Meaning
To find a solution to a difficulty or challenge.
Cultural Background
In Korean companies, 'problem solving' is often a collective effort. If a problem is solved, the credit is usually shared with the team ('우리 팀이 해결했습니다'). The concept of 'Cheon-myeon' (Face) is vital. Solving a problem often involves 'saving face' for the person who caused it. Students are under high pressure to 'solve' (풀다/해결하다) complex exam questions, leading to a culture of high logical proficiency but also high stress. Korea is a world leader in IT, so 'troubleshooting' (문제 해결) is a daily part of life, from high-speed rail to food delivery apps.
Use '되다' for results
If you want to say 'It's fixed!' without saying who did it, say '해결됐어요!'
Don't use for 'answering'
Remember: You solve (해결) a crisis, but you answer (대답) a question.
Meaning
To find a solution to a difficulty or challenge.
Use '되다' for results
If you want to say 'It's fixed!' without saying who did it, say '해결됐어요!'
Don't use for 'answering'
Remember: You solve (해결) a crisis, but you answer (대답) a question.
Pair with adverbs
Use '완벽하게' (perfectly) or '신속하게' (quickly) to sound like a native professional.
Harmony is key
In Korea, 'solving' often means 'compromising'. Keep that in mind in negotiations.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '해결하다'.
우리는 어제 회의에서 그 문제를 ____.
The word '어제' (yesterday) indicates the past tense is required.
Which sentence is the most natural for a business report?
Choose the best option:
'해결하였습니다' is the formal, professional way to report a resolution.
Match the problem with the most likely solution verb.
Match the following:
These are the most natural collocations for each type of 'issue'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 컴퓨터가 고장 났어요. B: 걱정 마세요. 제가 곧 ____.
B is offering a service/help to A, so '해결해 드릴게요' (I will solve it for you) is correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
해결하다 vs 풀다
Practice Bank
4 exercises우리는 어제 회의에서 그 문제를 ____.
The word '어제' (yesterday) indicates the past tense is required.
Choose the best option:
'해결하였습니다' is the formal, professional way to report a resolution.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the most natural collocations for each type of 'issue'.
A: 컴퓨터가 고장 났어요. B: 걱정 마세요. 제가 곧 ____.
B is offering a service/help to A, so '해결해 드릴게요' (I will solve it for you) is correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsSlightly. With friends, '문제를 풀다' or '해결했어' (informal) is fine, but '해결하다' is never 'wrong'.
Yes, but '풀다' is more common for students.
해결 is for a 'problem' that needs a 'solution'. 처리 is for a 'task' that needs 'processing'.
Use '미해결' (Mi-hae-gyeol).
Yes, it is a standard term in both North and South Korea.
No, you solve a 'problem' related to a person, or 'resolve a conflict' with them.
It means a 'troubleshooter' or 'fixer'—someone who is great at solving problems.
Yes, '버그를 해결하다' is very common.
Usually, yes. It has a strong sense of completion.
Use '와/과' (with). '친구와 문제를 해결했어요'.
Related Phrases
해결책을 찾다
similarTo look for a solution
문제를 풀다
synonymTo solve a problem (casual)
실마리를 찾다
builds onTo find a clue/lead
사태를 수습하다
specialized formTo handle/clean up a situation
문제를 일으키다
contrastTo cause a problem
