Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 verb #9,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

기어가다

gireogada Top 9,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 기어가다 en 30 secondes

Explication 기어가다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '기어가다' as a word for babies. It combines '기다' (to crawl) and '가다' (to go). Imagine a baby on the floor moving toward a toy. That movement is '기어가다'. You don't need to worry about the difficult meanings yet. Just remember: Baby + Floor + Moving = 기어가다. It is a very useful word when talking about families or pets. You might also see it in simple picture books about animals like turtles or snails. Focus on the literal physical action of moving on hands and knees. For example, '아기가 기어가요' (The baby crawls).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the A2 level, you should start to see '기어가다' as more than just a baby word. You can use it to describe insects like ants or spiders moving across a surface. You also begin to learn that it can describe cars in very bad traffic. When traffic is so slow that it feels like walking would be faster, Koreans say the cars are 'crawling.' This is a very common way to complain about traffic in big cities. You should also learn the adverb '엉금엉금,' which is often used with this verb to mean 'crawling slowly and heavily.' Practice using it for both literal babies and metaphorical traffic jams.

At the B1 level, you can explore the emotional and social uses of '기어가다.' A key expression is '기어가는 목소리' (a crawling voice). This describes someone speaking very quietly because they are shy, embarrassed, or scared. It's a great way to add detail to your descriptions of people's behavior. You might also use '기어가다' to describe yourself when you are extremely tired, like saying 'I practically crawled home.' This shows you understand how to use the word for exaggeration. You should also be able to distinguish between '기어가다' (moving away) and '기어오다' (moving toward) based on where you are standing.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '기어가다' in various contexts, including more formal or literary ones. You might encounter it in news reports about '기어가는 경기' (a crawling economy), where it describes slow economic growth. You can also use it in military contexts or when describing intense physical struggle. At this level, you should understand the nuance of the '-다시피' grammar structure paired with this verb to express that an action was *almost* like crawling due to exhaustion or injury. Your understanding of the word should now include its ability to set a specific mood or tone in writing.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the subtle nuances '기어가다' brings to literature and advanced discourse. It can be used to describe the slow, agonizing passage of time in a psychological thriller or a heavy drama. You might analyze how an author uses '기어가다' to depict a character's loss of dignity or their desperate survival. You should also be familiar with related but more specialized terms like '포복하다' (military crawl) and know when to choose the more common '기어가다' for stylistic effect. Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker, especially in metaphorical applications regarding social hierarchies and power dynamics.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, '기어가다' is a tool for precise and evocative expression. You understand its place in the vast spectrum of Korean verbs of motion. You can use it to discuss complex sociological concepts, such as how certain populations 'crawl' through life due to systemic barriers. You are aware of its historical usage in classic literature and how its meaning has evolved or stayed consistent. You can play with the word in creative writing, perhaps using it to personify inanimate objects or abstract ideas in a way that feels both poetic and natural. Your mastery includes a deep intuitive sense of the word's rhythmic and emotional resonance within a sentence.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

기어가다 en 30 secondes

Literally means to crawl or creep from one place to another, commonly used for babies, insects, and soldiers.
Metaphorically describes extremely slow-moving traffic or progress that is frustratingly delayed.
Can describe a person's voice (기어가는 목소리) when they are speaking very quietly due to shyness or fear.
Formed by combining '기다' (to crawl) and '가다' (to go), emphasizing movement toward a destination.

The Korean verb 기어가다 is a fascinating compound word that essentially means 'to go by crawling.' It is formed by combining the verb stem of 기다 (to crawl or creep) with the directional verb 가다 (to go). At its most basic level, it describes the physical act of moving on one's hands and knees or dragging the body along the ground. This is the primary way human infants move before they master the art of walking. However, the application of 기어가다 is much broader than just childcare.

Literal Movement: This refers to babies, animals like turtles or insects, and people in specific physical situations (like crawling through a tunnel or under a low fence).

아기가 거실을 기어가고 있어요. (The baby is crawling across the living room.)

In a military or tactical context, 기어가다 is used to describe soldiers moving stealthily or under obstacles. It implies a sense of effort and being low to the ground to avoid detection or danger. If you are watching a movie where a character has to sneak into a building through a ventilation shaft, the verb used to describe their movement would likely be 기어가다.

Metaphorical Speed: When used to describe vehicles or progress, it indicates that movement is agonizingly slow, much like a person crawling instead of running.

차가 너무 막혀서 도로 위를 기어가고 있어요. (The traffic is so heavy that the cars are crawling on the road.)

This metaphorical usage is very common in daily life, especially in urban areas like Seoul where traffic congestion is a frequent topic of conversation. You might also hear it in academic or professional settings to describe a project that is barely moving forward. If a deadline is approaching but the work is progressing at a snail's pace, someone might complain that the work is just 'crawling along.'

Social and Emotional Nuance: It can describe a person's voice or attitude when they are extremely shy, scared, or subservient.

그는 잘못을 저지르고 기어가는 목소리로 사과했다. (He apologized in a voice that was barely a crawl—very faint/weak—after making a mistake.)

In this context, '기어가는 목소리' suggests that the person is so lacking in confidence or so overwhelmed by guilt that their voice barely manages to leave their throat. It paints a picture of someone trying to make themselves as small as possible, much like the physical act of crawling. This depth of meaning makes 기어가다 a versatile tool for describing not just physical actions, but also the tempo of life and the intricacies of human emotion and social hierarchy. Whether you are talking about a baby's first milestones, a frustrating commute, or a timid apology, this word provides a vivid descriptor of slow, low-profile movement.

Using 기어가다 correctly involves understanding its conjugation and the particles that usually accompany it. Since it is a verb ending in -가다, it follows the standard conjugation rules for that group. In the present tense, it becomes 기어가요 (polite) or 기어간다 (plain/narrative). In the past tense, it is 기어갔어요. Because it describes movement, you will frequently see it paired with the location particles -로 (towards/via) or -를/을 (the path taken).

Subject-Verb Agreement: The subject is usually an animate being (baby, insect, soldier) or a vehicle (car, train) in a metaphorical sense.

개미 한 마리가 벽을 기어가고 있었다. (An ant was crawling up the wall.)

When describing the path of crawling, use the object particle -을/를. For example, '방을 기어가다' (to crawl across the room) or '터널을 기어가다' (to crawl through a tunnel). This emphasizes the space being traversed. If you are describing the direction, use -로, such as '구석으로 기어가다' (to crawl toward the corner). This distinction is important for precision in your Korean speech.

Metaphorical Application: When talking about time or progress, the subject is often abstract, like '시간' (time) or '공사' (construction).

지루한 수업 시간에는 시간이 기어가는 것 같아요. (During a boring class, time feels like it's crawling.)

In this sentence, 기어가다 perfectly captures the subjective feeling of time slowing down. It's a very natural expression that native speakers use to complain about boredom. Another common structure is '엉금엉금 기어가다,' where '엉금엉금' is an onomatopoeia describing the slow, heavy movement of crawling. Adding these descriptive adverbs can make your Korean sound much more authentic and expressive.

Combining with Adverbs: Use adverbs like '천천히' (slowly) or '힘겹게' (with difficulty) to modify the verb.

부상당한 군인이 힘겹게 기어갔다. (The injured soldier crawled with great difficulty.)

This example shows how the verb can be used in more serious or dramatic contexts. Whether it's the lighthearted sight of a baby or the grim scene of a wounded soldier, the verb remains the same, but the surrounding words change the emotional weight. For learners, mastering the balance between literal and metaphorical uses of 기어가다 is a key step in reaching intermediate proficiency. Practice by describing the slow-moving things in your own life—the morning traffic, a slow internet connection, or a sleepy pet.

You will encounter 기어가다 in a variety of real-world settings in Korea. One of the most common places is in family homes or daycare centers. Parents and teachers constantly use this word to describe the milestones of growing babies. It is a word filled with pride and excitement in these contexts. '우리 아기가 이제 기어가기 시작했어요!' (Our baby has started to crawl!) is a sentence you'll hear from many new parents.

Traffic Reports: Radio broadcasts and navigation apps frequently use this verb to describe severe congestion on major highways.

경부고속도로 상행선이 기어가고 있습니다. (The northbound Gyeongbu Expressway is crawling.)

If you live in a city like Seoul, listening to the traffic news (교통 방송) will make this word very familiar. It is the standard way to express that traffic is moving at less than 10-20 kilometers per hour. In this setting, the word carries a tone of frustration and warning for commuters. Similarly, in documentaries about nature, narrators will use 기어가다 to describe the movement of reptiles, insects, or snails. It provides a vivid, descriptive quality to the visual of a creature moving slowly across the forest floor.

Literature and Drama: Authors use it to set a mood of tension, exhaustion, or humility.

그는 너무 지쳐서 집까지 기어가다시피 했다. (He was so exhausted that he practically crawled home.)

The grammar structure '-다시피 하다' (to practically do something) is often paired with 기어가다 to exaggerate the level of fatigue or difficulty. You'll see this in novels or hear it in K-dramas when a character has had a particularly rough day. Finally, in social settings, the expression '기어가는 목소리' is used to criticize or describe someone who is being too quiet or lacks confidence. If a student is answering a question very quietly, a teacher might say, '왜 그렇게 기어가는 목소리로 말하니?' (Why are you speaking in such a crawling voice?). This wide range of applications—from the nursery to the highway, and from nature to social dynamics—makes 기어가다 an essential verb for understanding the texture of daily Korean life.

Learners of Korean often run into a few specific pitfalls when using 기어가다. The first common mistake is confusing it with the simple verb 기다. While they are related, 기다 is the general action of crawling, whereas 기어가다 emphasizes the movement away from the speaker or toward a destination. If you just want to say 'The baby can crawl,' you should use 기다 (아기가 기어요). If you want to say 'The baby crawled to the door,' use 기어가다 (아기가 문으로 기어갔어요).

Confusion with '기어오다': Just like '가다' (go) and '오다' (come), '기어가다' and '기어오다' depend on the speaker's location.

저기 보세요! 거미가 우리 쪽으로 기어오고 있어요! (Look over there! A spider is crawling toward us!)

Using 기어가다 when the object is coming toward you sounds unnatural. Another mistake is using 기어가다 for things that move slowly but don't 'crawl' in the physical sense, like a slow-walking person. If a person is walking slowly, use 천천히 걷다. 기어가다 is reserved for when they are actually on the ground or for vehicles in traffic. Don't call your slow friend a 'crawling person' unless you mean to be very insulting or they are literally on their knees!

Misusing Onomatopoeia: Learners often forget to use the correct descriptive words like '엉금엉금'.

거북이가 엉금엉금 기어갑니다. (The turtle crawls slowly and heavily.)

Using 살금살금 (stealthily) with 기어가다 is correct for a thief, but using 빨리 (quickly) with 기어가다 is a bit of a contradiction, though possible in a race. Lastly, be careful with the metaphorical 'crawling voice' (기어가는 목소리). It specifically means a small, timid voice. You cannot use it to mean a 'slow' voice or a 'deep' voice. It's about the lack of energy and volume, as if the voice itself is too weak to stand up and walk. By keeping these distinctions in mind—direction, physical posture, and specific metaphorical collocations—you can avoid the common errors that give away a non-native speaker and instead use 기어가다 with the precision of a native.

To truly master 기어가다, it helps to see how it compares to other words that describe slow or low-to-the-ground movement. Korean is a language rich in descriptive verbs, and choosing the right one can change the entire nuance of your sentence.

기다 vs. 기어가다: '기다' is the basic act of crawling. '기어가다' is crawling with a destination or direction in mind (moving away).

기어다니다 vs. 기어가다: '기어다니다' means to crawl around aimlessly or habitually. It's used for babies who are in the crawling stage of life or insects that live on the ground.

벌레가 방 안을 기어다녀요. (A bug is crawling around the room.)

If the bug is moving from the door to the bed, you'd use 기어가다. If it's just wandering around the floor, 기어다니다 is better. Another related word is 포복하다 (to crawl/prostrate), which is a more formal, often military term for crawling. You'll see this in news reports or manuals, but rarely in casual conversation. For the metaphorical 'crawling' of traffic, you might also use 서행하다 (to go slowly), which is a formal traffic term found on road signs.

굼뜨다 vs. 기어가다: '굼뜨다' means to be sluggish or slow in movement/action, but it doesn't involve crawling. It's more about a person's slow reaction or pace.

In terms of onomatopoeia, besides 엉금엉금 (slow/heavy), there is 꼼지락꼼지락 (fidgeting/wiggling), which describes much smaller movements. If a baby is just moving its limbs while lying down, you'd use 꼼지락거리다. Understanding these alternatives allows you to be more specific. If you want to emphasize the effort of a tired person, 기어가다시피 하다 is your best choice. If you want to describe a bug's movement, 기어가다 or 기어다니다 works perfectly. By expanding your vocabulary to include these similar words, you can describe movement in Korean with much more color and accuracy, moving beyond the simple 'slow' or 'fast' and into the realm of truly descriptive language.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In old Korean, the distinction between '기다' and '걷다' was central to describing the development of a child, which is why '기어가다' remains one of the first verbs parents look for in their children's progress.

Guide de prononciation

UK ɡi.ʌ.ɡa.da

US ɡi.ʌ.ɡa.da

In Korean, stress is generally even across syllables, but a slight emphasis may fall on the first syllable '기'.

Rime avec

이어가다 (i-eo-ga-da - to continue) 피어가다 (pi-eo-ga-da - to bloom and go) 밀어가다 (mil-eo-ga-da - to push forward) 빌어가다 (bil-eo-ga-da - to go and beg) 실어가다 (sil-eo-ga-da - to carry and go) 길어가다 (gil-eo-ga-da - to draw water and go) 튀어가다 (twi-eo-ga-da - to spring out/run) 씌어가다 (ssui-eo-ga-da - to be covered/possessed)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'eo' (어) as 'o' (오). '기오가다' is incorrect.
Making the 'g' (ㄱ) sound too much like a 'k'. It should be a soft 'g'.
Confusing the pronunciation with '기억하다' (gi-eok-ha-da).
Stressing the 'ga' too much, making it sound like two separate words.
Shortening the 'i' (이) too much.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize as it consists of basic verbs '기다' and '가다'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires understanding of the connective '-어' and metaphorical contexts.

Expression orale 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, and it's a very common everyday word.

Écoute 2/5

Easily distinguishable in context, though '기억하다' can be a distractor.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

가다 (to go) 기다 (to crawl) 아기 (baby) 차 (car) 천천히 (slowly)

Apprends ensuite

기어다니다 (to crawl around) 뛰어가다 (to run toward) 걸어가다 (to walk toward) 교통 체증 (traffic jam)

Avancé

포복 (military crawl) 서행 (slow driving) 잠입 (infiltration) 굼뜨다 (sluggish)

Grammaire à connaître

Connective suffix -어/아

기다 + 가다 = 기어가다 (Crawling and going)

Progressive form -고 있다

아기가 기어가고 있어요. (The baby is crawling.)

Directional particle -로/으로

방으로 기어갔어요. (Crawled into the room.)

Simulative suffix -다시피

기어가다시피 했어요. (Practically crawled.)

Adverbialization of onomatopoeia

엉금엉금 기어가다. (To crawl slowly/heavily.)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

아기가 방을 기어가요.

The baby crawls across the room.

기어가요 is the polite present tense of 기어가다.

거북이가 천천히 기어가요.

The turtle crawls slowly.

천천히 (slowly) is a common adverb used with this verb.

벌레가 벽을 기어가요.

A bug is crawling up the wall.

벽을 (the wall) uses the object particle to show the path.

아기는 언제 기어가요?

When does a baby crawl?

This is a simple question using the present tense.

강아지가 침대 밑으로 기어갔어요.

The puppy crawled under the bed.

밑으로 (under/toward the bottom) shows direction.

개미가 식탁 위를 기어가요.

An ant is crawling on the table.

위를 (the top/on) shows the surface of movement.

동생이 무서워서 기어갔어요.

My younger sibling crawled because they were scared.

무서워서 (because of being scared) provides the reason.

우리는 터널을 기어갔어요.

We crawled through the tunnel.

Past tense 기어갔어요 indicates the action is finished.

차가 너무 많아서 도로를 기어가고 있어요.

There are so many cars that they are crawling on the road.

-고 있어요 indicates the action is currently in progress.

거북이가 엉금엉금 기어가요.

The turtle crawls slowly and heavily.

엉금엉금 is an onomatopoeia for crawling.

군인들이 장애물 아래로 기어갔습니다.

The soldiers crawled under the obstacles.

Formal ending -습니다 is used for a serious context.

아기가 엄마한테 기어갔어요.

The baby crawled toward their mom.

한테 (to/toward a person) shows the destination.

뱀이 풀 사이로 기어갑니다.

A snake crawls through the grass.

사이로 (through/between) shows the path.

차가 기어가니까 약속에 늦겠어요.

Since the car is crawling, I'll be late for the appointment.

-니까 (since/because) links the cause and effect.

도둑이 담장 밑을 기어갔어요.

The thief crawled under the wall.

Literal use for stealthy movement.

달팽이가 나뭇잎 위를 기어가요.

A snail is crawling on a leaf.

Standard usage for slow-moving animals.

그녀는 기어가는 목소리로 대답했어요.

She answered in a crawling (faint) voice.

Metaphorical use for a timid or weak voice.

너무 힘들어서 집까지 기어갔어요.

I was so tired I crawled all the way home.

Hyperbolic use to express extreme fatigue.

거미가 천장에서 바닥으로 기어내려갔어요.

A spider crawled down from the ceiling to the floor.

기어내려가다 (crawl down) is a compound of 기어가다.

폭설 때문에 모든 차들이 기어가고 있었다.

Because of the heavy snow, all the cars were crawling.

Contextual use for slow speed due to weather.

아이가 장난감을 잡으려고 기어갔어요.

The child crawled to grab the toy.

-으려고 (in order to) shows the purpose of the action.

그 소년은 부끄러워서 기어가는 소리로 말했습니다.

The boy spoke in a crawling voice because he was shy.

Synonymous with 'timidly'.

게가 모래 사장을 기어가고 있어요.

A crab is crawling across the sandy beach.

Literal use for crustaceans.

터널 안이 좁아서 기어가야 했어요.

The tunnel was narrow, so I had to crawl.

-야 하다 (must/have to) indicates necessity.

경기가 안 좋아서 성장이 기어가고 있습니다.

The economy is bad, so growth is crawling.

Metaphorical use for slow economic progress.

그는 상사 앞에서 기어가다시피 하며 빌었다.

He practically crawled before his boss while begging.

-다시피 하다 expresses that something is almost like that state.

부상당한 다리를 이끌고 그는 문까지 기어갔다.

Dragging his injured leg, he crawled to the door.

Shows physical struggle and desperation.

고속도로 공사로 인해 차량들이 기어가는 중이다.

Due to highway construction, vehicles are in the middle of crawling.

-중이다 indicates a current state or ongoing action.

그의 목소리는 모기 소리처럼 기어갔다.

His voice crawled like the sound of a mosquito (very faint).

Simile used to emphasize the weakness of the voice.

어둠 속에서 무언가가 기어가는 소리가 들렸다.

In the darkness, I heard the sound of something crawling.

Used to create a sense of suspense or horror.

개미떼가 줄을 지어 벽을 기어갔다.

A swarm of ants crawled up the wall in a line.

Describes collective movement.

시간이 기어가는 것처럼 느껴지는 지루한 오후였다.

It was a boring afternoon where time felt like it was crawling.

-처럼 (like) used for metaphorical comparison.

굴욕적인 상황에서도 그는 기어가서라도 살아남으려 했다.

Even in a humiliating situation, he tried to survive even if it meant crawling.

-어서라도 emphasizes a desperate willingness to do anything.

그의 사과는 기어가는 목소리였지만 진심이 느껴졌다.

His apology was in a crawling voice, but I could feel his sincerity.

Contrast between the weak delivery and strong emotion.

폭풍우 속에서 배는 파도를 헤치며 기어가듯 나아갔다.

In the storm, the ship moved forward as if crawling through the waves.

-듯 (as if) used for poetic description of difficult movement.

노동자들은 좁은 광산 안을 기어가며 작업했다.

The workers operated by crawling through the narrow mine.

-며 indicates simultaneous actions.

그의 자존심은 바닥을 기어가고 있었다.

His self-esteem was crawling on the floor (at its lowest).

Metaphorical use for extreme loss of dignity.

안개 때문에 비행기가 활주로를 기어가듯 움직였다.

Because of the fog, the plane moved along the runway as if crawling.

Describes extreme caution and slow speed.

벌레가 옷 속을 기어가는 느낌에 소름이 돋았다.

I got goosebumps at the feeling of a bug crawling inside my clothes.

Describes a physical sensation (tactile).

역사의 수레바퀴는 때로 기어가는 듯 천천히 움직인다.

The wheels of history sometimes move slowly, as if crawling.

Philosophical/Academic metaphorical use.

권력의 발치에서 기어가며 아부하는 자들을 경계하라.

Beware of those who flatter by crawling at the feet of power.

Highly metaphorical use for sycophancy.

진실은 때로 기어가서라도 결국 세상에 드러나기 마련이다.

The truth is bound to eventually come to light, even if it has to crawl there.

-기 마련이다 expresses an inevitable outcome.

그의 문체는 마치 늪을 기어가는 듯한 무거운 긴장감을 준다.

His writing style gives a heavy tension, as if crawling through a swamp.

Literary criticism usage.

빙하가 기어가듯 수천 년에 걸쳐 지형을 바꾸어 놓았다.

Like a crawling glacier, it changed the terrain over thousands of years.

Scientific metaphor for slow, powerful movement.

인간의 탐욕은 소리 없이 기어가 사회를 좀먹는다.

Human greed crawls silently and eats away at society.

Personification of an abstract concept.

패배의 쓴잔을 마신 그는 기어가서라도 복수하겠노라 다짐했다.

Having drunk the bitter cup of defeat, he vowed to take revenge even if he had to crawl.

-겠노라 is an archaic/formal vow ending.

절망의 구렁텅이에서 기어나와 빛을 향해 기어갔다.

He crawled out of the pit of despair and crawled toward the light.

Compound use with 기어나오다 (crawl out).

그들의 대화는 핵심을 비껴간 채 주변부만 기어가고 있었다.

Their conversation was just crawling around the periphery, missing the point.

Metaphor for inefficient communication.

Collocations courantes

엉금엉금 기어가다

기어가는 목소리

차가 기어가다

방바닥을 기어가다

벽을 기어가다

기어가다시피 하다

무릎으로 기어가다

시간이 기어가다

살금살금 기어가다

힘겹게 기어가다

Phrases Courantes

기어가기 시작하다

— To start crawling. Used for babies reaching a milestone.

우리 아기가 7개월 만에 기어가기 시작했어요.

기어가는 듯한 속도

— A crawling speed. Used to describe very slow movement of any kind.

기어가는 듯한 속도로는 제시간에 못 가요.

기어가는 소리

— A crawling sound. Can refer to the sound of a bug or a very quiet voice.

어디선가 벌레가 기어가는 소리가 들려요.

바닥을 기어가다

— To crawl on the floor. The most literal use of the word.

바닥을 기어가는 아기를 잘 보세요.

앞으로 기어가다

— To crawl forward. Emphasizes the direction.

앞으로 조금만 더 기어가 보세요.

뒤로 기어가다

— To crawl backward. Less common but used for certain movements.

꽃게는 옆으로 기어가지만 아기는 뒤로 기어가기도 해요.

기어가는 자동차

— Crawling cars. A standard way to describe traffic jams.

기어가는 자동차들 때문에 도로가 꽉 찼다.

기어가서 잡다

— To crawl and catch. Used for babies or predators.

아기가 공을 향해 기어가서 잡았어요.

기어가서 빌다

— To crawl and beg. Shows extreme humility or desperation.

그는 기어가서 용서를 빌었다.

기어가는 벌레

— A crawling bug. A general term for terrestrial insects.

기어가는 벌레를 보고 소리를 질렀다.

Souvent confondu avec

기어가다 vs 기억하다

Sounds similar but means 'to remember'. '기어가다' is about physical movement.

기어가다 vs 기다

'기다' is the general act of crawling; '기어가다' is crawling toward a destination.

기어가다 vs 걸어가다

Means 'to walk toward'. Crawling is much slower and lower to the ground.

Expressions idiomatiques

"기어가는 목소리"

— A voice that is so quiet and weak it's as if it's crawling on the ground. Used for shy or scared people.

그는 기어가는 목소리로 자기 이름을 말했다.

Common

"벼룩이 간을 내어 기어가다"

— Literally 'a flea takes out its liver and crawls.' Used for something extremely absurd or unlikely.

그가 돈을 빌려주다니 벼룩이 간을 내어 기어갈 노릇이다.

Proverbial

"기어가다시피 해서 겨우 가다"

— To barely make it somewhere, practically crawling from exhaustion.

마라톤 선수는 결승점까지 기어가다시피 해서 도착했다.

Expressive

"바닥을 기어가다"

— Metaphorically, to be at the absolute lowest point (reputation, finances, mood).

그의 신뢰도는 이미 바닥을 기어가고 있다.

Metaphorical

"개미 새끼 한 마리 기어가지 못하다"

— Not even a single baby ant can crawl through. Used to describe extremely tight security or a very crowded space.

경비가 삼엄해서 개미 새끼 한 마리 기어가지 못할 정도였다.

Idiomatic

"기어가는 달팽이도 목적지가 있다"

— Even a crawling snail has a destination. Meaning everyone has a purpose or goal, no matter how slow.

너무 조급해하지 마. 기어가는 달팽이도 목적지가 있단다.

Philosophical

"차가 기어가다"

— Traffic is moving so slowly it feels like crawling.

명절이라 고속도로에서 차가 기어간다.

Common

"기어가는 소리로 사과하다"

— To apologize in a very weak, insincere-sounding, or timid voice.

잘못을 했으면 크게 말해야지, 왜 기어가는 소리로 사과하니?

Common

"무릎으로 기어가다"

— To show extreme submission or to beg desperately.

그는 무릎으로 기어가며 살려달라고 했다.

Dramatic

"구렁이 담 넘어가듯 기어가다"

— To move stealthily and smoothly like a snake over a wall (often used for someone being sneaky).

그는 구렁이 담 넘어가듯 기어가서 상황을 살폈다.

Idiomatic

Facile à confondre

기어가다 vs 기어다니다

Both involve crawling.

기어가다 is directional movement (A to B). 기어다니다 is aimless movement or a habitual state (crawling around).

아기가 방을 기어가요 (toward something) vs 아기가 방을 기어다녀요 (exploring).

기어가다 vs 기어오다

Both involve crawling and movement.

기어가다 is moving away from the speaker. 기어오다 is moving toward the speaker.

저기로 기어가네 vs 나한테 기어오네.

기어가다 vs 포복하다

Both mean to crawl.

포복하다 is a formal, Sino-Korean word used in military or technical contexts. 기어가다 is the common, native Korean word.

군사 훈련 중 포복하다 vs 아기가 기어가다.

기어가다 vs 굼뜨다

Both imply slowness.

굼뜨다 is an adjective meaning sluggish or slow in action. 기어가다 is a verb describing the specific physical act of crawling.

행동이 굼뜨다 vs 차가 기어가다.

기어가다 vs 꼼지락거리다

Both are slow movements on the ground.

꼼지락거리다 is fidgeting or moving small parts (fingers, toes). 기어가다 is moving the whole body forward.

발가락을 꼼지락거리다 vs 벌레가 기어가다.

Structures de phrases

[Subject]이/가 [Place]을/를 기어가요.

개미가 벽을 기어가요.

[Subject]이/가 엉금엉금 기어가요.

거북이가 엉금엉금 기어가요.

차가 기어가서 [Result].

차가 기어가서 늦었어요.

기어가는 목소리로 [Verb].

기어가는 목소리로 대답했어요.

[Reason] 때문에 기어가다시피 했어요.

피곤해서 기어가다시피 했어요.

[Abstract Subject]이/가 기어가고 있다.

경제 성장이 기어가고 있다.

[Subject]이/가 기어서라도 [Goal].

기어서라도 가고 싶어요.

[Metaphorical Subject]이/가 주변을 기어가다.

대화가 주제 주변만 기어가고 있다.

Famille de mots

Noms

기기 (gi-gi - the act of crawling, though less common than the verb form)

포복 (po-bok - formal/military crawl)

Verbes

기다 (gi-da - to crawl)

기어오다 (gi-eo-o-da - to crawl toward the speaker)

기어다니다 (gi-eo-da-ni-da - to crawl around)

기어오르다 (gi-eo-o-reu-da - to crawl up/climb)

기어나가다 (gi-eo-na-ga-da - to crawl out)

기어들어오다 (gi-eo-deul-eo-o-da - to crawl in/sneak in)

Apparenté

걷다 (geot-da - to walk)

뛰다 (ttwi-da - to run)

느리다 (neu-ri-da - to be slow)

바닥 (ba-dak - floor/ground)

아기 (a-gi - baby)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in daily conversation regarding babies and traffic; medium in literature.

Erreurs courantes

Using '기어가다' for a person walking slowly. → 천천히 걷다
'기어가다' specifically means crawling on the ground. Using it for walking is incorrect unless you are being intentionally sarcastic.
Confusing '기어가다' with '기억하다'. → 기어가다 (crawl) / 기억하다 (remember)
These sound similar to beginners. '기억' has a 'k' sound at the end of the second syllable, while '기어' ends in a vowel.
Using '기어가다' when a bug is coming toward you. → 기어오다
In Korean, the distinction between 'go' (가다) and 'come' (오다) is very strict based on the speaker's position.
Saying '기어가요' to mean 'I'm going to remember'. → 기억할게요
This is a common confusion due to the phonetic similarity. Always double-check which one you are using.
Using '기어가다' for a fast-moving insect. → 빨리 가다 / 뛰어가다
While insects do crawl, if they are moving very fast (like a cockroach), '기어가다' might feel too slow. You might just say '빨리 지나가다'.

Astuces

Baby Talk

When talking about babies, '기어가다' is a major milestone. Use it to share news about a baby's growth with Korean friends.

Traffic Jams

If you're stuck in traffic, say '차가 기어가네요' to express your frustration. It's a very native-like expression.

Compound Verbs

Remember that '기어가다' is 'crawling + going'. This helps you understand other words like '걸어가다' (walking + going) and '뛰어가다' (running + going).

The 'Eo' Sound

Make sure to pronounce 'eo' (어) correctly. It's the key to making the word sound natural and not confusing it with other words.

Insects

Use this word for any bug you see on the floor or wall. It's much more descriptive than just saying the bug is 'moving'.

Confidence

If someone tells you '목소리가 기어간다', they are telling you to speak up. Use it to describe someone who is being very shy.

Descriptive Adverbs

Always try to pair '기어가다' with '엉금엉금' for turtles/babies or '힘겹게' for someone struggling. It makes your writing much richer.

Direction Matters

Use '기어가다' when the subject is moving away from you and '기어오다' when it's coming toward you.

Seoul Life

In Seoul, '기어가다' is almost a daily word because of the traffic. Knowing this word helps you participate in common small talk.

CEFR Level

As an A2 learner, focus on the literal baby/insect meaning and the traffic metaphor. Save the complex literary uses for later.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'GEAR' (기) in a car moving slowly. When traffic is bad, your 'GEAR' is stuck and you 'GO' (가다) like you're crawling. GI-EO-GA-DA.

Association visuelle

Picture a baby wearing a shirt with a 'G' on it, crawling toward a 'GO' sign on the other side of the room.

Word Web

Baby (아기) Traffic (교통 체증) Slow (천천히) Ant (개미) Floor (바닥) Military (군대) Voice (목소리) Snake (뱀)

Défi

Try to describe your commute tomorrow using '기어가다' if you get stuck in traffic. Or, observe an insect and say '벌레가 기어가요' out loud.

Origine du mot

The word is a compound of the verb stem '기-' from '기다' (to crawl) and the verb '가다' (to go). The '-어' is a connective suffix used to join two verbs where the first describes the method or state of the second.

Sens originel : To move from one point to another while in a crawling posture.

Koreanic

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using '기어가는 목소리' as it can sound condescending if said to someone who is genuinely struggling with social anxiety.

In English, we use 'crawl' for traffic and babies just like in Korean. However, the 'crawling voice' idiom is unique to Korean; in English, we might say 'mumbling' or 'whispering'.

Often used in nature documentaries (e.g., EBS Nature) to describe the movement of indigenous Korean reptiles. Commonly found in K-drama scripts when a character is apologizing to a superior (Sunbae or Boss). Used in military-themed shows like 'Real Men' (진짜 사나이) during training scenes.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Talking about babies

아기가 기어가요.
기어가는 모습이 귀여워요.
언제부터 기어갔어요?
거실을 기어가요.

Stuck in traffic

차가 기어가고 있어요.
도로가 꽉 막혀서 기어가요.
기어가는 수준이에요.
속도가 기어가는 것 같아요.

Nature/Animals

개미가 기어가요.
뱀이 풀숲을 기어갔어요.
거미가 벽을 기어가요.
달팽이가 기어가요.

Describing shyness

기어가는 목소리로 말해요.
왜 기어가는 소리를 내니?
목소리가 기어가서 안 들려요.
기어가는 목소리로 사과했어요.

Fatigue/Hardship

기어가다시피 집에 왔어요.
힘들어서 기어갔어요.
기어서라도 갈게요.
무릎으로 기어갔어요.

Amorces de conversation

"우리 아기가 오늘 처음으로 기어갔어요! 보실래요?"

"오늘 출근길에 차가 너무 막혀서 계속 기어왔어요."

"저기 벽에 기어가는 저 벌레 좀 잡아줄래?"

"왜 그렇게 기어가는 목소리로 말해? 무슨 일 있어?"

"어제 너무 운동을 많이 해서 집에 기어갔다니까요."

Sujets d'écriture

오늘 당신의 하루는 기어가는 듯했나요, 아니면 뛰어가는 듯했나요? 그 이유를 써보세요.

길에서 기어가는 작은 생명체(개미, 달팽이 등)를 관찰하고 묘사해 보세요.

교통 체증 때문에 차가 기어갔던 경험과 그때의 기분을 써보세요.

누군가에게 기어가는 목소리로 말했던 경험이 있나요? 왜 그랬나요?

아주 피곤해서 집에 기어가다시피 했던 날의 일기를 써보세요.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Generally, no. '기어가다' implies being on hands and knees or being a vehicle. If a person is walking slowly, use '천천히 걷다'. Using '기어가다' for a walking person would be a sarcastic insult, implying they are as slow as a baby or a bug.

'기다' is the simple verb for 'to crawl'. '기어가다' is a compound verb meaning 'to crawl and go'. Use '기다' to describe the ability or the general action, and '기어가다' when there is a destination or directional movement involved.

It's usually negative or descriptive of a weak state. It implies the person lacks confidence or is afraid. It's not necessarily an insult, but it's rarely a compliment. It's a way to describe a very timid way of speaking.

Yes, you can! Just like in English where we say the internet is 'crawling,' in Korean you can say '인터넷이 기어가요'. It's a very natural metaphorical use.

'엉금엉금' is an onomatopoeia (mimetic word) that describes the slow, lumbering movement of a large creature like a turtle or a baby crawling. It adds a vivid feeling to the verb '기어가다'.

Yes, it is used for low-crawling exercises. However, in official manuals, the Sino-Korean word '포복' is more common. In daily conversation among soldiers, '기어가다' is used frequently.

The past tense is '기어갔어요' (polite) or '기어갔다' (plain). You take the stem '기어가-' and add '-았/었-' (in this case '-았-' because it ends in '가').

Yes! Snakes (뱀) and snails (달팽이) are said to '기어가다' because they move close to the ground, even though they don't have hands and knees.

The most direct opposite in terms of speed and action is '뛰어가다' (to run toward). For cars, the opposite of '기어가다' (crawling in traffic) would be '쌩쌩 달리다' (to speed along).

Yes, especially in scenes involving heavy traffic (frustrated characters) or when a character is being scolded and responds in a '기어가는 목소리' (timid voice).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes