진정하다
진정하다 en 30 secondes
- Used to describe the act of calming down emotions like anger, fear, or excitement in oneself or others.
- Commonly heard in dramas as '진정해' (Calm down) and in news regarding market or social stability.
- Can also refer to physical symptoms like fevers or rashes subsiding and becoming less irritated.
- Distinguish between the verb (to calm) and the adjective (true/sincere) which share the same spelling.
The Korean verb 진정하다 (jin-jeong-ha-da) is a multi-faceted term primarily used to describe the act of calming down, pacifying one's emotions, or stabilizing a volatile situation. At its core, it combines the Hanja 鎭 (누를 진), meaning to press down or suppress, and 定 (정할 정), meaning to fix or settle. Together, they create a powerful image of pressing down on chaotic energy to bring it to a state of rest. This word is essential for anyone navigating social interactions in Korea, as it covers everything from a simple 'calm down' during a heated argument to the medical stabilization of a patient's condition.
- Emotional Regulation
- This is the most common usage. When someone is angry, crying, or panicked, you use this verb to ask them to regain their composure. It implies a return to a rational state of mind after being overwhelmed by feelings.
- Physical Stabilization
- In a medical or physical sense, it refers to the subsiding of symptoms. For example, a high fever 'calming down' or a skin rash becoming less irritated uses this verb. It suggests the body is returning to its normal, balanced state.
- Situational Order
- Beyond individuals, it can describe the stabilization of markets, public unrest, or chaotic environments. When a riot ends or the stock market stops fluctuating wildly, we say the situation has '진정' (calmed).
"너무 흥분하지 말고 일단 진정해. 우리가 해결할 수 있어."
In Korean culture, maintaining 'Chemyeon' (face) often involves the ability to 진정하다. Losing one's temper is frequently seen as a lack of self-control, so being told to 진정하다 is both a request for peace and a subtle reminder to maintain social decorum. It is a word that bridges the gap between internal psychology and external social harmony.
"시장의 불안감이 서서히 진정되고 있습니다."
Understanding the nuances of this word requires looking at its synonyms. While '달래다' means to soothe someone else, '진정하다' can be both reflexive (calming oneself) and transitive (calming others). It is more formal and decisive than '가라앉다', which often describes physical things settling, like dust or a storm.
Using 진정하다 correctly involves understanding its conjugation patterns and the specific particles that accompany it. As a regular '하다' verb, it follows standard conjugation rules, but its usage varies significantly depending on the level of politeness and the intent of the speaker. Whether you are comforting a friend or reporting on a national crisis, the structure changes to reflect the gravity of the situation.
- Imperative Usage (Giving Commands)
- The most frequent use is the imperative. To a friend, you say '진정해' (Jin-jeong-hae). In a more formal or polite setting, you use '진정하세요' (Jin-jeong-ha-se-yo). This is a direct request for someone to stop their current emotional outburst.
- The Causative Form: 진정시키다
- When you are the active agent making someone else calm down, you use '진정시키다'. For example, '아이를 진정시켰어요' (I calmed the child down). This distinction is crucial for clarity in storytelling.
- Passive/State: 진정되다
- When a situation or emotion calms down on its own, or as a result of external factors, '진정되다' is used. '흥분이 진정되었다' (The excitement died down). This is common in news reports and formal writing.
"화난 고객을 진정시키는 것이 제 업무입니다."
Grammatically, when you are talking about your own feelings, you might say '마음을 진정하다' (to calm one's heart/mind). The object '마음' (heart/mind) is often used to make the sentence more descriptive. In medical contexts, you might hear '통증이 진정되다' (the pain is subsiding), where the pain is the subject of the settling action.
In writing, especially in literature, authors use '진정하다' to describe the atmosphere. A '진정된 분위기' (a calmed atmosphere) suggests a shift from chaos to peace. It is a versatile verb that transitions seamlessly from the internal world of feelings to the external world of physical reality. Mastery of this word allows a learner to navigate high-stress situations with linguistic precision.
You will encounter 진정하다 in a vast array of contexts in Korea, from the high-stakes drama of a television hospital to the quiet aisles of a neighborhood pharmacy. It is a word that signals a turning point—the moment when tension begins to dissolve. Understanding these contexts helps you recognize the emotional weight the word carries in different scenarios.
- K-Dramas and Movies
- In almost every thriller or melodrama, there is a scene where a character is hyperventilating or screaming. The protagonist will grab their shoulders and say, '제발 진정해!' (Please, calm down!). It is a staple of dramatic dialogue used to build and then release tension.
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Settings
- If you visit a doctor for anxiety or a skin rash, they might prescribe a '진정제' (jin-jeong-je), which is a sedative or a soothing ointment. The goal of these medicines is to '진정시키다' the body's overactive responses.
- News and Economy Reports
- News anchors frequently use this word when discussing the economy. If inflation slows down or the exchange rate stabilizes, they report that the '물가가 진정세로 돌아섰다' (prices have turned toward a stabilizing trend).
"의사 선생님이 주신 약을 먹고 통증이 많이 진정되었어요."
In daily life, you might hear parents saying it to children throwing tantrums, or teachers saying it to a rowdy classroom. It is also used in customer service; when a customer is upset about a faulty product, the representative's first priority is to '진정시키다' the customer before offering a solution. This makes it a vital word for professional Korean communication.
Social media also sees its fair share of this word. When a 'controversy' (논란) breaks out online, people might comment that the situation needs to '진정' before any real discussion can happen. It serves as a call for rationality in the digital age, proving that the need for '진정' is universal across all mediums of communication.
While 진정하다 is a common word, it is frequently misused by learners due to its homonyms and its specific grammatical requirements. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Korean sound much more natural and precise. The most common errors usually involve confusing the verb with the adjective or using the wrong causative structure.
- Confusing Verb and Adjective
- As mentioned, '진정하다' is also an adjective meaning 'true' or 'sincere'. Learners often confuse '진정한 친구' (a true friend) with the verb form. Remember: if you are describing a person's character, it's an adjective. If you are describing an action of calming, it's a verb.
- Misusing '진정하다' vs '진정시키다'
- You cannot say '나는 친구를 진정했다' to mean 'I calmed my friend down'. You must use the causative '진정시켰다'. '진정하다' on its own is usually used for oneself or as a command to others. Using the base form for others' actions is a common grammatical slip.
- Overusing it for Physical Objects
- While it can be used for markets or fevers, you wouldn't use '진정하다' for a physical object like a wobbling table. For physical objects coming to rest, '멈추다' (stop) or '고정되다' (be fixed) are more appropriate.
"나는 내 동생을 진정했다." (X)
"나는 내 동생을 진정시켰다." (O)
Another mistake is using '진정하세요' in situations that aren't actually emotional. If someone is just walking too fast, you wouldn't tell them to '진정하세요'; you'd say '천천히 가세요' (go slowly). '진정하다' is specifically for emotional or systemic volatility. Using it for simple physical speed can sound quite strange to native speakers.
Finally, don't confuse '진정하다' with '안심하다' (to feel relieved). '진정하다' is about the process of becoming calm from a state of agitation, while '안심하다' is about the feeling of safety after a worry has passed. You '진정' during the storm, but you '안심' after the storm is over.
To truly master 진정하다, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. Korean has a rich vocabulary for emotions and states of being, and choosing the right word can change the entire tone of your sentence. Here, we look at words that share a similar space but have distinct nuances.
- 가라앉다 (Ga-ra-at-da)
- Literally meaning 'to sink' or 'to settle', this is often used for physical things (dust settling) or for emotions that slowly fade away. It feels more passive and natural than the more intentional '진정하다'.
- 안정되다 (An-jeong-doe-da)
- This means 'to become stable'. It is used more for systems, like the economy or a patient's vital signs, rather than a person's temporary emotional outburst. It implies a long-term state of balance.
- 달래다 (Dal-lae-da)
- This means 'to soothe' or 'to coax'. It is very active and usually involves someone trying to make someone else (often a child or a grieving person) feel better through kind words or actions.
"폭풍이 지나가고 바다가 가라앉았습니다."
There is also '다스리다' (da-seu-ri-da), which means to govern or control. In a psychological context, '마음을 다스리다' means to control one's mind or emotions, often through meditation or discipline. This is much more formal and internal than the immediate '진정하다'.
Lastly, '평정' (pyeong-jeong) refers to composure or equanimity. '평정을 되찾다' (to regain one's composure) is a sophisticated way to say someone has '진정'ed. While '진정하다' is the everyday tool, these other words provide the nuance needed for advanced literature and formal speaking.
How Formal Is It?
Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
-아/어지다 (Becoming/Passive)
-게 하다 (Causative)
-지 말고 (Don't do X, but do Y)
-(으)면 (Conditional)
-고 나서 (After doing)
Exemples par niveau
진정하세요.
Please calm down.
Polite imperative form.
진정해, 괜찮아.
Calm down, it's okay.
Casual imperative form.
우리는 진정했어요.
We calmed down.
Past tense.
아이를 진정시켜요.
Calm the child down.
Causative form.
화내지 말고 진정해.
Don't be angry, just calm down.
-지 말고 (don't do X, but do Y).
숨을 쉬고 진정해.
Take a breath and calm down.
-고 (and) connecting two actions.
그는 진정하지 않아요.
He is not calming down.
-지 않다 (negation).
빨리 진정하세요.
Please calm down quickly.
Adverb '빨리' (quickly) modifying the verb.
음악을 들으면 진정이 돼요.
I calm down when I listen to music.
-(으)면 (if/when) conditional.
따뜻한 차를 마시고 진정했어요.
I drank warm tea and calmed down.
-고 (and then) sequential.
선생님이 학생들을 진정시켰어요.
The teacher calmed the students down.
Causative -시키다.
마음을 진정하는 것이 중요해요.
It is important to calm your mind.
-는 것 (nominalizing the verb).
열이 조금 진정되었어요.
The fever has calmed down a bit.
Passive/State -되다.
진정하고 다시 말해 줄래?
Can you calm down and tell me again?
Informal question with -ㄹ래.
너무 놀라서 진정할 수 없었어요.
I was so surprised I couldn't calm down.
-아서 (because) + -ㄹ 수 없다 (cannot).
약 덕분에 통증이 진정됐어요.
Thanks to the medicine, the pain subsided.
덕분에 (thanks to).
심호흡을 하면 마음을 진정시키는 데 도움이 돼요.
Deep breathing helps in calming the mind.
-는 데 (in the act of/for).
경찰이 도착하자 상황이 진정되기 시작했다.
As soon as the police arrived, the situation began to calm down.
-자 (as soon as) + -기 시작하다 (begin to).
그는 화가 났지만 스스로를 진정시키려고 노력했다.
He was angry but tried to calm himself down.
-(으)려고 노력하다 (try to).
시장의 혼란이 어느 정도 진정된 것 같습니다.
It seems the market chaos has calmed down to some extent.
-ㄴ 것 같다 (it seems that).
일단 진정하고 나서 문제를 해결합시다.
Let's solve the problem after we've calmed down first.
-고 나서 (after doing).
그녀의 부드러운 목소리가 나를 진정시켜 주었다.
Her soft voice calmed me down.
-아/어 주다 (do something for someone).
소란스러웠던 교실이 서서히 진정되었다.
The noisy classroom gradually calmed down.
Adverb '서서히' (gradually).
진정하지 않으면 대화를 계속할 수 없어요.
If you don't calm down, we can't continue the conversation.
-(으)면 (if) + negation.
정부의 대책 발표 이후 부동산 가격이 진정세로 돌아섰다.
After the government's announcement, real estate prices turned toward stabilization.
Noun + -로 돌아서다 (turn toward).
흥분한 군중을 진정시키는 것은 쉬운 일이 아니었다.
Calming the excited crowd was no easy task.
-는 것 (nominalization) as a subject.
그는 명상을 통해 내면의 불안을 진정시켰다.
He calmed his inner anxiety through meditation.
통해 (through/via).
사건의 진상이 밝혀지자 여론이 조금씩 진정되었다.
As the truth of the incident was revealed, public opinion gradually calmed down.
-자 (as/when).
감정을 진정시키지 못한 채 말을 내뱉고 말았다.
I ended up blurting out words without being able to calm my emotions.
-ㄴ 채 (while in the state of) + -고 말다 (end up).
환자의 상태가 진정될 때까지 기다려야 합니다.
We must wait until the patient's condition stabilizes.
-ㄹ 때까지 (until the time when).
비가 내리자 뜨거웠던 열기가 한풀 진정되었다.
As it rained, the intense heat subsided a bit.
한풀 (a notch/a bit) + 진정되다.
그는 떨리는 손을 진정시키며 깊은 숨을 내쉬었다.
He exhaled deeply, calming his trembling hands.
-(으)며 (while).
양측의 갈등을 진정시키기 위해 중재자가 나섰다.
A mediator stepped in to calm the conflict between the two sides.
-기 위해 (in order to).
그의 논리적인 설명은 사람들의 공포를 진정시키기에 충분했다.
His logical explanation was enough to calm people's fears.
-기에 충분하다 (to be enough to).
폭동은 군대의 투입으로 간신히 진정 국면에 접어들었다.
The riot barely entered a phase of stabilization with the deployment of the army.
접어들다 (to enter/approach a phase).
그는 격정적인 감정을 진정시키고 냉철하게 상황을 분석했다.
He calmed his passionate emotions and analyzed the situation coolly.
냉철하게 (cool-headedly).
물가 상승률이 진정되지 않으면 서민 경제가 위태로워질 것이다.
If the inflation rate does not stabilize, the economy of ordinary people will be endangered.
-아/어지다 (become).
예술가는 창작의 고통을 진정시키려 붓을 놓았다.
The artist put down the brush to calm the pain of creation.
-(으)려 (shortened form of -려고).
그 소식은 들끓던 민심을 진정시키는 기폭제가 되었다.
That news became a catalyst for calming the boiling public sentiment.
기폭제 (catalyst/detonator).
그녀는 슬픔을 진정시키기 위해 한동안 혼자만의 시간을 가졌다.
She spent some time alone to calm her sadness.
한동안 (for a while).
국가적 재난 상황에서 지도자의 가장 큰 덕목은 국민을 진정시키는 것이다.
In a national disaster, a leader's greatest virtue is calming the citizens.
덕목 (virtue).
철학적 사유는 요동치는 인간의 욕망을 진정시키는 힘이 있다.
Philosophical thought has the power to calm fluctuating human desires.
요동치다 (to fluctuate/surge).
시장은 보이지 않는 손에 의해 스스로를 진정시키는 복원력을 지니고 있다.
The market possesses the resilience to calm itself through the invisible hand.
복원력 (resilience/restorative power).
그의 문체는 독자의 마음을 진정시키는 묘한 마력을 지니고 있다.
His writing style has a strange magic that calms the reader's mind.
묘한 (strange/mysterious).
분노를 진정시키는 것은 단순히 억누르는 것이 아니라 이해하는 것이다.
Calming anger is not simply suppressing it, but understanding it.
A-는 것이 아니라 B-는 것이다 (Not A but B).
대중의 광기를 진정시키기에는 이미 사태가 너무 멀리 와버렸다.
The situation has already gone too far to calm the madness of the masses.
-아/어 버리다 (completed action with regret).
역사는 투쟁과 진정의 반복을 통해 인류의 진보를 기록해 왔다.
History has recorded human progress through the repetition of struggle and stabilization.
통해 (through).
그는 죽음 앞에서도 평정을 유지하며 주변 사람들을 진정시켰다.
He maintained his composure even in the face of death and calmed those around him.
평정 (composure).
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Souvent confondu avec
Means 'true' or 'sincere' rather than 'to calm down'.
Means 'to feel relieved' rather than 'to become calm'.
More often used for physical things settling or emotions fading naturally.
Expressions idiomatiques
Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Famille de mots
Apparenté
Comment l'utiliser
Can be used both as an intransitive verb (I calm down) and a transitive verb (I calm my mind).
Always check if '진정하다' is followed by a noun (adjective) or used as a predicate (verb).
- Using '진정하다' instead of '진정시키다' for others.
- Confusing the verb with the adjective 'true/sincere'.
- Using it for physical objects stopping (like a car).
- Saying it too aggressively in a social situation.
- Using '안심하다' (relief) when '진정하다' (calm) is needed.
Astuces
The 'Jin' Pressure
Remember that 'Jin' (鎭) means to press down. Imagine pressing down on your racing heart to make it stay 'Jeong' (定) or fixed.
Face and Calmness
In Korea, being '침착하다' (calm/composed) is a highly valued trait. Using '진정하다' shows you value emotional control.
Causative vs. Base
Always use '진정시키다' when you are the one doing the calming to someone else. '진정하다' is for yourself or a command.
Beauty Context
If you see '진정' on a Korean face mask, it means it's for soothing sensitive skin. It's a great way to remember the word!
Softness Matters
When telling someone to calm down, use a soft voice. A loud '진정해!' can actually make the situation worse.
Formal Reports
In business or news writing, use '진정세' (stabilizing trend) to describe markets or prices. It sounds very professional.
Drama Cues
When you hear a character say '일단...' (first...), they are very likely to follow it with '진정해' (calm down).
Conflict Resolution
Using '진정하고 이야기해요' is a polite way to pause a heated argument and move toward a solution.
Hanja Power
The 'Jeong' in 진정 is the same as in '결정' (decision) and '예정' (schedule). It's all about things being 'fixed' or 'set'.
Don't Overuse
Don't use it for every small thing. It's best reserved for actual emotional or situational agitation.
Mémorise-le
Origine du mot
Derived from Middle Chinese, reflecting the idea of applying pressure to stabilize something.
Contexte culturel
Korean culture emphasizes 'Gibun' (mood) and 'Nunchi' (social sensing). Telling someone to 진정하다 is a way to restore the collective Gibun.
Korean skincare often uses the word '진정' for products that soothe irritated skin, reflecting a holistic view of 'calming' the body.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"너무 화가 날 때 어떻게 진정하세요?"
"진정하고 싶을 때 듣는 음악이 있어요?"
"최근에 친구를 진정시켜 준 적이 있나요?"
"어떤 상황에서 진정하기가 가장 힘든가요?"
"피부를 진정시키는 좋은 방법이 있을까요?"
Sujets d'écriture
오늘 내가 진정해야 했던 순간에 대해 써보세요.
마음을 진정시키는 나만의 비밀 방법을 설명해 보세요.
누군가를 진정시켰던 경험을 일기로 적어보세요.
세상이 더 진정되려면 무엇이 필요할까요?
진정한(true) 친구가 나를 진정시켜준 적이 있나요?
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt depends on the tone and the relationship. To a friend, it's fine. To a superior, use '진정하십시오' or '진정하세요' very carefully, as it might sound like you are telling them they are being irrational.
No, for a car stopping, use '멈추다'. '진정하다' is for emotional or systemic volatility, not simple physical movement.
It is a sedative or tranquilizer. It is a medicine used to '진정시키다' the nervous system or a patient's agitation.
You can say '마음을 진정했어요' or '스스로를 진정시켰어요'. Both are common and natural.
'진정하다' is the active act of calming, while '진정되다' is the state of becoming calm or the passive result of a calming influence.
Yes, '피부 진정' is a very common term in Korean beauty for soothing irritated or red skin.
It is 鎭 (press down) and 定 (fix/settle). Knowing this helps you remember the meaning of 'suppressing chaos'.
The basic command '진정해' is often learned at A1, but the full range of its usage (causative, passive, systemic) is usually mastered at the A2-B1 levels.
Yes, you can say '폭풍이 진정되었다', though '가라앉다' is slightly more common for natural phenomena.
'가라앉다' is the most common synonym, but '진정하다' is more frequently used as a direct command to a person.
Teste-toi 180 questions
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
진정하다 is a versatile Korean verb essential for emotional management and describing stability. Whether you're telling a friend to relax, describing a market recovery, or talking about medicine working, this word is your go-to for moving from chaos to calm.
- Used to describe the act of calming down emotions like anger, fear, or excitement in oneself or others.
- Commonly heard in dramas as '진정해' (Calm down) and in news regarding market or social stability.
- Can also refer to physical symptoms like fevers or rashes subsiding and becoming less irritated.
- Distinguish between the verb (to calm) and the adjective (true/sincere) which share the same spelling.
The 'Jin' Pressure
Remember that 'Jin' (鎭) means to press down. Imagine pressing down on your racing heart to make it stay 'Jeong' (定) or fixed.
Face and Calmness
In Korea, being '침착하다' (calm/composed) is a highly valued trait. Using '진정하다' shows you value emotional control.
Causative vs. Base
Always use '진정시키다' when you are the one doing the calming to someone else. '진정하다' is for yourself or a command.
Beauty Context
If you see '진정' on a Korean face mask, it means it's for soothing sensitive skin. It's a great way to remember the word!
Exemple
화를 내지 말고 진정하세요.
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Plus de mots sur emotions
받아들이다
A2Accepter, admettre, intégrer.
아파하다
A2Ressentir de la douleur ou du chagrin (souvent observé chez autrui).
감탄스럽다
A2Leur dévouement à la cause est tout simplement admirable.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2Admirer ou s'émerveiller ; exprimer son étonnement face à quelque chose de beau ou d'exceptionnel.
기특하다
B1Admirable pour une bonne action ou une pensée mature.
충고
B1Conseils ou recommandations offerts en vue d'une action future prudente ; avis sincère.
애정
B1Affection; un sentiment doux de tendresse ou d'attachement.
애틋하다
B2Leur amour tendre et mélancolique a ému tout le monde.
살갑다
B22 rich native sent