실시하다

The Korean verb 실시하다 (silsihada) is a cornerstone of formal, academic, and administrative Korean. At its core, it translates to 'to carry out', 'to implement', or 'to conduct'. While the basic verb 하다 (to do) is used for general actions, 실시하다 is reserved for situations where a specific plan, system, survey, or experiment is being put into action by an organization, government, or research body. It implies a level of officiality and structured execution that simpler verbs lack. For example, you wouldn't use this word to say you are 'doing' your homework; instead, you use it when a university is 'conducting' a research study or when the government is 'implementing' a new environmental policy.

Formal Execution

This verb signifies the transition from a theoretical plan to real-world application. It is the bridge between a proposal and its realization. When a company decides to change its working hours, the act of actually starting those new hours is described as '실시'.

Academic Context

In research papers and news reports, you will almost always see this word paired with '설문 조사' (survey) or '실험' (experiment). It provides the necessary professional tone required in higher-level discourse.

The word consists of two Hanja characters: 實 (실) meaning 'real' or 'actual', and 施 (시) meaning 'to give' or 'to execute'. Combined, they literally mean 'to make real by execution'. This etymological root explains why the word carries such weight. It is not just about moving; it is about bringing a concept into the physical or social reality. In everyday life, you will hear this on the news almost daily, especially when reporters discuss government actions, military drills, or public safety inspections. It is a 'heavy' word that demands a formal object. You cannot '실시' a casual walk, but you can '실시' a scheduled health check-up for all employees.

Common Objects

Surveys (조사), Tests (시험), Training (훈련), Policies (정책), and Inspections (점검) are the most frequent nouns that precede this verb.

Understanding the nuance of 실시하다 is vital for moving from intermediate to advanced Korean. It shows that you understand the difference between personal actions and systemic operations. In the Korean SAT (Suneung) or TOPIK exams, this word appears frequently in the reading sections to describe the methodology of a study or the enforcement of a law. If a passage mentions a scientist, they are likely to '실시' an experiment. If it mentions a school board, they will '실시' a new curriculum.

Register and Tone

The tone is objective, clinical, and authoritative. It is rarely used in casual texting between friends unless they are jokingly acting like a formal organization.

In summary, 실시하다 is the word of choice for 'implementation'. It covers the spectrum from small-scale academic surveys to massive national policy changes. By mastering this word, you gain the ability to discuss complex social and professional topics with the appropriate level of sophistication required in the Korean-speaking world.

Using 실시하다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and the specific types of nouns it pairs with. Because it is a formal verb, it almost always follows the pattern [Noun] + 을/를 실시하다. The noun in this position must be an action or a process that can be 'conducted' or 'enforced'. You cannot '실시' a physical object like a chair, but you can '실시' an inspection of that chair. This distinction is crucial for natural-sounding Korean.

The Direct Object Rule

Always ensure the noun you are using is an abstract concept of an action. Common examples include '교육' (education/training), '수사' (investigation), or '공사' (construction).

When constructing sentences with 실시하다, you often need to specify the target or the duration of the action. To indicate who the action is being performed on, use the particles ~을 대상으로 (targeting/aimed at) or ~에게 (to). For example, if you are conducting a survey on students, you would say '학생들을 대상으로 설문 조사를 실시하다'. This adds a layer of precision common in professional reports.

Tense and Aspect

In formal reports, the past tense '실시하였다' (often shortened to '실시했다') is used to denote completed actions, while '실시할 예정이다' is used for future plans.

Another important grammatical aspect is the use of adverbs. Since 실시하다 refers to an official action, it is often paired with adverbs like '엄격히' (strictly), '전격적으로' (completely/suddenly), or '정기적으로' (regularly). These adverbs modify the nature of the implementation. If a company does safety checks every month, they '정기적으로 점검을 실시합니다'. If the government suddenly starts a crackdown on illegal parking, they '전격적으로 단속을 실시합니다'.

Level of Formality

Because this is a B1/B2 level word, it is almost always used with formal endings like -습니다 or -ㄴ다 (in writing). Using it with -어/아 is rare unless in a very specific narrative context.

Mastering the sentence patterns of 실시하다 allows you to describe complex logistics. Whether you are explaining how a city 'conducts' its waste management or how a teacher 'implements' a new testing method, this verb provides the structural integrity your sentences need to be taken seriously in a professional or academic environment.

If you turn on the Korean news (KBS, MBC, SBS) or open a newspaper like the Chosun Ilbo, you will encounter 실시하다 within minutes. It is the language of governance and public life. It appears in contexts ranging from weather warnings to political reforms. Understanding where you hear it helps you tune your ears to formal Korean broadcasting and literature.

News Broadcasts

News anchors use this word to report on government actions. '정부가 새로운 방역 수칙을 실시합니다' (The government is implementing new quarantine rules). It conveys authority and factual reporting.

Corporate Environment

In a Korean office, memos and announcements frequently use this verb. '연봉 협상을 실시할 예정입니다' (We plan to conduct salary negotiations). It frames the task as a formal company process rather than a casual chat.

You will also hear this word in educational settings. When a professor announces an exam or a university conducts a survey on student satisfaction, 실시하다 is the standard verb. It is much more common than '시험을 보다' (to take/give an exam) in official documents. For instance, a notice on a bulletin board might read: '중간고사를 다음과 같이 실시함' (Midterm exams will be conducted as follows). This usage emphasizes the administrative act of holding the exam.

Military and Law Enforcement

Military drills (훈련) and police crackdowns (단속) are almost always '실시'. These are structured, disciplined actions, and the verb reflects that rigor.

In the digital world, you might see this word on apps and websites when they 'conduct' maintenance or 'implement' a new update. A pop-up might say, '시스템 점검을 실시 중입니다' (System inspection is in progress). This tells the user that the action is a planned, official procedure. Even in sports, a '실시' might refer to the execution of a specific drug test or a formal review of a play.

Public Service Announcements

Announcements in subways or public parks regarding cleaning or events often use this verb to inform the public of scheduled actions.

By recognizing the environments where 실시하다 is used, you can better understand the social hierarchy and the formal nature of the information being shared. It is a word that signals: 'This is an official action being taken by an entity with the authority to do so.'

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 실시하다 is using it in overly casual or personal contexts. Because it translates to 'to do' or 'to carry out', students often try to use it for personal tasks. However, 실시하다 requires an institutional or formal 'weight'. You cannot '실시' a cup of coffee or '실시' your morning jog. This would sound very strange and overly dramatic to a native speaker, almost as if you were treating your jog like a national military operation.

The Personal Action Trap

Mistake: '나는 오늘 공부를 실시했다' (I conducted study today). Correct: '나는 오늘 공부를 했다'. Reserve '실시하다' for actions that involve a system or a planned procedure affecting others.

Another common error is confusing 실시하다 with 시행하다 (sihaenghada). While they are very similar, 시행하다 is more focused on the legal enforcement of laws or the official start of a policy. 실시하다 is broader and covers physical actions like conducting a survey or a test. If you are talking about a law being 'put into effect', 시행하다 is often better. If you are talking about 'carrying out' a specific event or task, 실시하다 is the way to go.

Active vs. Passive Confusion

Learners often use '실시하다' when the subject is the plan itself. Remember: People/Organizations '실시하다' a plan. A plan '실시되다' (is implemented).

Misusing the object particle is also a frequent issue. Since 실시하다 is a transitive verb, it must have an object with 을/를. Sometimes learners treat it like an intransitive verb because the English translation 'to implement' can sometimes feel like it doesn't need a direct object in some contexts. In Korean, the 'what' must be explicitly stated or clearly implied from the context.

Register Mismatch

Using '실시하다' with very informal endings like '~어' or '~야' can create a clash in tone. While grammatically possible, it sounds like a news anchor trying to talk like a toddler.

By avoiding these pitfalls—especially the 'personal action' mistake—you will ensure that your use of 실시하다 sounds natural and professional. Always ask yourself: 'Is this an official action or a personal one?' If it is official, 실시하다 is your friend.

Korean has a rich set of verbs for 'doing' things, and choosing the right one depends on the nuance you want to convey. 실시하다 is just one member of a family of 'execution' verbs. Knowing the alternatives will help you avoid repetition and achieve greater precision in your writing and speaking.

실시하다 vs. 시행하다 (Enforce)

As mentioned, 시행하다 focuses on laws, regulations, and administrative orders. If a new tax law starts today, use 시행. If a survey about that tax law starts today, use 실시.

실시하다 vs. 수행하다 (Execute/Carry out)

수행하다 (suhaenghada) is often used for tasks, missions, or duties. It emphasizes the process of working through a task. '임무를 수행하다' (to carry out a mission) is a classic pair. 실시하다 is more about the 'event' of implementation.

Another related word is 이행하다 (ihaenghada), which means 'to fulfill' or 'to carry out' a promise, contract, or obligation. If you sign a contract and then do what it says, you are 이행-ing the contract. This is different from 실시, which doesn't necessarily imply a prior promise or legal obligation, but rather a planned action.

실시하다 vs. 거행하다 (Celebrate/Hold a ceremony)

When the 'implementation' is a ceremony, like a wedding or a graduation, use 거행하다 (geohaenghada). You wouldn't '실시' a wedding; you '거행' it. It adds a solemn, ceremonial nuance.

In business contexts, you might also encounter 추진하다 (chujinhada), which means 'to push forward' or 'to promote' a project. While 실시하다 refers to the act of execution, 추진하다 refers to the ongoing effort to make sure the project happens. You '추진' a project for months before you finally '실시' the first phase.

Summary Table

실시 (General formal execution), 시행 (Legal/Policy enforcement), 수행 (Task/Mission completion), 이행 (Fulfilling obligations).

Choosing between these synonyms will make your Korean sound much more nuanced and 'native'. As a B1 learner, focusing on the distinction between 실시 and 하다 is the first step; as you progress, adding 시행 and 수행 to your vocabulary will truly elevate your language skills.