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B1 verb #3,500 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

향상하다

Top 3,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 향상하다 en 30 secondes

Explication 향상하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '향상하다' might feel a bit advanced because it's a Hanja-based word (Sino-Korean). Most beginners learn '좋아지다' (to become good/better) first. However, it's helpful to recognize '향상' as 'improvement.' Think of it like this: if you study hard, your Korean gets 'better.' In formal Korean, that 'getting better' is called '향상.' You might see it on a test result or a teacher's note. Just remember: '향' = toward, '상' = up. It's like going up a ladder of skills. Even at A1, knowing this word helps you understand that Korean has different levels of formality. You use '좋아요' with friends, but '향상' is what you see in books.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to use more specific verbs. Instead of just saying 'My Korean is better,' you can say 'My Korean skill (실력) improved.' You will start to see the pattern '실력이 향상되었어요' (My skills have been improved/have improved). This is the passive form. At this stage, you should practice pairing '향상하다' with simple nouns like '성적' (grades) and '실력' (skill). It’s a great word to use when you want to talk about your goals. For example, '저는 한국어 실력을 향상하고 싶어요' (I want to improve my Korean skills). It makes you sound more serious about your studies than just using '잘하고 싶어요.'

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '향상하다' in various grammatical structures. This is the level where you distinguish between '향상하다' (to improve something) and '향상되다' (to be improved). You should also notice how it's used in the workplace or in news articles. You'll start to see it combined with '위해' (for the sake of), like '생산성을 향상하기 위해' (to improve productivity). B1 learners should also start comparing it with '개선하다' (to improve a problem). Remember: 향상 is for 'level up,' while 개선 is for 'fixing.' Using '향상하다' correctly in your writing will significantly boost your score on exams like TOPIK II.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '향상하다' with a wide variety of abstract nouns. You should be able to discuss '삶의 질 향상' (improving the quality of life) or '경쟁력 향상' (improving competitiveness). You should also understand the nuance of the causative form '향상시키다.' For example, '정부는 교육을 통해 국가 경쟁력을 향상시켰다' (The government improved national competitiveness through education). At this level, you should also be aware of formal adverbs that accompany this verb, such as '급격히' (sharply), '꾸준히' (steadily), or '상당히' (considerably). You should be able to use this word in a formal debate or a persuasive essay.

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At the C1 level, '향상하다' is a fundamental tool for nuanced expression. You should understand its place within a network of related Sino-Korean words like '고양하다' (uplift), '증진하다' (promote), and '확충하다' (expand). A C1 learner knows that '향상하다' implies a qualitative advancement and can use it to discuss complex socio-economic issues. You might use it in sentences like '인공지능 기술의 도입은 산업 전반의 효율성을 혁신적으로 향상할 것으로 기대됩니다' (The introduction of AI technology is expected to innovatively improve efficiency across all industries). You should also be sensitive to the rhythm of formal Korean, where '향상' is often used as a noun in a list of objectives.

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At the C2 level, you use '향상하다' with native-like precision, often employing it in sophisticated metaphorical or highly technical contexts. You understand the subtle rhetorical difference between '향상하다' and its synonyms in academic writing. You might critique a text for using '향상하다' where '개선하다' would be more appropriate, or vice versa. You are also familiar with historical or literary contexts where the concept of '향상' is discussed as a philosophical ideal. For a C2 learner, this word is not just a vocabulary item but a concept that helps structure complex arguments about progress, evolution, and excellence in various fields of human endeavor.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

향상하다 en 30 secondes

향상하다 means to improve or enhance abstract qualities like skills, levels, or grades.
It is a formal word (Sino-Korean) often used in academic and professional settings.
The word is literally 'toward the top,' implying a positive upward progress.
Commonly used in pairs like '실력 향상' (skill improvement) or '성적 향상' (grade improvement).

The Korean verb 향상하다 (hyangsang-hada) is a cornerstone of professional and academic Korean. At its core, it signifies the process of moving upward in terms of quality, skill, or level. The word is composed of two Hanja characters: 向 (향) meaning 'toward' and 上 (상) meaning 'above' or 'top.' Therefore, its literal etymological meaning is 'to move toward the top.' This upward trajectory is almost always positive, used when describing the enhancement of something that already exists but needs to be better, sharper, or more efficient.

Common Contexts: You will encounter this word frequently in environments focused on growth. In a school setting, teachers talk about 성적 향상 (improving grades). In a corporate environment, managers discuss 업무 효율 향상 (improving work efficiency). In personal development, learners focus on 언어 실력 향상 (improving language skills). Unlike 'making' something (만들다) or simply 'changing' something (바꾸다), 향상하다 implies a qualitative leap from a baseline to a superior state.

꾸준한 연습은 당신의 실력을 향상하다 못해 결국 전문가로 만들 것입니다. (Consistent practice will not only improve your skills but eventually make you an expert.)

It is important to distinguish between the intransitive/transitive nuances. While 향상하다 can act as a verb meaning 'to improve' (often used with the object marker -을/를), it is very frequently seen in its noun form 향상 combined with 시키다 (to make/cause) or 되다 (to become). For example, 실력을 향상시키다 (to improve one's skills - active/causative) is often more natural in speech than just 향상하다, though the latter is perfectly correct in formal writing and titles. When you want to sound sophisticated and focused on progress, this is your go-to word.

Register and Tone: This word carries a formal and serious tone. You wouldn't typically use it when talking about a soup tasting better after adding salt (there, you'd use '맛있어지다'). Instead, use it for 'improving the quality of life' (삶의 질 향상) or 'improving national competitiveness' (국가 경쟁력 향상). It signals that you are discussing a systematic or effort-based advancement.

새로운 기술은 생산성을 크게 향상한다. (New technology significantly improves productivity.)

In modern Korea, the obsession with self-improvement (자기계발) makes this word ubiquitous. From YouTube titles like 'How to improve your memory' to government slogans about 'improving welfare,' understanding 향상하다 is key to understanding the Korean drive for excellence. It captures the essence of the 'pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture's desire to constantly reach for a higher standard.

Using 향상하다 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility and the specific nouns it likes to partner with. In most cases, it functions as a transitive verb, meaning it takes an object marked by -을/를. The object is usually an abstract noun representing a skill, quality, or metric.

Common Grammatical Patterns: 1. [Noun] + 을/를 향상하다: The most direct way. (e.g., 실력을 향상하다).
2. [Noun] + 이/가 향상되다: The passive form, meaning 'to be improved' or 'to improve' (intransitive). (e.g., 성적이 향상되었다).
3. [Noun] + 을/를 향상시키다: The causative form, used when an external factor or specific effort causes the improvement. (e.g., 교육이 능력을 향상시킨다).

외국어 실력을 향상하기 위해 매일 아침 라디오를 듣습니다. (In order to improve my foreign language skills, I listen to the radio every morning.)

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the adverbial support. Words like 크게 (greatly), 비약적으로 (leaping/rapidly), 점진적으로 (gradually), and 지속적으로 (continuously) are frequently used to describe the nature of the improvement. For instance, '지속적으로 실력을 향상하는 것이 중요합니다' (It is important to continuously improve your skills) sounds very natural and professional.

Sentence Structure Examples: If you want to say 'The company improved the quality of its products,' you would say: 그 회사는 제품의 질을 향상했다. If you want to say 'My grades improved compared to last semester,' use the passive: 지난 학기에 비해 성적이 향상되었다.

기술의 발전은 인간의 생활 수준을 향상한다. (The advancement of technology improves the human standard of living.)

In casual conversation, you might hear people use 업그레이드하다 (upgrade) or 좋아지다 (get better), but 향상하다 remains the standard for writing essays, reports, and news articles. It provides a level of precision that suggests measurable or significant progress.

If you turn on the Korean news (KBS, MBC, SBS), you will hear 향상하다 almost every day. It is the language of policy and progress. Anchors use it when discussing economic indicators, such as '무역 수지 향상' (improvement in trade balance) or '국민 소득 향상' (improvement in national income). It is a word that conveys a sense of national or institutional movement toward a better future.

In the Workplace: In a Korean office, '향상' is a buzzword. During performance reviews, you might hear: "김 대리님, 이번 분기에는 업무 능력을 더 향상해야 합니다." (Mr. Kim, you need to improve your work skills more this quarter.) It is also common in marketing meetings when discussing how to '브랜드 인지도 향상' (improve brand awareness). If you are working in Korea, using this word in your reports will make you sound much more professional and competent.

정부는 서민들의 삶의 질을 향상하기 위한 새로운 정책을 발표했습니다. (The government announced a new policy to improve the quality of life for the common people.)

In educational settings, this word is everywhere. Hagwons (private academies) use it in their advertisements: '단기간 성적 향상 보장' (Guaranteed grade improvement in a short period). Students use it when discussing their goals for the CSAT (Suneung) or language proficiency exams like TOPIK. It emphasizes the result-oriented nature of Korean education.

In Media and Literature: Self-help books (자기계발서) are a massive market in Korea. Titles often include '집중력 향상법' (How to improve concentration) or '대인관계 능력 향상' (Improving interpersonal skills). It is the language of the 'self-made' person. In documentaries about technological breakthroughs, you'll hear about '성능 향상' (performance improvement) of chips or engines.

이 앱은 사용자의 편의성을 향상하는 데 중점을 두었습니다. (This app focused on improving user convenience.)

Even in sports commentary, when a player's form gets better, the commentator might say 기량이 향상되었습니다 (Their skill has improved). It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between technical jargon and everyday formal speech.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 향상하다 is using it for physical or tangible objects that don't involve a 'quality' or 'level.' For example, you cannot '향상' a broken chair. You would '수리하다' (repair) it. You cannot '향상' the height of a person. You would use '커지다' (get bigger/taller). 향상하다 is strictly for abstract attributes.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 개선하다 (Improvement of Problems): While both mean 'to improve,' 개선하다 (gaeseon-hada) is used when there is a specific flaw, defect, or problem that needs fixing. 향상하다 is used when you want to take something that is already okay and make it better (advancement). For example, you '개선' a bad habit, but you '향상' your existing skills.

Wrong: 나쁜 성격을 향상하다. (Improve a bad personality - Incorrect)
Right: 성격을 개선하다. (Correct a personality flaw.)

Another common error is the confusion between 향상하다 and 발전하다 (to develop). 발전하다 is broader and can refer to the growth of a city, an industry, or a relationship. 향상하다 is more specific to the 'level' or 'quality' of a particular skill or function. You '발전' a country, but you '향상' the literacy rate of that country.

Mistake 2: Using it for Health: Koreans rarely say '건강을 향상하다' (improve health). Instead, they use 증진하다 (promote/enhance - 건강 증진) or simply 좋아지다 (get better). While '향상' isn't strictly 'wrong' here, it sounds unnatural to native ears compared to the standard collocations.

Wrong: 감기가 향상되었어요. (The cold improved - Incorrect)
Right: 감기가 나았어요 or 호전되었어요. (The cold got better.)

Lastly, avoid using 향상하다 for numbers that just go up, like prices or temperatures. If the price of gas goes up, it is 인상되다 (be raised) or 오르다 (rise). Only use 향상하다 if the increase represents a qualitative improvement.

Korean has a rich vocabulary for 'improvement,' and choosing the right one depends on the nuance you wish to convey. Here is a comparison of 향상하다 with its closest cousins.

향상하다 vs. 개선하다: 향상하다 (Improve/Enhance): Taking something good and making it better. Focus on level/quality. (e.g., 실력 향상)
개선하다 (Reform/Correct): Taking something bad or problematic and making it right. Focus on fixing flaws. (e.g., 환경 개선, 제도 개선)

우리는 서비스의 질을 향상하고, 고객의 불만 사항을 개선해야 합니다. (We must improve service quality and correct customer complaints.)

향상하다 vs. 발전하다: 향상하다: Vertical growth in quality/skill. (Upward)
발전하다 (Develop/Progress): Broad growth in scale, complexity, or stage. (Forward/Expanding). A small village 발전 into a city; a student's math skill 향상.

Other alternatives include 증진하다 (jeungjin-hada), which is often used for health, welfare, or friendship (e.g., 우호 증진 - enhancing friendship). Then there is 진보하다 (jinbo-hada), which means 'to progress' in a historical or technological sense, often used for civilization or science.

Summary of Alternatives: - 수정하다 (Sujeong): To modify/edit (specific details).
- 보완하다 (Bowan): To supplement/fill in gaps.
- 강화하다 (Ganghwa): To strengthen (power, security, discipline).
- 고양하다 (Goyang): To uplift (spirit, morale).

실력을 향상하기 위해서는 부족한 점을 보완해야 합니다. (To improve your skills, you must supplement your weaknesses.)

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The character '向' originally depicted a window in a house facing north, suggesting a direction. Combined with '上' (up), it perfectly captures the abstract concept of 'climbing' toward excellence.

Guide de prononciation

UK /hjɑːŋ.sɑŋ.ɦɑ.dɑ/

US /hjɑŋ.sɑŋ.hɑ.dɑ/

In Korean, syllables generally have equal weight, but a slight emphasis on the first syllable '향' is natural.

Rime avec

상상하다 (sangsang-hada) 명상하다 (myeongsang-hada) 감상하다 (gamsang-hada) 현상하다 (hyeonsang-hada) 연상하다 (yeonsang-hada) 망상하다 (mangsang-hada) 시상하다 (sisang-hada) 구상하다 (gusang-hada)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing '향' like 'hang' (missing the 'y' sound).
Making the 'h' in 'hada' too silent.
Shortening the 'a' sounds too much.
Confusing the 'ng' sound with a hard 'n'.
Stressing the final syllable '다' too much.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Common in texts, but requires knowing Hanja roots for full nuance.

Écriture 4/5

Requires choosing between '향상', '개선', and '발전' correctly.

Expression orale 3/5

Natural in formal settings, less common in very casual street talk.

Écoute 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but often appears in fast-paced news or lectures.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

공부하다 실력 성적 좋다 위하다

Apprends ensuite

개선하다 발전하다 증진하다 효율성 경쟁력

Avancé

일취월장 혁신하다 고양하다 도모하다

Grammaire à connaître

Passive Construction (-되다)

성적이 향상되었다. (Grades improved.)

Causative Construction (-시키다)

정부는 경제를 향상시켰다. (The government improved the economy.)

Purposive (-기 위해)

실력을 향상하기 위해 노력한다. (Effort is made to improve skills.)

Adverbialization (-게)

실력을 향상하게 도와주세요. (Please help me improve my skills.)

Nouns from Verbs (-기 / -ㅁ)

실력 향상이 눈부시다. (The skill improvement is dazzling.)

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Exemples par niveau

한국어 실력이 향상되었어요.

Korean skills have improved.

Passive form: 향상되다.

성적을 향상하고 싶어요.

I want to improve my grades.

-고 싶다 (want to).

매일 연습하면 실력이 향상해요.

If you practice every day, your skills improve.

-면 (if/when).

이 책은 실력 향상에 좋아요.

This book is good for improving skills.

Noun form: 향상.

우리는 기술을 향상해요.

We improve technology.

Present tense.

실력이 향상해서 기뻐요.

I am happy because my skills improved.

-어서 (reason/cause).

더 많이 향상하고 싶어요.

I want to improve more.

Adverb '더' (more).

그녀는 실력을 향상했어요.

She improved her skills.

Past tense: 향상했다.

운동은 건강을 향상합니다.

Exercise improves health.

Formal ending: -습니다/-합니다.

어떻게 실력을 향상할 수 있을까요?

How can I improve my skills?

-ㄹ 수 있다 (can).

성적이 향상되어서 부모님이 좋아하세요.

My parents are happy because my grades improved.

Honorific: 좋아하세요.

영어 실력을 향상하기 위해 학원에 다녀요.

I go to an academy to improve my English skills.

-기 위해 (in order to).

이 방법은 효율성을 향상해요.

This method improves efficiency.

Noun: 효율성 (efficiency).

실력이 조금씩 향상하고 있어요.

My skills are improving little by little.

-고 있다 (progressive).

우리는 품질을 향상해야 합니다.

We must improve the quality.

-해야 하다 (must).

그의 실력은 눈에 띄게 향상되었다.

His skill improved noticeably.

Adverb: 눈에 띄게 (noticeably).

독서는 사고력을 향상하는 데 도움이 됩니다.

Reading helps in improving thinking skills.

-는 데 도움이 되다 (be helpful in ...ing).

새로운 시스템은 업무 속도를 향상할 것입니다.

The new system will improve work speed.

Future tense: -ㄹ 것입니다.

지속적인 교육은 전문성을 향상합니다.

Continuous education improves expertise.

Noun: 전문성 (expertise).

그 회사는 서비스의 질을 향상하려고 노력합니다.

The company tries to improve the quality of service.

-(으)려고 노력하다 (try to).

기술력이 향상됨에 따라 가격이 내려갔다.

As technology improved, the price went down.

-ㅁ에 따라 (as / in accordance with).

집중력을 향상하는 방법을 알고 싶어요.

I want to know how to improve concentration.

Noun phrase: -는 방법 (way to...).

성적이 비약적으로 향상되었습니다.

Grades have improved leaps and bounds.

Adverb: 비약적으로 (rapidly/by leaps).

이 프로그램은 사용자의 편의를 향상합니다.

This program improves user convenience.

Noun: 편의 (convenience).

정부는 국민의 삶의 질을 향상하기 위해 노력하고 있다.

The government is striving to improve the citizens' quality of life.

Collocation: 삶의 질 (quality of life).

기업들은 경쟁력을 향상하기 위해 신기술을 도입한다.

Companies introduce new technologies to improve competitiveness.

Noun: 경쟁력 (competitiveness).

외국어 능력은 꾸준한 노력을 통해 향상될 수 있다.

Foreign language ability can be improved through steady effort.

Through: -을/를 통해.

이 정책은 교육의 기회를 향상하는 데 목적이 있다.

This policy aims to improve educational opportunities.

-는 데 목적이 있다 (aims to).

생산성이 향상되지 않으면 이익을 내기 어렵다.

If productivity does not improve, it is difficult to make a profit.

-지 않으면 (if not).

그 선수는 체력을 향상하기 위해 특별 훈련을 받았다.

The athlete received special training to improve physical strength.

Noun: 체력 (physical strength).

소통 능력의 향상은 조직의 화합을 돕는다.

Improvement in communication skills helps organizational harmony.

Subject as noun: 향상(은).

환경 개선과 품질 향상을 동시에 추구해야 한다.

We must pursue environmental improvement and quality enhancement simultaneously.

Comparison: 개선 vs 향상.

정보 통신 기술의 발달은 업무 효율성을 획기적으로 향상했다.

The development of ICT has drastically improved work efficiency.

Adverb: 획기적으로 (groundbreakingly).

지속 가능한 발전을 위해서는 자원 이용의 효율을 향상해야 한다.

For sustainable development, the efficiency of resource use must be improved.

Topic: Sustainable development.

학습자의 동기 부여는 학업 성취도를 향상하는 핵심 요소이다.

Learner motivation is a key factor in improving academic achievement.

Noun: 성취도 (achievement level).

정부는 복지 서비스를 향상하여 사회적 안전망을 강화하고 있다.

The government is strengthening the social safety net by improving welfare services.

Connecting: -하여 (formal -해서).

브랜드 가치를 향상하기 위한 다각적인 마케팅 전략이 필요하다.

Multifaceted marketing strategies are needed to improve brand value.

Adjective: 다각적인 (multifaceted).

연구 결과는 이 약물이 인지 기능을 향상함을 입증했다.

Research results proved that this drug improves cognitive function.

Noun clause: -함을 입증하다.

인권 의식의 향상은 민주주의 발전의 토대가 된다.

The improvement of human rights awareness is the foundation of democratic development.

Noun: 토대 (foundation).

기술의 국산화는 국가의 기술 자립도를 향상할 것이다.

Localization of technology will improve the country's technological self-reliance.

Noun: 자립도 (degree of self-reliance).

구조적인 모순을 해결하지 않고서는 근본적인 경쟁력 향상을 기대하기 어렵다.

It is difficult to expect fundamental improvement in competitiveness without resolving structural contradictions.

-지 않고서는 (without doing...).

언어의 정밀한 사용은 의사소통의 명확성을 비약적으로 향상한다.

The precise use of language leaps and bounds improves the clarity of communication.

Subject: 정밀한 사용 (precise use).

자기 성찰은 개인의 도덕적 품성을 향상하는 데 필수적인 과정이다.

Self-reflection is an essential process for improving one's moral character.

Noun: 품성 (character/nature).

디지털 전환은 산업 생태계의 투명성을 향상하는 촉매제 역할을 한다.

Digital transformation acts as a catalyst for improving the transparency of the industrial ecosystem.

Metaphor: 촉매제 (catalyst).

공공 기관의 투명성 향상은 정부에 대한 국민의 신뢰를 회복하는 길이다.

Improving the transparency of public institutions is the way to restore public trust in the government.

Noun: 신뢰 (trust).

예술적 감수성의 향상은 인간의 삶을 더욱 풍요롭게 만든다.

The improvement of artistic sensitivity makes human life even richer.

Adverb: 풍요롭게 (richly).

이론과 실제의 결합은 실무 능력을 향상하는 최선의 방책이다.

The combination of theory and practice is the best way to improve practical skills.

Noun: 방책 (measure/plan).

기술 혁신은 단순히 편의를 넘어 인류의 생존 확률을 향상한다.

Technological innovation goes beyond mere convenience and improves the survival probability of humanity.

Beyond: -을 넘어.

Synonymes

개선하다 발전시키다 높이다 증진하다

Antonymes

저하되다 악화되다

Collocations courantes

실력을 향상하다

성적을 향상하다

품질을 향상하다

생산성을 향상하다

삶의 질을 향상하다

효율성을 향상하다

경쟁력을 향상하다

기량을 향상하다

기능을 향상하다

인지도를 향상하다

Phrases Courantes

향상의 여지가 있다

— There is room for improvement. Used when something is good but could be better.

이 보고서는 아직 향상의 여지가 많습니다.

비약적인 향상

— Leaping improvement. A huge jump in quality or skill.

그녀의 실력은 비약적인 향상을 보였다.

지속적인 향상

— Continuous improvement. Improving steadily over time.

지속적인 향상이 성공의 열쇠입니다.

눈부신 향상

— Dazzling improvement. Very impressive progress.

과학 기술의 눈부신 향상이 놀랍다.

품질 향상 캠페인

— Quality improvement campaign. A structured effort to better products.

회사에서 품질 향상 캠페인을 시작했다.

자기 향상

— Self-improvement. Working on oneself.

자기 향상을 위해 매일 책을 읽어요.

성적 향상 비결

— The secret to improving grades.

그의 성적 향상 비결은 복습이다.

수준 향상

— Level improvement. Raising the standard.

교육 수준 향상이 시급합니다.

성능 향상

— Performance improvement (usually for machines/tech).

컴퓨터의 성능 향상을 위해 부품을 교체했다.

기능 향상

— Functionality enhancement.

이 업데이트는 보안 기능을 향상합니다.

Souvent confondu avec

향상하다 vs 개선하다

Use '개선' to fix a problem; use '향상' to reach a higher level.

향상하다 vs 발전하다

Use '발전' for broad growth (cities, industries); use '향상' for specific qualities.

향상하다 vs 증진하다

Commonly used for health and welfare, whereas '향상' is for general skills/quality.

Expressions idiomatiques

"일취월장 (日就月將)"

— Making steady progress every day and month. Often used with 향상.

그의 실력이 일취월장하여 모두를 놀라게 했다.

Formal/Literary

"괄목상대 (刮目相對)"

— To look at someone with new eyes because they have improved so much.

방학 동안 그의 실력은 괄목상대할 만큼 향상되었다.

Formal/Literary

"청출어람 (靑出於藍)"

— The student has surpassed the teacher. A form of ultimate 향상.

제자의 실력이 스승을 앞서니 청출어람이로구나.

Literary

"환골탈태 (換骨奪胎)"

— To completely transform and improve, like changing bones and skin.

우리 팀은 훈련을 통해 환골탈태하여 우승했다.

Idiomatic

"마부작침 (磨斧作針)"

— Grinding an axe to make a needle. Improving through relentless effort.

마부작침의 자세로 실력을 향상했다.

Literary

"우보천리 (牛步千里)"

— A cow's step goes a thousand miles. Improving through slow but steady progress.

우보천리의 마음으로 실력을 향상하고 있다.

Literary

"적소성대 (積小成大)"

— Accumulating small things to make something big. Small improvements leading to big 향상.

매일의 작은 노력이 적소성대하여 큰 실력 향상을 이뤘다.

Literary

"금상첨화 (錦上添花)"

— Adding flowers to silk. Improving something that is already excellent.

디자인에 기능 향상까지 더해지니 금상첨화다.

Idiomatic

"파죽지세 (破竹之勢)"

— The force of splitting bamboo. Rapid, unstoppable improvement/progress.

그의 기량 향상은 파죽지세와 같았다.

Literary

"심기일전 (心機一轉)"

— Changing one's mindset to start anew and improve.

심기일전하여 실력 향상에 매진하기로 했다.

Idiomatic

Facile à confondre

향상하다 vs 인상하다

Both start with a similar sound and involve 'going up'.

'인상하다' is used for prices, taxes, or wages. '향상하다' is for quality or skills.

가스 요금을 인상했다 vs 실력을 향상했다.

향상하다 vs 상승하다

Both mean 'rise' or 'go up'.

'상승하다' is for physical movement (balloon) or numerical values (temperature, stock prices). '향상하다' is for qualitative improvement.

기온이 상승하다 vs 품질이 향상하다.

향상하다 vs 확장하다

Both involve growth.

'확장하다' is for physical size or scope (business expansion). '향상하다' is for quality.

가게를 확장하다 vs 서비스 질을 향상하다.

향상하다 vs 증가하다

Both involve 'more'.

'증가하다' is purely quantitative (number of people, amount). '향상하다' is qualitative.

인구가 증가하다 vs 실력이 향상하다.

향상하다 vs 수리하다

Both involve making something better.

'수리하다' is for fixing broken physical objects. '향상하다' is for abstract levels.

시계를 수리하다 vs 성능을 향상하다.

Structures de phrases

[Noun]을/를 향상해요.

실력을 향상해요.

[Noun]이/가 향상되었어요.

성적이 향상되었어요.

[Noun]을/를 향상하기 위해 [Action].

실력을 향상하기 위해 공부해요.

[Noun]의 향상은 [Result]을/를 가져온다.

품질의 향상은 매출 증가를 가져온다.

[Factor]은/는 [Noun]을/를 비약적으로 향상한다.

기술 혁신은 생산성을 비약적으로 향상한다.

[Noun] 향상의 여지가 충분하다.

이 계획은 효율성 향상의 여지가 충분하다.

[Noun]을/를 향상하는 데 도움이 되다.

운동은 체력을 향상하는 데 도움이 된다.

[Noun]을/를 향상시키기로 결정했다.

그들은 서비스 질을 향상시키기로 결정했다.

Famille de mots

Noms

향상 (improvement)

향상도 (degree of improvement)

향상심 (desire to improve)

Verbes

향상하다 (to improve - active)

향상되다 (to be improved - passive)

향상시키다 (to make improve - causative)

Apparenté

발전 (development)

개선 (reform)

증진 (enhancement)

진보 (progress)

성장 (growth)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in formal, educational, and professional contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Using 향상하다 for physical height. → 키가 커지다.
향상하다 is for abstract levels, not physical dimensions like height.
Using 향상하다 for fixing a broken object. → 수리하다 / 고치다.
You improve the quality of a product (향상), but you fix a broken one (수리).
Confusing 향상하다 with 인상하다 (prices). → 가격을 인상하다.
인상 is for raising prices/taxes. 향상 is for improving quality.
Using 향상하다 for bad habits. → 습관을 개선하다.
Negative things are 'fixed' or 'reformed' (개선), not 'improved' (향상).
Using 향상하다 for physical health recovery. → 건강이 회복되다 / 호전되다.
Recovery from illness uses '회복' or '호전'. '향상' is for building strength or skill.

Astuces

Pair with '실력'

The most common pairing is '실력 향상'. If you only learn one phrase, make it this one! It works for language, sports, and work.

Active vs Passive

Remember: [Person]이 [Skill]을 향상하다 vs [Skill]이 향상되다. Both are correct, but the passive is often used when the cause isn't mentioned.

Hanja Roots

Remember '향' (Toward) + '상' (Up). This helps you distinguish it from '상승' (Rising) or '상단' (Top part).

Sound Professional

In a job interview, say '저는 업무 능력을 향상하기 위해...' instead of '일을 잘하려고...'. It sounds much more professional.

School Context

Use it when talking about '성적' (grades). '성적이 향상되었어요' is the standard way to say your grades went up.

Not for Problems

Don't use it to fix mistakes. If you have a bug in code, you '수정' (correct) it. If you make the code run faster, you '향상' (improve) the performance.

Adverb Choice

Use '꾸준히' (steadily) with '향상하다' to describe long-term progress. It's a very natural collocation.

Listen for 'Update'

In tech, '성능 향상' usually means a software update that makes your device faster.

Ask for Advice

Ask '어떻게 향상할 수 있을까요?' to show you are eager to learn. It is a very polite and proactive question.

Self-Help Culture

Look for books with '향상' in the title at a Korean bookstore. It's a key word for the self-improvement genre.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'H-yang' as 'High' and 'Sang' as 'Superior'. You want to go High and be Superior, so you 'Hyangsang' your skills.

Association visuelle

Imagine a staircase leading to a bright light. Each step you climb has the word '향상' written on it. You are moving 'Toward' (향) the 'Top' (상).

Word Web

실력 (Skill) 성적 (Grades) 품질 (Quality) 노력 (Effort) 발전 (Development) 목표 (Goal) 성공 (Success) 단계 (Level)

Défi

Write three goals you have for this year using '향상하다'. For example: '저는 올해 요리 실력을 향상하고 싶어요.'

Origine du mot

From Sino-Korean (Hanja) roots. '향' (向) and '상' (上).

Sens originel : 向 (Toward) + 上 (Above/Top). Literally 'moving toward the top' or 'upward movement.'

Sino-Korean (Hanja-eo)

Contexte culturel

Be careful not to over-pressurize someone by saying their skills 'need' improvement (향상해야 한다) unless you are in a teacher/manager position, as it can sound critical.

English speakers often use 'improve' for everything, but in Korean, '향상하다' is more specific to levels/quality, while '개선하다' is for fixing problems. Don't use '향상' for fixing a broken car!

Samsung's 'Quality Management' philosophy often uses the term '품질 향상'. K-Pop idols frequently use this word in interviews when talking about their 'growth' as artists. Government documents regarding '삶의 질 향상' (Quality of Life Improvement) are common policy titles.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Academic/School

성적 향상 비법
수학 실력 향상
학업 성취도 향상
집중력 향상

Business/Work

업무 효율 향상
생산성 향상 전략
서비스 품질 향상
매출 향상

Technology

성능 향상 업데이트
보안 기능 향상
속도 향상
사용자 경험 향상

Self-Development

외국어 능력 향상
의사소통 능력 향상
체력 향상
자기 향상

Government/Policy

복지 수준 향상
삶의 질 향상
국가 경쟁력 향상
인권 의식 향상

Amorces de conversation

"어떻게 하면 한국어 말하기 실력을 향상할 수 있을까요?"

"최근에 실력이 향상되었다고 느낀 적이 있나요?"

"업무 효율성을 향상하기 위한 본인만의 팁이 있나요?"

"성적을 향상하기 위해 가장 중요한 것은 무엇이라고 생각하세요?"

"우리 회사의 서비스 품질을 향상하려면 무엇을 해야 할까요?"

Sujets d'écriture

이번 달에 내가 가장 향상하고 싶은 실력은 무엇이며, 그 이유는 무엇인가요?

과거에 비해 나의 어떤 능력이 가장 많이 향상되었는지 적어보세요.

삶의 질을 향상하기 위해 내가 오늘 실천할 수 있는 작은 일 세 가지는?

실력이 향상되지 않아 답답했던 경험과 그것을 어떻게 극복했는지 써보세요.

1년 후 나의 한국어 실력이 얼마나 향상되어 있을지 상상하며 편지를 써보세요.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

While not strictly wrong, it is more natural to use '건강을 증진하다' or '건강이 좋아지다'. '향상' implies a level or skill, so you might say '체력을 향상하다' (improve physical strength) instead.

'향상하다' is the active form (I improve my skills), while '향상되다' is the passive form (My skills improved/were improved). In many cases, they are interchangeable, but '향상되다' is very common when the subject is the thing being improved.

Yes, but it sounds a bit formal. In very casual talk with friends, people might say '실력이 늘었어' (My skill grew) or '좋아졌어' (It got better). Use '향상하다' in meetings, school, or formal writing.

Only if you are talking about their 'quality' or 'performance.' You can '향상' the quality of a car, but you cannot '향상' the car itself if it's broken. Use '수리하다' for repairs.

Yes, the opposite is '저하되다' (to decline/drop) or '퇴보하다' (to regress). For example, '기능 저하' (decline in function).

No, for moods, we use '기분이 좋아지다' or '기분을 전환하다' (change/refresh mood). '향상' is for skills, levels, and qualities.

The standard phrase is '향상의 여지가 있다'. For example, '이 디자인은 향상의 여지가 많아요' (This design has a lot of room for improvement).

No. For prices going up, use '인상되다' or '오르다'. '향상' is always a positive qualitative change.

It means 'the desire to improve oneself.' It is a common noun used to describe a motivated person.

In many contexts, yes. '향상시키다' emphasizes the effort or the factor that causes the improvement, making it very popular in business and education.

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