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궁금해하다

A2 verb 9分で読める

궁금해하다

gunggeumhaehada

練習する例文メモとヒント 궁금해하다 30秒で

解説 궁금해하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to express feelings. '궁금해하다' might be a bit long, so you will first learn its base form, '궁금하다' (to be curious). However, you should know that when you talk about other people, like 'My friend is curious,' you add '-해해요' to the end. For now, think of '궁금해하다' as the way to say 'He wonders' or 'She wonders.' You use it when you see someone looking at a mysterious box or waiting for a message. Simple sentence structure: [Person] + [Object] + 을/를 + 궁금해해요. Example: '친구는 선물을 궁금해해요' (My friend is curious about the gift). It's a useful word for basic social interactions.

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At the A2 level, you should start distinguishing between the adjective '궁금하다' and the verb '궁금해하다.' Remember: use '궁금하다' for yourself (I am curious) and '궁금해하다' for others (He is curious). You will also start using it with simple question clauses. For example, '그는 내가 어디에 있는지 궁금해해요' (He wonders where I am). At this stage, pay attention to the particles. Use '~을/를' with '궁금해하다.' You can use this word to talk about your family, your pets, or your classmates. It's a great way to describe the actions and interests of people around you in your daily life conversations.

At the B1 level, you can use '궁금해하다' in more complex sentences and different tenses. You should be comfortable using the past tense '궁금해했다' and the progressive form '궁금해하고 있다.' You will also encounter it in more varied contexts, like news reports or stories. For instance, '많은 사람들이 이 사건의 진실을 궁금해하고 있습니다' (Many people are wondering about the truth of this incident). You should also learn the honorific form '궁금해하시다' to talk about elders or teachers. This level requires you to understand the nuance that '궁금해하다' is an active process of wondering, often involving seeking an answer or showing visible signs of curiosity.

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At the B2 level, you should be able to use '궁금해하다' fluently in discussions about social issues or abstract topics. You can combine it with various grammar patterns like '~는지 궁금해하다' (wonder whether...) or '~을까 봐 궁금해하다' (wonder if... might happen). You will also begin to see the difference between this word and more formal alternatives like '호기심을 느끼다' or '의구심을 갖다.' Your usage should reflect an understanding of the social dynamics in Korea, such as using the word to show interest in someone's well-being (안부를 궁금해하다). You can also use it in written essays to describe the motivations of characters or the public's interest in a topic.

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At the C1 level, you should master the subtle nuances of '궁금해하다' in literature and professional discourse. You will use it to describe intellectual curiosity or public sentiment in sophisticated ways. For example, '역사학자들은 고대 문명의 멸망 원인을 오랫동안 궁금해해 왔습니다' (Historians have long wondered about the cause of the fall of ancient civilizations). You should also be aware of how this verb functions in personification or metaphorical contexts. At this stage, you can compare and contrast it with '의아해하다' or '회의를 느끼다' to express complex mental states. Your ability to use the word with various causative or passive structures (though rare for this specific verb) or in quoted speech will be refined.

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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '궁금해하다.' You can use it to discuss philosophical inquiries, scientific mysteries, or deep psychological states. You understand its role in the 'third-person emotion' rule of Korean grammar perfectly and can manipulate it to create specific rhetorical effects. You can identify when a writer uses '궁금해하다' to create suspense or to build empathy for a character. Your vocabulary includes all related idioms and formal substitutes, and you can switch between them effortlessly depending on the register. You might use it in a high-level debate or a academic paper to describe the trajectory of human curiosity throughout history.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

궁금해하다 30秒で

A verb meaning 'to be curious' or 'to wonder'.
Used primarily for third-person subjects or active wondering.
Requires the object particle ~을/를 for the thing of interest.
Commonly used with ~는지 to express 'wondering if/how/why'.

The verb 궁금해하다 (gung-geum-hae-ha-da) is a fundamental Korean word that translates to 'to be curious about' or 'to wonder about' something. While its adjective counterpart, 궁금하다, describes the internal state of being curious (often used for the first person 'I'), the verb form 궁금해하다 is used to describe the outward expression of curiosity or to attribute curiosity to a third party. Understanding this distinction is crucial for natural Korean communication. In daily life, you will hear this word whenever someone is seeking information, expressing interest in a mystery, or describing how someone else is eagerly waiting for an answer. It bridges the gap between a passive feeling and an active state of wondering.

Usage Context: Used when describing someone else's curiosity or when curiosity is directed towards a specific object or situation as an active process.
Grammatical Role: It is a transitive verb, meaning it often takes the object marker ~을/를, unlike the adjective form which takes ~이/가.

아이들이 상자 속에 무엇이 있는지 궁금해해요. (The children are curious about what is inside the box.)

Imagine a scene where a surprise party is being planned. The birthday girl notices her friends whispering and acting suspiciously. She doesn't just 'feel' curious; she is 'wondering' out loud and showing it. In this scenario, her friends would say, '그녀가 우리의 계획을 궁금해하고 있어' (She is wondering about our plan). The verb captures the duration and the visible nature of her curiosity. It is also frequently used in professional settings, such as when a manager is curious about the progress of a project or when a researcher is curious about the results of an experiment.

모두가 그 영화의 결말을 궁금해하고 있습니다. (Everyone is wondering about the ending of that movie.)

Social Nuance: Using this word shows empathy and observation skills, as you are acknowledging the mental state of someone else.

Furthermore, '궁금해하다' is often linked with the concept of 'longing' or 'anticipation' in Korean culture. It is not just clinical curiosity; it can carry an emotional weight, suggesting that the person is slightly anxious or excited to find out the truth. For example, if a mother is waiting for her son's exam results, her curiosity is tinged with hope and nervousness. This depth makes the word versatile in literature and drama scripts, where characters often '궁금해하다' about their long-lost relatives or secret admirers.

팬들은 가수의 다음 앨범을 매우 궁금해합니다. (Fans are very curious about the singer's next album.)

To use 궁금해하다 correctly, one must master the relationship between the subject and the object. Unlike English where 'I wonder' and 'He wonders' use the same verb, Korean distinguishes between the speaker's internal state and the observed state of others. When you use 궁금해하다, you are typically treating 'curiosity' as an action directed toward an object. This means you should use the object particle ~을/를 for the thing being wondered about.

The Object Marker Rule: Standard: [Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 궁금해하다. Example: '학생들이 시험 결과를 궁금해해요.'

그는 그녀의 이름을 궁금해하는 것 같아요. (He seems to be curious about her name.)

In complex sentences, 궁금해하다 often follows a clause ending in ~는지 (whether or not). This is the most natural way to say 'curious about whether...' or 'curious about how...'. For instance, if you want to say 'They are curious about how I did it,' you would say '그들은 내가 어떻게 했는지 궁금해해요.' This pattern is incredibly common in both spoken and written Korean, appearing in everything from news reports to personal diaries.

우리는 왜 그가 오지 않았는지 궁금해했습니다. (We wondered why he didn't come.)

Politeness Levels: Formal: 궁금해합니다 / Neutral: 궁금해해요 / Informal: 궁금해해. Remember to match the level to your audience!

Another advanced use case involves the progressive form ~고 있다. Because curiosity is often a continuous state, saying '궁금해하고 있다' (is being curious/is wondering) adds a sense of immediacy and ongoing action. This is particularly useful when you are observing someone right now and describing their behavior. For example, '강아지가 소리의 정체를 궁금해하고 있어요' (The puppy is wondering about the source of the sound).

기자들은 사건의 진상을 궁금해하고 있습니다. (Reporters are curious about the truth of the incident.)

Lastly, consider the honorific form. If you are talking about an elder or someone in a higher position, you should use 궁금해하시다. For example, '선생님께서 학생의 건강을 궁금해하십니다' (The teacher is curious about the student's health). Using the correct honorific shows your proficiency in Korean social etiquette.

You will encounter 궁금해하다 in a wide variety of real-life settings. One of the most common places is in Korean dramas (K-Dramas). Characters often speculate about each other's secrets or pasts. A common line might be, '사람들이 우리 사이를 궁금해해' (People are curious about our relationship). It serves as a plot driver, highlighting the tension between what is known and what is hidden. Outside of fiction, it is a staple of celebrity gossip and entertainment news, where headlines frequently scream about what fans are '궁금해하는' regarding their favorite stars.

Media Usage: Frequently used in TV show titles and YouTube thumbnails: '전 국민이 궁금해하는 그 이야기' (The story the whole nation is curious about).

시청자들이 다음 회를 매우 궁금해하고 있어요. (The viewers are very curious about the next episode.)

In the workplace, the word is used to express professional interest or to follow up on tasks. A boss might say, '사장님이 회의 결과를 궁금해하세요' (The CEO is curious about the meeting results). This is a polite way to pressure someone for an update without being overly aggressive. It frames the request as satisfying someone's natural curiosity rather than just demanding a report. Similarly, in customer service, staff might use it to show attention: '많은 고객님들이 이 제품의 출시일을 궁금해하십니다' (Many customers are curious about the release date of this product).

부모님은 네가 어떻게 지내는지 항상 궁금해하셔. (Your parents always wonder how you are doing.)

In educational settings, teachers use this word to encourage student engagement. A science teacher might say, '과학자들은 우주의 기원을 궁금해해 왔습니다' (Scientists have long wondered about the origin of the universe). This sets a tone of inquiry and intellectual pursuit. Even in simple daily conversations among friends, it's used to talk about mutual acquaintances: '친구들이 너의 근황을 궁금해하더라' (The friends were curious about how you've been). It’s a word that facilitates social bonding by acknowledging shared interests.

The single most common mistake English speakers make with 궁금해하다 is confusing it with the adjective 궁금하다. In English, 'to be curious' covers everything. In Korean, you must differentiate. If you say '제 친구가 궁금해요' when you mean 'My friend is curious,' you are actually saying 'I am curious about my friend.' To say your friend is the one feeling the curiosity, you MUST use '제 친구가 궁금해해요.' This is a fundamental rule for all 'adjective-to-verb' conversions in Korean involving third-person emotions (like 좋아하다, 슬퍼하다, etc.).

The First-Person Trap: Mistake: Using '저는 궁금해해요' in simple conversation. Correction: Usually '저는 궁금해요' is more natural unless emphasizing the action.

❌ 그가 결과가 궁금해요. (Wrong if you mean 'He is curious')
✅ 그가 결과를 궁금해해요. (Correct)

Another mistake involves particles. Since 궁금해하다 is a verb, it requires the object particle ~을/를. Many learners mistakenly use the subject particle ~이/가 because they are used to the adjective form. For example, '날씨가 궁금해해요' is grammatically incorrect; it should be '날씨를 궁금해해요.' Think of it this way: the curiosity is an action being directed at the weather.

A subtle mistake occurs in honorifics. When talking about a superior, you cannot just use '궁금해해요.' You must use '궁금해하세요' or '궁금해하십니다.' Forgetting the ~시~ infix can make you sound impolite or uneducated. Also, avoid using '궁금해하다' for inanimate objects unless you are personifying them in a poem or story. A computer cannot '궁금해하다' because it lacks a mind.

❌ 선생님이 질문을 궁금해해요. (Lacks honorifics)
✅ 선생님께서 질문을 궁금해하세요. (Polite)

Finally, don't confuse 궁금해하다 with 의심하다 (to suspect). Curiosity is usually neutral or positive, whereas '의심하다' implies you think something is wrong or someone is lying. If you are 'curious' about a secret, use '궁금해하다'. If you 'suspect' someone of a crime, use '의심하다'. Using the wrong one can drastically change the tone of your sentence.

While 궁금해하다 is the most versatile word for curiosity, several other words and phrases can provide more specific nuances depending on the context. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more like a native speaker and express precise emotions.

궁금하다 vs 궁금해하다: 궁금하다 is an adjective (state) usually for the self. 궁금해하다 is a verb (action) usually for others.
호기심을 갖다: Literally 'to have curiosity'. This is more formal and often used in academic or descriptive contexts about a person's character traits.
알고 싶어하다: To 'want to know'. This is very direct and emphasizes the desire for information rather than the feeling of curiosity itself.

그 아이는 모든 것에 호기심을 가져요. (That child has curiosity about everything.)

If you want to express a sense of 'wonder' that is more awe-filled or philosophical, you might use 의아해하다 (to be puzzled/wonder why). This is used when something is strange or doesn't make sense. 궁금해하다 is 'I want to know,' while 의아해하다 is 'I find this strange and am wondering why it is so.' For example, if a cat suddenly starts barking, you would '의아해하다' rather than just '궁금해하다'.

In very informal settings, especially among younger people or in web novels, you might see 궁금해 죽다 (to be dying of curiosity). This is a common hyperbole used when someone is extremely impatient to find out some news. On the more formal side, in literature, you might see 반문하다 (to ask oneself/wonder), which describes an internal monologue of questioning.

그녀는 진실이 무엇인지 알고 싶어해요. (She wants to know what the truth is.)

Lastly, 의문을 품다 means 'to harbor a doubt' or 'to have a question.' This is much more serious and is often used in investigative journalism or scientific research. While '궁금해하다' is light and common, '의문을 품다' suggests a deeper, perhaps more skeptical, form of wondering. Choosing the right word depends on whether you are talking about a simple question or a profound mystery.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The suffix '-어/아하다' is a specialized grammatical tool in Korean that allows speakers to talk about someone else's internal emotions by turning them into an external, observable action.

発音ガイド

UK kung-gum-hae-ha-da

US gung-gum-he-ha-da

Stress is relatively even across syllables, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable '궁'.

韻が合う語

사랑하다 생각하다 공부하다 기대하다 준비하다 이해하다 조심하다 부러워하다

よくある間違い

Pronouncing '궁' as 'goong' with a very long 'oo'. It should be a short 'u' sound.
Over-aspirating the 'h' in 'hae' and 'ha'. Keep them light.
Confusing the 'ae' (애) and 'e' (에) sounds, though they are very similar in modern Korean.
Not connecting the syllables smoothly; it should flow as one word.
Misplacing the stress on the last syllable.

難易度

読解 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the common '궁금' root.

ライティング 3/5

Requires correct particle usage (~을/를) and understanding the third-person rule.

スピーキング 3/5

Need to distinguish from '궁금하다' in real-time.

リスニング 2/5

Commonly heard in dramas and daily life.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

궁금하다 하다 알다 사람 무엇

次に学ぶ

의아해하다 의심하다 질문하다 호기심 해결하다

上級

반문하다 회의적이다 규명하다 파헤치다 탐색하다

知っておくべき文法

-어/아하다 (Auxiliary verb)

슬프다 -> 슬퍼하다, 좋다 -> 좋아하다

-는지 (Indirect question)

어디 가는지 궁금해해요.

-을/를 (Object particle)

그는 내 가방을 궁금해했다.

-(으)시- (Honorific)

할머니께서 궁금해하세요.

-고 있다 (Progressive)

모두가 결과를 궁금해하고 있어요.

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レベル別の例文

동생이 선물을 궁금해해요.

My younger sibling is curious about the gift.

Subject (동생) + Object (선물) + 을/를 + 궁금해해요.

친구들이 제 이름을 궁금해해요.

My friends are curious about my name.

Note the use of the verb because it's 'friends' (third person).

강아지가 가방을 궁금해해요.

The puppy is curious about the bag.

Animals can also be the subject of '궁금해하다'.

그는 한국 음식을 궁금해해요.

He is curious about Korean food.

Use '을' after '음식'.

아이가 엄마를 궁금해해요.

The child is wondering about (where) mom (is).

In this context, it implies wondering about her location or state.

누가 왔는지 궁금해해요.

(They) wonder who came.

The subject is omitted but understood as a third person.

고양이가 상자를 궁금해해요.

The cat is curious about the box.

Simple transitive verb structure.

학생들이 정답을 궁금해해요.

The students are curious about the correct answer.

Standard present tense.

그녀는 제가 왜 울었는지 궁금해해요.

She wonders why I cried.

Using '~는지' clause as the object of curiosity.

사람들이 그 소식을 궁금해해요.

People are curious about that news.

General subject '사람들' often takes this verb.

부모님은 제 성적을 궁금해하세요.

My parents are curious about my grades.

Honorific form '궁금해하세요' used for parents.

우리는 그 영화의 결말을 궁금해했어요.

We wondered about the ending of that movie.

Past tense '궁금해했다'.

아이가 아빠가 언제 오는지 궁금해해요.

The child wonders when dad is coming.

Indirect question with '~는지'.

모두가 그 가수의 진짜 이름을 궁금해해요.

Everyone is curious about that singer's real name.

The object is '진짜 이름'.

제 친구는 한국 생활을 궁금해해요.

My friend is curious about life in Korea.

Describes a general state of interest.

그는 이 기계의 사용법을 궁금해해요.

He is curious about how to use this machine.

Object is '사용법' (method of use).

팬들은 그 배우의 차기작을 매우 궁금해하고 있습니다.

Fans are very curious about the actor's next project.

Progressive form '~고 있다' for ongoing curiosity.

선생님께서 네가 왜 결석했는지 궁금해하셔.

The teacher is wondering why you were absent.

Honorific '궁금해하셔' (informal polite).

많은 관광객들이 이 건물의 역사를 궁금해합니다.

Many tourists are curious about the history of this building.

Formal ending '-합니다'.

그는 그녀가 자신을 좋아하는지 궁금해했어요.

He wondered if she liked him.

Internal monologue of a third person.

아이들은 우주에 외계인이 있는지 궁금해해요.

Children wonder if there are aliens in space.

Common topic for curiosity.

주민들은 공사가 언제 끝날지 궁금해하고 있어요.

Residents are wondering when the construction will end.

Future-oriented indirect question with '~을지'.

동료들은 내 휴가 계획을 궁금해했다.

My colleagues were curious about my vacation plans.

Plain past tense.

그는 자기 선물이 무엇일지 궁금해하며 상자를 열었다.

Wondering what his gift might be, he opened the box.

Using '~하며' (while) to show simultaneous action.

소비자들은 신제품의 가격이 얼마로 책정될지 궁금해하고 있다.

Consumers are wondering how the price of the new product will be set.

Business context usage.

학계는 이 발견이 어떤 영향을 미칠지 궁금해하고 있습니다.

The academic world is wondering what kind of impact this discovery will have.

Formal/Academic context.

그는 친구가 갑자기 연락을 끊은 이유를 궁금해했다.

He wondered about the reason why his friend suddenly cut off contact.

Complex noun phrase as an object.

시청자들은 드라마 속 주인공의 운명을 궁금해하며 본방을 기다린다.

Viewers wonder about the fate of the protagonist and wait for the live broadcast.

Describing collective behavior.

부모님은 자식이 타지에서 밥은 잘 먹고 다니는지 늘 궁금해하신다.

Parents always wonder if their child is eating well while living away from home.

Cultural nuance of parental care.

기자들은 그 정치인의 행보를 궁금해하며 질문을 쏟아냈다.

Reporters wondered about the politician's next move and poured out questions.

Journalistic context.

그는 자신의 미래가 어떻게 변할지 궁금해하면서도 두려워했다.

He wondered how his future would change, but was also afraid.

Contrasting two emotions.

많은 이들이 그 비밀이 언제쯤 밝혀질지 궁금해하고 있다.

Many people are wondering when that secret will be revealed.

Passive voice within the indirect question.

철학자들은 인간의 의식이 어떻게 형성되는지 끊임없이 궁금해해 왔다.

Philosophers have constantly wondered how human consciousness is formed.

Present perfect progressive nuance with '~어 왔다'.

대중은 그 사건의 배후에 누가 있는지 집요하게 궁금해하고 있습니다.

The public is tenaciously wondering who is behind that incident.

Using the adverb '집요하게' (tenaciously).

그는 자신의 선택이 옳았는지 마음속으로 깊이 궁금해했다.

He wondered deeply in his heart whether his choice had been right.

Internalized action described as a verb.

연구원들은 실험 결과가 가설과 일치할지 초조하게 궁금해하며 기다렸다.

The researchers waited, anxiously wondering if the results would match the hypothesis.

Combining '초조하게' (anxiously) with curiosity.

비평가들은 감독이 왜 그런 연출을 했는지 궁금해하며 토론을 벌였다.

Critics wondered why the director chose that staging and held a discussion.

Intellectual inquiry.

역사는 승자가 기록하지만, 패자의 이야기도 사람들은 궁금해한다.

History is written by the winners, but people also wonder about the stories of the losers.

Contrasting historical perspectives.

그녀는 헤어진 연인이 지금쯤 어디서 무엇을 할지 문득 궁금해졌다.

She suddenly became curious about where her ex-lover might be and what they might be doing.

Transition to state using '~어지다'.

인류는 아주 오래전부터 밤하늘의 별 너머에 무엇이 있을지 궁금해해 왔다.

Humanity has wondered what might be beyond the stars in the night sky since a very long time ago.

Broad, historical subject.

존재의 근원적 의미를 궁금해하는 것은 인간만이 가진 고유한 특성이다.

Wondering about the fundamental meaning of existence is a unique characteristic of humans.

Gerund-like usage with '~하는 것'.

세간에서는 그 기업의 갑작스러운 파산 배경을 몹시 궁금해하고 있다.

The public is extremely curious about the background of the company's sudden bankruptcy.

Formal/Economic context using '세간' (the world/public).

그는 타인의 시선을 궁금해하기보다 자신의 내면에 집중하기로 했다.

He decided to focus on his inner self rather than wondering about how others see him.

Comparing external curiosity with internal focus.

사학계는 아직 해독되지 않은 비문의 내용을 몹시 궁금해하고 있습니다.

The historical community is very curious about the contents of the undeciphered inscription.

Specialized academic inquiry.

그녀의 침묵이 무엇을 의미하는지 모두가 궁금해했지만 아무도 묻지 않았다.

Everyone wondered what her silence meant, but no one asked.

Narrative tension.

인공지능이 인간의 감정을 진정으로 궁금해할 수 있는 날이 올까?

Will the day come when AI can truly wonder about human emotions?

Philosophical/Future tech context.

작가는 독자들이 자신의 의도를 어떻게 해석할지 궁금해하며 펜을 들었다.

The writer picked up the pen, wondering how readers would interpret their intention.

Creative process context.

우리는 가보지 못한 길에 대해 항상 궁금해하며 살아가는 존재들이다.

We are beings who live always wondering about the paths we haven't taken.

Existential reflection.

よく使う組み合わせ

소식을 궁금해하다

결과를 궁금해하다

이유를 궁금해하다

정체를 궁금해하다

안부를 궁금해하다

내용을 궁금해하다

반응을 궁금해하다

진실을 궁금해하다

미래를 궁금해하다

의도를 궁금해하다

よく使うフレーズ

다들 궁금해해요

— Everyone is curious. Used to show widespread interest.

네가 누구랑 사귀는지 다들 궁금해해.

무척 궁금해하다

— To be very curious. Adds emphasis.

그는 결과를 무척 궁금해하고 있어요.

궁금해할 것 같아서

— Because I thought you/they might be curious.

네가 궁금해할 것 같아서 미리 알려줄게.

아무도 안 궁금해해

— Nobody is curious (Nobody cares). Often used sarcastically.

그 이야기는 아무도 안 궁금해해.

왜 그런지 궁금해하다

— To wonder why it is so.

사람들은 왜 하늘이 파란지 궁금해해요.

어떻게 됐는지 궁금해하다

— To wonder how it turned out.

부모님이 면접이 어떻게 됐는지 궁금해하셔.

진심으로 궁금해하다

— To be truly/sincerely curious.

그는 내 꿈이 뭔지 진심으로 궁금해했다.

은근히 궁금해하다

— To be secretly or subtly curious.

그녀는 내 선물을 은근히 궁금해하는 눈치였다.

몹시 궁금해하다

— To be extremely/terribly curious.

아이들은 상자 안을 몹시 궁금해했다.

누구나 궁금해하는

— Something everyone is curious about.

이것은 누구나 궁금해하는 질문입니다.

よく混同される語

궁금해하다 vs 궁금하다

Adjective used for first-person internal states. '궁금해하다' is for third-person or active wondering.

궁금해하다 vs 의심하다

To suspect something is wrong. '궁금해하다' is neutral curiosity.

궁금해하다 vs 기대하다

To look forward to something. '궁금해하다' is just wanting to know.

慣用句と表現

"입이 궁금하다"

— Literally 'the mouth is curious'. It means to want to snack on something even if not hungry.

입이 궁금해서 과자를 좀 먹어야겠어.

Informal

"궁금해서 못 견디다"

— To be so curious one cannot stand it.

그는 결말을 궁금해서 못 견뎌 했다.

Neutral

"귀가 솔깃하다"

— To have one's ears perk up (out of curiosity/interest).

그 소식에 모두가 귀가 솔깃해졌다.

Idiomatic

"목을 빼고 기다리다"

— To wait with a long neck (to wait eagerly/curiously).

그는 합격 소식을 목을 빼고 기다리고 있다.

Idiomatic

"속을 떠보다"

— To try to read someone's mind/curiosity.

그는 내 속을 떠보려고 질문을 던졌다.

Neutral

"눈이 휘둥그레지다"

— To have eyes wide with wonder/curiosity.

아이는 마술을 보고 눈이 휘둥그레졌다.

Descriptive

"호기심이 발동하다"

— For curiosity to be triggered/activated.

이상한 소리에 호기심이 발동했다.

Neutral

"물음표를 던지다"

— To throw a question mark (to express curiosity or doubt).

그의 발언은 많은 이들에게 물음표를 던졌다.

Metaphorical

"베일에 가려지다"

— To be veiled (making people curious).

그의 과거는 베일에 가려져 있어 다들 궁금해한다.

Literary

"손에 땀을 쥐다"

— To have sweaty hands (from suspenseful curiosity).

관객들은 손에 땀을 쥐며 결과를 궁금해했다.

Idiomatic

間違えやすい

궁금해하다 vs 의아해하다

Both involve 'wondering'.

'궁금해하다' is wanting information. '의아해하다' is being puzzled by something strange.

그의 결석을 궁금해하다 (Wonder why he is absent) vs. 그의 행동을 의아해하다 (Wonder why he is acting weirdly).

궁금해하다 vs 신기해하다

Both are reactions to something new.

'신기해하다' is to find something amazing/novel. '궁금해하다' is wanting to know the 'what/why'.

아이들은 마술을 신기해하고, 그 원리를 궁금해해요.

궁금해하다 vs 답답해하다

Both can happen when information is missing.

'답답해하다' is feeling frustrated because you don't know or can't do something.

소식이 없어서 답답해하다.

궁금해하다 vs 부러워하다

Both are third-person emotion verbs.

'부러워하다' is to be envious.

그는 내 성공을 부러워하면서도 비결을 궁금해했다.

궁금해하다 vs 걱정하다

Curiosity can lead to worry.

'걱정하다' is to be anxious about a negative outcome.

부모님은 내 건강을 걱정하며 결과를 궁금해하신다.

文型パターン

[Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 궁금해해요.

아이가 우유를 궁금해해요.

[Subject]이/가 [Question]는지 궁금해해요.

친구가 내가 어디 사는지 궁금해해요.

[Subject]께서 [Object]을/를 궁금해하세요.

선생님께서 제 계획을 궁금해하세요.

[Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 궁금해하고 있어요.

사람들이 결과를 궁금해하고 있어요.

[Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 궁금해했을 것이다.

그도 내 마음을 궁금해했을 것이다.

[Subject]은/는 [Object]에 대해 궁금해해 왔다.

인류는 우주에 대해 궁금해해 왔다.

[Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 궁금해하는 것은 당연하다.

그가 진실을 궁금해하는 것은 당연하다.

[Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 몹시 궁금해한 나머지...

그녀가 소식을 궁금해한 나머지 잠을 설쳤다.

語族

名詞

궁금증 (curiosity/wonder)

호기심 (curiosity)

動詞

궁금해하다 (to wonder/be curious)

形容詞

궁금하다 (to be curious/anxious)

使い方

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Korean.

よくある間違い

제 친구가 궁금해요. → 제 친구가 궁금해해요.
The first sentence means 'I am curious about my friend.' The second means 'My friend is curious.'
나는 날씨가 궁금해해요. → 나는 날씨를 궁금해해요.
'궁금해하다' is a verb and takes the object particle '를'.
선생님이 결과를 궁금해해요. → 선생님께서 결과를 궁금해하세요.
You must use honorifics when the subject is a teacher.
그는 왜 그런지 궁금해요. → 그는 왜 그런지 궁금해해요.
Again, for a third person ('he'), the verb form is required.
나는 그를 궁금해해요. → 나는 그가 궁금해요.
While '궁금해하다' can be used for oneself, '궁금하다' is much more natural for first-person internal states.

ヒント

The Third-Person Rule

In Korean, you often can't directly state someone else's feelings. You observe them. '-어/아하다' is the tool for this. Use it for 'curious', 'happy', 'sad', etc., when the subject is not you.

Softening Requests

If you want to ask someone for info, say '많은 분들이 궁금해하셔서...' (Since many people are curious...). it makes the request less personal and more like you are just helping others.

Expanding to '궁금증'

If you want to say 'to satisfy curiosity', use '궁금증을 풀다'. It's a very common set phrase.

Showing Care

Saying '부모님이 너를 궁금해하셔' is a warm way to say 'My parents want to see you' or 'My parents are thinking of you'.

Using ~는지

Mastering the '~는지 궁금해하다' pattern will immediately make your Korean writing sound more intermediate/advanced.

The 'H' Sound

The 'h' in 'hae-ha' is often very light in fast speech, sounding almost like '궁금해아다'. Don't over-pronounce it.

Curious vs Prying

In Korean, '궁금해하다' is usually positive. If someone is being nosy, the word '캐묻다' is used instead.

Drama Titles

Look for the word in drama descriptions. It's often used to describe the 'mysterious' vibe of a plot.

Pairing with '알다'

Curiosity leads to knowing. Practice sentences like '궁금해해서 물어봤고, 이제 알아요' (I was curious so I asked, and now I know).

Particle Check

Always double-check: Noun + 을/를 + 궁금해하다. Never use 이/가 here.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Imagine a 'Gung' (palace) that is 'Geum' (gold). You would 'Hae' (do) a lot of 'Hada' (action) to see inside. You are curious!

視覚的連想

A person peering through a keyhole with a giant question mark above their head.

Word Web

Curiosity Wonder Question Information Secret Mystery Interest Asking

チャレンジ

Try to observe three people today and describe what they are '궁금해하는' using this verb.

語源

Derived from the adjective '궁금하다' (gung-geum-ha-da). The root '궁금' is of native Korean origin, though some speculate links to '궁(窮)' (exhaust/end) in Hanja, it is generally treated as a pure Korean descriptive.

元の意味： The original sense of '궁금하다' was related to being anxious or ill at ease because one does not know something.

Koreanic

文化的な背景

Be careful not to sound like a gossip when using this word about private matters.

English speakers often use 'I wonder' for themselves, but Koreans use '궁금하다'. English 'He is curious' is exactly '그는 궁금해해요'.

K-Drama '궁금해' (Curious) - common theme in romantic mysteries. Song lyrics: Many K-Pop songs use '궁금해' to express interest in a crush. Children's books often start with '궁금해하는 아이' (The curious child).

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Gossip/Socializing

누구랑 사귀는지 궁금해해
어디 사는지 궁금해해
나이가 몇 살인지 궁금해해
직업이 뭔지 궁금해해

Workplace

진행 상황을 궁금해하십니다
결과를 궁금해해요
이유를 궁금해합니다
계획을 궁금해하세요

Education

정답을 궁금해하다
원리를 궁금해하다
성적을 궁금해하다
내용을 궁금해하다

Waiting/Anticipation

언제 오는지 궁금해하다
선물이 뭔지 궁금해하다
날씨를 궁금해하다
소식을 궁금해하다

Media/Entertainment

결말을 궁금해하다
비밀을 궁금해하다
정체를 궁금해하다
다음 회를 궁금해하다

会話のきっかけ

"사람들이 왜 그 소식을 그렇게 궁금해할까요? (Why do you think people are so curious about that news?)"

"친구들이 당신의 한국 생활을 궁금해하지 않나요? (Aren't your friends curious about your life in Korea?)"

"요즘 가장 궁금해하는 것이 무엇인가요? (What is the thing you are most curious about these days?)"

"부모님이 당신의 미래를 많이 궁금해하시나요? (Do your parents wonder a lot about your future?)"

"아이들은 왜 항상 '왜?'라고 물으며 궁금해할까요? (Why do children always wonder and ask 'why'?)"

日記のテーマ

오늘 다른 사람들이 나에 대해 무엇을 궁금해했는지 적어보세요. (Write about what other people were curious about regarding you today.)

내가 어렸을 때 가장 궁금해했던 세상의 비밀은 무엇이었나요? (What was the secret of the world you wondered about most when you were young?)

사람들이 왜 연예인의 사생활을 궁금해한다고 생각하시나요? (Why do you think people are curious about celebrities' private lives?)

최근에 친구가 나에게 궁금해하며 물어본 질문은 무엇인가요? (What question did a friend ask you recently out of curiosity?)

역사 속에서 사람들이 오랫동안 궁금해해 온 수수께끼에 대해 써보세요. (Write about a riddle that people have wondered about for a long time in history.)

よくある質問

10 問

Yes, but it sounds more like 'I am in a state of wondering' or 'I am actively seeking the answer.' Usually, '궁금해요' is more natural for 'I am curious'.

It must be '궁금해해요'. Using '궁금해요' for a friend is grammatically awkward unless you are saying YOU are curious about the friend.

Use the object particle ~을/를 for the noun you are curious about.

You can say '궁금해 죽겠어요' (informal/neutral).

It is a standard verb. Its formality depends on the ending (합니다, 해요, etc.).

'궁금해하다' is a verb (to wonder). '호기심' is a noun (curiosity).

Use '[Reason] 왜 ... 는지 궁금해해요'. Example: '왜 늦었는지 궁금해해요'.

Yes, if the dog is acting curious, you can say '강아지가 궁금해해요'.

The past tense is '궁금해했다'.

While '궁금' is native, '호기심' (好奇心) is the Hanja equivalent for 'curiosity'.

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