Meaning
To ponder or consider a difficult situation.
Cultural Background
In Korean schools, '문제를 생각하다' is often a prompt for critical thinking. However, students are also taught to 'think about the problem' of their behavior (반성하다) if they misbehave. The act of 'thinking' is seen as a virtue. A person who 'thinks deeply about problems' (신중한 사람) is highly respected compared to someone who acts impulsively. Saying 'I'm thinking about it' can sometimes be a 'soft no' in Korean business culture. It allows the speaker to avoid immediate conflict while signaling that the request is difficult. On Korean forums like Pann or Naver, people often post '이 문제에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?' (What do you think about this problem?) to gather public opinion on social controversies.
Softening the Tone
Add '좀' (a little) to sound more natural: '문제를 좀 생각하고 있어요.'
Particle Choice
Never say '문제에 생각하다'. It's always '문제를' or '문제에 대해'.
Meaning
To ponder or consider a difficult situation.
Softening the Tone
Add '좀' (a little) to sound more natural: '문제를 좀 생각하고 있어요.'
Particle Choice
Never say '문제에 생각하다'. It's always '문제를' or '문제에 대해'.
Business Korean
In a report, use '고려하다' (to consider) instead of '생각하다' for a more professional feel.
Silence is Thinking
In Korea, a long pause after being asked about a problem is often seen as a sign of respect and deep thought, not a lack of knowledge.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct object marker.
저는 지금 경제 문제___ 생각하고 있어요.
'문제' is the object of the verb '생각하다', so the object marker '를' is required.
Which sentence is the most natural for a business meeting?
How would you say 'I will think about that problem' to your boss?
The '-겠습니다' ending and the auxiliary '-어 보다' make it polite and professional.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 왜 그렇게 표정이 안 좋아? B: 우리 가족 _________ 생각하느라 잠을 못 잤어.
B is explaining the reason for their bad mood, which is thinking about family problems.
Match the phrase variation to the situation.
1. 문제를 고민하다 2. 문제를 검토하다 3. 문제를 풀다
고민하다 is for stress, 검토하다 is for contracts/review, and 풀다 is for solving tests.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
생각하다 vs 고민하다
Practice Bank
4 exercises저는 지금 경제 문제___ 생각하고 있어요.
'문제' is the object of the verb '생각하다', so the object marker '를' is required.
How would you say 'I will think about that problem' to your boss?
The '-겠습니다' ending and the auxiliary '-어 보다' make it polite and professional.
A: 왜 그렇게 표정이 안 좋아? B: 우리 가족 _________ 생각하느라 잠을 못 잤어.
B is explaining the reason for their bad mood, which is thinking about family problems.
1. 문제를 고민하다 2. 문제를 검토하다 3. 문제를 풀다
고민하다 is for stress, 검토하다 is for contracts/review, and 풀다 is for solving tests.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNot exactly. '생각하다' is more neutral and logical, while '고민하다' implies you are worried or struggling to make a choice.
Yes! It's very common to say '수학 문제를 생각하고 있어요' when you are working on a problem.
Use '생각해보겠습니다' (Saeng-gak-hae-bo-get-seum-ni-da).
There isn't a single opposite, but '문제를 무시하다' (to ignore a problem) or '생각 없이 살다' (to live without thinking) are contrasts.
It is '문제를'. If you want to use '에', you must say '문제에 대해 생각하다'.
Yes, it's perfect for reflective writing. '오늘 나는 나의 미래 문제를 생각했다.'
No, it sounds like you are being responsible and analytical.
You can use '사안' (issue/matter) or '과제' (task/challenge) in very formal contexts.
Yes, '문제 생각 중' is a common casual way to say 'I'm thinking about the problem' in texts.
Constantly! Especially in office dramas or when characters are facing a life crisis.
No, for a person you just say '그 사람을 생각하다'. You don't call a person a 'problem' unless you are being very mean!
You can say '그 문제 이제 그만 생각해.'
Related Phrases
문제를 해결하다
builds onTo solve a problem
고민에 빠지다
similarTo fall into worry
답을 찾다
similarTo look for an answer
문제를 제기하다
contrastTo raise a problem/issue
심사숙고하다
specialized formTo contemplate deeply
