At the A1 level, you might not use '개선되다' often because it is a bit formal. However, you can think of it as a fancy way to say '좋아지다' (to get better). Imagine you have a problem, like a slow computer or a messy room. If you fix it and it becomes better, you can say it is '개선되었다'. At this level, just remember that '개선' means 'improvement' and '되다' means 'to become'. It is used for things, not usually for people's feelings. For example, 'The food became better' or 'The room became better'. It is a good word to know if you want to sound very polite or if you are reading signs in Korea. You will mostly see it in the past tense: '개선됐어요'.
At the A2 level, you should start using '개선되다' to describe changes in your environment or habits. Instead of always using '좋아지다', use '개선되다' when talking about things like 'traffic' (교통), 'habits' (습관), or 'service' (서비스). It shows you are moving beyond basic vocabulary. You should also notice that this word doesn't use '을/를'. For example, '생활이 개선되었어요' (Life has improved). This is a great word for the TOPIK I exam. It helps you describe positive changes in a more structured way. You might hear it in advertisements or on the news. Remember the Hanja: 'Gae' (change) and 'Seon' (good).
For B1 learners, '개선되다' is an essential word for discussing social issues and workplace scenarios. You should be able to distinguish it from '향상되다' (enhancement) and '호전되다' (recovery). '개선되다' specifically implies that there was a flaw or a problem that has been corrected. You will use it in sentences like '제도가 개선되어야 합니다' (The system needs to be improved). You should also be comfortable using it with various adverbs like '상당히' (considerably) or '점차' (gradually). This word is very common in reading passages about the environment, technology, and public policy. It is a key verb for expressing opinions on how to make things better.
At the B2 level, you should use '개선되다' with precision in formal writing and debates. You should understand its passive nuance deeply—it's often used when the focus is on the result rather than the person who made the change. This is useful in academic writing where an objective tone is required. You can use it to discuss complex topics like 'structural improvements' (구조적 개선) or 'interpersonal relationships' (대인 관계의 개선). You should also be familiar with related nouns like '개선책' (improvement measure) or '개선안' (improvement proposal). Using this word correctly in the TOPIK II writing section (Task 53 or 54) will demonstrate a high level of lexical resource.
At the C1 level, '개선되다' is a word you use to weave complex arguments about societal progress and systemic reform. You should be able to use it in the context of '개선(改善)' versus '개혁(改革)' (reform). While '개선되다' is about making something better, '개혁되다' is about a more fundamental, often political, change. You should also recognize its usage in specialized fields like ergonomics (인간공학적 개선) or economic theory (파레토 개선 - Pareto improvement). Your ability to use this word in a nuanced way, perhaps with metaphorical subjects, shows mastery. For example, '관행이 개선되다' (Old practices/customs being improved/rectified).
For C2 speakers, '개선되다' is a basic building block used effortlessly in high-level discourse. You understand the subtle sociolinguistic implications of choosing this word over synonyms like '일신되다' (to be completely renovated) or '쇄신되다' (to be refreshed/reformed). You can use it in philosophical discussions about the 'improvement of the human condition' or in highly technical legal and bureaucratic documents. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are aware of its historical weight and its role in the discourse of Korean modernization and development. You can critique its usage in media and understand when it's being used as a euphemism in political rhetoric.

개선되다 30秒で

  • 개선되다 means 'to be improved' or 'to get better' in a formal or systematic sense.
  • It is the passive version of 개선하다 (to improve something).
  • Commonly used for environments, systems, habits, and quality.
  • It does not take a direct object (no -을/를).

The Korean verb 개선되다 (gaeseondoeda) is a passive construction derived from the noun 개선 (gaeseon), which means 'improvement' or 'reform'. In the Korean language, the suffix -되다 is often attached to Hanja-based nouns to indicate that a state is being achieved or a process is happening to the subject, often without a specific agent mentioned. Therefore, 개선되다 literally translates to 'to become improved' or 'to be improved'. This word is ubiquitous in Korean society, appearing in everything from news reports about the economy to personal conversations about health or relationships.

Hanja Origin
改 (개 - change/correct) + 善 (선 - good). Together, they imply changing something for the better.
Grammatical Function
It functions as an intransitive verb in Korean, meaning it does not take a direct object (marked by 을/를). Instead, the thing that improves is the subject (marked by 이/가).
Nuance
Unlike the simple '좋아지다' (to get better), '개선되다' implies a systematic or structural change. It suggests that flaws were identified and corrected.

"수질이 많이 개선되었다."

— Translation: The water quality has improved significantly.

When you use this word, you are focusing on the result of a process. For instance, if a company changes its customer service policy and the feedback becomes positive, you would say the service has been '개선되었다'. It is particularly common in formal contexts, such as business, politics, and technology. You will see it in headlines like 'Traffic conditions improved' (교통 상황 개선) or 'User interface improved' (사용자 인터페이스 개선). It carries a sense of progress and modernization.

"제도가 개선되기를 바랍니다."

— Translation: I hope the system will be improved.

Understanding the difference between 개선하다 (to improve something - active) and 개선되다 (to be improved - passive) is crucial for A2 and B1 learners. While '개선하다' focuses on the person or entity doing the work, '개선되다' focuses on the subject that is undergoing the positive change. For example, '정부가 제도를 개선했다' (The government improved the system) vs. '제도가 개선되었다' (The system was improved).

Common Subjects
Environment (환경), System (제도), Relationship (관계), Quality (품질), Performance (성능).

"두 나라의 관계가 개선되고 있다."

— Translation: The relationship between the two countries is improving.

Using 개선되다 correctly requires understanding its passive nature. Because it ends in -되다, it usually follows a subject marked with -이/가 or -은/는. You should avoid using the object marker -을/를 with this verb. For example, saying '환경을 개선되다' is grammatically incorrect; it must be '환경이 개선되다'.

In terms of conjugation, it follows the standard rules for -하다/-되다 verbs:

  • Present Tense: 개선돼요 (Polite), 개선된다 (Plain)
  • Past Tense: 개선됐어요 (Polite), 개선되었다 (Written/Formal)
  • Future Tense: 개선될 거예요 (Polite), 개선될 것이다 (Formal)

This verb is often paired with adverbs that describe the degree or speed of improvement. Common adverbs include 많이 (a lot), 상당히 (considerably), 점차 (gradually), and 획기적으로 (drastically). For instance, '기술이 획기적으로 개선되었다' means 'The technology has been drastically improved'.

"근무 환경이 점차 개선되고 있습니다."

— Translation: The working environment is gradually improving.

In formal writing, such as reports or essays, 개선되다 is preferred over more colloquial terms like '나아지다'. It sounds more objective and professional. If you are writing a TOPIK essay about social issues, using this word will help you achieve a higher score. It shows that you understand the formal register of the Korean language.

You will encounter 개선되다 in various settings, ranging from the news to corporate meetings. It is a staple of 'official' Korean. Here are the most common places you'll hear it:

1. News and Media

News anchors frequently use this word when reporting on the economy, public safety, or social changes. '수출 실적이 개선되었습니다' (Export performance has improved) or '교통 체증이 개선될 것으로 보입니다' (Traffic congestion is expected to improve). It provides a formal tone to the reporting.

2. Workplace and Business

In a Korean office, you'll hear this during performance reviews or project updates. Managers might say, '업무 프로세스가 많이 개선되었네요' (The work process has improved a lot). It is also common in customer feedback responses: '불편한 점이 개선되도록 노력하겠습니다' (We will strive to improve the points of inconvenience).

3. Technology and Software

App update logs are a great place to see this word. '버그가 수정되고 성능이 개선되었습니다' (Bugs fixed and performance improved). In this context, it refers to technical optimization and user experience enhancements.

"이번 업데이트로 배터리 효율이 개선되었습니다."

— Translation: Battery efficiency has been improved with this update.

4. Public Announcements

Subway announcements or government notices often use this word to talk about service changes. '환승 시스템이 개선되어 더욱 편리해졌습니다' (The transfer system has been improved, making it more convenient).

Even though 개선되다 is a common word, learners often make specific errors when using it. Understanding these pitfalls will help you sound more like a native speaker.

1. Using the wrong particle

The most frequent mistake is using the object marker -을/를. Remember, -되다 verbs are passive/intransitive.
❌ 틀린 표현: 문제를 개선되다 (Incorrect)
✅ 옳은 표현: 문제가 개선되다 (Correct)

2. Confusing with '좋아지다'

While they both mean 'to get better', 개선되다 is for things that can be 'fixed' or 'reformed'. You wouldn't usually say '날씨가 개선되었다' (The weather improved) because weather isn't a system or a flaw to be fixed. Instead, use '날씨가 좋아졌다'. Use 개선되다 for things like laws, habits, or machine parts.

3. Overusing in casual speech

If you are talking to a close friend about your mood, saying '기분이 개선되었어' sounds very robotic and strange. In casual conversation, stick to '기분이 좋아졌어' or '나아졌어'. Save 개선되다 for formal or semi-formal contexts.

"성적이 개선됐다 (O) vs 기분이 개선됐다 (X)"

— Note: Grades can be improved (systematic), but mood just 'gets better'.

4. Misspelling '개선'

Some learners confuse it with '계선' or '개설'. '개설' (gaeseol) means 'to open/establish' (like a bank account or a class). Make sure to use '개선' for improvement.

Korean has several words for 'improvement' or 'getting better'. Choosing the right one depends on the context and the degree of formality.

향상되다 (Hyangsang-doeda)
Means 'to be enhanced' or 'to advance'. It is often used for skills, abilities, or technical performance. Example: '실력이 향상되다' (Skills improved).
나아지다 (Naajida)
A more general and slightly less formal term for 'to get better'. It can be used for health, situations, or quality. Example: '형편이 나아지다' (Circumstances improved).
호전되다 (Hojeon-doeda)
Specifically used for medical conditions or worsening situations that turn for the better. Example: '병세가 호전되다' (The patient's condition improved).
증진되다 (Jeungjin-doeda)
Means 'to be promoted' or 'to be increased', often used for health or welfare. Example: '건강이 증진되다' (Health was promoted/improved).

The main difference is that 개선되다 implies a 'fix' to a 'problem'. If something was broken, inefficient, or wrong, and then it was made better, 개선되다 is the perfect word. 향상되다 is more about going from 'good' to 'better' or 'better' to 'best'.

"품질이 개선되다 (Fixing defects) vs 실력이 향상되다 (Leveling up skills)"

How Formal Is It?

難易度

知っておくべき文法

-아/어지다 (to become)

-게 되다 (to come to/to end up)

-어야 하다 (must/should)

-기 바라다 (to hope for)

レベル別の例文

1

공기가 개선됐어요.

The air has improved.

Simple past tense.

2

방이 개선되었어요.

The room has been improved.

Passive form.

3

음식이 개선됐어요.

The food has improved.

Used for quality.

4

소리가 개선됐어요.

The sound has improved.

Used for sensory quality.

5

길이 개선됐어요.

The road has been improved.

Physical improvement.

6

물이 개선됐어요.

The water has improved.

Refers to purity.

7

서비스가 개선됐어요.

The service has improved.

Common in shops.

8

화면이 개선됐어요.

The screen has improved.

Refers to display quality.

1

교통 상황이 개선되었어요.

The traffic situation has improved.

Common A2 topic.

2

나쁜 습관이 개선됐어요.

Bad habits have been improved.

Used for habits.

3

인터넷 속도가 개선됐어요.

The internet speed has improved.

Technical improvement.

4

학교 시설이 개선되었어요.

School facilities have been improved.

Institutional improvement.

5

발음이 많이 개선됐어요.

Pronunciation has improved a lot.

Used for skills.

6

요리 실력이 개선됐어요.

Cooking skills have improved.

Skill improvement.

7

수면 환경이 개선됐어요.

The sleep environment has improved.

Lifestyle context.

8

앱 기능이 개선되었어요.

The app functions have been improved.

Software context.

1

근무 조건이 상당히 개선되었습니다.

Working conditions have improved considerably.

Formal adverb '상당히'.

2

대기 오염 문제가 개선되고 있다.

The air pollution problem is improving.

Present progressive '-고 있다'.

3

고객의 불만이 개선되었습니다.

Customer complaints have been improved (resolved).

Refers to resolving issues.

4

교육 제도가 개선되어야 합니다.

The education system must be improved.

Obligation '-어야 하다'.

5

주거 환경이 점차 개선될 것입니다.

The living environment will gradually improve.

Future tense.

6

제품의 품질이 획기적으로 개선됐다.

The quality of the product has improved drastically.

Adverb '획기적으로'.

7

의료 서비스가 개선되어 기쁩니다.

I am glad that medical services have improved.

Cause and effect '-어서'.

8

지역 경제가 개선되기를 바랍니다.

I hope the local economy improves.

Wishing '-기를 바라다'.

1

노사 관계가 긍정적으로 개선되었다.

Labor-management relations have improved positively.

Business context.

2

법적 미비점이 대폭 개선되었습니다.

Legal shortcomings have been significantly improved.

Legal/Formal context.

3

유통 구조가 개선되어 가격이 내렸다.

The distribution structure improved, so prices fell.

Economic logic.

4

보안 시스템이 개선될 필요가 있다.

The security system needs to be improved.

Necessity '-을 필요가 있다'.

5

인권 상황이 예전보다 개선되었다.

The human rights situation has improved compared to the past.

Social comparison.

6

기술적 한계가 서서히 개선되고 있다.

Technical limitations are slowly being improved.

Abstract subject.

7

경영 방식이 투명하게 개선되었습니다.

The management style has been improved transparently.

Corporate governance.

8

도시 인프라가 대대적으로 개선됐다.

The city infrastructure has been extensively improved.

Urban development.

1

사회적 불평등이 개선될 기미가 안 보인다.

There are no signs that social inequality will improve.

Idiom '기미가 보이다'.

2

관료주의적 관행이 개선되어야 마땅하다.

It is only right that bureaucratic practices be improved.

Strong conviction '-어야 마땅하다'.

3

언론의 자유도가 비약적으로 개선되었다.

The degree of press freedom has improved exponentially.

Advanced adverb '비약적으로'.

4

정치적 갈등이 개선될 여지가 남아 있다.

There is still room for political conflict to improve.

Abstract noun '여지'.

5

생산 공정이 효율적으로 개선되었습니다.

The production process has been improved efficiently.

Industrial context.

6

남북 관계가 개선되기를 온 국민이 염원한다.

The entire nation yearns for North-South relations to improve.

High-level verb '염원하다'.

7

기존의 문제점들이 상당 부분 개선되었다.

A significant portion of the existing problems has been improved.

Quantifier '상당 부분'.

8

주거 복지가 획기적으로 개선될 전망이다.

Housing welfare is expected to be drastically improved.

Predictive '-을 전망이다'.

1

구조적 모순이 개선되지 않으면 미래는 없다.

If structural contradictions are not improved, there is no future.

Conditional '-(으)면'.

2

인간 소외 현상이 기술 발달로 개선될까?

Will the phenomenon of human alienation be improved by technological development?

Philosophical question.

3

법 집행의 형평성이 대폭 개선되어야 한다.

The fairness of law enforcement must be significantly improved.

Legal philosophy.

4

고질적인 악습이 개선되는 데 오랜 시간이 걸렸다.

It took a long time for chronic bad customs to be improved.

Complex noun phrase.

5

대외 신인도가 개선되면서 투자가 늘었다.

As external credibility improved, investment increased.

Economic causality '-면서'.

6

정주 여건이 개선됨에 따라 인구가 유입되었다.

As living conditions improved, the population flowed in.

Formal cause '-함에 따라'.

7

심리적 외상이 상담을 통해 개선되었습니다.

Psychological trauma was improved through counseling.

Psychological context.

8

부패 고리가 개선될 수 있는 시스템을 구축했다.

A system was built that can improve the cycle of corruption.

Relative clause.

よく使う組み合わせ

환경이 개선되다 (environment improves)
제도가 개선되다 (system improves)
관계가 개선되다 (relationship improves)
품질이 개선되다 (quality improves)
성능이 개선되다 (performance improves)
습관이 개선되다 (habit improves)
조건이 개선되다 (condition improves)
인식이 개선되다 (perception improves)
대우가 개선되다 (treatment improves)
시설이 개선되다 (facility improves)

よく混同される語

개선되다 vs 개설되다 (to be opened/established)

개선되다 vs 개정되다 (to be revised - for laws)

개선되다 vs 개편되다 (to be reorganized)

間違えやすい

개선되다 vs

개선되다 vs

개선되다 vs

文型パターン

使い方

formality

It is higher register than '좋아지다'.

passive focus

It emphasizes the change itself, not the person who made it.

よくある間違い
  • Using 을/를 with 개선되다.
  • Using it for weather (날씨).
  • Using it for personal feelings (기분).
  • Confusing it with '개설되다' (opening a class/account).
  • Using it in very casual settings where '좋아지다' is better.

ヒント

Particle Check

Never use '을/를' with '개선되다'. Always use '이/가'.

Hanja Power

Remember 'Gae' (Change) + 'Seon' (Good). This helps you remember it's a positive change.

Formal vs Informal

Use '개선되다' in reports and '좋아지다' with friends.

Business Context

Use this word when talking about efficiency or quality in the office.

TOPIK Tip

Use '개선되다' to describe the effect of a policy in your essay.

Natural Flow

Say '개선됐어요' instead of '개선되었습니다' in polite conversation.

News Keywords

When you hear '개선', expect a story about something getting better.

Common Pairs

Memorize '환경 개선' and '제도 개선' as set phrases.

Upgrade

Think of it as the Korean word for 'to be upgraded'.

Mood Check

Don't use it for 'I feel better'. Use '기분이 좋아졌어'.

暗記しよう

語源

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

文化的な背景

Students are often told to '개선' their study habits to achieve better results.

Public service improvements are a major talking point in Korean elections.

In Korean companies, 'Kaizen' (the Japanese equivalent of 개선) is a well-known concept of continuous improvement.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

会話のきっかけ

"최근에 우리 동네 교통이 많이 개선된 것 같아요. (I think our neighborhood traffic has improved a lot lately.)"

"회사 복지가 어떻게 개선되면 좋을까요? (How should company welfare be improved?)"

"한국어 실력이 작년보다 많이 개선되었나요? (Has your Korean skill improved a lot since last year?)"

"이 앱의 어떤 기능이 개선되었으면 좋겠어요? (What features of this app do you want to see improved?)"

"건강을 위해 어떤 습관이 개선되었나요? (What habits have improved for your health?)"

日記のテーマ

올해 내가 가장 많이 개선된 점은 무엇인가? (What is the point I improved most this year?)

우리 사회에서 가장 먼저 개선되어야 할 문제는? (What is the problem that needs to be improved first in our society?)

나의 공부 습관이 어떻게 개선되고 있는지 써보세요. (Write about how your study habits are improving.)

よくある質問

10 問

Yes, '건강이 개선되다' is possible, especially in a medical or formal context, but '건강이 좋아지다' is more common in daily life.

Yes, the Hanja 'Seon' (善) means good, so it always implies a positive change.

개선되다 is formal and systematic; 나아지다 is general and can be used for almost anything getting better.

No, that sounds very strange. Use '날씨가 좋아지다'.

It is always '개선되다'. '개선해지다' is not a word.

You can say '제 실력이 개선되었습니다' or '실력을 개선했습니다' (though 향상시키다 is better for skills).

Only for their habits, skills, or conditions, not for their personality in a general sense (unless it's a specific 'behavioral improvement').

The noun form is '개선' (improvement).

Yes, it is a high-frequency word in TOPIK I and II.

If the machine's performance is made better, yes. If you just fixed it, '수리되다' is better.

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