, but its object is almost always marked by -에. This marks the 'source' of the dependency.
1. Structural Dependency
This is common in academic and news contexts. You describe how one system relies on another. For example, '에너지 의존도' (energy dependency rate) is a common compound noun. When using the verb, you might say: '유럽은 러시아산 가스에 의존한다' (Europe depends on Russian gas).
2. Psychological and Physical Dependency
In medical or psychological contexts, this word describes addiction or over-reliance. If someone cannot make decisions without their partner, they are '정서적으로 의존하다' (emotionally dependent). If it's a physical addiction, it's '약물에 의존하다' (dependent on drugs).
- Common Patterns
- [Noun] + 에 의존하다
- Adverbial Modifiers
- 절대적으로 (absolutely), 지나치게 (excessively), 전적으로 (entirely).
In conversation, you might use the progressive form -고 있다 to describe a current state of dependency: '그는 아직도 부모님께 의존하고 있어요' (He is still depending on his parents). This implies a continuous state rather than a single action.
You will encounter 의존하다 in various professional and social settings. It is a staple of news broadcasts, particularly in the economy and international relations segments. For example, discussions about '대외 의존도' (degree of dependence on foreign trade) are frequent in South Korean media due to the country's economic structure.
1. News and Documentaries
Journalists use it to describe geopolitical shifts. '반도체 산업은 특정 국가의 기술에 의존하고 있습니다' (The semiconductor industry depends on the technology of specific countries).
2. Academic Lectures
In sociology or psychology classes, professors discuss '의존성 성격 장애' (Dependent Personality Disorder) or how societies '의존하다' on technology. It is a neutral, descriptive term in these contexts.
3. Workplace and Strategy
During business meetings, you might hear about '공급망 의존' (supply chain dependency). A manager might say, '우리는 한 업체에만 너무 의존해서는 안 됩니다' (We shouldn't depend too much on just one company).
Even advanced learners make mistakes with 의존하다. The most frequent errors involve particle usage and confusing it with its synonym 의지하다.
1. Particle Confusion
Many learners try to use the direct object particle 을/를 because 'depend on' feels like it should take an object. However, in Korean, the target of dependency is treated as a direction or location of the reliance, hence 에. Incorrect: 부모님을 의존하다. Correct: 부모님께(에) 의존하다.
2. 의존 vs. 의지
While often interchangeable, 의지하다 is warmer and more positive. It implies leaning on someone for strength. 의존하다 is more clinical and often implies a lack of independence. If you say you '의존' on your friend, it might sound like you are a burden. If you '의지' on them, it sounds like you value their support.
- Mistake
- Using '의존하다' for a simple 'thank you for the help' context.
- Correction
- Use '도움을 받다' or '의지하다' for social support.
Another mistake is using it for physical 'leaning' (like leaning against a wall). For that, use 기대다. You cannot '의존' against a wall unless the wall is literally the only thing keeping you from collapsing into non-existence.
Understanding the synonyms of 의존하다 helps in fine-tuning your Korean expression. Each word has a specific 'flavor' and context.
1. 의지하다 (uiji-hada)
This is the most common synonym. It focuses on the heart and mind. You '의지' on your family during hard times. It suggests a mutual or healthy reliance.
2. 기대다 (gidaeda)
Literally 'to lean.' It can be physical (leaning on a shoulder) or metaphorical (leaning on someone's wealth). It is less formal than '의존하다'.
3. 종속되다 (jong-sok-doeda)
This means 'to be subordinate to.' It is a much stronger version of dependency, often used in political or mathematical contexts where one thing is entirely controlled by another.
- Word
- 매달리다 (To cling to/be obsessed with)
- Word
- 신세 지다 (To be indebted to someone's help)
When choosing between these, ask yourself: Is this a formal/systemic dependency? (의존하다). Is this an emotional support? (의지하다). Is this a physical leaning? (기대다). Is this a desperate clinging? (매달리다).
How Formal Is It?
Nivel de dificultad
Gramática que debes saber
-에/-에게
-ㄹ 수밖에 없다
-다 보면
-기보다
-는 편이다
Ejemplos por nivel
아기는 엄마에게 의존해요.
The baby depends on mom.
Basic -에게 의존하다 pattern.
저는 친구에게 의존해요.
I depend on my friend.
Using -에게 for people.
우리는 물에 의존해요.
We depend on water.
Using -에 for things.
강아지는 주인에게 의존해요.
The dog depends on its owner.
Subject + Particle + Verb.
학생은 선생님에게 의존해요.
The student depends on the teacher.
Standard present tense.
저는 안경에 의존해요.
I depend on glasses.
Dependency on an object.
꽃은 비에 의존해요.
Flowers depend on rain.
Natural dependency.
그는 돈에 의존해요.
He depends on money.
Simple sentence structure.
길을 찾을 때 지도에 의존해요.
I depend on a map when finding the way.
-을 때 (when) + 의존하다.
요리할 때 레시피에 의존해요.
I depend on recipes when cooking.
Usage in daily activities.
저는 아직 부모님께 의존하고 있어요.
I am still depending on my parents.
-고 있다 (progressive form).
그는 약에 의존해서 잠을 자요.
He depends on medicine to sleep.
-어서 (reason/method) connector.
시험 공부를 할 때 요약 노트에 의존해요.
I depend on summary notes when studying for exams.
Contextual dependency.
우리는 전기에 많이 의존해요.
We depend a lot on electricity.
Adverb '많이' (a lot).
번역기에 너무 의존하지 마세요.
Don't depend too much on the translator.
-지 마세요 (prohibition).
그 아이는 형에게 의존하는 편이에요.
That child tends to depend on his older brother.
-는 편이다 (tend to).
스마트폰에 지나치게 의존하면 시력이 나빠져요.
If you depend excessively on smartphones, your eyesight gets worse.
-면 (if) + 지나치게 (excessively).
많은 사람들이 커피에 의존하여 하루를 시작합니다.
Many people start their day by depending on coffee.
-하여 (by doing) formal connector.
경제적으로 독립하지 못하고 부모님께 의존하는 청년들이 늘고 있다.
The number of young people who cannot be economically independent and depend on their parents is increasing.
Relative clause: 의존하는 청년들.
그는 힘든 일이 있을 때마다 술에 의존했다.
He depended on alcohol whenever he had a hard time.
-ㄹ 때마다 (whenever).
이 도시는 관광 산업에 전적으로 의존하고 있습니다.
This city is entirely depending on the tourism industry.
전적으로 (entirely) adverb.
기계에 너무 의존하다 보면 스스로 생각하는 능력이 줄어들 수 있어요.
If you keep depending on machines, your ability to think for yourself may decrease.
-다 보면 (if you keep doing).
우리는 서로 의존하며 살아가는 사회적 동물입니다.
We are social animals who live while depending on each other.
-며 (while/and) connector.
그 회사는 정부의 보조금에 의존해서 운영되고 있다.
The company is being operated by depending on government subsidies.
Passive voice '운영되고 있다'.
한국은 에너지의 대부분을 수입에 의존하고 있는 실정이다.
The reality is that Korea depends on imports for most of its energy.
-고 있는 실정이다 (the current situation is...).
특정 국가에 대한 경제적 의존도가 높으면 외교적 협상에서 불리할 수 있다.
High economic dependence on a specific country can be disadvantageous in diplomatic negotiations.
Noun form '의존도' (degree of dependence).
그 환자는 진통제에 의존하지 않고는 통증을 견디기 힘들어한다.
The patient finds it hard to endure the pain without depending on painkillers.
-지 않고는 (without doing).
지나친 타인 의존은 자아 존중감을 낮추는 원인이 되기도 한다.
Excessive dependence on others can also be a cause of lowering self-esteem.
Compound noun '타인 의존'.
이 소프트웨어는 클라우드 시스템에 의존하여 작동하도록 설계되었습니다.
This software is designed to operate by depending on a cloud system.
-도록 설계되다 (designed to).
과거의 방식에만 의존해서는 급변하는 시장에서 살아남을 수 없다.
You cannot survive in a rapidly changing market by depending only on past methods.
-어서는 (if one does... then...).
농작물의 수확량은 기후 변화에 절대적으로 의존한다.
Crop yields depend absolutely on climate change.
절대적으로 (absolutely).
그는 자신의 직관에 의존하기보다 데이터를 분석하는 것을 선호한다.
He prefers analyzing data rather than depending on his intuition.
-기보다 (rather than).
현대 문명은 화석 연료에 대한 의존에서 벗어나 신재생 에너지로 전환해야 한다.
Modern civilization must break away from its dependence on fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.
Noun phrase '의존에서 벗어나'.
심리적 의존성이 강한 사람들은 독립적인 의사 결정을 내리는 데 어려움을 겪는다.
People with strong psychological dependency have difficulty making independent decisions.
Complex noun '심리적 의존성'.
국가 간의 상호 의존 관계가 깊어질수록 국제 사회의 평화가 유지될 가능성이 높다.
The deeper the mutual dependence between nations, the higher the possibility that international peace will be maintained.
-ㄹ수록 (the more... the more...).
알고리즘에 의존한 뉴스 추천은 이용자를 확증 편향에 빠뜨릴 위험이 있다.
News recommendations depending on algorithms risk trapping users in confirmation bias.
Past participle '의존한'.
그 이론은 인간의 인식이 감각 기관에 전적으로 의존한다는 전제에서 출발한다.
The theory starts from the premise that human perception depends entirely on sensory organs.
-는다는 전제 (the premise that...).
자본주의 체제는 끊임없는 소비에 의존하여 그 생명력을 유지한다.
The capitalist system maintains its vitality by depending on constant consumption.
Abstract systemic dependency.
데이터에만 의존하는 의사 결정은 때때로 인간적인 가치를 간과하게 만든다.
Decision-making that depends only on data sometimes causes human values to be overlooked.
Subjective noun phrase '의사 결정'.
식민지 경제는 본국의 수요에 의존하는 기형적인 구조를 띠게 마련이다.
Colonial economies are bound to take on a malformed structure that depends on the demand of the mother country.
-게 마련이다 (bound to be).
존재론적 관점에서 볼 때, 피조물은 창조주에게 필연적으로 의존할 수밖에 없다.
From an ontological perspective, the created is inevitably bound to depend on the creator.
Ontological context.
경로 의존성 이론에 따르면, 과거의 선택이 현재와 미래의 제도적 변화를 제약한다.
According to path dependency theory, past choices constrain current and future institutional changes.
Technical term '경로 의존성'.
언어는 사회적 합의에 의존하며, 그 합의가 무너질 때 언어의 기능도 상실된다.
Language depends on social consensus, and when that consensus collapses, the function of language is also lost.
Philosophical linguistics.
생태계의 평형은 종들 간의 복잡한 의존 관계망에 의해 유지되는 정교한 메커니즘이다.
Ecological balance is a sophisticated mechanism maintained by a complex network of dependency relationships between species.
Scientific complexity.
근대 주체는 타자에게 의존하면서도 동시에 타자로부터 독립하고자 하는 모순을 안고 있다.
The modern subject carries the contradiction of depending on the 'other' while simultaneously wishing to be independent of them.
Existentialist discourse.
디지털 전환은 기술에 대한 인류의 의존을 심화시켜 새로운 형태의 취약성을 노출시켰다.
Digital transformation has deepened humanity's dependence on technology, exposing new forms of vulnerability.
Sociological critique.
예술적 창의성은 전통에 의존하면서도 그것을 전복하려는 시도 속에서 꽃을 피운다.
Artistic creativity blooms in the attempt to subvert tradition while simultaneously depending on it.
Aesthetic theory.
국가 안보가 동맹국에 지나치게 의존할 경우, 주권 행사에 제약이 따를 수 있음을 간과해서는 안 된다.
It should not be overlooked that if national security depends excessively on allies, constraints on the exercise of sovereignty may follow.
Geopolitical analysis.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
Se confunde a menudo con
Modismos y expresiones
Fácil de confundir
Patrones de oraciones
Familia de palabras
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
Common in IT (dependency injection, etc.).
Often implies a lack of autonomy.
- Using '을/를' instead of '에'.
- Using it for physical leaning (should be '기대다').
- Confusing it with '의지하다' in warm, personal contexts.
- Using '의존하다' when '도움을 받다' (receive help) is more natural.
- Misspelling it as '의전하다' (which means protocol).
Consejos
Particle Choice
Remember to use -에 for non-living things and -에게 for living beings.
Independence
Using '의존하다' for yourself might sound like you are admitting a weakness.
Noun Form
Learn '의존성' for medical or psychological contexts.
Economic Context
Use '의존도' to discuss market trends or supply chains.
Relationships
Use '의지하다' to thank a friend for support instead of '의존하다'.
TOPIK Tip
This word often appears in the reading section of TOPIK II (Intermediate/Advanced).
Formal Writing
In essays, use '의존하는 경향이 있다' to say 'tends to depend'.
Natural Flow
Shorten to '의존해' in casual talk, but keep the '에' particle.
Korean Society
Understand 'Kangaroo Tribe' to see how this word is used in social commentary.
Mnemonic
Think of 'Dependency' (D) and '의존' (D-sound in 'Jon'?). Or just 'UI-JON'.
Memorízalo
Origen de la palabra
Sino-Korean word meaning 'to exist by relying on something.'
Contexto cultural
Historical roots of mutual dependency in village life (Dure, Pumasi).
Korea's survival depends on global trade.
Young adults who depend on parents economically.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Inicios de conversación
"요즘 스마트폰에 너무 의존하는 것 같지 않아요?"
"경제적으로 독립하는 게 왜 그렇게 힘들까요?"
"당신은 결정할 때 누구에게 가장 많이 의존하나요?"
"한국 경제가 수출에 너무 의존한다고 생각하세요?"
"기술에 의존하는 삶의 장단점은 무엇일까요?"
Temas para diario
내가 가장 의존하고 있는 습관 세 가지 쓰기.
부모님으로부터 독립한다는 것의 의미.
기술 의존도를 낮추기 위한 나의 계획.
누군가 나에게 의존할 때 느끼는 감정.
상호 의존적인 관계가 건강한 이유.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntas의존하다 is formal/systemic; 의지하다 is emotional/personal.
Yes, but it often sounds like you are a burden or lack independence.
Not always, but it often highlights a vulnerability.
Always use -에 for things and -에게 for people.
It means 'degree of dependence,' often used in economics.
No, use '벽에 기대다' for physical leaning.
약물 의존 (drug dependency) or 약물 중독 (drug addiction).
Yes, very common in news, school, and professional settings.
독립하다 (to be independent) or 자립하다 (to stand on one's own).
Yes, like '상호 의존' (mutual dependence) which is necessary for society.
Ponte a prueba 179 preguntas
/ 179 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
의존하다 is a high-level verb for 'dependency' that highlights a structural or necessary reliance. Use it when discussing how systems work, how economies function, or when describing serious psychological or physical habits that one cannot easily break.
- 의존하다 means to depend on or rely on something/someone.
- It uses the particle '-에' for things and '-에게/께' for people.
- It is more formal and systemic than the emotional '의지하다'.
- Commonly used in economics, psychology, and technology contexts.
Particle Choice
Remember to use -에 for non-living things and -에게 for living beings.
Independence
Using '의존하다' for yourself might sound like you are admitting a weakness.
Noun Form
Learn '의존성' for medical or psychological contexts.
Economic Context
Use '의존도' to discuss market trends or supply chains.
Ejemplo
너무 남에게 의존하는 습관은 좋지 않다.
