심지어
When you want to say “even” in Korean, you can use 심지어 (sim-ji-eo). It’s an adverb, so it describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
You use it to add emphasis to something surprising or unexpected. For instance, if you’re talking about how good someone is at many things, you might say they’re good at sports, music, and 심지어 cooking! It shows that cooking is an extra, perhaps surprising, skill.
Think of it as adding a stronger “even” than you might normally use. It highlights an extreme or an additional, often surprising, point.
§ What 심지어 Means
- Korean Word
- 심지어 (sim-ji-eo)
- Part of Speech
- Adverb
- English Definition
- Used to emphasize an extreme case or unexpected item; even.
심지어 is a really useful Korean adverb that means "even" or "what's more." You use it when you want to emphasize something that is surprising, unexpected, or an extreme example. Think of it as adding an extra layer of emphasis to a statement, making the listener understand that the situation goes beyond what they might initially expect.
It's often used to highlight a particular point, especially when that point is quite significant or goes against the general expectation. For example, if you're talking about how busy you are, you might say you don't even have time to eat. That "even" is where 심지어 comes in.
§ When to Use 심지어
You'll find 심지어 used in a few common scenarios:
- To emphasize an extreme case.
- To introduce an unexpected or surprising fact.
- To intensify a negative statement, showing that things are worse than expected.
- To add an extra, often significant, detail to a list of points.
Let's look at some examples to make this clearer. Pay attention to how 심지어 adds emphasis to the unexpected or extreme part of the sentence.
너무 바빠서 밥 먹을 시간도 없어요. 심지어 잠도 못 잤어요.
- Translation hint
- I'm so busy I don't even have time to eat. I even couldn't sleep.
In this example, the speaker is emphasizing how busy they are by adding that they couldn't even sleep, which is an extreme level of busyness.
그는 한국어를 정말 잘해요. 심지어 사투리도 알아들어요.
- Translation hint
- He speaks Korean really well. He even understands dialects.
Here, understanding dialects is an unexpected and advanced skill, so 심지어 is used to highlight this impressive detail.
그 영화는 너무 재미없어서 심지어 끝까지 보기도 힘들었어요.
- Translation hint
- That movie was so boring, it was hard to even watch it till the end.
This sentence uses 심지어 to emphasize just how boring the movie was – so boring that finishing it was a struggle.
§ Key Takeaways for Using 심지어
When you're trying to decide if 심지어 is the right word, ask yourself: Am I trying to say "even this" or "even that" in a way that shows it's a surprising or extreme example? If the answer is yes, then 심지어 is likely what you're looking for.
It's a versatile adverb that can really add punch to your Korean sentences by highlighting those unexpected or extreme elements. Practice using it with different situations, and you'll find it becoming a natural part of your Korean vocabulary.
Hello learners! Today, we're diving into a very useful Korean adverb: 심지어. This word is great for emphasizing an extreme case or an unexpected item, similar to how we use 'even' in English. It's an A2 level word, so you'll hear it quite often in everyday conversations, news, and even at school or work.
- DEFINITION
- Used to emphasize an extreme case or unexpected item; even.
Let's break down where you'll encounter 심지어 in real-world situations.
§ At Work
In a professional setting, 심지어 can be used to highlight a significant point, especially when discussing challenges, successes, or unusual circumstances. It adds weight to your statement.
그 프로젝트는 너무 어려워서 심지어 팀장님도 포기할 뻔했어요. (That project was so difficult that even the team leader almost gave up.)
우리는 마감 기한을 맞추기 위해 주말에도 일했고, 심지어 밤샘 근무도 했습니다. (To meet the deadline, we worked on weekends, and even pulled all-nighters.)
§ At School
In academic settings, 심지어 can be used by students and teachers alike to express surprise, difficulty, or an unexpected outcome. It's particularly useful when talking about study habits or challenges.
이번 시험은 너무 어려워서 심지어 전교 1등도 낮은 점수를 받았어요. (This exam was so difficult that even the top student in the school got a low score.)
저는 밤늦게까지 공부했고, 심지어 주말에도 도서관에 갔어요. (I studied until late at night, and even went to the library on weekends.)
§ In the News
News reports frequently use 심지어 to highlight extraordinary events, surprising developments, or severe conditions. This helps to emphasize the gravity or unusualness of a situation to the audience.
이번 태풍은 너무 강력해서 심지어 건물까지 파손되었습니다. (This typhoon was so strong that even buildings were damaged.)
그 배우는 인기가 너무 많아서 심지어 해외 팬들도 한국으로 찾아왔습니다. (That actor is so popular that even overseas fans came to Korea to see him.)
§ General Conversations
Beyond formal settings, 심지어 is also commonly used in everyday conversations to add emphasis to your stories or opinions. It makes your speech more vivid and expressive.
어제 너무 피곤해서 심지어 밥도 안 먹고 잠들었어요. (I was so tired yesterday that even without eating, I fell asleep.)
그 식당 음식은 너무 맛있어서 심지어 줄을 서서 기다려야 해요. (The food at that restaurant is so delicious that even you have to wait in line.)
As you can see, 심지어 is a versatile word that can significantly enhance your Korean communication skills. By understanding its usage in different contexts, you'll be able to express yourself more naturally and effectively. Keep practicing, and you'll master it in no time!
§ What 심지어 means
심지어 is a versatile Korean adverb that you'll hear a lot. It’s used when you want to add emphasis to something, often an extreme case, an unexpected item, or to highlight something that goes beyond what's normal or expected. Think of it as meaning 'even', 'what's more', or 'in fact' depending on the context.
- Korean Word
- 심지어 (shim-ji-eo)
- Part of Speech
- Adverb
- English Definition
- Used to emphasize an extreme case or unexpected item; even.
- CEFR Level
- A2
§ How to use 심지어
You can place 심지어 before the noun or verb you want to emphasize. It often introduces a surprising or additional piece of information that strengthens a previous statement.
§ Examples of 심지어 in sentences
날씨가 너무 추워서 심지어 얼음이 얼었어요.
The weather was so cold that even ice formed.
그는 한국어를 잘하고 심지어 중국어도 할 수 있어요.
He's good at Korean, and what's more, he can speak Chinese too.
그 식당 음식은 맛없고 심지어 비싸기까지 해요.
The food at that restaurant is bad, and to make matters worse, it's even expensive.
§ 심지어 vs. Alternatives
While 심지어 translates directly to 'even', there are other Korean words that convey similar meanings but with slightly different nuances. Understanding these differences will help you choose the most appropriate word for your situation.
- 심지어 (shim-ji-eo): As we've seen, this emphasizes an extreme or unexpected element. It often comes with a sense of surprise or a 'what's more' feeling. It can also imply that something is worse than expected.
- -까지 (-kka-ji): This particle also means 'even' or 'up to'. When attached to a noun, it emphasizes that something extends to that particular noun, often indicating an extreme or an unexpected inclusion. While similar to 심지어, -까지 is a particle and attaches directly to nouns. 심지어 is an adverb and modifies verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses.
아이들까지 그 소식을 알고 있었다.
Even the children knew the news.
- 조차 (jo-cha): This particle also means 'even', but it often implies a negative or unsatisfactory situation, suggesting that 'even this minimal thing' isn't happening or is true. It often expresses regret or disappointment.
그는 인사조차 하지 않았다.
He didn't even say hello.
- 마저 (ma-jeo): This particle also means 'even', but it often has a sense of completeness or finality, implying that 'even the last remaining thing' or 'everything' is included or gone. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation, suggesting a loss.
남은 돈마저 다 써버렸다.
I spent even the last of my money.
In summary, while all these words can translate to 'even' in English, their nuances differ. 심지어 is great for emphasizing the unexpected or an extreme case. -까지 is for including something up to a certain point. 조차 is often used in negative contexts to express disappointment. 마저 implies completeness or finality, often with a sense of loss. Practice using them in different sentences to get a feel for their subtle differences!
Grammaire à connaître
-에다가: This particle emphasizes the addition of something to an existing situation or item, similar to how '심지어' can introduce an additional, sometimes unexpected, element. Think of it like 'on top of that' or 'to that as well'.
피곤한데다가 심지어 비까지 와요. (I'm tired, and on top of that, it's even raining.)
-까지: This particle can mean 'even' or 'up to and including', and it shares a similar function with '심지어' in highlighting an extreme or inclusive case.
선생님까지 심지어 그 농담을 좋아했어요. (Even the teacher liked that joke.)
Noun + (이)라도: This expression means 'at least' or 'even if it's just this', and it can be used in contexts where '심지어' might introduce an unexpected or minimal option.
돈이 없는데 심지어 라면이라도 먹어야 해요. (I don't have money, so I even have to eat instant noodles.)
-조차: This particle means 'even' in a negative or surprising context, often implying that something very basic or expected is not happening. It's often interchangeable with '심지어' when emphasizing an extreme negative case.
배가 너무 고파서 심지어 물조차 마실 수 없었어요. (I was so hungry I couldn't even drink water.)
Verb + -기까지 하다: This expression means 'to even go so far as to do something', and it directly parallels the emphasizing nature of '심지어' when highlighting an extreme action.
그는 심지어 밤새도록 공부하기까지 했어요. (He even went so far as to study all night.)
Exemples par niveau
심지어 아이들도 알아요.
Even children know.
너무 바빠서 심지어 밥도 못 먹었어요.
I was so busy that I couldn't even eat.
심지어 선생님도 놀랐어요.
Even the teacher was surprised.
오늘은 심지어 더워요.
Today, it's even hotter.
심지어 그는 거짓말을 했어요.
He even lied.
아무도 안 왔어요. 심지어 제 친구도요.
Nobody came. Even my friend.
심지어 잠도 못 잤어요.
I couldn't even sleep.
이것은 심지어 쉬워요.
This is even easy.
그는 너무 피곤해서 심지어 밥도 안 먹었어요.
He was so tired that he didn't even eat.
날씨가 너무 추워서 심지어 물도 얼었어요.
The weather was so cold that even the water froze.
저는 한국어를 전혀 못 했는데, 심지어 김치도 처음 먹어봤어요.
I couldn't speak any Korean, and I even tried kimchi for the first time.
그 영화는 정말 재미있어서 심지어 두 번 봤어요.
That movie was so interesting that I even watched it twice.
이 시험은 너무 어려워서 심지어 선생님도 못 풀었어요.
This exam was so difficult that even the teacher couldn't solve it.
그 가수는 노래도 잘하고 심지어 춤도 잘 춰요.
That singer sings well and even dances well.
늦잠을 자서 심지어 아침도 못 먹고 나왔어요.
I overslept so much that I didn't even eat breakfast before coming out.
그는 항상 바빠서 심지어 주말에도 일해요.
He is always busy, and even works on weekends.
그는 너무 피곤해서 심지어 밥도 먹지 않고 잠들었어요.
He was so tired that he even fell asleep without eating.
날씨가 너무 추워서 심지어 물이 얼었어요.
The weather was so cold that even the water froze.
바빠서 심지어 주말에도 쉬지 못했어요.
I was so busy that I couldn't even rest on the weekend.
그 영화는 너무 감동적이어서 심지어 울었어요.
That movie was so touching that I even cried.
한국 음식은 매워서 심지어 외국인도 김치를 잘 먹어요.
Korean food is spicy, so even foreigners eat kimchi well.
그 가수는 노래를 너무 잘해서 심지어 라이브가 더 좋아요.
That singer sings so well that even the live performance is better.
지하철이 너무 복잡해서 심지어 서서 가야 했어요.
The subway was so crowded that I even had to stand.
이 책은 너무 어려워서 심지어 전공자도 이해하기 힘들어요.
This book is so difficult that even specialists have trouble understanding it.
Expressions idiomatiques
"엎친 데 덮친 격"
When something bad happens, and then something even worse happens, making the situation much more difficult. (Adding insult to injury; when it rains, it pours)
감기가 심한데 설상가상으로 중요한 시험까지 겹쳤어요. (I have a bad cold, and to make matters worse, an important exam overlapped.)
neutral"눈 깜짝할 사이"
In a very short amount of time; in the blink of an eye.
눈 깜짝할 사이에 시간이 흘러 벌써 1년이 지났어요. (Time flew by in the blink of an eye, and a year has already passed.)
neutral"티끌 모아 태산"
Even small efforts or savings can accumulate to become something significant. (Every little bit helps; many a mickle makes a muckle.)
매일 조금씩 저축해서 티끌 모아 태산이라고 집을 샀어요. (I saved a little every day, and like 'dust gathers to make a mountain,' I bought a house.)
neutral"식은 죽 먹기"
Something that is very easy to do. (A piece of cake; easy as pie.)
이 숙제는 저에게 식은 죽 먹기예요. (This homework is a piece of cake for me.)
informal"하늘의 별 따기"
Something that is extremely difficult or impossible to achieve. (To pluck a star from the sky; a tall order.)
그 회사에 취직하는 건 하늘의 별 따기만큼 어려워요. (Getting a job at that company is as difficult as plucking a star from the sky.)
neutral"발 없는 말이 천 리 간다"
Rumors spread very quickly, even without a direct means of transportation. (News travels fast; a word once uttered cannot be recalled.)
조심해, 발 없는 말이 천 리 가는 법이야. (Be careful, news travels fast.)
neutral"가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다"
If you speak kindly, others will speak kindly to you in return. (What goes around comes around; treat others as you would like to be treated.)
가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다고, 항상 친절하게 말하려고 노력해요. (As the saying goes, 'if the outgoing words are kind, so will be the incoming words,' so I always try to speak kindly.)
neutral"제 발 저리다"
To feel guilty or defensive because you know you've done something wrong. (To have a guilty conscience; to give oneself away.)
아무도 뭐라고 안 했는데 혼자 제 발 저려서 변명했어요. (No one said anything, but he felt guilty and made excuses.)
neutral"엎드려 절 받기"
To force someone to do something for you, especially to show respect or gratitude, rather than them doing it willingly. (To demand an apology; to force a favor.)
칭찬을 듣고 싶어서 엎드려 절 받기 식으로 물어봤어요. (I wanted to hear praise, so I asked for it in a way that felt like 'forcing a bow to receive a compliment'.)
neutral"원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다"
Even experts or very skilled people can make mistakes sometimes. (Even Homer sometimes nods; even a monkey falls from a tree.)
아무리 전문가라도 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어진다고 실수를 할 수 있어요. (No matter how much of an expert, even a monkey can fall from a tree, so mistakes can happen.)
neutralAstuces
Basic use of 심지어
심지어 is used to add emphasis, similar to 'even' in English. It often highlights something unexpected or an extreme case.
Placement in sentences
심지어 usually comes at the beginning of a clause or sentence, or directly before the word or phrase it modifies. For example, '심지어 그녀도 놀랐어' (Even she was surprised).
Expressing surprise or extremity
Use 심지어 when you want to show that something is surprising, or that it’s an extreme example of what you’re talking about. Think of it as adding extra weight to your statement, like 'even to the point of...'.
Context is key for 심지어
The exact nuance of 심지어 depends heavily on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding sentences to fully grasp its meaning, just like how 'even' can have different shades of meaning in English.
심지어 with negative statements
심지어 is very commonly used with negative statements to emphasize a lack or absence. For example, '심지어 물도 없었다' (There wasn't even water).
심지어 implies a scale
Often, using 심지어 suggests a progression or scale of events or items, and the thing it modifies is at one end of that scale. It implies 'not just X, but even Y'.
Don't confuse with 그냥 (just)
While both can modify, 심지어 adds emphasis and often surprise, whereas 그냥 (geu-nyang) usually means 'just' or 'simply' without that strong emphasis.
Practice with examples
The best way to get comfortable with 심지어 is to see it in many different sentences. Try creating your own sentences using the examples provided and replacing parts to fit your own situations. Repetition is 'key'!
Listen for 심지어 in media
Pay attention to how native speakers use 심지어 in K-dramas, songs, and conversations. You'll notice it’s used to highlight surprising facts or extreme situations. This real-world exposure is 'invaluable'.
Use it to add dramatic effect
When telling a story or making a point, using 심지어 can add a nice dramatic flair, making your statement more impactful. It's like adding an exclamation mark to a specific detail: 'even this!'
Teste-toi 36 questions
Write a sentence in Korean saying 'My friend even likes apples.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
제 친구는 심지어 사과를 좋아해요.
Write a sentence in Korean saying 'It's even cold today.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
오늘은 심지어 추워요.
Write a sentence in Korean saying 'I even ate a lot.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저는 심지어 많이 먹었어요.
What did the person even do?
Read this passage:
저는 한국어를 공부해요. 한국어는 재미있어요. 심지어 한국 친구도 만들었어요.
What did the person even do?
The passage states '심지어 한국 친구도 만들었어요' which means 'I even made Korean friends.'
The passage states '심지어 한국 친구도 만들었어요' which means 'I even made Korean friends.'
What is surprising about the house?
Read this passage:
우리 집은 작아요. 하지만 예뻐요. 심지어 강아지도 살아요.
What is surprising about the house?
The sentence '심지어 강아지도 살아요' means 'Even a dog lives there,' indicating an unexpected detail about the house.
The sentence '심지어 강아지도 살아요' means 'Even a dog lives there,' indicating an unexpected detail about the house.
When does the person even drink coffee?
Read this passage:
저는 커피를 좋아해요. 매일 마셔요. 심지어 밤에도 마셔요.
When does the person even drink coffee?
The passage says '심지어 밤에도 마셔요', which means 'I even drink it at night.'
The passage says '심지어 밤에도 마셔요', which means 'I even drink it at night.'
Choose the best word to fill in the blank: 그녀는 요리도 잘하고, ___ 노래도 잘해요.
The sentence indicates that in addition to cooking well, she also sings well, emphasizing the unexpected skill. '심지어' fits this meaning.
Which sentence uses '심지어' correctly?
'심지어' emphasizes an extreme or unexpected situation. Not being able to sleep due to being busy is an extreme case.
어색한 문장을 고르세요 (Choose the awkward sentence):
'심지어' is used to emphasize an extreme or unexpected case. Waking up early in the morning is generally not considered an extreme or unexpected event that needs emphasis with '심지어'.
'심지어'는 예상 밖의 상황을 강조할 때 사용됩니다. ('심지어' is used to emphasize an unexpected situation.)
This is the primary function of '심지어', to highlight something surprising or an extreme example.
친구가 늦잠을 자서 학교에 늦었어요. 이 문장에서 '심지어'를 사용할 수 있습니다. (My friend overslept and was late for school. You can use '심지어' in this sentence.)
'심지어' usually adds an extreme or unexpected layer on top of something already mentioned. Simply being late for school due to oversleeping doesn't typically require '심지어' for emphasis on an unexpected level unless there's more context about how unexpected or extreme it was.
저는 한국어를 배우기 시작했어요. 심지어 매일 공부해요. (I started learning Korean. I even study every day.) 이 문장은 올바른 사용입니다. (This sentence is correct.)
In this context, '심지어' emphasizes the unexpected dedication of studying every day, making it an appropriate use.
Listen for 'even' and a phrase about working all night.
Listen for 'even' and a phrase about a movie theater in a small town.
Listen for 'even' and a phrase about not having time to eat due to being busy.
Read this aloud:
심지어 제일 친한 친구도 믿을 수 없었어요.
Focus: 심지어
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
그는 심지어 다른 사람의 잘못까지도 감싸줬어요.
Focus: 감싸줬어요
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
이런 날씨에 심지어 밖에 나가는 건 미친 짓이에요.
Focus: 미친 짓이에요
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
심지어 (even) emphasizes that he was not just late, but 'even' late, highlighting the extreme or unexpected nature of his lateness to the meeting.
심지어 (even) is placed before the action 'forgot' to emphasize the surprising fact that she forgot something as important as 'my birthday'.
심지어 (even) is used here to highlight an extreme case: the food was so bad that 'even' a dog wouldn't eat it.
He even showed the courage to admit his own mistakes.
I was so busy that I didn't even have time to eat.
He gave up everything, but he didn't even let go of hope.
Read this aloud:
그는 심지어 자신의 실수까지 인정하는 용기를 보여주었다.
Focus: 실수까지 인정하는 용기
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
너무 바빠서 심지어 밥 먹을 시간도 없었어요.
Focus: 밥 먹을 시간도 없었어요
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
그는 모든 것을 포기했지만, 심지어 희망까지도 놓지 않았다.
Focus: 희망까지도 놓지 않았다
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence emphasizes an unexpected action. '나는' (I) is the subject, '심지어' (even) emphasizes '늦잠을 잔 적도 있다' (had even overslept).
This sentence highlights an extreme or unexpected situation. '심지어' (even) modifies '계획도 없이' (without a plan), emphasizing the lack of preparation for '여행을 떠났다' (went on a trip).
'그는' (He) is the subject, '심지어' (even) emphasizes the extent of his kindness towards '사람들 모두에게' (everyone), implying it was unexpected or noteworthy.
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Basic use of 심지어
심지어 is used to add emphasis, similar to 'even' in English. It often highlights something unexpected or an extreme case.
Placement in sentences
심지어 usually comes at the beginning of a clause or sentence, or directly before the word or phrase it modifies. For example, '심지어 그녀도 놀랐어' (Even she was surprised).
Expressing surprise or extremity
Use 심지어 when you want to show that something is surprising, or that it’s an extreme example of what you’re talking about. Think of it as adding extra weight to your statement, like 'even to the point of...'.
Context is key for 심지어
The exact nuance of 심지어 depends heavily on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding sentences to fully grasp its meaning, just like how 'even' can have different shades of meaning in English.
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