Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 verb 9 min de lecture

가라앉다

garaanta

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 가라앉다 en 30 secondes

Explication 가라앉다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might not use '가라앉다' very often, as it is a bit more complex than simple words like 'go' or 'eat'. However, you can understand it as a word for 'sinking' in water. Imagine a toy boat in a bathtub. If it fills with water and goes to the bottom, it '가라앉아요'. It is the opposite of '뜨다' (to float). You can also think of it like 'quiet down'. If a room is very noisy and then becomes quiet, the noise '가라앉아요'. Just remember it means moving from the top to the bottom, or moving from noisy to quiet. It is a verb used for things, not usually for people doing an action to something else at this level. You might see it in simple picture books about the ocean or weather.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the A2 level, you can start using '가라앉다' to describe physical things you see around you. For example, you can talk about the weather: '바람이 가라앉았어요' (The wind died down). Or you can talk about your health in a simple way: '기침이 가라앉았어요' (My cough stopped/subsided). You should also know that it is used for emotions in a basic sense. If you were very angry but now you are okay, you can say '화가 가라앉았어요'. The important thing at this level is to use the correct particle '이/가' because this word is about what happens to the subject. Don't use '을/를' with it. It's a very useful word for describing how a situation changes from active to calm.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B1 level, you should master the multiple meanings of '가라앉다'. This includes the literal sinking of objects in liquid, the settling of particles (like dust or sediment), and the subsiding of physical symptoms (like swelling or pain). You should also be comfortable using it for 'mood' (기분). If someone says '기분이 가라앉아 있어요', you should understand they are feeling a bit low or serious. You should also be able to distinguish '가라앉다' (intransitive) from '가라앉히다' (transitive). For example, 'I calmed my heart' uses '가라앉히다', but 'My heart calmed down' uses '가라앉다'. This level requires you to use the word in different tenses and with common connecting particles like '-어서' or '-(으)니까'.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '가라앉다' in more abstract and social contexts. This includes describing a social atmosphere (분위기), public opinion (여론), or a market situation. For example, '논란이 가라앉다' (The controversy subsided). You should understand the nuance of the word in literature or news reports, where it might describe a heavy silence or a stabilized political situation. You should also be able to use it in more complex grammatical structures, such as '-을 정도로' (to the point of sinking) or '-어 버리다' (to sink completely/unfortunately). At this level, you should also be aware of synonyms like '침몰하다' for ships or '진정되다' for situations, and know when '가라앉다' is the more natural choice.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, you should have a deep intuition for the 'weight' and 'stillness' that '가라앉다' implies. You can use it to describe subtle shifts in tone or the gravity of a situation. For instance, you might describe a person's voice 'sinking' (목소리가 가라앉다) not just in volume, but in emotional depth or seriousness. You should be able to use it in sophisticated writing to create atmosphere—for example, describing how the evening mist 'settles' over a valley. You will also encounter it in academic or technical texts describing physical sedimentation or chemical processes. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's poetic potential as well as its precise descriptive power in various professional fields.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, '가라앉다' becomes a tool for precise and evocative expression. You can use it to discuss complex philosophical or psychological states, such as the 'settling' of one's thoughts after a period of confusion. You should be able to appreciate and use the word in high-level literature, where it might symbolize the end of an era or the inevitable descent of a tragic hero. You should have a perfect grasp of all its collocations and be able to explain the subtle differences between '가라앉다' and its most obscure synonyms in various dialects or historical contexts. Your command of the word allows you to use it metaphorically in ways that feel both creative and perfectly natural to a native speaker, capturing the exact degree of stillness or descent required.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

가라앉다 en 30 secondes

Literally means to sink to the bottom of a liquid, such as a ship sinking in the sea or sediment settling in a cup.
Metaphorically refers to emotions like anger or excitement subsiding, or a person's mood becoming low or serious.
Used in medical contexts to describe swelling going down or symptoms like a cough or fever diminishing.
An intransitive verb that always takes the subject marker -이/가 and never -을/를, emphasizing a change in the subject's state.

The Korean verb 가라앉다 (gara-anj-da) is a multifaceted word that primarily describes the downward movement of an object in a liquid, but its metaphorical reach extends far into the realms of human emotion, physical health, and environmental states. At its most literal level, it refers to the act of sinking or submerging. Imagine a heavy stone dropped into a calm lake; as it leaves the surface and descends toward the murky bottom, it is said to 가라앉다. This literal usage is fundamental for describing maritime accidents, scientific experiments involving density, or simply everyday occurrences like tea leaves settling at the bottom of a cup. However, for a Korean learner reaching the B1 level, understanding the metaphorical 'settling' is where the word truly becomes useful.

Physical Submergence: When an object moves from the surface of water to the bottom because of its weight or a loss of buoyancy. It is an intransitive verb, meaning the subject itself performs the action of sinking.

무거운 돌이 호수 바닥으로 깊이 가라앉았다.

Translation: The heavy stone sank deep to the bottom of the lake.

Beyond the water, 가라앉다 describes the process of stabilization. When dust that was swirling in the air finally rests on the floor, or when sediment in a bottle of unfiltered juice settles at the bottom, this verb is employed. It carries a sense of movement from a state of chaos or agitation to a state of rest. This is why the word is so frequently used to describe the atmosphere of a room or the collective mood of a crowd. If a noisy classroom suddenly becomes quiet because the teacher enters, the 'atmosphere' is said to 가라앉다. In this context, it implies a transition into seriousness or tranquility.

Emotional Subsiding: The process of intense feelings like anger, excitement, or nervousness gradually diminishing until the person returns to a calm state.

In medical and physical health contexts, 가라앉다 is the standard way to describe a swelling (부기) going down or a cough (기침) subsiding. When you wake up with a puffy face and it returns to normal by noon, the swelling has 가라앉다-ed. Similarly, if a storm passes and the high waves become still, or if a fever breaks and the body temperature drops, this verb captures that return to a baseline state. It is an incredibly versatile word that bridges the gap between the physical laws of gravity and the internal experience of peace.

Using 가라앉다 correctly requires a firm grasp of its status as an intransitive verb (자동사). This means that the subject of the sentence is the thing that is sinking or calming down, and you do not use the object marker 을/를 with it. For example, you cannot 'sink a boat' using 가라앉다; instead, the 'boat sinks' (배가 가라앉다). If you want to say you sank the boat, you would use the causative form 가라앉히다. This distinction is a common hurdle for intermediate learners who are used to English verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive (like 'The ship sank' vs 'The pirate sank the ship').

Subject-Verb Agreement: Always pair the subject with markers like 이 or 가. Example: '화가 가라앉다' (Anger subsides), not '화를 가라앉다'.

약품을 넣자 물속의 불순물이 바닥으로 가라앉기 시작했다.

Translation: Once the chemicals were added, the impurities in the water began to sink to the bottom.

When talking about emotions, the nuance changes depending on the specific feeling. When 화 (anger) or 흥분 (excitement) 가라앉다, it is generally positive, implying a return to rational thought. However, when 기분 (mood) or 목소리 (voice) 가라앉다, it often suggests a somber, low, or even depressed tone. If someone's voice 'sinks' during a speech, they might be getting emotional or losing confidence. If a person's mood 'sinks', they are likely feeling 'blue'. Understanding these collocations is vital for sounding natural in Korean.

Another frequent usage is in the context of weather and physical phenomena. We use this word when a storm 'dies down' or when the wind 'subsides'. It conveys the exhaustion of energy. In a social context, if a 'rumor' (소문) or 'controversy' (논란) 가라앉다, it means people have stopped talking about it and the situation has stabilized. This shows that the word isn't just about physical depth, but about the reduction of intensity and visibility in any given system.

폭풍우가 지나가고 파도가 서서히 가라앉았다.

Translation: The storm passed and the waves gradually subsided.

You will encounter 가라앉다 in a variety of settings, ranging from the evening news to the high-stakes dialogue of a K-drama. On the news, it is a staple for reporting on natural disasters or maritime incidents. News anchors will use it to describe a ship sinking (선박이 가라앉다) or the water levels receding after a flood. It is also used in economic reporting to describe a 'subsided' market or when the feverish excitement over a new stock or real estate trend begins to cool off. In these contexts, the word carries an objective, descriptive tone.

News & Media: Commonly used in reports about accidents (sinking ships), weather (storms calming), or social issues (scandals dying down).

사건에 대한 비난 여론이 좀처럼 가라앉지 않고 있습니다.

Translation: Public criticism regarding the incident is not easily subsiding.

In daily conversation, you will hear this word most often when people talk about their health or their feelings. If you tell a Korean friend you have a cold, they might ask, '기침은 좀 가라앉았어?' (Has your cough subsided a bit?). If you look tired or sad, they might remark, '오늘따라 분위기가 많이 가라앉아 보이네' (Your mood/vibe seems very low today). It is a polite and expressive way to comment on someone's state without being too blunt. It shows an observation of a change in state—from high to low, or from active to still.

Literary works and song lyrics also make heavy use of this verb to evoke a sense of melancholy or peace. A poet might describe the sun 'sinking' below the horizon (though 지다 is more common for the sun, 가라앉다 can be used for the feeling of the light fading) or the silence 'settling' over a snowy field. In K-pop ballads, you'll often hear about a 'sunken heart' (가라앉은 마음), symbolizing the weight of sadness or the stillness after a breakup. This versatility makes it a powerful tool for any learner wishing to express nuanced physical and emotional states.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with 가라앉다 is confusing it with its causative counterpart, 가라앉히다. In English, 'sink' can be used as both 'The ship sinks' and 'I sink the ship.' In Korean, these must be strictly separated. If you say '내가 배를 가라앉았다', it is grammatically incorrect because 가라앉다 cannot take an object. You must say '내가 배를 가라앉혔다' (I made the ship sink). Always remember: 가라앉다 is something that happens to the subject, while 가라앉히다 is an action someone performs on something else.

Transitive vs. Intransitive: Correct: 배가 가라앉다 (The boat sinks). Incorrect: 배를 가라앉다. Correct: 화를 가라앉히다 (To calm one's anger). Incorrect: 화가 가라앉히다.

심호흡을 해서 흥분을 가라앉혔다.

Translation: I calmed my excitement by taking deep breaths. (Note the use of '가라앉히다' for active calming).

Another mistake is using 가라앉다 when 내려가다 (to go down) or 줄어들다 (to decrease) might be more appropriate. For instance, if you are talking about prices or numbers decreasing, 내려가다 or 하락하다 is the standard choice. While 가라앉다 can occasionally be used to describe a 'settling' market, using it for a simple decrease in temperature or price sounds unnatural. 가라앉다 carries a nuance of 'descending through a medium' or 'returning to a still state from an active one,' which doesn't always apply to numerical data.

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse the 'low mood' meaning with 'unhappy.' While 기분이 가라앉다 does imply a lack of energy or a somber mood, it doesn't always mean the person is crying or miserable. It can simply mean they are quiet and introspective. Using it to mean 'I am angry' or 'I am very sad' is a slight misuse; it specifically refers to the heaviness and stillness of the emotion rather than the specific quality of the pain. Misinterpreting this nuance can lead to misunderstandings in emotional conversations.

To truly master 가라앉다, it is helpful to compare it with other verbs that share similar meanings but have distinct nuances. Depending on whether you are talking about water, emotions, or social situations, different words might be more precise. For example, if a ship is sinking in a catastrophic way, the word 침몰하다 (to sink/submerge) is often used in formal or news contexts. While 가라앉다 is a general term, 침몰하다 specifically refers to vessels or large objects sinking in the sea.

침몰하다 vs. 가라앉다: '침몰하다' is more formal and used specifically for ships or large structures sinking. '가라앉다' is more versatile and used for anything from a stone to a mood.

When talking about emotions or physical symptoms like swelling, 진정되다 (to be calmed/settled) is a common alternative. However, 진정되다 has a stronger nuance of 'becoming stable' or 'recovering from chaos,' often through some kind of treatment or effort. If a riot stops, it is 진정되다. If your skin allergy stops itching, it is 진정되다. 가라앉다 is more about the natural downward or stilling motion itself. Another word, 잠잠해지다, is used when a noise or a rumor becomes quiet (silent).

잠잠해지다 vs. 가라앉다: '잠잠해지다' focuses on the silence (lack of sound/noise), while '가라앉다' focuses on the lack of movement or the settling of intensity.

태풍이 지나가자 바다가 다시 잠잠해졌다.

Translation: Once the typhoon passed, the sea became quiet/still again.

For the 'mood' aspect, you might use 처지다 (to sag/droop) if you feel physically sluggish and down. While 기분이 가라앉다 describes the heaviness of the mind, 기운이 처지다 describes the lack of physical energy. Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize the stillness (가라앉다), the silence (잠잠해지다), the stability (진정되다), or the lack of energy (처지다). Mastering these distinctions is a hallmark of an advanced speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The '앉다' part of the word is the same '앉다' used for 'sitting on a chair'. So when something sinks, Korean speakers think of it as 'sitting down' at the bottom of the water.

Guide de prononciation

UK ka.ɾa.an.t͈a

US ka.ɾa.an.t͈a

The primary stress is on the second syllable 'ra', with a secondary focus on the final tensed syllable 'tt-a'.

Rime avec

앉다 (anj-da) 내앉다 (nae-anj-da) 주저앉다 (ju-jeo-anj-da) 내리앉다 (nae-ri-anj-da) 껴안다 (kkyeo-an-da) 안다 (an-da) 참다 (cham-da) 담다 (dam-da)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'h' in 'ㄶ' (it is silent).
Failing to tense the following 'ㄷ' into 'ㄸ'.
Pronouncing it as 'ga-ra-an-da' instead of the correct [가라안따].
Over-aspirating the initial 'k' sound.
Confusing the spelling with '가라안다' (incorrect).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

The word itself is common, but its metaphorical uses in literature can be tricky.

Écriture 4/5

Learners often struggle with the 'ㄶ' spelling and confusing it with the causative form.

Expression orale 3/5

Pronunciation [가라안따] needs practice to sound natural.

Écoute 3/5

Can be confused with '가라앉히다' in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

앉다 (to sit) 물 (water) 화 (anger) 배 (boat) 밑 (bottom)

Apprends ensuite

가라앉히다 (to calm/sink something) 침몰하다 (to sink - formal) 진정되다 (to be calmed) 부기 (swelling) 침전물 (sediment)

Avancé

앙금 (grudge/sediment) 잦아들다 (to subside) 수그러들다 (to weaken/subside) 잠잠해지다 (to become quiet)

Grammaire à connaître

Intransitive Verbs (자동사)

배가 가라앉다 (The boat sinks) - No object allowed.

Causative Form -히- (사동사)

흥분을 가라앉히다 (To calm excitement) - Object marker 을/를 used.

State vs. Action (-아/어 있다)

배가 바닥에 가라앉아 있다 (The boat is in the state of having sunk).

Ending 'ㄶ' Pronunciation

가라앉다 [가라안따], 가라앉아 [가라안자].

Connecting Particle -자

화가 가라앉자 생각이 정리되었다 (As soon as the anger subsided, thoughts were organized).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

돌이 물에 가라앉아요.

The stone sinks in the water.

가라앉다 is used with the subject marker -이/가.

배가 가라앉았어요.

The boat sank.

Past tense of 가라앉다 is 가라앉았다.

이제 바람이 가라앉았어요.

The wind has died down now.

Used here to mean 'to become calm'.

교실이 가라앉았어요.

The classroom became quiet.

Metaphorical use for a quiet atmosphere.

설탕이 컵 바닥에 가라앉아요.

Sugar sinks to the bottom of the cup.

Describes physical settling.

비가 오고 먼지가 가라앉았어요.

It rained and the dust settled.

Describes particles moving downward.

화가 조금 가라앉았어요.

My anger has subsided a little.

Common expression for emotions calming down.

공이 물속으로 가라앉아요.

The ball sinks into the water.

Literal physical sinking.

약을 먹으니 기침이 가라앉았다.

After taking medicine, the cough subsided.

-(으)니 indicates a reason or discovery.

파도가 가라앉기를 기다려요.

I am waiting for the waves to calm down.

-기(를) 바라다/기다리다 expresses a wish or wait for an action.

얼음찜질을 하면 부기가 가라앉아요.

If you use an ice pack, the swelling goes down.

부기 means 'swelling'.

어젯밤의 흥분이 아직 가라앉지 않았어.

Last night's excitement hasn't subsided yet.

-지 않다 is the negative form.

배가 서서히 물속으로 가라앉고 있다.

The ship is gradually sinking into the water.

-고 있다 expresses a continuous action.

커피 가루가 바닥에 가라앉을 때까지 기다리세요.

Wait until the coffee grounds settle at the bottom.

-을 때까지 means 'until the time when'.

그 소문은 곧 가라앉을 거예요.

That rumor will soon die down.

-을 거예요 expresses a future probability.

폭풍이 지나가고 바다가 가라앉았다.

The storm passed and the sea calmed down.

가라앉다 can refer to both motion and state.

슬픈 영화를 보고 나서 기분이 가라앉았다.

After watching a sad movie, my mood sank.

기분이 가라앉다 means to feel low or depressed.

그의 목소리가 낮고 차분하게 가라앉아 있었다.

His voice was low and calmly settled.

-아/어 있다 expresses a continuing state.

침전물이 가라앉은 후에 윗물만 따라내세요.

After the sediment has settled, pour off only the top liquid.

침전물 refers to sediment or precipitate.

사건의 충격이 가라앉으려면 시간이 필요하다.

Time is needed for the shock of the incident to subside.

-(으)려면 means 'if one intends to' or 'in order for'.

집안 분위기가 무겁게 가라앉아 있었다.

The atmosphere in the house was heavily sunken.

분위기가 가라앉다 describes a somber mood.

비난의 목소리가 좀처럼 가라앉지 않고 있다.

The voices of criticism are not easily subsiding.

좀처럼 ... -지 않다 means 'rarely' or 'not easily'.

차가운 물에 발을 담그니 열이 가라앉는 것 같다.

It feels like the heat is subsiding after soaking my feet in cold water.

-는 것 같다 expresses an assumption or feeling.

오해가 풀리자 긴장감이 서서히 가라앉았다.

As the misunderstanding was cleared, the tension gradually subsided.

-자 indicates that one action happens right after another.

경제 위기 이후 시장의 불안감이 어느 정도 가라앉았다.

The anxiety in the market has subsided to some extent since the economic crisis.

시장 (market) and 불안감 (anxiety) are common abstract subjects.

그는 가라앉은 눈빛으로 창밖을 내다보았다.

He looked out the window with sunken/somber eyes.

가라앉은 눈빛 describes a deep, serious, or sad gaze.

논란이 가라앉기도 전에 또 다른 문제가 터졌다.

Before the controversy could even subside, another problem erupted.

-기도 전에 means 'even before (something) happened'.

배가 침몰하여 바닷속으로 완전히 가라앉고 말았다.

The ship sank and ended up completely submerged in the sea.

-고 말다 indicates an unfortunate or final result.

그의 차분하게 가라앉은 태도가 신뢰를 주었다.

His calmly settled attitude inspired trust.

가라앉은 태도 implies a composed and mature manner.

열띤 토론 끝에 회의장 분위기가 차츰 가라앉았다.

After a heated discussion, the atmosphere of the meeting room gradually settled.

차츰 means 'gradually' or 'step by step'.

먼지가 가라앉기를 기다렸다가 문을 열었다.

I waited for the dust to settle before opening the door.

-어/아 있다 indicates the state of the dust.

분노가 가라앉자 비로소 상황이 객관적으로 보였다.

Once the anger subsided, I could finally see the situation objectively.

비로소 means 'finally' or 'at last'.

정치적 격변기가 지나가고 사회적 혼란이 가라앉기 시작했다.

The period of political upheaval passed, and social chaos began to subside.

격변기 refers to a period of sudden, violent change.

그의 문체는 화려하기보다 차분하게 가라앉아 있는 편이다.

His writing style is more calmly settled than flashy.

-는 편이다 means 'tends to be' or 'is on the side of'.

깊은 밤, 도시의 소음이 가라앉은 거리를 혼자 걸었다.

In the dead of night, I walked alone through the streets where the city noise had settled.

소음이 가라앉다 means the noise has died down.

그 사건은 한국 사회에 가라앉아 있던 갈등을 수면 위로 끌어올렸다.

That incident brought the conflicts that had been submerged in Korean society to the surface.

가라앉아 있다 is used here metaphorically for latent issues.

마음속 깊이 가라앉아 있던 슬픔이 갑자기 울컥 치밀어 올랐다.

The sadness that had been settled deep in my heart suddenly surged up.

치밀어 오르다 is the antonymic concept of surging upward.

선생님의 가라앉은 목소리에서 상황의 심각성을 느낄 수 있었다.

I could feel the seriousness of the situation from the teacher's low, settled voice.

가라앉은 목소리 implies a somber or grave tone.

거품이 가라앉고 나니 진실이 무엇인지 명확해졌다.

Once the bubbles (hype) subsided, it became clear what the truth was.

거품 (bubbles/foam) is often used for 'hype' or 'overvaluation'.

오랜 세월 동안 가라앉아 있던 앙금이 드디어 풀렸다.

The sediment (grudge) that had been settled for a long time was finally resolved.

앙금 (sediment) is a common metaphor for a deep-seated grudge.

역사의 소용돌이가 잦아들자 민중의 삶은 다시금 가라앉은 일상으로 돌아갔다.

As the whirlpool of history subsided, the lives of the people returned once again to a settled daily routine.

잦아들다 is a synonym for subsiding/dying down.

호수의 표면은 마치 거울처럼 매끄럽게 가라앉아 있었다.

The surface of the lake was settled as smoothly as a mirror.

마치 ... 처럼 is a simile meaning 'just like'.

그녀의 연기는 과장되지 않고 내면으로 깊게 가라앉아 있어 울림이 컸다.

Her acting was not exaggerated but deeply settled within, creating a great resonance.

내면으로 가라앉다 implies deep, internalized emotion.

한때의 열풍이 가라앉은 뒤에 남은 것은 냉혹한 현실뿐이었다.

What remained after the temporary craze subsided was only the cold reality.

한때의 열풍 refers to a temporary fad or craze.

침전된 과거의 기억들이 의식 밑바닥으로 서서히 가라앉았다.

The precipitated memories of the past slowly sank to the bottom of the consciousness.

의식 밑바닥 means the bottom of one's consciousness.

사태의 추이를 지켜보며 흥분된 여론이 가라앉기를 기다려야 한다.

We must watch the progress of the situation and wait for the excited public opinion to subside.

사태의 추이 means the 'progress' or 'trend' of a situation.

그의 가라앉은 어조에는 형언할 수 없는 슬픔이 배어 있었다.

His low, settled tone was imbued with an indescribable sadness.

형언할 수 없는 means 'indescribable'.

폭풍 전야의 정적이 마을 전체를 무겁게 가라앉히고 있었다.

The silence before the storm was making the entire village sink heavily (into stillness).

Note: This uses the causative '가라앉히다' for atmospheric effect.

Collocations courantes

배가 가라앉다

화가 가라앉다

부기가 가라앉다

기분이 가라앉다

먼지가 가라앉다

분위기가 가라앉다

목소리가 가라앉다

소문이 가라앉다

침전물이 가라앉다

흥분이 가라앉다

Phrases Courantes

앙금이 가라앉다

— Literally sediment settles; metaphorically, a long-standing grudge or bad feeling remains.

두 사람 사이에는 여전히 해결되지 않은 앙금이 가라앉아 있다.

낮게 가라앉다

— To sink low; often used for fog, clouds, or a person's voice.

안개가 산허리에 낮게 가라앉아 있었다.

차분히 가라앉다

— To settle down calmly; used for atmosphere or personality.

그녀의 성격은 차분히 가라앉아 있어 믿음직스럽다.

무겁게 가라앉다

— To sink heavily; used for a somber or serious atmosphere.

장례식장의 분위기는 무겁게 가라앉아 있었다.

깊이 가라앉다

— To sink deep; used for physical objects or deep-seated emotions.

그 기억은 내 마음속 깊이 가라앉아 있었다.

열이 가라앉다

— For a fever to break or for heat to dissipate.

해열제를 먹으니 다행히 열이 좀 가라앉았다.

기침이 가라앉다

— For a cough to stop or become less frequent.

따뜻한 물을 마시면 기침이 가라앉는 데 도움이 된다.

파도가 가라앉다

— For waves to become calm.

파도가 가라앉아야 배가 출항할 수 있다.

거품이 가라앉다

— For bubbles to pop/settle; often used for economic bubbles or hype.

부동산 시장의 거품이 서서히 가라앉고 있다.

논란이 가라앉다

— For a controversy to die down.

공식 사과 이후 논란이 조금씩 가라앉기 시작했다.

Souvent confondu avec

가라앉다 vs 가라앉히다

This is the causative form. Use it when YOU calm someone else or sink something. 가라앉다 is when it happens on its own.

가라앉다 vs 침몰하다

More formal and specific to ships. 가라앉다 is more general.

가라앉다 vs 내려가다

Means 'to go down'. Use for prices/stairs. Use 가라앉다 for sinking/calming.

Expressions idiomatiques

"마음이 가라앉다"

— To feel calm or to feel low/depressed depending on the context.

음악을 들으니 불안했던 마음이 가라앉았다.

Common

"앙금이 남다/가라앉다"

— To have unresolved bad feelings toward someone (like sediment at the bottom).

사과는 했지만 여전히 마음속에 앙금이 가라앉아 있다.

Common

"분위기를 가라앉히다"

— To make the atmosphere quiet or serious (causative form).

그의 진지한 발언이 들뜬 분위기를 차갑게 가라앉혔다.

Common

"눈빛이 가라앉다"

— To have a calm, deep, or somber look in one's eyes.

그는 가라앉은 눈빛으로 나를 빤히 쳐다보았다.

Literary

"가라앉은 목소리"

— A low, calm, or somber voice.

그는 가라앉은 목소리로 이별을 고했다.

Common

"바닥에 가라앉다"

— To hit rock bottom (literally or metaphorically).

자존감이 바닥에 가라앉아 회복하기 힘들었다.

Metaphorical

"가라앉은 분위기"

— A subdued or somber atmosphere.

축제 뒤의 가라앉은 분위기가 왠지 쓸쓸하다.

Common

"생각이 가라앉다"

— For one's thoughts to become clear and calm.

명상을 하고 나니 복잡했던 생각이 가라앉았다.

Reflective

"열기가 가라앉다"

— For enthusiasm or physical heat to cool down.

공연이 끝나자 뜨거웠던 열기가 가라앉았다.

Common

"폭풍이 가라앉다"

— For a crisis or literal storm to pass.

가정 내의 폭풍이 가라앉고 평화가 찾아왔다.

Metaphorical

Facile à confondre

가라앉다 vs 잠잠해지다

Both mean 'to become quiet'.

잠잠해지다 focuses on the absence of sound, while 가라앉다 focuses on the settling of movement or intensity.

파도가 가라앉다 (Waves subside) vs. 소리가 잠잠해지다 (Sound becomes quiet).

가라앉다 vs 진정되다

Both mean 'to calm down'.

진정되다 implies a return to a stable state after chaos, often used for riots or medical emergencies.

흥분이 가라앉다 vs. 사태가 진정되다.

가라앉다 vs 처지다

Both can describe a low mood.

처지다 implies physical drooping or lack of energy (sluggishness), while 가라앉다 implies a somber or heavy mind.

어깨가 처지다 vs. 기분이 가라앉다.

가라앉다 vs 꺼지다

Both can mean 'to go down' or 'sink'.

꺼지다 is used for ground collapsing (sinkhole) or lights going out. 가라앉다 is for sinking in liquid or calming.

땅이 꺼지다 vs. 배가 가라앉다.

가라앉다 vs 줄어들다

Both can mean 'to decrease'.

줄어들다 is for quantity/size. 가라앉다 is for intensity/swelling.

인구가 줄어들다 vs. 부기가 가라앉다.

Structures de phrases

N-이/가 바닥으로 가라앉다

돌이 바닥으로 가라앉아요.

N-이/가 (다) 가라앉다

부기가 다 가라앉았어요.

기분이 가라앉다

비가 오면 기분이 가라앉아요.

N-을/를 가라앉히다 (Causative)

심호흡으로 화를 가라앉혔어요.

분위기가 무겁게 가라앉다

교실 분위기가 무겁게 가라앉았다.

수면 아래로 가라앉아 있다

그 문제는 수면 아래로 가라앉아 있었다.

가라앉은 목소리로 말하다

그는 가라앉은 목소리로 말했다.

앙금이 가라앉아 있다

두 사람 사이에는 앙금이 가라앉아 있다.

Famille de mots

Noms

가라앉음 (the act of sinking/settling)

침전물 (sediment/precipitate)

침몰 (sinking of a ship)

Verbes

가라앉히다 (to calm something down/to sink something - causative)

앉다 (to sit)

주저앉다 (to collapse/plop down)

내앉다 (to be forced out/sit out)

Adjectifs

가라앉은 (sunken/calm/low - past participle form used as adjective)

Apparenté

차분하다 (to be calm)

진정하다 (to calm down)

침울하다 (to be gloomy/somber)

조용하다 (to be quiet)

깊다 (to be deep)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Korean.

Erreurs courantes

배를 가라앉다. → 배가 가라앉다. (or) 배를 가라앉히다.
You cannot use the object marker '를' with '가라앉다' because it is an intransitive verb.
화가 가라앉히다. → 화가 가라앉다. (or) 화를 가라앉히다.
If the anger is the subject, use '가라앉다'. If you are the one doing the calming, use '가라앉히다'.
해의 가라앉다. → 해가 지다.
While 'sink' can be used for the sun in some languages, Korean uses '지다' for the setting of the sun or moon.
기분이 가라앉다 to mean 'I am happy'. → 기분이 좋다.
A 'sunken' mood in Korean almost always implies being low-energy, serious, or slightly depressed, never happy.
Spelling it as '가라안다'. → 가라앉다.
The spelling must include 'ㄶ' and 'ㅈ' because it is a compound of '가라' and '앉다'.

Astuces

Subject First

Remember that '가라앉다' is an intransitive verb. The thing that is sinking is the subject. '배가 가라앉다' (The boat sinks). Never say '배를 가라앉다'.

The Silent H

In the 'ㄶ' ending, the 'ㅎ' is silent. Don't try to pronounce it. Focus on the 'ㄴ' followed by a strong, tensed 'ㄸ' sound for the next syllable.

Causative Pair

Always learn '가라앉다' and '가라앉히다' together. Knowing the difference between 'to sink' and 'to make something sink' is a key B1 skill.

Emotional Nuance

If you use this for your mood, people will think you are feeling serious or a bit down. If you want to say you are calm/peaceful, '평온하다' might be better.

Swelling and Fever

This is the perfect word for when your body is returning to normal. Swelling (부기), fever (열), and cough (기침) all '가라앉다'.

Dust and Storms

Use this to describe the world becoming still. When the wind stops or the dust in a room settles, '가라앉다' is the most natural word.

Social Scandals

When a big rumor or news story finally stops being talked about, Koreans say the '논란' (controversy) has '가라앉았다'.

Poetic Depth

In writing, use '가라앉은' to describe a voice or a look to add a layer of seriousness, sadness, or maturity to your characters.

Opposite of Floating

If you forget the word, just remember it's the opposite of '뜨다' (to float). If it doesn't float, it '가라앉아요'.

Tea and Coffee

Next time you drink tea with leaves or unfiltered coffee, watch the grounds '가라앉다' to practice the word in your head.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'GARAGE' (가라) where you 'SIT' (앉다) your car. When something sinks, it goes down to the bottom to 'sit' in its underwater 'garage'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a heavy anchor slowly descending into dark blue water until it rests (sits) on the sandy floor.

Word Web

Water Sinking Anger Quiet Dust Swelling Mood Bottom

Défi

Try to use '가라앉다' in three different ways today: once for a physical object, once for your mood, and once for a physical symptom like a cough.

Origine du mot

가라앉다 is a compound verb derived from '가라' (related to the root of '가다' meaning to go/descend) and '앉다' (to sit). It literally implies 'going and sitting' at the bottom.

Sens originel : To go down and settle at the bottom of a liquid.

Koreanic (Native Korean word)

Contexte culturel

Be careful using '기분이 가라앉다' (mood is sunken) with friends; it implies they look sad or depressed, so use it with empathy.

English uses 'sink' for water but often uses 'subside', 'calm down', or 'settle' for other contexts. Korean uses '가라앉다' for all of these.

The sinking of the Sewol Ferry (세월호 침몰) - though '침몰' is the formal term, '가라앉다' is used in emotional descriptions. K-drama 'My Mister' (나의 아저씨) - often features a '가라앉은' (somber/heavy) atmosphere. Traditional Korean tea ceremonies - waiting for tea leaves to '가라앉다'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At the Harbor/Sea

배가 가라앉고 있어요!
파도가 가라앉기를 기다립시다.
물밑으로 가라앉은 물건들
수면 아래로 가라앉다

In a Hospital/Pharmacy

부기가 언제쯤 가라앉을까요?
약을 먹으면 통증이 가라앉습니다.
기침이 가라앉지 않아요.
열이 가라앉았는지 확인해 보세요.

Emotional Situations

화 좀 가라앉혀 봐.
기분이 너무 가라앉아서 집에 있고 싶어.
흥분을 가라앉히고 대화하자.
마음이 차분하게 가라앉았다.

Scientific/Cooking Experiments

침전물이 바닥에 가라앉을 때까지 두세요.
먼지가 가라앉은 다음에 닦으세요.
설탕이 녹지 않고 가라앉아 있다.
불순물이 가라앉다.

Social/News reporting

논란이 서서히 가라앉고 있다.
비난 여론이 가라앉지 않았다.
시장의 불안감이 가라앉다.
사건의 충격이 가라앉다.

Amorces de conversation

"어제보다 부기가 많이 가라앉은 것 같은데, 몸은 좀 어때요?"

"태풍이 지나갔으니 이제 바다가 좀 가라앉았을까요?"

"요즘 기분이 좀 가라앉아 보이는데 무슨 고민이라도 있어?"

"커피 가루가 다 가라앉으면 마시는 게 좋을 것 같아요."

"그 뉴스 때문에 난리였는데 이제는 좀 가라앉은 것 같죠?"

Sujets d'écriture

오늘 내 마음은 들떠 있었나요, 아니면 차분하게 가라앉아 있었나요? 그 이유는 무엇인가요?

최근에 화가 났던 경험을 떠올려 보세요. 어떻게 그 화를 가라앉혔나요?

비가 오는 날, 창밖을 보며 가라앉은 분위기를 느꼈던 적이 있나요? 그때의 감정을 묘사해 보세요.

인생에서 가장 큰 '폭풍'이 지나가고 평화롭게 가라앉았던 순간은 언제였나요?

만약 내가 바닷속으로 가라앉은 보물을 찾는 탐험가라면, 무엇을 가장 찾고 싶나요?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, for the sun or moon going down, we use '지다'. However, you might use '가라앉다' poetically to describe the light 'settling' or the atmosphere becoming dark and still as the sun sets.

Not necessarily. While it can mean feeling 'low' or depressed, it can also mean feeling 'calm', 'composed', or 'serious' in a positive, mature way. Context determines the nuance.

'침몰하다' is a formal, Sino-Korean word used almost exclusively for ships or large structures sinking. '가라앉다' is a native Korean word that is much more versatile, used for stones, dust, swelling, and emotions.

You would use the causative form: '흥분 좀 가라앉히세요!' or '화 좀 가라앉혀요.' You cannot use '가라앉으세요' to tell someone to calm down.

Yes, but it's less common than '내려가다' or '하락하다'. When used for prices, it implies that a previously 'overheated' or 'bubbling' market is finally stabilizing or cooling off.

Yes, in many cases like 'dust settling' or 'sediment settling'. However, it doesn't mean 'settling in a new house' (이사하다/자리 잡다) or 'settling a debt' (해결하다/갚다).

Korean spelling (orthography) reflects the root of the word. Since it comes from '앉다' (to sit), the 'ㄶ' and 'ㅈ' components are preserved in the spelling even though the pronunciation changes.

No, for a building collapsing, we use '무너지다'. If the ground beneath a building sinks, we use '침하하다' or '꺼지다'.

Yes! If you have messy or 'flying' hair and you use water or oil to make it lie flat, you can say '머리가 가라앉았다'.

Yes, it is very common to say '기침이 가라앉다' to mean the cough has subsided or stopped.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes