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Vocabulary
~와 더불어

A2 noun 8 min read

~와 더불어

-wa deobureo

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ~와 더불어 in 30 Seconds

Explanation ~와 더불어 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn 'with' using the simple particles '~하고' (hago) or '~랑' (rang). '~와 더불어' is much more advanced than what you need for basic survival Korean. However, you can think of it as a very fancy way of saying 'and' or 'with'. Imagine you are reading a storybook where the sun comes up 'along with' the birds singing. That 'along with' is what '~와 더불어' does. It connects two things that happen at the same time. Even though you won't use it to talk to your classmates yet, you might see it on signs or in formal greetings. Just remember: [Noun] + 와/과 + 더불어. It's like a special 'with' for important situations.

At the A2 level, you are starting to read slightly longer texts and maybe even some news headlines. '~와 더불어' is a formal expression that means 'along with'. It is very common in written Korean. For example, if you want to say 'Along with the rain, the wind blew,' you could say '비와 더불어 바람이 불었다.' It sounds much more professional than just saying '비하고 바람이 왔어요.' Use it when you want to describe two things that are happening together in a formal way. It’s also used when listing things in a brochure or a formal invitation, like 'Along with a meal, we will have a performance' (식사와 더불어 공연이 있겠습니다).

At the B1 level, you should begin incorporating more formal connectors into your writing and speeches. '~와 더불어' is an excellent tool for this. It allows you to express coexistence and simultaneous progression. While '~와 함께' is your go-to for 'together with,' '~와 더불어' adds a nuance of 'in conjunction with' or 'alongside.' It is frequently used in social or environmental contexts, such as 'Along with the development of the city, nature is being destroyed.' This shows a direct relationship between the two events. It helps your Korean sound more academic and structured, moving away from the simple sentence patterns of lower levels.

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuance of register. '~와 더불어' is a key marker of a formal register. It is often used in argumentative essays or business reports to link two supporting points. It suggests a harmonious or logical link between the nouns it connects. For example, 'Along with the increase in the elderly population, medical costs are rising.' Here, it doesn't just mean 'and'; it implies that the two trends are moving together. You should also be aware of its use in political and social discourse, where it emphasizes solidarity and community. It is a more 'active' form of togetherness than the neutral '~와 함께'.

At the C1 level, you should master the stylistic use of '~와 더불어'. It is used to create a sophisticated flow in high-level prose. In academic writing, it serves to introduce a secondary but equally important variable. In literature, it is used to personify nature or abstract concepts, such as 'Life, along with its sorrows, is beautiful.' You should also be able to distinguish it from similar structures like '~와 병행하여' (in parallel with) or '~와 궤를 같이하다' (to be in line with). '~와 더불어' remains the most versatile of these, bridging the gap between simple accompaniment and complex socio-political solidarity.

At the C2 level, you understand that '~와 더불어' carries historical and cultural weight. The word '더불어' evokes the concept of '더불어 사는 세상' (a world where we live together), a deeply rooted Korean ideal of communal support and mutual growth. In your own output, you use this phrase not just for formal 'addition,' but to evoke this sense of harmony and shared destiny. You can identify its use in classical modern literature and high-level philosophical discourse. You are also aware of its limitations—knowing exactly when it would feel too heavy or when it is perfectly suited to the gravitas of a specific context, such as a national eulogy or a groundbreaking scientific announcement.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

~와 더불어 in 30 Seconds

Formal expression meaning 'along with' or 'together with'.
Used to link two related events or concepts happening simultaneously.
Requires the particle ~와 (after vowels) or ~과 (after consonants).
Common in news, academic writing, and official speeches.

The expression ~와 더불어 (wa deobulleo) is a sophisticated postpositional phrase in Korean that translates most accurately to "along with," "together with," or "in addition to." While basic learners might initially rely on simple particles like ~하고 or ~랑, ~와 더불어 elevates the register of the conversation or text, signaling a more formal or literary tone. It is used to indicate that two or more things exist, occur, or are considered together in a harmonious or simultaneous fashion.

Core Nuance: Unlike the simple additive nature of 'and', ~와 더불어 implies a sense of accompaniment or coexistence. It suggests that the following action or state is shared by both entities mentioned.
Formal Context: You will frequently encounter this phrase in news broadcasts, academic papers, official speeches, and high-quality literature. It is rarely used in casual, everyday spoken Korean unless the speaker is trying to be intentionally poetic or formal.

"기술의 발전과 더불어 우리의 삶도 변하고 있습니다."
— Translation: Along with the development of technology, our lives are also changing.

The term is composed of the connective particle ~와/과 (meaning 'with') and the adverb 더불어, which is derived from the archaic verb 더불다 (to accompany/to join). Because it is an adverbial phrase, it functions to modify the entire following clause, setting a stage where the subject and the noun attached to ~와 더불어 are acting in unison.

In contemporary society, this phrase is often used in political slogans or social campaigns to emphasize solidarity. For instance, a political party might use it to suggest they are "along with the people" (국민과 더불어). This usage highlights the egalitarian and communal roots of the word 더불어, which suggests not just being next to someone, but being in the same boat as them, sharing their fate or journey.

"자연과 더불어 살아가는 지혜가 필요합니다."
— Translation: We need the wisdom to live along with nature.

Furthermore, ~와 더불어 can be used to list multiple items that are being considered as a single unit or group. For example, in a business context, one might say "quality along with price" (가격과 더불어 품질) to indicate that both factors are equally important and are being evaluated simultaneously. This distinguishes it from ~뿐만 아니라 (not only...), which emphasizes the addition of a second, potentially surprising element. ~와 더불어 treats both elements as a combined front.

Using ~와 더불어 correctly requires an understanding of its placement and its relationship with the rest of the sentence. Structurally, it follows the pattern [Noun] + 와/과 더불어 + [Following Clause]. It essentially creates an adverbial phrase that provides context for the main action.

Placement in the Sentence: It usually appears early in the sentence to establish the 'accompaniment' context. It can also appear in the middle of a sentence to link two nouns that are both subjects of the same verb.
Interchangeability with ~와 함께: While ~와 함께 is the most direct synonym, ~와 더불어 is significantly more formal. If you are writing a text message to a friend, use ~와 함께. If you are writing a report for your boss or a university essay, ~와 더불어 is the superior choice.

"경제 성장과 더불어 복지 정책도 강화되어야 합니다."
— Translation: Along with economic growth, welfare policies must also be strengthened.

One important grammatical note is that 더불어 is an adverb, so it cannot be followed directly by a noun unless there is a modifying form like 더부른 (which is rare) or if it's used as part of a compound. Usually, it's Noun + 와 더불어 + Verb/Adjective. It describes *how* the action is happening—it's happening in conjunction with the noun.

Consider the difference in these three levels of formality:
1. 친구랑 놀아요. (Casual/Spoken: I'm playing with a friend.)
2. 친구와 함께 공부해요. (Standard: I'm studying with a friend.)
3. 동료들과 더불어 프로젝트를 완성했습니다. (Formal: I completed the project along with my colleagues.)

"그는 명성과 더불어 막대한 부를 얻었습니다."
— Translation: He gained immense wealth along with fame.

In this example, 'fame' and 'wealth' are presented as a package deal. The use of 더불어 suggests that as one increased, the other naturally followed or accompanied it. This 'attendant' quality is what makes the phrase so useful in descriptive and analytical writing. It moves beyond simple addition into the realm of correlation and shared existence.

If you are watching a Korean news broadcast like KBS News or SBS 8 News, you will hear ~와 더불어 almost every single day. News anchors use it to link related news items or to describe social trends. It provides a smooth transition between topics that are logically connected.

In Politics: The phrase is so iconic in Korean politics that it is part of the name of the 'Democratic Party of Korea' (더불어민주당 - Deobureo Minjudang). Here, it emphasizes the party's commitment to being 'together' with the people.
In Literature and Poetry: Authors use it to create a sense of harmony between characters and their environment. A character might walk 'along with the wind' (바람과 더불어) or age 'along with the passing years' (세월과 더불어).

"신제품 출시와 더불어 다양한 이벤트가 진행 중입니다."
— Translation: Along with the launch of the new product, various events are underway.

In business presentations, you will hear speakers use it to discuss market trends. 'Along with the rise of AI' (인공지능의 부상과 더불어) is a common opening for tech-related talks. It frames the speaker's main point within a larger, recognized context, making the argument sound more authoritative and well-grounded.

You might also see it on posters for community festivals. A slogan like '시민과 더불어 행복한 도시' (A happy city together with its citizens) uses the phrase to evoke a sense of community spirit and shared happiness. It's warmer and more inclusive than just saying 'with citizens' (시민과 함께), as 더불어 carries a historical connotation of mutual aid and communal living.

"추위와 더불어 첫눈이 내리기 시작했습니다."
— Translation: Along with the cold, the first snow began to fall.

In summary, while you might not use it to ask a friend to go to the movies, you will encounter it constantly in any professional, academic, or media-rich environment in Korea. Mastering it allows you to understand the nuanced connections Korean speakers make between simultaneous events and shared experiences.

The most common mistake learners make with ~와 더불어 is using it in the wrong register. Because it is highly formal, using it in a casual conversation with friends can make you sound like a textbook or a news anchor, which might come across as stiff or even slightly humorous to native speakers.

Particle Confusion: Forgetting the 와/과 particle is a frequent error. Some learners try to say just '더불어' after a noun. Remember: it must always be attached to the 'with' particle. You cannot say 친구 더불어; it must be 친구와 더불어.
Logical Mismatch: Using it for unrelated items. The items linked by ~와 더불어 should have some logical or temporal connection. Saying 'I ate bread along with a car' (빵과 더불어 차를 먹었다) sounds nonsensical because there is no inherent connection or harmony between the two actions.

Incorrect: "나와 더불어 밥 먹을래?" (Casual context)
— Correct: "나랑 밥 먹을래?" (Wanna eat with me?)

Another mistake is confusing ~와 더불어 with ~와 마찬가지로 (just like). While both link two things, ~와 더불어 emphasizes accompaniment, whereas ~와 마찬가지로 emphasizes similarity. If you want to say 'B is just like A,' use 마찬가지로. If you want to say 'B exists alongside A,' use 더불어.

Lastly, learners sometimes over-use it in writing to appear 'smart.' If every sentence in your essay uses ~와 더불어, the text becomes heavy and repetitive. Balance it with other connectors like ~와 함께, ~를 비롯하여 (including), or ~뿐만 아니라 (not only) to maintain a natural flow.

Wait: "그는 돈과 더불어 행복을 잃었다."
— Note: This is grammatically correct but implies he lost both things simultaneously as a combined unit.

To truly master Korean, you need to know when to use ~와 더불어 versus its close relatives. Each has a slightly different shade of meaning and formality level.

~와 함께 (wa hamkke): The most common alternative. It's neutral and can be used in almost any situation. It simply means 'together with.' If 더불어 is a tuxedo, 함께 is a nice polo shirt.
~와 같이 (wa gachi): Common in spoken Korean. It can mean 'together with' but also 'like/similar to.' It's much more casual than 더불어.
~를 비롯하여 (reul birot-hayeo): Means 'including' or 'starting with.' Use this when the noun before it is the primary example of a larger group. Example: 'Including the president...' (대통령을 비롯하여...).

"가족과 함께 시간을 보냈다." (Neutral)
"가족과 더불어 성장하는 기업." (Formal/Branding)

Another high-level alternative is ~와 동반하여 (wa dongban-hayeo), which means 'accompanied by.' This is often used in medical or technical contexts, such as 'fever accompanied by a cough' (기침과 동반하여 발생하는 발열). It is even more clinical than 더불어.

When writing, choosing between these depends on your goal. If you want to emphasize that two things are growing together in a beautiful, symbiotic relationship, ~와 더불어 is your best tool. If you just want to say you went to the store with your brother, stick to ~와 함께 or ~랑 같이. Understanding these subtle differences is what separates an intermediate learner from an advanced speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The '더불어' in the name of the Democratic Party of Korea was chosen specifically to evoke a sense of 'common people' and 'working together,' moving away from the more elitist-sounding names of the past.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /~wa dʌ.bu.ɾʌ/

US /~wa dʌ.bu.ɾʌ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable of the noun, with a secondary light stress on 'deobulleo'.

Rhymes With

머무르다 (meomureuda) 서두르다 (seodureuda) 버무르다 (beomureuda) 거르다 (georeuda) 부르다 (bureuda) 기르다 (gireuda) 가르다 (gareuda) 모르다 (moreuda)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '더불어' as '도부로' (do-bu-ro).
Over-emphasizing the 'r' sound in '더불어'.
Mixing up 'wa' and 'gwa' based on the noun ending.
Pausing too long between the noun and '더불어'.
Pronouncing 'deobulleo' with a hard 'B' instead of a soft Korean 'ㅂ'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in written texts, easy to recognize once you know the pattern.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of when to use formal register and correct particle usage.

Speaking 5/5

Hard to use naturally in speech without sounding overly formal.

Listening 3/5

Frequently heard in news and documentaries.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

와/과 함께 같이 그리고 하고

Learn Next

~를 비롯하여 ~뿐만 아니라 ~와 병행하여 ~에 발맞추어 ~와 궤를 같이하다

Advanced

상생 공존 동반 수반 병행

Grammar to Know

~와/과 함께

친구와 함께 공부한다.

~뿐만 아니라

공부뿐만 아니라 운동도 잘한다.

~는 물론이고

한국어는 물론이고 영어도 잘한다.

~와/과 병행하다

일과 공부를 병행한다.

~에 수반되다

권리에는 책임이 수반된다.

Examples by Level

친구와 더불어 공부해요.

I study along with a friend.

친구 ends in a vowel, so use ~와.

꽃과 더불어 봄이 왔어요.

Spring came along with the flowers.

꽃 ends in a consonant, so use ~과.

노래와 더불어 춤을 춰요.

I dance along with the song.

~와 더불어 connects the song and the dance.

엄마와 더불어 시장에 가요.

I go to the market along with my mom.

Formal version of '엄마랑'.

웃음과 더불어 행복이 와요.

Happiness comes along with laughter.

Abstract nouns can also be used.

책과 더불어 시간을 보내요.

I spend time along with books.

Suggests the book is a companion.

가족과 더불어 밥을 먹어요.

I eat a meal along with my family.

Formal tone for a simple action.

바람과 더불어 구름이 가요.

Clouds go along with the wind.

Nature-related formal description.

추위와 더불어 눈이 내립니다.

Along with the cold, it is snowing.

Describes two simultaneous weather events.

식사와 더불어 차를 마셔요.

I drink tea along with the meal.

Common in formal dining contexts.

공부와 더불어 운동도 중요해요.

Along with studying, exercise is also important.

Used to balance two different activities.

선생님과 더불어 교실을 청소해요.

We clean the classroom along with the teacher.

Implies working together as a group.

음악과 더불어 휴식을 취하세요.

Please take a rest along with some music.

Polite suggestion/instruction.

친구와 더불어 여행을 계획해요.

I am planning a trip along with a friend.

Formal way to describe shared planning.

선물과 더불어 편지를 썼어요.

I wrote a letter along with the gift.

Describes two items given together.

희망과 더불어 새해가 밝았습니다.

Along with hope, the new year has dawned.

Common poetic New Year greeting.

인터넷의 발전과 더불어 정보가 많아졌다.

Along with the development of the Internet, information has increased.

Shows cause-and-effect accompaniment.

건강과 더불어 마음의 평화가 필요하다.

Along with health, peace of mind is necessary.

Links physical and mental states.

그는 실력과 더불어 좋은 성품을 가졌다.

Along with skill, he has a good character.

Used for praising multiple qualities.

도시화와 더불어 환경 오염이 심각해졌다.

Along with urbanization, environmental pollution has become serious.

Links two related negative trends.

경제 위기와 더불어 실업률이 상승했다.

Along with the economic crisis, the unemployment rate rose.

Formal economic reporting.

전통과 더불어 현대미가 조화를 이룬다.

Along with tradition, modern beauty achieves harmony.

Describes aesthetic harmony.

지식과 더불어 지혜를 배우는 것이 중요하다.

It is important to learn wisdom along with knowledge.

Philosophical comparison.

새로운 기술과 더불어 일자리가 변하고 있다.

Along with new technology, jobs are changing.

Describes social shifts.

인구 감소와 더불어 지방 소멸 위기가 커지고 있다.

Along with population decline, the crisis of local extinction is growing.

Serious social commentary.

창의성과 더불어 협동심이 요구되는 시대입니다.

This is an era where cooperation is required along with creativity.

Business/Professional requirement.

물가 상승과 더불어 소비 심리가 위축되었습니다.

Along with rising prices, consumer sentiment has weakened.

Economic analysis.

이론과 더불어 실습을 병행하는 교육이 필요하다.

Education that parallels practice along with theory is needed.

Educational policy context.

명성과 더불어 책임감도 막중해졌다.

Along with fame, the sense of responsibility has become heavy.

Abstract relationship.

기후 변화와 더불어 자연재해가 빈번해지고 있다.

Along with climate change, natural disasters are becoming frequent.

Scientific/Environmental context.

자기계발과 더불어 사회 공헌에도 힘써야 한다.

One must strive for social contribution along with self-development.

Moral/Ethical advice.

수출 증가와 더불어 국가 브랜드 가치가 상승했다.

Along with increased exports, the national brand value rose.

Macroeconomic success.

민주주의의 발전과 더불어 시민 의식도 성숙해졌다.

Along with the development of democracy, civic consciousness has matured.

Political science context.

과학의 한계와 더불어 철학적 성찰이 요구된다.

Along with the limits of science, philosophical reflection is required.

Academic/Philosophical discourse.

예술적 성취와 더불어 대중성 확보가 과제이다.

Along with artistic achievement, securing popularity is a challenge.

Criticism/Business of art.

물질적 풍요와 더불어 정신적 빈곤이 사회적 화두이다.

Along with material abundance, spiritual poverty is a social topic.

Sociological critique.

역사의 흐름과 더불어 언어도 끊임없이 변화한다.

Along with the flow of history, language also changes constantly.

Linguistic observation.

개방 정책과 더불어 외래 문화가 급격히 유입되었다.

Along with the open-door policy, foreign culture flowed in rapidly.

Historical analysis.

법적 규제와 더불어 자율적인 정화 노력이 절실하다.

Along with legal regulations, autonomous purification efforts are desperate.

Legal/Social policy.

기술적 완성도와 더불어 인간미가 느껴지는 디자인.

A design that feels humane along with technical perfection.

Design critique.

고독과 더불어 자아를 찾아가는 구도의 길.

A path of seeking the self along with solitude.

Highly literary/Philosophical.

시대적 소명과 더불어 개인의 실존적 고뇌가 교차한다.

The calling of the times intersects along with individual existential agony.

Complex literary analysis.

자연의 섭리와 더불어 순응하며 사는 삶의 태도.

An attitude of living in adaptation along with the laws of nature.

Deep philosophical tone.

제도적 보완과 더불어 인식의 대전환이 선행되어야 한다.

A great shift in perception must precede along with institutional supplements.

High-level policy advocacy.

언론의 자유와 더불어 그에 따른 책임의 엄중함.

The gravity of responsibility along with the freedom of the press.

Constitutional/Ethical discourse.

문명의 이기와 더불어 파괴된 생태계의 복원이 시급하다.

Restoration of the ecosystem destroyed along with the benefits of civilization is urgent.

Environmental/Civilizational critique.

무한 경쟁과 더불어 상실되어가는 인간 존엄성.

Human dignity that is being lost along with infinite competition.

Social/Ethical critique.

우주의 광활함과 더불어 인간의 미약함을 깨닫는다.

Realizing human frailty along with the vastness of the universe.

Metaphysical reflection.

Common Collocations

시대의 흐름과 더불어

기술의 발전과 더불어

자연과 더불어

국민과 더불어

경제 성장과 더불어

기쁨과 더불어

이론과 더불어

명성과 더불어

추위와 더불어

민주주의와 더불어

Common Phrases

더불어 사는 세상

— A world where people live together in harmony and mutual aid.

우리는 더불어 사는 세상을 만들어야 합니다.

더불어 민주당

— The official name of the Democratic Party of Korea.

더불어민주당의 정책 발표가 있었습니다.

세월과 더불어

— As time goes by; along with the passing of years.

세월과 더불어 모든 것이 변했다.

역사와 더불어

— Existing throughout history; along with history.

이 건물은 우리 역사와 더불어 존재해 왔다.

고통과 더불어

— Accompanied by pain; in the midst of suffering.

고통과 더불어 성장이 찾아온다.

희망과 더불어

— Along with hope; accompanied by a positive outlook.

희망과 더불어 새날이 밝았다.

책과 더불어

— Spending life or time with books.

평생을 책과 더불어 살았다.

이웃과 더불어

— Together with neighbors; in community.

이웃과 더불어 김장을 했다.

바람과 더불어 사라지다

— Gone with the wind (often used as the movie title).

모든 꿈이 바람과 더불어 사라졌다.

환경 보호와 더불어

— Along with protecting the environment.

환경 보호와 더불어 경제 발전도 챙겨야 한다.

Often Confused With

~와 더불어 vs ~와 마찬가지로

Means 'just like'; emphasizes similarity rather than accompaniment.

~와 더불어 vs ~와 나란히

Means 'side by side'; usually refers to physical position.

~와 더불어 vs ~와 동시에

Means 'at the same time'; emphasizes the timing rather than togetherness.

Idioms & Expressions

"더불어 가는 길"

— A shared path or journey toward a common goal.

우리는 더불어 가는 길을 선택했습니다.

Poetic/Political

"고락을 더불어 하다"

— To share joys and sorrows together.

그와는 십 년간 고락을 더불어 했다.

Literary

"자연과 더불어 호흡하다"

— To live in perfect harmony with nature.

숲에서 자연과 더불어 호흡했다.

Poetic

"운명을 더불어 하다"

— To share a common destiny.

우리는 국가와 운명을 더불어 한다.

Formal

"생사를 더불어 하다"

— To share life and death (be in a life-or-death situation together).

전쟁터에서 생사를 더불어 한 전우들.

Formal

"뜻을 더불어 하다"

— To share the same intention or will.

여러 동지들과 뜻을 더불어 하여 일을 시작했다.

Formal

"어깨를 더불어 하다"

— To stand shoulder to shoulder; to be equals or partners.

세계 강국들과 어깨를 더불어 하게 되었다.

Formal

"끼니를 더불어 하다"

— To share a meal (implies close relationship).

가난한 이웃과 끼니를 더불어 했다.

Literary

"길을 더불어 가다"

— To walk the same path in life.

평생을 더불어 갈 동반자를 만났다.

Poetic

"마음을 더불어 나누다"

— To share one's heart or feelings with others.

어려운 시기에 마음을 더불어 나누었다.

Poetic

Easily Confused

~와 더불어 vs 함께

Both mean 'together'.

'함께' is neutral and physical; '더불어' is formal and often abstract.

친구와 함께 놀았다 (O) / 친구와 더불어 놀았다 (Too formal).

~와 더불어 vs 같이

Both mean 'together'.

'같이' is casual and can also mean 'like'.

얼음같이 차갑다 (Like ice).

~와 더불어 vs 포함하여

Both add something.

'포함하여' means 'including' a part of a whole; '더불어' means two things existing alongside.

세금을 포함하여 만 원이다.

~와 더불어 vs 동시에

Both relate to timing.

'동시에' focuses strictly on the clock; '더불어' focuses on the relationship between the items.

두 사건이 동시에 일어났다.

~와 더불어 vs 따라

Both can show correlation.

'따라' shows A leading to B; '더불어' shows A and B together.

유행에 따라 옷을 샀다.

Sentence Patterns

N + 와/과 더불어 V/Adj

친구와 더불어 공부해요.

N의 발전과 더불어 ~

기술의 발전과 더불어 삶이 변해요.

N1과 더불어 N2도 ~

건강과 더불어 행복도 중요해요.

N과 더불어 ~는 추세이다

물가 상승과 더불어 금리가 오르는 추세이다.

N과 더불어 ~는 소명이 있다

시대적 소명과 더불어 개인의 책임이 있다.

~와 더불어 살아가다

자연과 더불어 살아갑시다.

~와 더불어 진행되다

공사와 더불어 교통 통제가 진행됩니다.

~와 더불어 조화를 이루다

전통과 더불어 현대가 조화를 이룬다.

Word Family

Nouns

더불어민주당 (Democratic Party of Korea)

더불어 (as a noun meaning 'togetherness' in some contexts)

Verbs

더불다 (to accompany - archaic/formal)

동반하다 (to accompany - modern synonym)

Adjectives

더부른 (archaic modifying form)

함께 (together)

같이 (together)

동반 (accompaniment)

상생 (coexistence)

조화 (harmony)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in written/formal Korean; low in casual spoken Korean.

Common Mistakes

친구 더불어 → 친구와 더불어
The particle '와' is missing.
사과와 더불어 먹었다 → 사과와 함께 먹었다
Using a formal expression for a trivial daily action like eating an apple sounds weird.
공부와 더불어 해요 → 공부와 함께 해요
In casual conversation, '함께' or '같이' is much more natural.
비과 더불어 → 비와 더불어
'비' ends in a vowel, so it must use '와'.
그는 나와 더불어이다 → 그는 나와 더불어 살고 있다
'더불어' is an adverb and needs a verb to follow it; it cannot be the predicate itself.

Tips

Particle Check

Always check the last letter of the noun. '책' (consonant) + 과, '나무' (vowel) + 와.

Formality

Use this in your TOPIK II writing exam to score higher marks for vocabulary.

Harmony

Think of it as 'Harmony with' rather than just 'And'.

Compound Words

Learn '더불어 사는 세상' as a set phrase for social topics.

News Cues

When an anchor says this, get ready for a related second point.

Transitions

Use it to transition between two related paragraphs in an essay.

Environment

It's the perfect word for discussing humans and nature.

Politics

Knowing this word helps you understand the name of Korea's major political party.

Presentations

Start your presentation with '오늘 주제와 더불어...' to sound professional.

Literature

In books, look for it when characters are reflecting on life and time.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Double' (더블) + 'Ro' (로). When you have 'Double' things, they go 'along with' each other.

Visual Association

Imagine two people walking in perfect sync down a path, or a seedling growing 'along with' the rising sun.

Word Web

함께 같이 상생 조화 협력 동행 동반 연대

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about your favorite hobby using '~와 더불어' to describe things you do at the same time.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle Korean verb '더불다' (deobulda), which meant to accompany or be with someone. Over time, the verb form fell out of common usage, but its adverbial 'eo' form (더불어) survived as a fixed expression.

Original meaning: To join together or to act as a companion.

Koreanic (Native Korean)

Cultural Context

Generally a very positive and inclusive term. In a political context, it might be associated with a specific party, so use it neutrally in academic writing.

Similar to 'alongside' or 'in conjunction with' in English, which are also more formal than 'with'.

더불어민주당 (Political Party) 바람과 함께 사라지다 (Gone with the Wind - often translated using '함께' but '더불어' fits the poetic tone) 더불어 사는 세상 (Social Slogan)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

News/Journalism

정부 정책과 더불어
사건의 발생과 더불어
경기 회복과 더불어
여론의 변화와 더불어

Academic Writing

이론적 배경과 더불어
선행 연구와 더불어
통계 자료와 더불어
논리적 근거와 더불어

Business/Marketing

신제품 출시와 더불어
고객 서비스와 더불어
시장 확대와 더불어
브랜드 가치와 더불어

Literature/Poetry

세월의 흐름과 더불어
자연의 신비와 더불어
고독의 깊이와 더불어
인생의 허무와 더불어

Social Campaigns

이웃과 더불어
장애인과 더불어
소외 계층과 더불어
지구촌과 더불어

Conversation Starters

"요즘 기술의 발전과 더불어 우리 삶이 어떻게 변하고 있다고 생각하세요?"

"자연과 더불어 사는 삶에 대해 어떻게 생각하시나요?"

"전문적인 지식과 더불어 어떤 능력이 가장 중요하다고 보십니까?"

"나이가 들어감과 더불어 가장 크게 변한 점이 무엇인가요?"

"성공과 더불어 우리가 잃지 말아야 할 가치는 무엇일까요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 하루 동안 내가 자연과 더불어 보낸 시간에 대해 써보세요.

나의 성장과 더불어 내 주변 사람들은 어떻게 변했는지 기록해 보세요.

경제적인 풍요와 더불어 정신적인 행복을 찾기 위한 나의 노력은?

책과 더불어 보낸 가장 기억에 남는 순간에 대해 서술하세요.

사회적인 책임과 더불어 개인의 자유를 어떻게 조화시킬 수 있을까요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it sounds very formal. Use it for 'solidarity' with people (e.g., 국민과 더불어) rather than just meeting a friend.

Yes, the particle 와 or 과 is mandatory. You cannot omit it.

They are essentially the same. Adding '서' makes it slightly more emphatic as an adverbial phrase, but they are interchangeable.

Only if you are being funny, poetic, or very serious. Otherwise, it sounds too stiff.

It comes from the verb '더불다', but in modern Korean, it's used almost exclusively in this fixed phrase.

If the noun ends in a consonant (batchim), use '과'. If it ends in a vowel, use '와'.

Yes, it is a standard Korean expression used in both the South and the North, often in political slogans.

Yes, e.g., '고통과 더불어' (along with pain). It just means they happen together.

Much more common in writing (essays, news scripts, speeches).

No, but it can imply a correlation where one thing happens 'along with' another.