계약하다

§ What does 계약하다 mean?

The Korean verb 계약하다 (gyeyakada) literally translates to "to contract" or "to enter into a formal agreement." It's a combination of the noun 계약 (gyeyak), meaning "contract" or "agreement," and the verb 하다 (hada), meaning "to do." This is a very common structure in Korean where adding 하다 to a noun turns it into a verb.

DEFINITION

To contract; to enter into a formal agreement.

You'll encounter 계약하다 in many formal and informal situations where an agreement is made. Think about when you sign a lease for an apartment, get a new phone plan, or even agree to a job offer. All these actions involve 계약하다.

§ When do people use 계약하다?

People use 계약하다 whenever two or more parties formally agree on something. This can range from simple, everyday situations to complex business dealings. Here are some common scenarios:

• Renting an apartment or house: When you sign a lease, you are 계약하다-ing.
• Getting a new job: When you accept a job offer and sign an employment contract, you 계약하다.
• Signing up for a phone plan or internet service: These services typically involve a contract.
• Business agreements: Companies 계약하다 with each other for various projects, partnerships, or transactions.
• Buying or selling property: Real estate transactions are almost always sealed with a contract.

Let's look at some examples to help you understand how to use 계약하다 in context:

In this example, the speaker is talking about signing a lease for an apartment. The past tense 계약했어요 indicates that the action has already been completed.

Here, 계약할 거예요 is in the future tense, meaning the action of contracting a phone plan will happen soon.

This example shows a more formal usage, likely in a business context, indicating that an agreement for a new project has been made.

Hello, Korean learners! Today we're diving into a very practical verb: 계약하다 (gyeyak-hada). This word is super useful for talking about formal agreements, whether it's for an apartment, a job, or even a service.

Korean Word

계약하다 (gyeyak-hada)

Word Type

Verb

CEFR Level

A2

Definition

To contract; to enter into a formal agreement.

§ How to Use 계약하다 in a Sentence

Let's get down to business. 계약하다 means 'to contract' or 'to make a contract'. It's a pretty straightforward verb, but there are a few things to keep in mind when you're using it in sentences. Here’s how you can combine it with other words and particles to express what you want.

§ Basic Structure: [Object]을/를 계약하다

The most common way to use 계약하다 is with the object particle 을/를 (eul/reul). This structure tells you *what* you are contracting.

In these examples, '새 아파트' (new apartment) and '회사' (company) are the objects of the contract. Remember to attach 을 if the object ends with a consonant and 를 if it ends with a vowel.

§ Specifying Who You Contract With: [Person/Entity]와/과 계약하다

If you want to specify *who* you are making the agreement with, you'll use the particle 와/과 (wa/gwa). This means 'with'.

Again, remember the rule for 와/과: use 과 after a noun ending in a consonant, and 와 after a noun ending in a vowel.

§ Combining Both: [Person/Entity]와/과 [Object]을/를 계약하다

You can also combine both structures to make more complete sentences, indicating both who you contracted with and what the contract is about.

§ Using 계약 with other verbs

Sometimes you'll see 계약 (the noun form, meaning 'contract') used with other verbs, not just 하다. This is common when discussing actions related to the contract itself.

• 계약을 맺다 (gyeyageul maetda): To make/form a contract. This has a similar meaning to 계약하다.
• 계약을 해지하다 (gyeyageul haeji-hada): To terminate a contract.
• 계약을 연장하다 (gyeyageul yeonjang-hada): To extend a contract.

§ Common Situations for Using 계약하다

You'll hear and use 계약하다 in many real-life situations:

• Renting an apartment/house: 부동산 (real estate agent)과 집을 계약하다.
• Starting a new job: 회사와 고용 계약을 하다. (This uses the noun form '고용 계약' meaning 'employment contract')
• Signing up for a service: 통신사와 인터넷 계약을 하다. (Internet contract with a telecom company)

By understanding these structures and contexts, you'll be able to confidently use 계약하다 in your Korean conversations. Keep practicing, and you'll master it in no time!

§ What Does 계약하다 Mean?

Korean Word

계약하다

Definition

To contract; to enter into a formal agreement.

You're learning Korean, and you'll find that many verbs in Korean end with -하다. This is a common pattern. 계약하다 is one of those verbs. It means to make a contract or enter into an agreement. Think of it like signing papers for something official.

§ Where You'll Hear and Use 계약하다

This isn't a word you'll use every day in casual conversation, but it's super important in certain situations. You'll definitely come across it in contexts related to business, real estate, and legal matters. Here's a breakdown:

• Work/Business: This is probably the most common place to encounter 계약하다. Any time a company makes a deal, hires someone, or agrees to terms with another company, this word comes up.
• Real Estate: When you rent an apartment or buy a house in Korea, you'll hear about 계약하다. It's all about signing that lease or purchase agreement.
• News: Business news, political news, and even news about celebrities often use this word when reporting on deals, endorsements, or formal commitments.
• School (less common but possible): You might hear it if students are talking about signing up for a specific program or if there's a formal agreement between a school and another organization.

§ Practical Examples of 계약하다

So, when you hear or read about formal agreements, remember 계약하다. It's a key word for understanding business and legal interactions in Korean. Keep practicing these examples, and you'll get comfortable using it!

§ Mistakes people make with this word

Many Korean learners, especially those around the A2 level, tend to make a few common errors when using '계약하다'. It's a straightforward word, but its usage can sometimes trip people up if they're not careful. Let's look at some of these mistakes and how to avoid them.

§ Mistake 1: Confusing it with '약속하다' (to promise)

While both '계약하다' and '약속하다' involve an agreement, they are used in very different contexts. '약속하다' means to make a promise, often a personal one, and doesn't usually carry legal weight. '계약하다', on the other hand, specifically refers to entering into a formal, often legal, contract.

Wrong Usage Example

친구와 저녁 식사 계약했어요. (I contracted to have dinner with my friend.)

This sounds very unnatural. You wouldn't 'contract' to have dinner with a friend; you would 'promise' or 'arrange' to. The correct word here would be '약속하다'.

Correct Usage for 계약하다

집 계약했어요. (I contracted for the house.)

§ Mistake 2: Not using the correct particles

When using '계약하다', you often need to specify what you are contracting with or for. The particles '와/과' (with) and '을/를' (for/object marker) are crucial here. Omitting them or using the wrong one can lead to confusion.

Wrong Usage Example

회사는 새 직원을 계약했어요. (The company contracted a new employee.)

While this might be understood, it's grammatically awkward. It sounds like the company itself was contracted. You need to specify that the company contracted with the new employee, or that the new employee was contracted by the company.

§ Mistake 3: Overusing '계약하다' when a simpler verb would suffice

Sometimes learners, after learning a new formal word, tend to use it in situations where a more common or informal verb would be more natural. '계약하다' implies a formal, often written, agreement. For simpler transactions or understandings, other verbs are better.

Wrong Usage Example

오늘 커피를 계약했어요. (I contracted for coffee today.)

You don't 'contract' for a cup of coffee. You simply 'buy' it.

§ Mistake 4: Not recognizing its noun form '계약'

'계약하다' is the verb 'to contract'. Its noun form is '계약', which means 'contract' or 'agreement'. You can use '계약' with other verbs to create phrases like '계약을 하다' (to do a contract, i.e., to contract) or '계약을 체결하다' (to conclude a contract).

Example using the noun form

새로운 계약이 필요해요. (A new contract is needed.)

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can use '계약하다' more accurately and confidently in your Korean conversations and writing. Keep practicing, and you'll master it in no time!

§ What '계약하다' Means

Korean Word

계약하다 (gye-yak-ha-da)

Grammar

Verb

CEFR Level

A2

Definition

To contract; to enter into a formal agreement.

The verb 계약하다 is used when you make a formal agreement or contract with someone. This could be for a job, a house, a service, or anything else that requires a formal commitment. Think of it as signing on the dotted line. It’s a very common and important verb in everyday Korean life, especially in business or legal situations.

§ Examples of Using '계약하다'

Here are some examples to help you understand how to use 계약하다 in different situations:

§ Similar Words and When to Use '계약하다' vs. Alternatives

While 계약하다 is specifically about formal contracts, there are other Korean words that relate to making agreements or promises. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right word for the right situation.

• 약속하다 (yak-sok-ha-da): To promise; to make an appointment

  This is a much broader and more informal term than 계약하다. 약속하다 is used for making plans with friends, promising to do something, or setting up a meeting. It doesn't typically involve legal documents or formal obligations.

  친구와 저녁을 먹기로 약속했어요. (I promised to have dinner with a friend / I made plans to have dinner with a friend.)

  다시는 늦지 않겠다고 약속했습니다. (I promised not to be late again.)

• 합의하다 (hap-ui-ha-da): To agree; to come to an agreement (often verbal)

  This verb means to reach a mutual understanding or agreement, often after discussion or negotiation. It can be formal or informal, but it doesn't necessarily imply a written contract. It's more about the act of coming to a consensus.

  양측은 가격에 대해 합의했습니다. (Both sides agreed on the price.)

  우리는 이 문제에 대해 합의에 도달했습니다. (We reached an agreement on this issue.)

• 동의하다 (dong-ui-ha-da): To consent; to agree with (an opinion or idea)

  동의하다 is used when you agree with someone's opinion, suggestion, or idea. It's about expressing your consent or approval, rather than entering into a formal agreement or making a promise.

  저는 그들의 제안에 동의합니다. (I agree with their proposal.)

  모든 사람이 그 계획에 동의했습니다. (Everyone agreed to the plan.)

When to use 계약하다: Use 계약하다 when there's a clear, formal, and often legally binding agreement involved. Think employment contracts, rental agreements, service contracts, etc.

When to use 약속하다: Use 약속하다 for informal promises, appointments, and plans with others.

When to use 합의하다: Use 합의하다 when two or more parties come to a mutual understanding or settlement, which might not always be written or legally binding but involves a shared decision.

When to use 동의하다: Use 동의하다 when you are expressing your consent or agreement with an idea, opinion, or proposal.