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A2 adjective #3,000 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

위급하다

Top 3,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 위급하다 en 30 secondes

Explication 위급하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of '위급하다' as a 'Super Emergency' word. Imagine you see a fire or someone falls down and cannot get up. That is a '위급' situation. It is like the English word 'Emergency!' but used as a description. Even though this word is a bit advanced, you might see it on emergency exit signs or in cartoons when a character is in big trouble. Just remember: Danger + Fast = 위급. You don't need to use it in long sentences yet; just knowing that it means 'very dangerous and needs help now' is enough for a beginner.

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For A2 learners, you can start using '위급하다' to describe simple medical or safety situations. You should know how to say '상황이 위급해요' (The situation is critical) or '위급한 환자' (A critical patient). At this level, you are learning to navigate daily life in Korea, so knowing this word is important for understanding what is happening if you hear sirens or see people running at a hospital. You should be able to distinguish it from the basic word '급하다' (to be in a hurry), which you use for things like being late or needing the bathroom.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '위급하다' in more complex sentences using connectors like -아서/어서 (because) or -(으)면 (if). For example, '위급하면 119에 전화하세요' (If it's an emergency, call 119). You will start encountering this word in news articles or intermediate reading passages about health and safety. You should also understand its Hanja roots (危 danger + 急 urgent) to help you remember its meaning. You can use it to describe not just physical danger, but also very serious problems in a story or a project that require immediate intervention.

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B2 learners should understand the nuance between '위급하다' and its synonyms like '긴급하다' (urgent) and '위태롭다' (precarious). You should be able to use the idiomatic expression '위급을 다투다' (to be a matter of life and death) in your writing or speaking. At this level, you might use the word to discuss social issues, such as the '위급한' state of the environment or an economic crisis. You should also be comfortable using it in formal settings, such as giving a report or participating in a debate about emergency management and public safety protocols.

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At the C1 level, you can use '위급하다' to describe abstract or metaphorical crises with precision. You might use it in a literary analysis to describe a character's '위급한' moral dilemma or in a political commentary to describe a nation's '위급한' diplomatic situation. You should have a firm grasp of the formal registers and be able to use it in academic writing. You will also understand historical contexts where '위급' was used in royal decrees or historical records. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's gravity, avoiding it in trivial contexts to maintain its rhetorical power.

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For C2 learners, '위급하다' is a tool for professional-level communication in fields like medicine, law, or emergency response. You should be able to explain the legal implications of a '위급 상황' (emergency situation) in the context of Good Samaritan laws or medical negligence. You can distinguish the finest shades of meaning between '위급', '절박', and '경각'. You might use it in high-level creative writing to set a tone of extreme tension. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are using it to influence the emotional and professional response of your audience in high-stakes environments.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

위급하다 en 30 secondes

Wigup-hada means 'critical' or 'imminently dangerous.' It is used for life-or-death emergencies and serious accidents.
It comes from Hanja: 危 (danger) + 急 (urgency). It implies that every second counts.
Commonly heard in hospitals (ER), news reports about disasters, and 119 emergency calls.
Do not confuse it with 'gup-hada' (just being in a hurry) or 'wi-hyeom-hada' (general danger).

The Korean word 위급하다 (危急--) is a powerful adjective that combines the concepts of imminent danger and extreme urgency. When you break down the Hanja, 危 (위) represents 'danger' or 'peril,' while 急 (급) signifies 'hurry' or 'urgency.' Together, they describe a situation where time is of the essence because someone's life, safety, or a critical outcome is hanging in the balance. This is not just a word for being 'busy' or 'in a rush'; it is a word reserved for the emergency room, the scene of an accident, or a moment of national crisis. It carries a weight of gravity that demands immediate attention and action from everyone involved.

Medical Context: In hospitals, doctors use this to describe a patient whose vital signs are unstable. If a patient is in a 'wigup' state, it means they might pass away if treatment isn't administered immediately.
Safety and Disasters: Emergency services like the police or fire department use this term to categorize calls. A 'wigup' situation is a Priority 1 call where every second counts toward saving a life.

지금 환자의 상태가 매우 위급하다. 수술실을 당장 준비해라! (The patient's condition is currently very critical. Prepare the operating room immediately!)

Understanding the nuance of 'wigup-hada' requires recognizing that it implies a 'state of being.' Unlike 'gingeup-hada' (긴급하다), which often refers to the 'urgency of a task' (like an urgent meeting), 'wigup-hada' is almost always tied to a 'dangerous condition.' You wouldn't use it because you're late for a bus; you use it because the bus has crashed and people are trapped. It is a word that triggers adrenaline and high-stakes decision-making. In Korean culture, which values quick response times (the 'ppalli-ppalli' culture), this word represents the ultimate peak of that necessity.

산불이 마을 근처까지 번져 상황이 위급합니다. (The forest fire has spread near the village, and the situation is critical.)

Social Responsibility: The word often appears in legal contexts regarding the 'Duty to Rescue.' If someone is in a 'wigup' state, bystanders are often encouraged or legally expected to help in many jurisdictions.

In summary, use this word when life is on the line. It is the language of sirens, flashing lights, and bated breath. It is a word that commands silence and action. Whether it is a sinking ship, a failing heart, or a collapsing building, 'wigup-hada' is the descriptor that tells everyone the time for talk is over and the time for rescue has begun.

Using 위급하다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as an adjective (descriptive verb) in Korean. It can be used to describe nouns directly or as a predicate at the end of a sentence. Because of its serious nature, it is frequently found in formal and polite speech levels, such as the -nida or -eyo endings. It is rarely used in casual slang because the situations it describes are rarely casual.

Direct Modification: When modifying a noun, it becomes 위급한. For example, '위급한 상황' (a critical situation) or '위급한 환자' (a critical patient). This is the most common way to use the word in written reports or news headlines.

위급한 순간에 그의 침착함이 빛났다. (His calmness shone through in the critical moment.)

One important grammatical pattern is 위급을 다투다. This literally means 'to dispute or compete with urgency.' It is an idiomatic way to say that a situation is a 'matter of life and death' or that 'every second counts.' You will see this in journalism quite often when describing rescue operations or medical emergencies where doctors are working against the clock.

환자가 위급하니 서둘러 주세요! (The patient is in critical condition, so please hurry!)

Conjugation Tips: Past tense: 위급했다 (was critical). Future tense: 위급할 것이다 (will be critical). Connective: 위급해서 (because it is critical). Note that the stem '위급하-' is regular.

In professional settings, like a board meeting where a company is facing bankruptcy, you might hear this word used metaphorically. While it usually refers to physical danger, it can describe a 'critical state' of an organization or a project that is about to fail. However, even in these cases, the speaker is using the word to evoke the same level of panic and urgency found in a medical emergency.

If you are living in Korea or watching Korean media, 위급하다 is a word that usually cuts through the background noise. It is a 'trigger word' that signals something serious is happening. You won't hear it at a coffee shop or during a casual chat about the weather. Instead, you will hear it in specific, high-stress environments.

Medical Dramas (K-Dramas): Shows like 'Hospital Playlist' or 'Dr. Romantic' use this word constantly. When a gurney is being pushed through the halls, the lead doctor will shout about the 'wigup-han' state of the patient to justify taking extreme medical risks.

방송: "현재 응급실에 위급한 환자가 도착했습니다. 모든 의료진은 집합해 주세요." (Broadcast: "A critical patient has arrived at the ER. All medical staff, please assemble.")

You will also hear this word on the nightly news. News anchors use it to describe the status of victims in a natural disaster or a major accident. For example, if there is a typhoon, the reporter might say that the situation in the coastal areas is 'wigup-hada' because the levees are about to break. It is the standard vocabulary for reporting on the severity of a crisis.

뉴스: "구조 대원들이 위급한 상황 속에서도 최선을 다하고 있습니다." (News: "Rescue workers are doing their best even in critical situations.")

Emergency Call Centers (119): When calling 119 in Korea, the operator might ask if the situation is 'wigup' to determine if they should send an ambulance with advanced life support equipment. It is a classification word used for triaging emergencies.

Finally, you might encounter this word in literature or historical films. When a kingdom is under attack or a king is on his deathbed, the ministers will cry out that the 'state of the nation is critical' (국가의 운명이 위급하다). This shows the word's long history as a term for high-stakes, pivotal moments in time.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 위급하다 is confusing it with other words that mean 'urgent' but don't carry the same 'danger' nuance. Because English uses 'urgent' for both a life-threatening wound and a late project, learners often over-apply 'wigup-hada' to non-dangerous situations.

Mistake 1: Confusing with '급하다' (Gup-hada): '급하다' means you are in a hurry or something needs to be done quickly (like needing to use the restroom or being late for a meeting). If you say '상황이 위급해요' because you forgot your keys, Koreans will think someone is dying. Use '급해요' for general hurry.

❌ 숙제가 위급해서 잠을 못 잤어요. (Wrong: My homework was so critical/dangerous that I couldn't sleep.)
✅ 숙제가 급해서 잠을 못 잤어요. (Right: My homework was urgent/pressing...)

Another common error is failing to distinguish between 위급하다 and 위험하다 (wi-hyeom-hada). While both involve danger, '위험하다' is a general description of something that *could* cause harm (like a sharp knife or a dark alley), whereas '위급하다' describes a moment where the danger is happening *now* and requires immediate intervention.

이 약은 위험해요 (This medicine is dangerous - general). vs 환자가 위급해요 (The patient is in a critical/emergency state - specific moment).

Mistake 2: Misusing the connective -아/어서: When explaining why you did something, learners often forget that '위급해서' implies a life-or-death reason. If you use it as a reason for breaking a minor rule, it sounds like an extreme exaggeration unless a life was truly at risk.

Lastly, remember that '위급하다' is an adjective. You cannot '위급하다' a person (as an action). You can only say that the person *is* in a '위급한' state. Avoid trying to use it as a transitive verb.

To truly master Korean, you need to know which 'urgent' or 'dangerous' word fits the specific context. 위급하다 is part of a family of words that describe high-pressure situations. Here is how they compare:

긴급하다 (Gingeup-hada): This means 'urgent.' It focuses more on the time constraint than the physical danger. An 'urgent meeting' is '긴급 회의,' but it's not '위급 회의' unless the building is on fire. Use this for business and administrative urgency.
위태롭다 (Witaeropda): This means 'precarious' or 'unstable.' It describes something that is on the verge of falling or failing. A person standing on a thin branch is in a '위태로운' position. It focuses on the instability of the situation.
절박하다 (Jeolbakhada): This means 'desperate' or 'pressing.' It often describes a feeling or a need. If you have no money and need to buy food, your situation is '절박하다.' It carries a more emotional or psychological weight than the clinical '위급하다.'

비교:
1. 위급한 수술 (Critical surgery - life/death)
2. 긴급한 연락 (Urgent contact - time-sensitive)
3. 위태로운 상태 (Precarious state - unstable)

Another alternative is 촉박하다 (chokbakhada), which specifically means that time is running out (tight schedule). You would use this for a deadline, not a medical emergency. By choosing the right word, you show a deep understanding of Korean nuance and social context.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The character 危 (Wi) depicts a person standing on a cliff, visually representing the 'danger' aspect of the word.

Guide de prononciation

UK /wi.ɡɯp.ɦa.da/

US /wi.ɡʌp.hɑ.dɑ/

Stress is evenly distributed in Korean, but a slight emphasis may occur on the first syllable '위' (Wi) during urgent speech.

Rime avec

시급하다 (Sigup-hada) 보급하다 (Bogup-hada) 지급하다 (Jigup-hada) 중급하다 (Jung-gup-hada) 상급하다 (Sanggup-hada) 하급하다 (Hagup-hada) 성급하다 (Seong-gup-hada) 저급하다 (Jeogup-hada)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'wi' as 'why'.
Making the 'g' in 'gup' too breathy like a 'k'.
Extending the 'u' sound in 'gup' like 'goop'.
Forgetting the 'h' sound in 'hada'.
Putting too much stress on the final 'da'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Common in news and signs, but Hanja-based.

Écriture 4/5

Requires understanding of formal adjective endings.

Expression orale 3/5

Easy to pronounce but requires situational awareness.

Écoute 2/5

Distinct sound that is easy to pick out in dramas.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

위험하다 급하다 상황 도움 빨리

Apprends ensuite

긴급하다 위태롭다 절박하다 구조하다 응급실

Avancé

명재경각 풍전등화 수습하다 대비하다 조치하다

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective + -아/어서 (Reason)

상황이 위급해서 서둘렀어요.

Adjective + -(으)면 (Condition)

위급하면 벨을 누르세요.

Adjective + -ㄴ/은 (Noun Modifier)

위급한 환자

Adjective + -아/어지다 (Change of State)

상태가 위급해졌어요.

Adjective + -ㄴ가요? (Polite Question)

그렇게 위급한가요?

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Exemples par niveau

위급해요! 도와주세요!

It's an emergency! Please help!

위급해요 is the polite present tense.

상황이 아주 위급합니다.

The situation is very critical.

-nida ending is very formal.

위급한 상황입니다.

It is a critical situation.

위급한 is the adjective form modifying 'situation'.

위급할 때 전화해요.

Call when it's an emergency.

-l ttae means 'when'.

환자가 위급해요.

The patient is in critical condition.

Subject is 'patient'.

위급한 일이 생겼어요.

An emergency has occurred.

saeng-gyeosseoyo means 'happened'.

여기는 위급한 곳이에요.

This is a dangerous/critical place.

got means 'place'.

지금 위급해요?

Is it an emergency now?

Rising intonation for a question.

위급한 환자가 병원에 왔어요.

A critical patient came to the hospital.

Past tense 'wasseo-yo'.

위급해서 경찰에 신고했어요.

I reported it to the police because it was an emergency.

-eseo means 'because'.

너무 위급하니까 빨리 오세요.

It's very critical, so please come quickly.

-nikka means 'since/so'.

위급한 상황에서는 침착해야 해요.

You must stay calm in critical situations.

-ya haeyo means 'must'.

아이가 위급한 것 같아요.

It seems like the child is in a critical state.

-n geot gat-ayo means 'it seems like'.

위급한 소식을 들었어요.

I heard some critical news.

soshik means 'news'.

위급하면 이 버튼을 누르세요.

If it's an emergency, press this button.

-(eu)myeon means 'if'.

상태가 위급하지 않아요.

The condition is not critical.

-ji anh-ayo is the negative form.

위급을 다투는 수술이 시작되었습니다.

A surgery that is a matter of life and death has begun.

wigup-eul datuneun is an idiomatic phrase.

산불 때문에 마을의 상황이 위급해졌습니다.

Due to the forest fire, the situation in the village has become critical.

-e-jida means 'to become'.

위급한 순간에 이웃이 도와주었습니다.

A neighbor helped in a critical moment.

Past tense descriptive.

환자의 상태가 위급하여 면회가 안 됩니다.

Since the patient's condition is critical, visiting is not allowed.

-hayeo is a formal version of -haeseo.

위급한 상황에 대비해 훈련을 합니다.

We train in preparation for critical situations.

daebi-hae means 'in preparation for'.

배가 가라앉고 있어서 매우 위급합니다.

The ship is sinking, so it is very critical.

-go isseoseo means 'because it is currently...ing'.

위급한 연락을 받고 바로 달려갔어요.

I received an urgent call and ran there immediately.

dallyeo-gat-da means 'ran to'.

상황이 위급할수록 평정심을 유지해야 합니다.

The more critical the situation, the more you must maintain your composure.

-(eu)lsurok means 'the more... the more'.

그 나라는 현재 식량 부족으로 상황이 위급하다.

The country's situation is currently critical due to a food shortage.

Plain form used for reporting/facts.

위급한 상황에서 내린 결정이 옳았다.

The decision made in the critical situation was right.

naerin gyeol-jeong means 'the decision that was made'.

그는 위급한 고비를 여러 번 넘겼다.

He has overcome several critical crises.

gobi-reul neomgida means 'to pass a crisis'.

위급한 환자를 먼저 치료하는 것이 원칙입니다.

It is a principle to treat critical patients first.

wonchik means 'principle'.

회사의 재정 상태가 위급한 수준에 도달했다.

The company's financial state has reached a critical level.

dodahl-haetda means 'reached'.

위급 상황 시 대피 요령을 숙지하세요.

Please familiarize yourself with evacuation procedures in case of an emergency.

sukji-haseyo means 'please familiarize yourself'.

그의 목숨이 위급하다는 소식이 전해졌다.

News was delivered that his life is in a critical state.

moksum means 'life'.

위급한 때일수록 서로 도와야 합니다.

In critical times like this, we must help each other.

-ttae-ilsurok means 'the more it is a time of...'

국가의 존립이 위급한 지경에 이르렀다.

The survival of the nation has reached a critical point.

jigyeong-e ireureotda means 'to reach a (bad) state'.

위급한 찰나에 구조대가 도착했다.

The rescue team arrived at the critical instant.

chalna means 'instant/split second'.

그는 위급한 상황에서도 유머를 잃지 않았다.

Even in a critical situation, he did not lose his sense of humor.

-eseodo means 'even in'.

위급한 사태를 수습하기 위해 정부가 나섰다.

The government stepped in to resolve the critical situation.

susup-hada means 'to settle/resolve'.

환자의 맥박이 위급할 정도로 약해졌다.

The patient's pulse has weakened to a critical extent.

-(eu)l jeongdo-ro means 'to the extent of'.

위급한 국면을 타개할 대책이 시급하다.

Measures to overcome the critical phase are urgent.

tagae-hada means 'to break through/overcome'.

당시 상황은 한 치 앞을 내다볼 수 없을 만큼 위급했다.

The situation at the time was so critical that one could not see even an inch ahead.

han chi ap-eul naedabol su eops-eul mankeum is a common idiom for uncertainty.

위급한 병세를 호전시키기 위해 신약을 투여했다.

A new drug was administered to improve the critical medical condition.

hojeon-shikida means 'to make better'.

전시 상황 하에서 국가의 안위가 위급하다.

Under wartime conditions, the safety of the nation is in a critical state.

an-wi means 'safety and welfare'.

위급한 상황에서의 긴급 피난은 법적으로 허용된다.

Emergency evacuation in a critical situation is legally permitted.

gingeup pinan is a legal term.

그의 발언은 위급한 시국에 기름을 붓는 격이었다.

His remarks were like pouring oil on a critical current situation.

gireum-eul bunneun gyeok is an idiom for making things worse.

위급한 환자의 골든타임을 놓치지 않는 것이 중요하다.

It is important not to miss the 'golden time' for a critical patient.

Golden time refers to the critical window for saving a life.

위급한 정황이 포착되자마자 비상벨이 울렸다.

As soon as critical circumstances were detected, the emergency bell rang.

-ja-maja means 'as soon as'.

생명이 위급한 순간에 발휘되는 인간의 초인적인 힘.

The superhuman power of humans displayed in moments when life is critical.

balhwi-doeneun means 'being exerted/displayed'.

위급한 사안인 만큼 신속하고 정확한 판단이 요구된다.

As it is a critical matter, swift and accurate judgment is required.

-in mankeum means 'since/insofar as'.

작전 수행 중 위급한 교전이 벌어졌다.

A critical skirmish broke out during the operation.

gyojeon means 'combat/skirmish'.

Collocations courantes

위급 상황

위급 환자

위급을 다투다

상태가 위급하다

위급한 고비

위급한 때

위급 신호

위급 사태

위급한 순간

위급함이 느껴지다

Phrases Courantes

매우 위급하다

— To be extremely critical.

지금 상황이 매우 위급합니다.

위급해 보이다

— To look critical/dangerous.

환자의 얼굴이 아주 위급해 보여요.

위급하게 돌아가다

— A situation is developing critically.

현장 상황이 위급하게 돌아가고 있습니다.

위급한 지경

— A critical state/boundary.

상황이 위급한 지경에 이르렀다.

위급을 알리다

— To signal or announce an emergency.

사이렌이 위급을 알렸다.

위급함을 깨닫다

— To realize the urgency/danger.

그제야 그는 상황의 위급함을 깨달았다.

위급한 나머지

— Because it was so critical (resulting in an action).

위급한 나머지 119를 불렀다.

위급한 대처

— Emergency response/handling.

위급한 대처가 생명을 구했다.

위급한 소식

— Urgent/Critical news.

고향에서 위급한 소식이 왔다.

위급할 경우

— In case of emergency.

위급할 경우 이 약을 드세요.

Souvent confondu avec

위급하다 vs 급하다

General hurry or urgency of time, not necessarily life-threatening.

위급하다 vs 위험하다

General danger or risk, can be a permanent state (e.g., a dangerous road).

위급하다 vs 시급하다

Something needs to be addressed immediately to solve a problem, often used for policies.

Expressions idiomatiques

"위급을 다투다"

— To be in a situation where every second counts for survival.

위급을 다투는 수술실의 분위기.

Formal

"풍전등화"

— A situation like a candle in the wind (extremely critical).

나라의 운명이 풍전등화와 같다.

Literary

"일촉즉발"

— A situation so tense it could explode at any touch.

두 나라의 관계가 일촉즉발의 위기다.

Formal

"절체절명"

— A desperate situation with no way out.

절체절명의 위기에서 살아남았다.

Literary

"백척간두"

— Standing at the edge of a hundred-foot pole (very precarious).

회사가 백척간두의 위기에 처했다.

Literary

"누란지위"

— The danger of stacked eggs (very unstable).

국가가 누란지위의 상황에 놓였다.

Hanja/Old

"사생결단"

— A life-or-death decision or struggle.

그는 사생결단의 각오로 싸웠다.

Neutral

"사경을 헤매다"

— To hover between life and death.

그는 며칠째 사경을 헤매고 있다.

Neutral

"명재경각"

— Life hanging by a thread (imminent death).

환자의 목숨이 명재경각에 달렸다.

Formal

"초읽기에 들어가다"

— To enter the final countdown (extreme urgency).

협상 타결이 초읽기에 들어갔다.

Neutral

Facile à confondre

위급하다 vs 긴급하다

Both mean 'urgent'.

Gingeup focuses on the administrative/time aspect, Wigup focuses on the danger/life aspect.

긴급 회의 (Urgent meeting) vs 위급 환자 (Critical patient)

위급하다 vs 위태롭다

Both involve danger.

Witae describes instability (like a balance), Wigup describes a pressing emergency.

위태로운 절벽 (Precarious cliff) vs 위급한 상황 (Emergency situation)

위급하다 vs 절박하다

Both feel high-pressure.

Jeolbak is often psychological or financial desperation; Wigup is situational/physical.

절박한 심정 (Desperate heart) vs 위급한 병세 (Critical medical condition)

위급하다 vs 급박하다

Both imply a fast-moving crisis.

Geupbak is more formal and used for evolving situations like war or markets; Wigup is more clinical/immediate.

급박한 정세 (Tense situation) vs 위급한 구조 (Emergency rescue)

위급하다 vs 촉박하다

Both involve limited time.

Chokbak is only about a tight schedule or deadline; Wigup involves danger.

시간이 촉박하다 (Time is tight) vs 상황이 위급하다 (The situation is critical)

Structures de phrases

N이/가 위급해요.

상황이 위급해요.

위급한 N

위급한 환자

위급해서 V

위급해서 전화를 했어요.

위급을 다투는 N

위급을 다투는 순간

위급한 나머지 V

위급한 나머지 소리를 질렀다.

위급한 지경에 이르다

상태가 위급한 지경에 이르렀다.

위급하면 V-으세요

위급하면 연락하세요.

위급할수록 V-아야 하다

위급할수록 서둘러야 합니다.

Famille de mots

Noms

위급 (Urgency/Danger)

위급성 (Criticality)

위급 상황 (Emergency situation)

Verbes

위급해지다 (To become critical)

Adjectifs

위급하다 (Critical/Urgent)

Apparenté

위험 (Danger)

긴급 (Urgency)

응급 (Emergency)

구조 (Rescue)

비상 (Emergency/Extraordinary)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in news, medical contexts, and safety manuals. Low in daily casual conversation.

Erreurs courantes

Using 위급하다 for a deadline. → 촉박하다 or 급하다
Deadlines aren't dangerous to your life, so 위급하다 is too strong.
Saying '위급해요' when you are just in a hurry. → 급해요
Koreans will think there is a fire or a medical emergency.
Confusing 위급 with 위험. → Depends on the context.
Wihyeom is general danger; Wigup is an immediate, urgent dangerous state.
Using 위급 as a verb like '위급해라'. → 위급해라 is an imperative, which doesn't work with adjectives.
You can't command someone to be in a critical state.
Spelling it as 외급하다. → 위급하다
The first vowel is 'wi' (위), not 'oe' (외).

Astuces

Context is King

Only use '위급' when there is actual physical danger or a massive crisis. Overusing it makes you sound dramatic.

Adjective Rule

Remember it's an adjective. You don't 'wigup' someone; someone 'is wigup-hada'.

Clear 'Wi'

Make sure the 'Wi' is clear so it doesn't sound like 'U' (우). 'U-geup' is not a word.

119 Calls

If you call 119, using this word will signal to the operator that you need immediate help.

Drama Clues

In dramas, when music turns fast and a doctor looks sweating, listen for '위급'.

Modifier Form

Use '위급한' before nouns like '상황' (situation) or '환자' (patient).

Empathy

When someone says '상황이 위급해요', respond with helpful actions, not just words.

Hanja Power

Remember 危 (Danger) + 急 (Urgent). This Hanja pair is very common in safety signs.

Golden Time

Understand that '위급' is often linked to the concept of 'Golden Time' in Korea.

Flashcards

Put a picture of an ambulance on one side and '위급하다' on the other.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Wig' falling 'Up' in a storm. It's a weird, 'Wig-Up' (위급) emergency!

Association visuelle

An ambulance with red flashing lights and a heart monitor flatlining. The word '위급' is written on the monitor.

Word Web

Hospital Ambulance 119 Danger Urgent Siren Life Crisis

Défi

Try to find one news article today that uses the word '위급' and translate the sentence it appears in.

Origine du mot

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja) roots. 'Wi' (危) means danger, and 'Gup' (急) means fast or urgent.

Sens originel : A state where danger is approaching quickly.

Sino-Korean

Contexte culturel

Be careful not to use this word for minor inconveniences, as it may cause genuine alarm to native speakers.

English speakers often use 'emergency' as a noun, but in Korean, '위급하다' is an adjective. You describe the situation as being in an emergency state.

The K-Drama 'Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim' frequently uses this word. Medical triage systems in Korea use '위급' as a top priority level. Safety announcements on the Seoul Subway use this word during drills.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Hospital/ER

위급 환자입니다.
상태가 위급해요.
위급을 다투는 수술
중환자실로 옮기세요.

Accident Scene

위급 상황 발생!
위급하면 대피하세요.
119에 위급 신고를 하세요.
상황이 위급하게 돌아갑니다.

News/Media

국가 위급 사태
위급한 국면
위급 소식을 전합니다.
사태가 위급해지고 있습니다.

Workplace Safety

위급 시 비상벨 누름
위급 상황 대처 요령
위급한 결함 발견
안전이 위급합니다.

Daily Life (Rare)

위급한 일이 생겼어.
정말 위급한 거야?
위급한 때 도와준 친구
위급함을 알리다.

Amorces de conversation

"어제 뉴스에서 본 위급한 사고 소식 들었어?"

"병원에서 위급한 상황을 본 적이 있니?"

"위급한 상황이 생기면 가장 먼저 무엇을 해야 할까?"

"너는 위급한 순간에도 침착한 편이야?"

"위급한 환자를 보면 어떻게 도와줄 거야?"

Sujets d'écriture

내가 겪었던 가장 위급했던 순간에 대해 써보세요.

위급한 상황에서 침착함을 유지하는 방법은 무엇일까요?

병원의 응급실에서 일하는 의사들의 위급한 하루를 상상해 보세요.

국가적인 위급 사태가 발생했을 때 시민의 역할은 무엇인가요?

'위급함'이라는 단어를 들으면 떠오르는 이미지를 묘사해 보세요.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, that would sound like your life is in danger because of the homework. Use '급하다' or '시간이 없다' instead.

Wigup is an adjective (critical/urgent), while Eung-geup is a noun (emergency). Eung-geup is used in 'Eung-geup-shil' (Emergency Room).

It is a neutral word, but because it deals with serious topics, it is most often used in formal or polite endings like -nida or -eyo.

If the car is in the middle of a highway and might cause a crash, yes. If it's just not starting in your driveway, use '고장 났다' and '급하다'.

You can say '위급 시' (Wigup-shi) or '위급할 경우' (Wigup-hal gyeong-u).

Yes, if a pet is in a life-threatening state, a vet will say the animal is '위급하다'.

It is a serious word, so it describes a negative (dangerous) situation, but the word itself is objective.

The most direct opposite in a safety context is '안전하다' (to be safe) or '평온하다' (to be calm).

Yes, '위급' is the noun form. For example, '위급을 알리다' (to signal an emergency).

Luckily, no. You only hear it when something goes wrong or in the media.

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