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A1 verb #2,000 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

키우다

Top 2,000

At the A1 level, the verb 키우다 is introduced as a fundamental vocabulary word primarily used for talking about raising pets and plants, which are common topics in beginner Korean conversations. Learners at this stage focus on mastering the basic present and past tense conjugations: 키워요 (raise/raises) and 키웠어요 (raised). The grammatical structure is straightforward, requiring the subject (often implied) and an object marked with the particle 을/를. For example, '강아지를 키워요' (I raise a puppy) or '고양이를 키웠어요' (I raised a cat). This verb is essential for self-introductions and describing one's daily life or household. Beginners are taught to distinguish it from verbs like 먹다 (to eat) or 자다 (to sleep) by recognizing its role as an action performed upon a living thing to help it grow. The vocabulary associated with 키우다 at this level includes common animals (강아지, 고양이, 새, 물고기) and basic plants (꽃, 나무). Teachers emphasize the correct pronunciation, particularly the blending of vowels in the conjugated form '키워요' (ki-wo-yo). Students practice asking and answering simple questions such as '집에서 동물을 키워요?' (Do you raise an animal at home?) and responding with '네, 강아지를 키워요' (Yes, I raise a puppy) or '아니요, 안 키워요' (No, I don't raise one). This foundational understanding sets the stage for more complex figurative uses in later stages of learning.

Moving to the A2 level, learners expand their use of 키우다 beyond just pets and plants to include raising children and developing basic habits. The vocabulary broadens to include words like 아이 (child), 아들 (son), and 딸 (daughter). Sentences become slightly more complex, incorporating adverbs of manner such as 잘 (well) or 열심히 (diligently). For instance, '부모님이 저를 잘 키워주셨어요' (My parents raised me well) introduces the auxiliary verb construction -아/어 주다, which adds a nuance of doing something as a favor or service, highlighting gratitude. Learners also begin to encounter the future tense and intention forms, such as 키울 거예요 (I will raise) or 키우고 싶어요 (I want to raise). Furthermore, A2 students are introduced to the critical distinction between the transitive verb 키우다 (to raise something) and the intransitive verb 자라다 (to grow up). They learn that while they 'raise' a dog (강아지를 키우다), the dog itself 'grows' (강아지가 자라다). This distinction is vital for grammatical accuracy. Basic figurative uses might also be introduced, such as '꿈을 키우다' (to grow a dream), allowing learners to express their hopes and aspirations in a more native-like manner. Practice exercises at this level often involve describing family dynamics, childhood memories, and future plans regarding family or hobbies.

At the B1 intermediate level, the usage of 키우다 significantly broadens into abstract and figurative territories. Learners are no longer just talking about physical growth; they are discussing the development of skills, capacities, and abstract concepts. Common collocations introduced at this stage include 실력을 키우다 (to improve one's skills), 능력을 키우다 (to develop one's abilities), and 인내심을 키우다 (to cultivate patience). The grammatical structures accompanying the verb become more sophisticated, utilizing purpose clauses like -기 위해 (in order to) and -으려고 (intending to). For example, '한국어 실력을 키우기 위해 매일 연습해요' (I practice every day in order to improve my Korean skills). Learners also encounter 키우다 in the context of business or organizational growth, such as 회사를 키우다 (to grow a company) or 규모를 키우다 (to expand the scale). The ability to use 키우다 metaphorically is a key marker of intermediate proficiency, demonstrating a deeper understanding of how Korean conceptualizes progress and development. Students practice expressing opinions on education, self-improvement, and career development, heavily relying on this verb to articulate the process of nurturing talent and capability. The distinction between similar words like 기르다 (to raise/cultivate) is also explored, helping learners choose the most appropriate vocabulary for their specific context.

In the B2 upper-intermediate level, learners are expected to wield 키우다 with high precision across a wide range of complex, abstract, and professional contexts. The verb is frequently used in discussions about societal issues, economic policies, and psychological development. Vocabulary paired with 키우다 includes advanced terms like 경쟁력 (competitiveness), 창의력 (creativity), 자립심 (independence), and 영향력 (influence). Sentences feature advanced grammar patterns such as causative-passive constructions, complex relative clauses, and nuanced conjunctions. For instance, '기업의 글로벌 경쟁력을 키우는 것이 현재 경제 정책의 핵심입니다' (Growing the global competitiveness of enterprises is the core of current economic policy). B2 learners also delve into idiomatic expressions and common rhetorical devices that utilize the concept of growing or nurturing. They learn to comprehend and produce texts that argue for the necessity of fostering certain societal values or industries. The subtle differences between 키우다, 육성하다 (to foster/nurture formally), and 양육하다 (to rear children formally) are thoroughly analyzed, enabling learners to adjust their register appropriately for academic writing, formal presentations, or professional correspondence. Mastery at this level means the learner can effortlessly switch between the literal 'raising a dog' and the metaphorical 'cultivating a robust corporate culture' without hesitation.

At the C1 advanced level, the comprehension and application of 키우다 are near-native, characterized by a deep understanding of its socio-cultural implications and its use in highly specialized, academic, or literary contexts. Learners encounter the verb in complex geopolitical, macroeconomic, and philosophical discourses. Phrases like '신성장 동력을 키우다' (to foster new growth engines) or '국가적 역량을 키우다' (to build national capacity) are common in reading materials such as editorials, academic journals, and official government reports. C1 learners are adept at using the verb to describe intangible, systemic growth, such as nurturing a specific demographic's political awareness or cultivating a cultural movement. The grammatical integration is seamless, often embedded within long, multi-clause sentences utilizing advanced connectors like -(으)로 말미암아, -는 데(에) 있어서, or -기 십상이다. Furthermore, learners at this stage can critically analyze texts that use 키우다, understanding the author's underlying assumptions about development, care, and agency. They can debate the ethics of 'raising' artificial intelligence (AI를 키우다) or the societal pressures associated with 'raising' children in hyper-competitive environments (사교육으로 아이를 키우다). The focus is on rhetorical effectiveness, stylistic variation, and the ability to use the verb to construct compelling, sophisticated arguments in both spoken and written Korean.

At the C2 mastery level, the use of 키우다 transcends basic communication and enters the realm of artistic, literary, and deeply idiomatic expression. The learner possesses an intuitive grasp of the verb's historical evolution and its resonance within the Korean collective consciousness. In literature and poetry, 키우다 might be used to describe the nurturing of sorrow (슬픔을 키우다), the brewing of a storm (폭풍을 키우다), or the cultivation of a profound silence (침묵을 키우다). C2 users can effortlessly manipulate the verb to create novel metaphors that are grammatically sound and culturally evocative. They understand the subtle irony or poignancy when the verb is used in unexpected contexts. In highly formal or specialized debates, they can distinguish between the micro-nuances of 키우다 versus deeply specialized Sino-Korean synonyms, choosing the exact word that fits the rhythm and rhetorical purpose of their speech. The mastery of 키우다 at this level is not just about knowing what it means, but understanding how the concept of 'nurturing' and 'causing to grow' is a fundamental pillar of Korean philosophy, reflecting values of patience, continuous effort, and interconnectedness. The C2 learner uses the word not just to convey information, but to evoke emotion, paint vivid imagery, and engage deeply with the soul of the Korean language.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

키우다 en 30 secondes

To raise pets or children.
To grow plants or crops.
To develop skills or abilities.
To expand a business or dream.

The Korean verb 키우다 (kiuda) is a highly versatile and frequently used causative verb that fundamentally translates to 'to raise,' 'to grow,' 'to cultivate,' or 'to develop.' To fully grasp its meaning, one must first understand its morphological roots. It is derived from the adjective 크다 (keuda), which means 'to be big' or 'to be large.' By attaching the causative suffix '-이우-' (which contracts to '-우-'), the word transforms into a transitive verb meaning 'to make something big' or 'to cause something to grow.' This fundamental concept of 'making something larger or more developed' applies across a vast array of contexts, ranging from the physical growth of living organisms to the abstract expansion of concepts, skills, and capacities.

Literal Meaning: In its most literal sense, 키우다 refers to the physical act of raising animals, nurturing plants, or bringing up children. It implies a continuous process of providing care, nourishment, and attention to ensure healthy growth and development over time.

우리는 집에서 귀여운 강아지를 키우다.

Figurative Meaning: Figuratively, it means to develop a skill, expand a business, foster a dream, or increase a capacity. It is about taking something that exists in a smaller or less developed state and actively working to enhance its size, scope, or quality.

그는 작은 식당을 큰 기업으로 키웠다.

The usage of 키우다 extends deeply into Korean culture, which places a strong emphasis on nurturing and development, whether it be in education, agriculture, or personal character. For instance, the phrase '꿈을 키우다' (to foster a dream) is a poetic yet common way to describe someone working towards their aspirations. Similarly, '실력을 키우다' (to improve one's skills) is a staple phrase in educational and professional environments.

Causative Nature: Because it is a causative verb, it always requires a direct object marked by the particle 을/를. The subject is the active agent causing the object to grow or increase.

매일 연습해서 피아노 실력을 키워야 해요.

부모님은 세 명의 아이를 훌륭하게 키우셨다.

이 화분에서 예쁜 꽃을 키우고 싶어요.

Understanding this word unlocks a significant portion of Korean expressive capability, allowing learners to articulate concepts of growth, nurturing, and expansion across multiple domains of life. It is a word that bridges the tangible world of nature and the intangible world of human ambition and capability.

Using 키우다 correctly requires an understanding of its syntactic structure as a transitive verb. It must be accompanied by a direct object, which is indicated by the object particles 을 (eul) for words ending in a consonant, or 를 (reul) for words ending in a vowel. The basic sentence structure is [Subject] + 이/가/은/는 + [Object] + 을/를 + 키우다. For example, '나는 고양이를 키운다' (I raise a cat). The subject '나' (I) is the active agent performing the action of raising, and '고양이' (cat) is the entity being raised.

Conjugation Basics: In the present tense polite form, it conjugates to 키워요 (kiwoyo). In the past tense, it becomes 키웠어요 (kiwosseoyo). In the future tense, it is 키울 거예요 (kiul geoyeyo). The honorific form is 키우십니다 (kiusimnida) or 키우세요 (kiuseyo).

저는 지금 아파트에서 작은 식물을 키워요.

Adverbial Modifiers: 키우다 is frequently paired with adverbs that describe the manner or extent of growth. Common adverbs include 잘 (well), 크게 (big/greatly), 훌륭하게 (excellently), and 열심히 (diligently).

부모님은 저를 아주 잘 키워주셨습니다.

Abstract Usage: When used with abstract nouns like 실력 (skill), 인내심 (patience), or 꿈 (dream), the verb implies a deliberate and sustained effort to improve or expand that quality.

외국어 실력을 키우기 위해 매일 공부합니다.

이 회사는 글로벌 기업으로 규모를 키울 계획입니다.

어려움을 극복하면서 마음의 힘을 키웠어요.

It is also important to note the difference between active and passive voice. Since 키우다 is already a causative/active verb, its passive counterpart is typically expressed using the base adjective 크다 (to grow/be big) or the intransitive verb 자라다 (to grow up). You do not say 'I was raised' using a passive form of 키우다; instead, you say 'I grew up' (저는 자랐어요) or 'My parents raised me' (부모님이 저를 키우셨어요). Mastering these nuances ensures your Korean sounds natural and grammatically precise.

The verb 키우다 is ubiquitous in Korean society, permeating various facets of daily life, professional environments, and media. Its broad applicability makes it a cornerstone of both casual conversation and formal discourse.

Domestic Life: In the home, it is most frequently heard in conversations about parenting and pet ownership. Koreans often ask, '반려동물을 키우세요?' (Do you raise a pet?) as a common icebreaker. Discussions among parents frequently revolve around '아이를 키우는 일' (the task of raising children), sharing the joys and burdens of child-rearing.

요즘 고양이를 키우는 사람들이 정말 많아졌어요.

Business and Economy: In the corporate world and news media, 키우다 is heavily utilized to describe economic growth, business expansion, and capacity building. You will hear phrases like '시장을 키우다' (to grow the market), '경쟁력을 키우다' (to build competitiveness), and '회사의 규모를 키우다' (to expand the company's size).

정부는 IT 산업을 집중적으로 키울 방침입니다.

Education and Self-Improvement: South Korea's strong focus on education means that 키우다 is a staple in academic contexts. Teachers and students constantly talk about '실력을 키우다' (improving skills), '창의력을 키우다' (fostering creativity), and '독서 습관을 키우다' (cultivating a reading habit).

아이들의 상상력을 키워주는 교육이 필요합니다.

게임을 하면서 캐릭터의 레벨을 키우는 재미가 쏠쏠해요.

농부들은 땀 흘려 농작물을 키웁니다.

Furthermore, in the realm of gaming and digital culture, users frequently use the term to describe leveling up a character or upgrading an account ('캐릭터를 키우다'). This modern application demonstrates the word's enduring flexibility. Whether you are watching a family drama, reading a financial report, or playing an MMORPG, 키우다 is an inescapable and essential part of the Korean lexicon.

While 키우다 is a fundamental verb, learners frequently make errors regarding its transitivity, particle usage, and distinction from related verbs. The most prevalent mistake is confusing the transitive verb 키우다 (to raise/grow something) with the intransitive verb 자라다 (to grow up) or the adjective 크다 (to be big/to grow).

Transitive vs. Intransitive Confusion: Because English uses the word 'grow' for both 'I grow plants' and 'Plants grow,' learners often use 키우다 for both. However, in Korean, 'I grow plants' is 식물을 키워요 (transitive), while 'Plants grow' is 식물이 자라요 (intransitive). Using 식물이 키워요 is grammatically incorrect and sounds unnatural.

Incorrect: 우리 아이가 빨리 키워요. (Our child raises fast.)

Particle Errors: Another common mistake is using the subject particles 이/가 instead of the object particles 을/를 with the entity being raised. For example, saying 강아지가 키워요 instead of 강아지를 키워요 completely changes the meaning to 'The puppy is raising (something).'

Correct: 저는 강아지를 키워요. (I raise a puppy.)

Overextension to Inappropriate Contexts: Learners sometimes overextend 키우다 to contexts where other verbs are more appropriate. For instance, while you can 'grow a business' (사업을 키우다), you cannot 'grow a building' (건물을 키우다 - incorrect). For physical construction or increasing height of non-living things, verbs like 높이다 (to raise/make high) or 짓다 (to build) are used.

Incorrect: 온도를 키워주세요. (Please raise the temperature.)

Correct: 온도를 높여주세요. (Please raise the temperature.)

Correct: 아이가 건강하게 자라기를 바라며 정성껏 키웠습니다.

By paying close attention to whether the subject is performing the action on an object, and by memorizing the specific collocations (like 실력을 키우다, 꿈을 키우다), learners can avoid these common pitfalls and use the verb with native-like accuracy.

The Korean language possesses a rich vocabulary for concepts related to growing, raising, and cultivating. While 키우다 is the most general and widely used term, several other verbs share similar meanings but carry distinct nuances, registers, or specific use cases. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for advancing beyond basic proficiency.

기르다 (gireuda): 기르다 is the closest synonym to 키우다 and is often used interchangeably when referring to raising animals or plants. However, 기르다 has a slightly stronger connotation of 'breeding,' 'tending to,' or 'cultivating over a long period.' Furthermore, 기르다 is uniquely used for growing hair or a beard (머리를 기르다, 수염을 기르다), whereas 키우다 cannot be used in this context.

그는 1년 동안 머리를 길렀다. (He grew his hair for a year. - Cannot use 키우다 here.)

재배하다 (jaebaehada): 재배하다 is a formal, Sino-Korean word specifically meaning 'to cultivate' or 'to grow crops.' It is used in agricultural and scientific contexts. While you can use 키우다 for growing a few tomatoes on your balcony, a farmer cultivating acres of rice or a commercial greenhouse operation would be described using 재배하다.

이 지역은 유기농 채소를 재배하는 곳으로 유명합니다.

양육하다 (yangyukada) & 육성하다 (yukseonghada): 양육하다 is a formal term specifically meaning 'to rear' or 'to parent' children. It emphasizes the holistic process of providing for, educating, and raising a child. 육성하다 means 'to foster' or 'to nurture' and is typically used in formal contexts regarding the development of talent, industries, or specialized personnel (e.g., 인재를 육성하다 - to foster talent).

정부는 차세대 리더를 육성하기 위한 프로그램을 시작했다.

자녀를 양육하는 데는 많은 책임감이 따릅니다.

집에서 화초를 키우는 것과 농작물을 재배하는 것은 다릅니다.

By mastering these synonyms, learners can elevate their Korean from basic, everyday communication to sophisticated, context-appropriate expression, demonstrating a deep understanding of the language's subtle nuances.

How Formal Is It?

Argot

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

저는 강아지를 키워요.

I raise a puppy.

Subject + Object(를) + 키우다 (present tense).

우리 집은 고양이를 안 키워요.

Our house doesn't raise a cat.

Negative adverb '안' placed before the verb.

어릴 때 새를 키웠어요.

I raised a bird when I was young.

Past tense conjugation: 키우 + 었 + 어요 = 키웠어요.

방에서 예쁜 꽃을 키워요.

I grow pretty flowers in my room.

Using 키우다 with plants.

무슨 동물을 키우고 싶어요?

What animal do you want to raise?

-고 싶다 attached to express desire.

할머니는 시골에서 소를 키우세요.

My grandmother raises cows in the countryside.

Honorific form: 키우 + 시 + 어요 = 키우세요.

저는 물고기를 세 마리 키워요.

I raise three fish.

Using counters (마리) with the object.

이 나무를 잘 키워주세요.

Please grow this tree well.

-아/어 주세요 used to make a polite request.

부모님은 저를 사랑으로 키우셨어요.

My parents raised me with love.

Honorific past tense: 키우 + 시 + 었 + 어요 = 키우셨어요.

아이를 키우는 것은 정말 힘들어요.

Raising a child is really hard.

-는 것 turns the verb phrase into a noun clause.

베란다에서 상추를 키워서 먹어요.

I grow lettuce on the balcony and eat it.

-아/어서 connects two sequential actions.

앞으로 큰 개를 키울 거예요.

I will raise a big dog in the future.

Future tense: 키우 + ㄹ 거예요.

식물을 키우면 기분이 좋아져요.

If you grow plants, you feel better.

-(으)면 expresses a condition (if/when).

동생은 햄스터를 키우기 시작했어요.

My younger sibling started raising a hamster.

-기 시작하다 means 'to start doing [verb]'.

어떤 환경에서 아이를 키우고 싶습니까?

In what kind of environment do you want to raise a child?

Formal question form -(스)ㅂ니까.

저는 혼자서 두 아이를 키웁니다.

I raise two children by myself.

Formal present tense -(스)ㅂ니다.

매일 책을 읽으며 상상력을 키워요.

I develop my imagination by reading books every day.

Figurative use: 상상력을 키우다 (to develop imagination).

외국어 실력을 키우기 위해 학원에 다닙니다.

I attend an academy to improve my foreign language skills.

-기 위해 expresses purpose (in order to).

작은 가게를 큰 식당으로 키웠어요.

I grew the small shop into a large restaurant.

A을/를 B(으)로 키우다 (to grow A into B).

운동을 꾸준히 해서 체력을 키워야 해요.

I need to build up my stamina by exercising consistently.

-아/어야 하다 expresses obligation (must/have to).

아이들이 스스로 문제를 해결하는 능력을 키워주세요.

Please help the children develop the ability to solve problems on their own.

Complex noun modification: [verb phrase] + 능력.

이 회사는 직원의 전문성을 키우는 데 투자합니다.

This company invests in developing its employees' expertise.

-는 데 means 'in doing [verb]' or 'for the purpose of'.

어려운 일을 겪으면서 인내심을 키울 수 있었어요.

I was able to cultivate patience while experiencing difficult things.

-(으)면서 indicates simultaneous actions or states.

좋은 습관을 키우는 것이 성공의 비결입니다.

Cultivating good habits is the secret to success.

Using 키우다 with abstract nouns like 습관 (habit).

정부는 IT 산업을 국가의 핵심 동력으로 키우고자 합니다.

The government intends to foster the IT industry as the nation's core driving force.

-고자 하다 expresses a formal intention or plan.

글로벌 시장에서 경쟁력을 키우려면 혁신이 필수적입니다.

To build competitiveness in the global market, innovation is essential.

-(으)려면 expresses a condition for an intention (if one intends to).

학생들의 비판적 사고력을 키우도록 교육 과정을 개편했습니다.

The curriculum was reorganized to foster students' critical thinking skills.

-도록 indicates purpose or result (so that, in order to).

그는 실패를 두려워하지 않는 도전 정신을 키워왔다.

He has been cultivating a spirit of challenge that does not fear failure.

-아/어 오다 indicates an action continuing from the past to the present.

리더는 팀원들의 잠재력을 알아보고 그것을 최대한 키워주는 사람입니다.

A leader is someone who recognizes team members' potential and develops it to the maximum.

Using 대명사 (그것) to refer back to the object (잠재력).

기업의 규모를 키우는 것보다 내실을 다지는 것이 더 중요할 수 있습니다.

Strengthening the internal stability might be more important than expanding the size of the company.

-는 것보다 is used for comparison (rather than doing X).

다양한 문화를 접함으로써 세계 시민으로서의 자질을 키울 수 있습니다.

By experiencing diverse cultures, one can cultivate the qualities of a global citizen.

-(으)로써 indicates means or method (by means of).

부모의 지나친 간섭은 오히려 아이의 자립심을 키우는 데 방해가 됩니다.

Excessive parental interference actually hinders the development of a child's independence.

방해가 되다 used with -는 데 (is an obstacle to doing).

해당 스타트업은 벤처 캐피탈의 투자를 받아 유니콘 기업으로 몸집을 키웠다.

The startup received venture capital investment and grew its size into a unicorn company.

몸집을 키우다 is an idiomatic expression for increasing physical or corporate size.

예술가들은 고독 속에서 자신만의 독창적인 예술 세계를 키워나간다.

Artists cultivate their own unique artistic world within solitude.

-아/어 나가다 implies a continuous, progressive action into the future.

장기적인 관점에서 기초 과학 분야의 인재를 키우는 것이 국가 경쟁력의 척도이다.

From a long-term perspective, fostering talent in basic sciences is the measure of national competitiveness.

Formal academic vocabulary and structure.

그 소설은 주인공이 내면의 상처를 극복하고 자아를 키워가는 과정을 섬세하게 묘사한다.

The novel delicately describes the process of the protagonist overcoming internal wounds and growing their ego.

자아를 키우다 (to develop one's ego/self).

지역 경제를 활성화하기 위해서는 토착 산업을 발굴하고 키워야 한다는 목소리가 높다.

Voices are loud that in order to revitalize the local economy, indigenous industries must be discovered and fostered.

-아/어야 한다는 목소리가 높다 is a common journalistic phrase.

지나친 보호주의는 오히려 온실 속의 화초처럼 아이를 키우는 결과를 초래할 수 있다.

Excessive protectionism can rather lead to the result of raising a child like a plant in a greenhouse.

Simile: 온실 속의 화초처럼 (like a greenhouse plant).

그 정치인은 대중의 분노를 교묘하게 자극하여 자신의 정치적 영향력을 키웠다.

The politician cleverly stimulated the public's anger to expand his political influence.

영향력을 키우다 (to expand influence).

위기 상황에서 조직의 회복 탄력성을 키우는 리더십이 그 어느 때보다 요구된다.

In a crisis situation, leadership that builds the organization's resilience is demanded more than ever.

회복 탄력성을 키우다 (to build resilience).

그는 오랜 세월 가슴속에 복수의 칼날을 키워왔음이 틀림없다.

He must have been cultivating the blade of revenge in his heart for a long time.

Poetic/Metaphorical use: 칼날을 키우다 (to sharpen/grow a blade of revenge).

문학은 시대의 아픔을 외면하지 않고, 오히려 그 아픔을 자양분 삼아 새로운 담론을 키워낸다.

Literature does not turn away from the pain of the times, but rather uses that pain as nourishment to cultivate new discourse.

-아/어 내다 implies achieving a result through effort.

맹목적인 애국심을 키우는 교육은 자칫 배타적 민족주의로 변질될 위험성을 내포하고 있다.

Education that fosters blind patriotism entails the risk of deteriorating into exclusive nationalism.

Highly academic and critical sentence structure.

침묵 속에서 오해를 키우기보다는, 차라리 격렬한 논쟁을 통해 진실에 다가가는 편이 낫다.

Rather than letting misunderstandings grow in silence, it is better to approach the truth through fierce debate.

오해를 키우다 (to let a misunderstanding grow).

자본주의 사회에서 욕망을 키우는 메커니즘은 소비를 촉진하는 가장 강력한 기제이다.

In a capitalist society, the mechanism of expanding desire is the most powerful apparatus for promoting consumption.

Sociological analysis using 키우다.

그녀의 시는 일상의 소소한 감정들을 우주적 스케일로 키워내는 놀라운 마력을 지녔다.

Her poetry possesses a surprising magic that expands the trivial emotions of daily life to a cosmic scale.

스케일로 키워내다 (to expand to a scale).

불안을 잠재우려 할수록 오히려 불안을 키우는 역설적 상황에 직면하게 되었다.

The more I tried to calm my anxiety, the more I faced the paradoxical situation of actually feeding the anxiety.

-(으)려 할수록 오히려 (the more one tries... the more conversely...).

역사는 끊임없이 새로운 영웅을 갈망하며, 시대의 모순이 바로 그 영웅을 키우는 토양이다.

History constantly yearns for new heroes, and the contradictions of the times are the very soil that nurtures those heroes.

Metaphorical use of 토양 (soil) with 키우다.

Collocations courantes

강아지를 키우다

아이를 키우다

실력을 키우다

꿈을 키우다

규모를 키우다

인내심을 키우다

경쟁력을 키우다

식물을 키우다

회사를 키우다

자립심을 키우다

Phrases Courantes

잘 키우다

크게 키우다

정성껏 키우다

애지중지 키우다

스스로 키우다

능력을 키우다

체력을 키우다

희망을 키우다

영향력을 키우다

몸집을 키우다

Souvent confondu avec

키우다 vs 자라다 (to grow up - intransitive)

키우다 vs 크다 (to be big/to grow - adjective/intransitive verb)

키우다 vs 기르다 (to raise/breed - synonym but used for hair/beards)

Expressions idiomatiques

Facile à confondre

키우다 vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

nuance

Implies active effort and care over a period of time. Not an instantaneous action.

formality

Can be used in all levels of formality. Adjust the ending (키워, 키워요, 키웁니다) accordingly.

Erreurs courantes

Using 키우다 instead of 자라다 to say 'I grew up'.
Using the subject particle 이/가 instead of the object particle 을/를 for the thing being raised.
Using 키우다 to talk about growing hair or nails (should use 기르다).
Forgetting to use the honorific form (키우셨다) when talking about parents raising children.
Using 키우다 for constructing buildings instead of 짓다 or 올리다.

Astuces

Always use an object particle

Since 키우다 is a transitive verb, it must act upon something. Always ensure you have a noun followed by 을 or 를 before using 키우다. For example, 강아지를 키워요 (Correct) vs 강아지가 키워요 (Incorrect meaning).

Pets vs. Plants

키우다 is the perfect word for both pets and plants. You don't need to learn separate words for 'raising' animals and 'growing' plants in everyday conversation. Just use 키우다 for both!

Blend the vowels

When conjugating to the present tense, '키우' + '어' becomes '키워'. Practice blending the 'u' and 'eo' sounds smoothly into a 'wo' sound. Say 'ki-wo-yo' quickly and naturally.

Respecting parents

When talking about your parents raising you, it is crucial to use the honorific infix '-시-'. Say '부모님이 저를 키우셨어요' instead of '키웠어요' to show proper respect in Korean culture.

Business contexts

Don't limit 키우다 to just home life. If you are learning business Korean, use '회사를 키우다' (grow a company) or '규모를 키우다' (expand scale) to sound professional and fluent.

Don't use it for growing up

Never say '저는 서울에서 키웠어요' to mean 'I grew up in Seoul.' That means 'I raised (something) in Seoul.' Use '자랐어요' instead for your own growing up.

Abstract growth

Korean loves using physical verbs for abstract concepts. Use 키우다 with words like 실력 (skill), 인내심 (patience), and 꿈 (dream) to instantly sound more like a native speaker.

When to use 기르다

If you want to talk about growing your hair (머리) or a beard (수염), you must use 기르다, not 키우다. '머리를 키우다' sounds like you are raising a detached head!

Pair with '잘'

The adverb '잘' (well) pairs perfectly with 키우다. '잘 키웠다' (raised well) is a common compliment given to parents about their children, or to pet owners about their healthy pets.

Gaming vocabulary

If you play Korean MMOs or mobile games, use '캐릭터를 키우다' to talk about grinding or leveling up your avatar. It's a fun, modern application of this traditional word.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine you have a magic KEY (키) that you use (우) to unlock a box, and out pops a giant dog you have to RAISE (다). Key-u-da = to raise!

Origine du mot

Native Korean

Contexte culturel

Asking '반려동물을 키우세요?' is a very common and polite icebreaker in modern Korea.

When talking about your parents raising you, always use the honorific form: 부모님이 저를 키우셨습니다.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"집에서 반려동물을 키우세요?"

"어릴 때 어떤 동물을 키워봤어요?"

"한국어 실력을 키우기 위해 무엇을 하세요?"

"식물 키우는 것을 좋아하세요?"

"나중에 어떤 사업을 키워보고 싶으세요?"

Sujets d'écriture

내가 키우고 싶은 동물이나 식물에 대해 써보세요.

나의 장점이나 실력을 어떻게 더 키울 수 있을지 계획을 세워보세요.

부모님이 나를 어떻게 키워주셨는지 감사한 점을 적어보세요.

내가 키우고 있는 좋은 습관은 무엇인가요?

미래에 내 꿈을 어떻게 키워나갈 것인지 묘사해보세요.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, you cannot. 키우다 is a transitive verb meaning 'to raise something.' To say 'I grew up,' you should use the intransitive verb 자라다 (저는 서울에서 자랐어요). You could use 키우다 if you say 'My parents raised me in Seoul' (부모님이 저를 서울에서 키우셨어요).

They are very similar and often interchangeable when talking about pets or plants. However, 기르다 is exclusively used when talking about growing hair or a beard (머리를 기르다). 키우다 is more commonly used for abstract concepts like growing a business or developing a skill (실력을 키우다).

The stem is 키우-. You add the past tense marker -었-. 키우 + 었 + 어요 combines to become 키웠어요 (ki-wot-seo-yo). In the formal polite form, it is 키웠습니다 (ki-wot-seum-ni-da).

Yes, but usually in a figurative sense. You cannot 'raise' a rock or a building. However, you can 'grow' a business (회사를 키우다), 'expand' a market (시장을 키우다), or 'develop' a skill (실력을 키우다). For physical objects like buildings, use verbs like 짓다 (to build) or 높이다 (to raise height).

키우다 is an action verb (동사). It is derived from the adjective 크다 (to be big). Because it is a verb, it conjugates differently from adjectives, taking verb endings like -는다 in the plain form (키운다).

You should use the honorific form and the auxiliary verb 주다 (to give/do a favor). The most natural and respectful phrase is '저를 잘 키워주셔서 감사합니다' (Thank you for raising me well).

Yes, in casual conversation, people sometimes say '소리를 키워주세요' to mean 'Please turn up the volume.' However, '소리를 높이다' or '볼륨을 올리다' are also very common and sometimes considered more standard.

It literally translates to 'to raise a dream.' Figuratively, it means to foster, nurture, or develop one's hopes and aspirations for the future. It is a very common and poetic phrase in Korean.

The '우' is a causative suffix. The base word is 크다 (big). Adding the causative suffix changes the meaning from 'to be big' to 'to make big' or 'to cause to grow.' This is a common pattern in Korean morphology.

Yes! In modern Korean slang, gamers frequently use 키우다 to talk about leveling up a character or an account. For example, '캐릭터를 키우다' means to level up or build a character's stats.

Teste-toi 200 questions

writing

Translate: 'I raise a puppy.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Use 강아지 (puppy) + 를 (object particle) + 키워요 (raise).