고려하다

The Korean verb 고려하다 (goryeohada) is a sophisticated and essential term that translates most directly to 'to consider' or 'to take into account' in English. It is composed of two Hanja (Sino-Korean) characters: 考 (고 - go), meaning 'to examine' or 'to think,' and 慮 (려 - ryeo), meaning 'to think deeply' or 'to worry.' Together, they describe a mental process that goes far beyond simple thinking. When you 고려하다 something, you are not just having a fleeting thought; you are systematically weighing various factors, circumstances, and potential outcomes before reaching a conclusion or making a choice. This word is a staple in professional, academic, and serious personal contexts because it implies a level of responsibility and thoroughness in decision-making.

Formal Context

In business meetings or government announcements, this word is used to show that a decision was not made lightly. For example, 'We considered the economic impact' would be '경제적 영향을 고려했습니다.'

Personal Advice

When giving advice to a friend about a major life change, such as moving or changing jobs, you might tell them to 'consider all possibilities' (모든 가능성을 고려해 보세요).

Academic Writing

Researchers use this word to explain the variables they included in their studies, such as 'considering age and gender' (연령과 성별을 고려하여).

To understand the depth of 고려하다, imagine you are planning a wedding. You don't just 'think' about the date; you consider the weather, the availability of guests, the cost of the venue, and the significance of the day. Each of these elements is a factor that you 'include' in your mental calculation. This process of inclusion is the heart of 고려하다. Unlike the general verb 생각하다 (to think), which can be used for anything from 'I think this apple is red' to 'I think you're right,' 고려하다 requires an object—specifically, the factors that are being weighed. You cannot simply 'consider' in a vacuum; you must consider something (e.g., the price, the time, the feelings of others).

In contemporary Korean society, 고려하다 is also linked to social awareness. Koreans often speak of 'considering others' feelings' (다른 사람의 기분을 고려하다). This reflects the cultural value of harmony (인화) and the importance of 'nunchi' (social sensing). By using this word, you indicate that your actions are not selfish, but are based on a careful evaluation of how they affect the environment and people around you. It is a word of maturity and deliberation.

Grammar Hint

It is almost always used with the object marker 을/를. For example: [Factor]을/를 고려하다.

Finally, the word appears frequently in legal and administrative language. When a judge decides a sentence, they 'consider' the circumstances of the crime. When a university evaluates an application, they 'consider' the student's extracurricular activities. In all these cases, 고려하다 serves as the bridge between raw data (the factors) and a final judgment (the decision). It is the intellectual labor that happens in the middle.

Using 고려하다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement and the specific nuances it carries in different sentence structures. As an active verb, it typically follows the pattern: [Subject]이/가 [Factor]을/를 고려하다. However, in real-world Korean, you will often encounter it in more complex forms like 고려하고 있다 (is considering), 고려해 보다 (to try considering/to give it a thought), or as a conjunctive 고려하여 (considering that...).

The '-고 있다' Form

Used when the process of consideration is currently ongoing. '우리는 새로운 프로젝트를 고려하고 있습니다' (We are considering a new project).

The '-해 보다' Form

Used to suggest or indicate a trial consideration. '그의 제안을 한번 고려해 보세요' (Try considering his proposal once).

One of the most common ways to use this word is with the adverbial ending -여/해서 to provide a reason for a subsequent action. For instance, if you chose a small car because of the high price of gasoline, you would say: '기름값을 고려해서 경차를 샀어요.' Here, 'considering the gas price' acts as the foundational reason for the purchase. This structure is incredibly versatile and allows you to explain the logic behind almost any decision.

In polite requests, particularly in professional emails, 고려하다 is used to ask someone to review a proposal. Instead of saying 'Please think about it,' which can sound a bit informal or even demanding, using '긍정적으로 고려해 주시면 감사하겠습니다' (I would be grateful if you would consider it positively) adds a layer of professional courtesy. It acknowledges that the other person has a complex decision to make and politely asks to be part of that consideration.

Passive/Noun Usage

The noun form '고려' is often used with the verb '되다' (to be done). '그 문제는 아직 고려되지 않았습니다' (That issue has not been considered yet).

When discussing limitations or constraints, 고려하다 is the go-to word. If you are planning an outdoor event, you must 고려하다 the possibility of rain. If you are writing a book, you must 고려하다 the reading level of your audience. In each case, the word functions as a mental 'check-list' item. It signals that the speaker is being thorough and has not overlooked important details. Mastery of this verb allows a learner to move from simple descriptions to complex explanations of logic and strategy.

You will encounter 고려하다 in a wide variety of environments, ranging from the evening news to the office and even in serious conversations between family members. It is not a word for casual 'chitchat' about what to eat for lunch (unless you are being ironically formal), but it is the standard for any discussion involving planning, evaluation, or judgment.

In the News

News anchors often use this word when reporting on government policies. '정부는 서민들의 경제적 어려움을 고려하여 세금을 감면하기로 했습니다' (The government decided to reduce taxes, considering the economic difficulties of the common people).

At the Workplace

Managers use it during performance reviews or project planning. '우리는 내년 예산을 고려해서 인원을 충원할 것입니다' (We will recruit more staff considering next year's budget).

In television dramas (K-Dramas), you might hear this word during scenes involving corporate power struggles or family conflicts. A father might say to his son, '네 미래를 고려해서 하는 말이다' (I'm saying this considering your future). This adds a weight of authority and concern to the statement. It suggests that the speaker's advice is not just an opinion, but the result of deep deliberation about the listener's well-being.

In the Korean education system, teachers and counselors use 고려하다 constantly when discussing university admissions. Students are told to '고려하다' their grades, their aptitude, and the location of the school. It is a word that follows young Koreans throughout their academic journey, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking. Similarly, in the medical field, a doctor might say they are '고려하고 있다' a certain treatment after looking at the patient's history.

Finally, you will see this word in advertisements, especially for high-end products or services. A brand might claim their car was designed 'considering the driver's comfort' (운전자의 편안함을 고려한 디자인). This marketing language aims to convince the consumer that the product is the result of careful thought and high-quality engineering. Whether you are reading a contract, listening to a lecture, or watching a documentary, 고려하다 is the key word that signals a transition from simple facts to thoughtful analysis.

While 고려하다 is a common word, learners often make specific mistakes in its usage, register, and nuance. The most frequent error is overusing it in casual situations where 생각하다 would be more natural. For example, if a friend asks what you want for dinner, saying '피자를 먹는 것을 고려하고 있어' sounds unnaturally stiff, like a corporate executive discussing a merger. In that case, '피자 먹을까 생각 중이야' is much better.

Mistake 1: Confusing with '고민하다'

Learners often use '고려하다' when they are actually worried or agonizing over a choice. '고민하다' (to agonize/worry) is personal and emotional, while '고려하다' is objective and analytical. If you are stressed about a choice, use '고민하다'.

Mistake 2: Missing the Object Marker

Since '고려' is the noun form, some forget to add '하다' or use the wrong particle. It must be 'X를 고려하다', not 'X에 고려하다'.

Another mistake involves the nuance of 'inclusion.' Some learners use 고려하다 to mean 'to respect' someone, but that is not quite right. While considering someone's feelings is a form of respect, the word itself focuses on the mental inclusion of those feelings in your decision process. If you want to say 'I respect my parents,' you should use 존경하다 or 존중하다, not 고려하다.

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the passive form. In English, we often say 'The price was considered.' In Korean, while '가격이 고려되었다' is grammatically possible, it often sounds like a direct translation from English. Native speakers are more likely to use an active construction ('가격을 고려했다') or a more natural passive-like structure like '가격이 반영되었다' (the price was reflected/taken into account).

To avoid these mistakes, always ask yourself: 'Am I listing specific factors that influenced a decision?' If the answer is yes, 고려하다 is likely the right word. If you are just 'thinking' or 'worrying' without specific factors in mind, stick to 생각하다 or 고민하다. This distinction will make your Korean sound much more natural and precise.

Korean has a rich vocabulary for different types of 'thinking.' Understanding how 고려하다 differs from its synonyms is crucial for reaching an advanced level of fluency. While many of these words can be translated as 'consider' in English, their usage contexts in Korean are distinct.

생각하다 (Saenggak-hada)

The most general word for 'to think.' Use this for opinions, memories, and simple thoughts. 고려하다 is more formal and specific to decision-making.

검토하다 (Geomto-hada)

Meaning 'to review' or 'to examine.' This is used when you have a physical document, a plan, or a proposal that you need to check for errors or feasibility. '고려하다' is more about the mental weighing of factors.

참작하다 (Chamjak-hada)

Often used in legal or official contexts to mean 'to take into account' mitigating circumstances. It implies looking at the 'why' behind an action to show leniency.

Another important alternative is 반영하다 (to reflect). While 고려하다 describes the mental process, 반영하다 describes the result. If you consider the students' opinions and then change the school lunch, you would say: '학생들의 의견을 고려해서 메뉴에 반영했습니다' (Considering the students' opinions, we reflected them in the menu). These two words are often used together in professional reports.

In very formal or literary settings, you might encounter 심사숙고하다 (to deliberate deeply). This is like 고려하다 on steroids—it implies a very long, careful, and serious period of thought. For everyday business or planning, 고려하다 is sufficient. However, if a president is deciding whether to go to war, they would 심사숙고하다.

Finally, for something very casual, you can use 염두에 두다 (to keep in mind). This is less about making a specific decision and more about keeping a factor in the back of your head while you do something else. For example, '항상 안전을 염두에 두세요' (Always keep safety in mind). Choosing the right word among these options depends entirely on the level of formality and the specific 'type' of thinking you are doing.