B1 Collocation Neutre

칭찬을 하다.

4157

Give a compliment.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The essential Korean way to say 'to praise' or 'to compliment' someone for their efforts or traits.

  • Means: To actively express admiration or approval to someone directly.
  • Used in: Work reviews, parenting, social gatherings, and encouraging friends.
  • Don't confuse: With '자랑하다' (to brag), which is about yourself, not others.
Good job 👍 + Speaking 🗣️ = 칭찬을 하다

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'to say good things to someone.' You use it when a friend does something well. For example, 'I praise my friend.' It is a simple word: 칭찬 (praise) + 하다 (to do).
You use '칭찬을 하다' to tell someone they are good at something. It is common in schools and at home. You can say 'The teacher praised the student.' Remember to use the particle '을' after '칭찬'.
At this level, you should use '칭찬을 하다' to describe social interactions and workplace dynamics. It's a key collocation for giving feedback. You should also learn '칭찬을 받다' (to be praised) and understand that Koreans often respond to praise with modesty. Using '칭찬해 주다' makes you sound more like a native speaker.
This phrase is essential for discussing motivation and interpersonal relationships. You should be able to use it in complex sentences, such as 'The manager's habit of praising employees contributed to the positive office culture.' You should also distinguish it from '비행기 태우다' (over-praising/flattery) and use appropriate adverbs like '아낌없이' (unsparingly).
Linguistic mastery involves understanding the nuances of '칭찬' in hierarchical structures. You'll analyze how praise functions as a social lubricant and its role in 'Cheon-man-eyo' (modesty) culture. You should be comfortable with formal variants like '찬사를 보내다' and understand the historical Sino-Korean roots of the characters {稱} and {讚}.
At a near-native level, you explore the cognitive linguistics of '칭찬을 하다' as a performative act. You understand the subtle social risk of 'evaluative praise' when directed upward in a hierarchy and can navigate the complex sociolinguistic landscape of giving and receiving face (체면) through verbal affirmation. You can use the phrase in academic or literary critiques with absolute precision.

Signification

To express admiration or approval for someone's qualities or actions.

🌍

Contexte culturel

The concept of 'Cheon-man-eyo' (You're welcome/Don't mention it) is often replaced by 'Anieyo' (No) when receiving praise. This is a sign of 'Gyeom-son' (modesty). Praise from a superior is a major motivator and is often done publicly to set an example, whereas criticism is ideally done privately to save 'Che-myeon' (face). Teachers use '칭찬 스티커' (praise stickers) to reward children. This has made the word '칭찬' very familiar to all Koreans from a young age. On platforms like KakaoTalk, using '칭찬해' stickers or emojis is a common way to show support for friends' small daily wins.

💡

Be Specific

Instead of just saying '칭찬해요', say *what* you are praising: '웃는 모습이 예뻐서 칭찬하고 싶어요.'

⚠️

Avoid Sarcasm

Sarcastic praise is hard to pull off in Korean and can easily lead to misunderstandings.

Signification

To express admiration or approval for someone's qualities or actions.

💡

Be Specific

Instead of just saying '칭찬해요', say *what* you are praising: '웃는 모습이 예뻐서 칭찬하고 싶어요.'

⚠️

Avoid Sarcasm

Sarcastic praise is hard to pull off in Korean and can easily lead to misunderstandings.

🎯

Use '주다'

Always try to use '칭찬해 주다' when talking to friends; it sounds much more caring.

💬

The Modesty Rule

If someone praises you, don't just say 'Thank you'. A little 'No, I'm not that good' goes a long way in building rapport.

Teste-toi

Fill in the blank with the correct particle and verb form.

선생님이 제 숙제를 보고 ______ (praise + past tense).

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 칭찬을 했어요

The past tense of '하다' is '했다', and the object particle '을' is required.

Which response is the most culturally appropriate for a B1 learner?

A: 한국말을 정말 잘하시네요! 칭찬을 안 할 수가 없어요. B: ________________

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 아니에요, 아직 많이 부족해요.

In Korean culture, responding to praise with modesty ('I am still lacking') is the most natural and polite response.

Match the phrase variation to the correct situation.

1. 칭찬을 아끼지 않다 2. 비행기 태우다 3. 칭찬을 받다

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 1-c, 2-a, 3-b

'칭찬을 아끼지 않다' means to give plenty of praise. '비행기 태우다' is an idiom for over-flattering. '칭찬을 받다' is the passive form.

Complete the dialogue in a workplace setting.

상사: 이번 보고서 아주 훌륭해요. 직원: 감사합니다. 부장님께서 ______ 주셔서 더 힘이 납니다.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 칭찬해

The correct form is '칭찬해 주셔서' (because you praised me).

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

Praising vs. Bragging

칭찬하다 (Praise)
타인에게 To others
자랑하다 (Brag)
자신에 대해 About oneself

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It's risky. It can sound like you are evaluating them. Use '존경하다' or '대단하세요' instead.

칭찬 is everyday praise; 찬사 is a high-level 'tribute' or 'acclaim' used in formal contexts.

Use the passive form: '칭찬을 받았어요'.

In very casual slang, yes! It means 'I approve' or 'Good job'.

It's a cultural value called modesty (겸손). They aren't disagreeing with you; they are being polite.

No, you praise people or their actions. For objects, use '좋다' (good) or '훌륭하다' (excellent).

It's a famous book title/proverb meaning 'Praise makes even whales dance'—praise motivates everyone.

Yes, '칭송' (veneration) or '찬사' (tribute), but they are very formal.

Yes! You can 칭찬 your dog for doing a trick.

It means 'excessive praise'. Use it when someone compliments you: '과찬이십니다' (You flatter me).

Expressions liées

🔗

칭찬을 아끼지 않다

builds on

To not spare any praise

🔗

비행기 태우다

similar

To over-praise/flatter

🔗

칭찬을 받다

contrast

To be praised

🔗

극찬하다

specialized form

To praise highly/rave

🔗

칭찬해 주다

similar

To give praise (as a favor)

Où l'utiliser

💼

At the Office

Manager: 김 대리, 이번 프로젝트 정말 잘 끝냈어요. 칭찬하고 싶네요.

Employee: 아닙니다, 부장님. 팀원들이 도와준 덕분입니다.

formal
☕

With Friends

Friend A: 와, 너 오늘 옷 진짜 예쁘다!

Friend B: 진짜? 칭찬해줘서 고마워!

informal
👶

Parenting

Parent: 우리 아들, 스스로 숙제도 다 하고 정말 칭찬해!

Child: 헤헤, 내일도 잘할게요!

neutral
🗣️

Language Exchange

Partner: 한국어 발음이 정말 좋으시네요!

Learner: 과찬이십니다. 아직 많이 부족해요.

neutral
📱

Social Media

User 1: (Posts a photo of a painting)

User 2: 와, 실력이 대단해요! 칭찬을 안 할 수가 없네요.

informal
🎤

Job Interview

Interviewer: 이전 직장에서 상사에게 칭찬을 받았던 경험이 있나요?

Applicant: 네, 성실함에 대해 칭찬을 받은 적이 있습니다.

very_formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ching-Chan' as 'Cheering Champion'. When you praise someone, you treat them like a Champion with a Cheer!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant scale (from the Hanja {稱}) where you place a gold medal on one side and a 'speech bubble' on the other. The speech bubble balances the medal's weight.

Rhyme

칭찬을 하면 (Ching-chan-eul ha-myeon) / 기분이 좋아 (Gi-bun-i jo-a) - When you praise, the mood is great!

Story

A small whale was sad because it couldn't jump high. A trainer came and gave it a small 'Ching-chan' (praise). Suddenly, the whale felt so happy it started dancing. This is why Koreans say 'Praise makes even whales dance!'

Word Web

칭찬 (praise)칭찬받다 (to be praised)칭찬해주다 (to give praise)극찬 (high praise)칭찬거리 (something worth praising)칭찬스티커 (praise stickers - for kids)칭찬릴레이 (praise relay)

Défi

Today, find one person (a friend, colleague, or family member) and give them a '칭찬' in Korean. Use the pattern: '[Name] 씨, [Action/Trait] 정말 대단해요!'

In Other Languages

English high

To praise / To compliment

Korean requires modesty in response; English allows a simple 'Thank you'.

Japanese high

褒める (Homeru)

Japanese uses a single verb (褒める), while Korean uses a noun+verb (칭찬을 하다).

Chinese high

表扬 (Biǎoyáng) / 夸奖 (Kuājiǎng)

Chinese has multiple common verbs for praise depending on the level of formality.

Spanish moderate

Elogiar / Dar un cumplido

Spanish compliments can be much more expressive and frequent than Korean ones.

French moderate

Complimenter / Louer

French social etiquette around compliments is more direct than Korean.

German moderate

Loben

German culture may use praise more sparingly than modern Korean culture.

Arabic moderate

مدح (Madaha)

Arabic praise is often tied to religious expressions of gratitude.

Portuguese high

Elogiar

Like Spanish, Portuguese allows for more direct acceptance of praise.

Easily Confused

칭찬을 하다. vs 자랑하다

Both involve saying good things, but '자랑하다' is about yourself or your own belongings.

Use '칭찬하다' for others, '자랑하다' for yourself (bragging).

칭찬을 하다. vs 추천하다

Learners sometimes confuse 'praise' with 'recommend' because both are positive.

Praise is about the person/quality; recommendation is about a choice or action.

FAQ (10)

It's risky. It can sound like you are evaluating them. Use '존경하다' or '대단하세요' instead.

칭찬 is everyday praise; 찬사 is a high-level 'tribute' or 'acclaim' used in formal contexts.

Use the passive form: '칭찬을 받았어요'.

In very casual slang, yes! It means 'I approve' or 'Good job'.

It's a cultural value called modesty (겸손). They aren't disagreeing with you; they are being polite.

No, you praise people or their actions. For objects, use '좋다' (good) or '훌륭하다' (excellent).

It's a famous book title/proverb meaning 'Praise makes even whales dance'—praise motivates everyone.

Yes, '칭송' (veneration) or '찬사' (tribute), but they are very formal.

Yes! You can 칭찬 your dog for doing a trick.

It means 'excessive praise'. Use it when someone compliments you: '과찬이십니다' (You flatter me).

C'tait utile ?

Commentaires (0)

Connectez-vous pour Commenter
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !