At the A1 level, you usually learn very simple verbs like 'go', 'eat', and 'see'. '유치하다' is a bit advanced for absolute beginners, but you might see it in simple signs if you live in Korea. Think of it as a special way to say 'getting something good for a city or a company'. For now, just remember that it's often used with words like 'Olympics' or 'Investment'. You don't need to use it in your daily life yet, but knowing that it exists will help you when you see posters on the street. It's different from 'invite' (초대하다), which you use for friends. '유치하다' is for big things like big events or lots of money. Also, be careful: there is another word that sounds the same but means 'childish'. If someone says 'You are 유치해', they are calling you childish, not saying you are hosting the Olympics!
At the A2 level, you can start to recognize '유치하다' in news headlines or business contexts. You should understand that it means 'to bring something in' or 'to attract' in a formal way. For example, if a city wants to have a big festival to make money, they '유치' the festival. If a shop wants to have many new customers, they '유치' customers. You might see it in the pattern '[Noun] + 을/를 유치하다'. It is a formal word, so you will see it more in writing than in casual speaking. Try to remember it as 'to attract' for business or official events. A good way to practice is to look for the word in Korean newspapers or on official city websites. You will see it used with '투자' (investment) or '관광객' (tourists) very often.
As a B1 learner, you should be able to use '유치하다' in formal settings, such as writing a simple business email or discussing news topics. You should understand the nuance that this word implies an active and strategic effort. It's not just a lucky occurrence; it's the result of a bid or a marketing campaign. You should be comfortable using the pattern 'A가 B를 유치하다' (A attracts B). For example, '우리 회사는 새로운 투자를 유치했습니다' (Our company attracted new investment). You should also be aware of the noun form '유치' and how it combines with other nouns like '투자 유치' or '공장 유치'. This level is where you start distinguishing between '유치하다' (attract) and '개최하다' (host/hold). Remember: '유치' is the effort to bring it there, and '개최' is the act of holding it once it's there.
At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of '유치하다' and be able to use it fluently in professional and academic contexts. You should understand its Hanja roots (誘致), which helps in distinguishing it from the homonym 'childish' (幼稚). You should be able to use it in complex sentences, such as '외국인 투자 유치를 위한 다각적인 노력이 필요하다' (Multifaceted efforts are needed to attract foreign investment). You should also understand related terms like '유치 경쟁' (competition to host) and '유치위원회' (bidding committee). At this stage, you should also be able to recognize the word in more abstract contexts, such as 'attracting talent' (인재 유치) or 'attracting public opinion' (여론 유치 - though less common, it appears in specific political contexts). Your usage should reflect the formal register that this word carries.
For C1 learners, '유치하다' should be a natural part of your high-level vocabulary. You should be able to discuss the socio-economic implications of '유치' activities, such as the debate over whether hosting the Olympics (올림픽 유치) is actually beneficial for a city's long-term economy. You should be able to use the word in varied grammatical forms, including passive constructions like '유치에 성공하다' or '유치에 박차를 가하다' (to accelerate efforts to attract/host). You should also understand the subtle difference between '유치' and similar words like '포섭' (to win over/recruit, often with a slightly more manipulative nuance) or '영입' (to recruit professional talent). Your ability to use '유치하다' in a way that aligns with the specific jargon of different fields (e.g., finance vs. urban planning) is expected at this level.
At the C2 level, you have a native-like understanding of '유치하다'. You can appreciate the historical and political weight the word carries in South Korea's development narrative, where 'investment attraction' (투자 유치) was a key pillar of national growth. You can use the word in highly sophisticated ways, such as in legal or policy documents, and you understand the full range of its collocations and idiomatic uses in professional discourse. You can also navigate the rare instances where the word might be used creatively or ironically in literature or high-level journalism. You understand the nuances of the Hanja 誘致 (to lead and cause to arrive) and how it contrasts with other 'Chi' (致) words like '납치' (kidnap - leading away) or '배치' (arrangement). Your command of the word is flawless across all registers, from formal government proclamations to strategic business consultations.

유치하다 in 30 Seconds

  • Formal verb for attracting investment, events, or customers.
  • Common in business, news, and government contexts.
  • Implies strategic effort and competitive bidding.
  • Not to be confused with the adjective meaning 'childish'.

The Korean verb 유치하다 (誘致--) is a sophisticated and essential term primarily used in business, politics, and macroeconomics. At its core, it means to attract, invite, or bring in something significant—such as capital, investment, international events, or a specific demographic of customers—to a particular location or organization. Unlike the casual word for 'invite' (초대하다), which you might use for a birthday party, 유치하다 carries a weight of strategic effort, competition, and formal planning. It implies that the subject has actively worked to convince an external entity to choose their venue or platform over others. This word is most frequently encountered in news headlines regarding the hosting of the World Cup, the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI), or a city's bid to host a global summit. Understanding this word is crucial for anyone looking to navigate Korean professional environments or comprehend news reports about regional development and economic growth.

Economic Context
In economic discussions, this word is almost always paired with 'investment' (투자) or 'capital' (자본). It describes the process of a government or company making themselves attractive to investors to secure funding.

정부는 외국인 투자를 유치하기 위해 새로운 정책을 발표했습니다. (The government announced new policies to attract foreign investment.)

Event Hosting Context
When a city bids for the Olympics, the World Expo, or a major convention, the verb used is 유치하다. It emphasizes the competitive nature of 'winning' the right to host.

부산은 2030 세계박람회를 유치하기 위해 총력을 다하고 있습니다. (Busan is putting all its effort into hosting the 2030 World Expo.)

Customer Acquisition
In marketing, it refers to bringing in new customers (고객 유치). It implies a more formal or large-scale effort than simply 'selling' to someone.

신규 고객을 유치하는 것이 이번 분기의 목표입니다. (Attracting new customers is the goal for this quarter.)

The nuance of 유치하다 also extends to physical locations. For instance, '공장을 유치하다' means to bring a factory to a specific town. This often involves offering tax breaks or other incentives. Therefore, whenever you see this word, think of it as 'strategic attraction'. It is not a passive event; it is an active, often difficult, pursuit to bring something valuable into one's own sphere of influence. This makes it a high-frequency word in the 'Economy' and 'Society' sections of Korean newspapers. Mastering its usage allows you to speak about global affairs and business strategies with the precision of a native speaker.

그 도시는 대형 쇼핑몰을 유치하여 지역 경제를 활성화했습니다. (The city revitalized the local economy by attracting a large shopping mall.)

대학은 우수한 인재를 유치하기 위해 장학금을 늘렸습니다. (The university increased scholarships to attract talented individuals.)

Using 유치하다 correctly requires understanding its typical sentence structures. It is a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object (the thing being attracted) and often a destination (where it is being attracted to). The most common pattern is [Object] + 을/를 + [Destination] + 에/로 + 유치하다. For example, '투자를(Object) 한국에(Destination) 유치하다' (To attract investment to Korea). Because it is a formal word, it is frequently used in its noun form, 유치, combined with other nouns like '투자 유치' (investment attraction) or '올림픽 유치' (Olympic hosting bid).

Grammatical Pattern 1: Target + 을/를 유치하다
This is the simplest form. It focuses on the action of attracting a specific target.

우리 회사는 해외 자본을 유치하는 데 성공했습니다. (Our company succeeded in attracting foreign capital.)

Grammatical Pattern 2: [Location] + 에 + [Target] + 을/를 유치하다
This pattern specifies where the target is being brought. The particle '에' indicates the destination.

이 지역에 공장을 유치하면 일자리가 늘어날 것입니다. (If we attract a factory to this area, jobs will increase.)

When talking about hosting events, 유치하다 is often followed by '성공하다' (to succeed) or '실패하다' (to fail). Because hosting a major event is a process, you might also see '유치에 나서다' (to step forward to host) or '유치 경쟁' (competition to host). In a business context, '유치' is often paired with '활동' (activity), as in '투자 유치 활동' (investment attraction activities). It's also important to note that the subject of this verb is usually an organization, a city, or a country, rather than a single individual, unless that individual is acting as a representative of a larger entity.

Register and Tone
The word is formal (격식체). You would use it in a report, a news broadcast, or a business meeting. In a casual conversation with friends, you might use '끌어오다' (to pull in) or '데려오다' (to bring over) instead, although those lack the strategic nuance of 유치하다.

많은 기업이 인재 유치를 위해 복지를 강화하고 있습니다. (Many companies are strengthening welfare to attract talent.)

정부는 관광객 유치를 위해 비자 규정을 완화했습니다. (The government eased visa regulations to attract tourists.)

If you turn on a Korean news channel like KBS, MBC, or YTN, you will hear 유치하다 almost daily. It is a staple of the 'Economy' and 'Regional News' segments. News anchors use it when discussing how a certain province is trying to attract a new Samsung or Hyundai semiconductor plant. You will also hear it in political speeches, where leaders promise to 'attract' more high-tech industries to their constituencies to boost the local economy. In the world of sports and culture, it is the standard word for any discussion about hosting international festivals, the Olympics, or the World Cup.

In the Office
In a corporate setting, specifically in departments like Sales, Marketing, or Corporate Strategy, you'll hear this word during quarterly planning meetings. 'How can we attract (유치) more VIP clients?' or 'We need to attract (유치) Series B funding.' are common phrases.

이번 박람회에서 우리는 50억 원의 투자를 유치했습니다. (We attracted 5 billion won in investment at this expo.)

In Educational Settings
Universities often use this word when talking about attracting international students or renowned professors to increase their global ranking.

우리 대학교는 외국인 유학생 유치에 적극적입니다. (Our university is active in attracting international students.)

Another place you'll find this word is in banking and finance. Banks are constantly trying to 유치 (attract) new depositors. You might see advertisements saying '신규 예금 유치 이벤트' (Event to attract new deposits). In this context, it's about bringing in liquid assets. Furthermore, in the entertainment industry, agencies try to 유치 (attract) talented trainees or host international concerts. The word is deeply embedded in the 'growth mindset' of Korean society, where bringing in external resources is seen as the key to success. Whether it's a small startup looking for its first investor or a metropolitan city bidding for a global event, 유치하다 is the verb of choice to describe that ambitious effort.

은행들이 금리를 올려 고객을 유치하려고 합니다. (Banks are trying to attract customers by raising interest rates.)

이 공연장은 세계적인 아티스트들을 유치할 수 있는 시설을 갖추고 있습니다. (This venue has the facilities to attract world-class artists.)

The most common mistake learners make with 유치하다 is confusing it with its homonym, the adjective meaning 'childish'. Because they sound exactly the same in speech and look the same in Hangeul, it's easy to get them mixed up. However, their grammatical roles are different. The verb 'to attract' (誘致) always takes an object with 을/를, whereas the adjective 'childish' (幼稚) describes a subject and often ends a sentence as a predicate (e.g., '그 농담은 너무 유치해' - That joke is so childish). If you use a particle incorrectly, you might accidentally say 'The Olympics are childish' instead of 'Hosting the Olympics'.

Mistake 1: Confusing Verb and Adjective
Wrong: '올림픽이 유치해요.' (The Olympics are childish.) Right: '올림픽을 유치해요.' (We are hosting/attracting the Olympics.)

그의 행동은 정말 유치하다. (His behavior is really childish. - Adjective sense)

Mistake 2: Overusing in Casual Contexts
Learners often use 유치하다 when they just mean 'invite' a friend. This sounds very strange. You wouldn't 'attract' a friend to your house as if they were a foreign investment.

친구를 집에 초대했어요. (Correct: I invited a friend to my house. - Not 유치했어요!)

Another mistake is using the wrong destination particle. While '에' is most common for locations (서울에 유치하다), some learners use '를' for the location, which is grammatically incorrect. The thing being attracted is the object (을/를), and the place receiving it is the destination (에/로). Also, be careful with the passive form. While you can say '유치되다' (to be attracted/hosted), it is much more common to use the active '유치하다' when the subject is the entity doing the work. For example, 'The city hosted the event' is better than 'The event was hosted by the city' in many Korean contexts.

Mistake 3: Misapplying '유치' to Small Things
Don't use it for small, everyday items. You don't '유치' a pencil or a single apple. It must be something of scale—a business, a crowd, a fund, or an event.

새로운 투자자를 유치하는 것은 쉽지 않습니다. (Attracting new investors is not easy.)

이 사업은 많은 자본 유치가 필요합니다. (This business needs to attract a lot of capital.)

Depending on the context, there are several words that can replace or complement 유치하다. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the most natural word for your situation. The most common alternatives are 초대하다 (to invite), 개최하다 (to host/hold an event), and 끌어들이다 (to draw in/attract). Each has a specific flavor and register.

유치하다 vs 개최하다
유치하다 refers to the effort to win the right to host or the act of bringing the event to your location. 개최하다 refers to the actual act of holding the event once it's already there. You '유치' the Olympics years in advance, but you '개최' them when the opening ceremony starts.
유치하다 vs 초대하다
초대하다 is a general word for 'invite'. It is used for people and social gatherings. 유치하다 is for business, events, and capital. You invite a guest (초대), but you attract investment (유치).
유치하다 vs 끌어들이다
끌어들이다 is more literal and can sometimes have a negative connotation (like 'dragging someone into a mess'). In a business sense, it's more informal than 유치하다. You might use it in a brainstorming session, but not in a formal press release.

내년에 서울에서 국제 회의를 개최할 예정입니다. (We plan to hold an international conference in Seoul next year.)

Other related words include 흡수하다 (to absorb), often used when a city 'absorbs' a population or capital, and 영입하다 (to recruit/bring in), specifically used for bringing in new people or experts into a team. If you are talking about 'attracting' attention, use 끌다 (to pull/attract), as in '관심을 끌다' (to attract attention). 유치하다 remains the most professional and specific term for large-scale attraction of resources and events. Using it correctly demonstrates a high level of Korean proficiency and an understanding of Korean professional culture.

그 회사는 유능한 엔지니어를 영입하기 위해 노력하고 있습니다. (The company is trying to recruit competent engineers.)

이 새로운 기술은 전 세계의 관심을 끌고 있습니다. (This new technology is attracting worldwide attention.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While '유치' (誘致) means attracting investment, the exact same sounding '유치' (幼稚) comes from 'young/immature' (幼) and 'childish' (稚). This homonym is one of the most famous examples of why Hanja is important for disambiguation in Korean.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ju.tɕʰi.ɦa.da/
US /ju.tɕʰi.hɑ.dɑ/
Stress is usually even, but the second syllable 'chi' is slightly emphasized due to its aspirated nature.
Rhymes With
자치하다 (to self-govern) 배치하다 (to arrange) 방치하다 (to neglect) 조치하다 (to take measures) 설치하다 (to install) 완치하다 (to fully recover) 일치하다 (to coincide) 정치하다 (to govern/politics)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'chi' like 'ji' (without aspiration).
  • Confusing the pitch with the adjective 'childish' (though pitch patterns vary by dialect).
  • Slurring the 'ha' sound so it sounds like 'yuchida'.
  • Making the 'yu' sound too much like 'oo'.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'da' at the end.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in news but requires knowing Hanja context to avoid confusion.

Writing 5/5

Requires correct particle usage and formal tone.

Speaking 4/5

Must distinguish from the adjective meaning through context.

Listening 3/5

Easily recognized in news broadcasts once learned.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

투자 (Investment) 행사 (Event) 초대하다 (Invite) 성공하다 (Succeed) 지역 (Region)

Learn Next

개최하다 (To host/hold) 활성화하다 (To revitalize) 전략 (Strategy) 협상 (Negotiation) 자본 (Capital)

Advanced

포섭하다 (To win over) 기치 (Banner/Slogan) 제고하다 (To enhance) 도약 (Leap/Jump) 수급 (Supply and demand)

Grammar to Know

~기 위해 (In order to)

투자를 유치하기 위해 노력합니다.

~는 데 (In the doing of)

고객을 유치하는 데 성공했습니다.

~에 나서다 (To start/step forward)

엑스포 유치에 나섰습니다.

~을/를 두고 (Over/concerning)

유치권을 두고 다투고 있습니다.

-(으)려고 하다 (Intention)

올림픽을 유치하려고 합니다.

Examples by Level

1

우리는 행사를 유치해요.

We are hosting/attracting an event.

Simple Subject + Object + Verb structure.

2

투자를 유치하고 싶어요.

I want to attract investment.

-고 싶어요 indicates desire.

3

서울은 올림픽을 유치했어요.

Seoul hosted the Olympics.

Past tense marker -었-.

4

그들은 고객을 유치해요.

They attract customers.

Present tense polite form.

5

이곳에 공장을 유치해요.

We are bringing a factory to this place.

Destination particle -에.

6

돈을 유치하는 것이 중요해요.

Attracting money is important.

-는 것 turns a verb into a noun phrase.

7

누가 이 행사를 유치했나요?

Who hosted this event?

Question form -나요?

8

우리 마을은 관광객을 유치해요.

Our village attracts tourists.

Topic marker -은.

1

우리 시는 엑스포를 유치하려고 합니다.

Our city intends to host the Expo.

-(으)려고 하다 indicates intention.

2

새로운 가게가 손님을 많이 유치했어요.

The new store attracted many customers.

Adverb 많이 used with the verb.

3

외국 자본을 유치하기가 어렵습니다.

It is difficult to attract foreign capital.

-기가 어렵다 means 'it is difficult to...'.

4

정부는 기업 유치에 성공했습니다.

The government succeeded in attracting companies.

Noun form 유치 used with the particle 에.

5

관광객을 유치하기 위해 축제를 열어요.

We hold a festival to attract tourists.

-기 위해 means 'in order to'.

6

이 은행은 예금을 유치하고 있습니다.

This bank is attracting deposits.

-고 있다 indicates continuous action.

7

어떻게 투자를 유치할 수 있을까요?

How can we attract investment?

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 indicates possibility.

8

인재를 유치하는 것이 회사의 목표입니다.

Attracting talent is the company's goal.

Goal-oriented sentence structure.

1

이 지역에 대형 마트를 유치하면 일자리가 생깁니다.

If we attract a large mart to this area, jobs will be created.

Conditional -(으)면.

2

해외 투자를 유치하기 위해 설명회를 개최했습니다.

We held an information session to attract overseas investment.

Purpose clause followed by the action.

3

신규 고객 유치를 위한 마케팅 전략을 세웠어요.

We established a marketing strategy to attract new customers.

Noun + 을/를 위한 (for the purpose of).

4

부산은 월드컵 유치 경쟁에 뛰어들었습니다.

Busan jumped into the competition to host the World Cup.

Idiomatic expression '경쟁에 뛰어들다'.

5

우수한 인재를 유치하는 데 많은 비용이 듭니다.

It costs a lot to attract excellent talent.

-는 데 (in the process of/for the act of).

6

그 도시는 첨단 산업 유치에 총력을 기울이고 있습니다.

The city is putting all its effort into attracting high-tech industries.

Idiomatic expression '총력을 기울이다'.

7

투자를 유치하지 못하면 사업이 중단될 수 있습니다.

If we cannot attract investment, the business may be suspended.

-지 못하다 indicates inability.

8

정부는 외국인 관광객 유치를 위해 비자 면제를 검토 중입니다.

The government is considering visa waivers to attract foreign tourists.

-는 중이다 indicates 'in the middle of'.

1

외자 유치는 국가 경제 발전에 필수적인 요소입니다.

Attracting foreign capital is an essential element for national economic development.

Formal academic style using '필수적인 요소'.

2

기업들은 우수 인력을 유치하기 위해 파격적인 조건을 제시합니다.

Companies offer unconventional conditions to attract excellent personnel.

Use of the adjective '파격적인' (unconventional/radical).

3

이번 박람회 유치를 통해 지역 경제가 활성화될 것으로 보입니다.

It appears that the local economy will be revitalized through hosting this expo.

-(으)ㄹ 것으로 보이다 indicates a future outlook or prediction.

4

정부는 신산업 유치를 가로막는 규제를 철폐하기로 했습니다.

The government decided to abolish regulations that block the attraction of new industries.

Relative clause '가로막는' (blocking).

5

대규모 투자를 유치함에 있어 투명성 확보가 무엇보다 중요합니다.

In attracting large-scale investment, ensuring transparency is more important than anything else.

-(으)ㅁ에 있어 is a formal way to say 'in the matter of'.

6

그 나라는 적극적인 유치 활동에도 불구하고 성과를 거두지 못했습니다.

Despite active attraction activities, that country failed to achieve results.

-에도 불구하고 (despite).

7

공공기관 유치를 두고 지방 자치 단체 간의 경쟁이 치열합니다.

Competition among local governments over attracting public institutions is fierce.

-을/를 두고 (concerning/over a certain issue).

8

유동성 유치를 위해 은행들이 금리 인상 경쟁에 나섰습니다.

Banks have entered a competition to raise interest rates to attract liquidity.

Use of the term '유동성' (liquidity).

1

글로벌 R&D 센터 유치는 기술 패권 경쟁에서 우위를 점하는 지름길입니다.

Attracting global R&D centers is a shortcut to gaining an advantage in the competition for technological hegemony.

Sophisticated nouns: '패권' (hegemony), '지름길' (shortcut).

2

지자체들은 기업 유치를 위해 파격적인 세제 혜택을 제공하고 있습니다.

Local governments are providing radical tax benefits to attract companies.

Term '지자체' (local government) and '세제 혜택' (tax benefits).

3

올림픽 유치가 반드시 경제적 이익으로 이어진다는 보장은 없습니다.

There is no guarantee that hosting the Olympics necessarily leads to economic benefits.

-는다는 보장은 없다 (there is no guarantee that...).

4

스타트업들은 후속 투자 유치를 위해 서비스 지표 개선에 매진하고 있습니다.

Startups are striving to improve service metrics to attract follow-on investment.

Term '매진하다' (to strive/be devoted to).

5

문화 콘텐츠 유치는 국가 브랜드 이미지를 제고하는 데 큰 역할을 합니다.

Attracting cultural content plays a major role in enhancing the national brand image.

Term '제고하다' (to enhance/improve).

6

외국인 카지노 유치를 둘러싼 찬반 논란이 거세게 일고 있습니다.

A fierce controversy is rising over the attraction of foreign casinos.

Expression '찬반 논란이 거세게 일다'.

7

데이터 센터 유치는 전력 수급과 환경 문제를 동시에 고려해야 하는 사안입니다.

Attracting data centers is an issue that requires simultaneous consideration of power supply and environmental problems.

Term '수급' (supply and demand) and '사안' (issue/matter).

8

인재 유치 경쟁이 심화되면서 기업들의 복지 수준이 상향 평준화되고 있습니다.

As the competition to attract talent intensifies, the welfare levels of companies are equalizing upward.

Term '상향 평준화' (upward equalization).

1

국제기구 본부 유치는 단순한 경제적 효과를 넘어선 외교적 승리라 할 수 있습니다.

Hosting the headquarters of an international organization can be described as a diplomatic victory beyond simple economic effects.

-라 할 수 있다 (can be said to be...).

2

자본 유치를 위한 정부의 규제 완화가 오히려 국내 산업의 근간을 흔들 수 있다는 우려가 제기됩니다.

Concerns are raised that the government's deregulation to attract capital could instead shake the very foundation of domestic industry.

Term '근간을 흔들다' (shake the foundation) and '우려가 제기되다' (concerns are raised).

3

첨단 기술 유치는 국가 안보와 직결되는 중차대한 과제로 부상했습니다.

Attracting high technology has emerged as a crucial task directly linked to national security.

Term '중차대한 과제' (crucial task) and '부상하다' (to emerge/rise).

4

전략적 제휴를 통한 해외 시장 유치는 글로벌 기업으로 도약하기 위한 필수 관문입니다.

Attracting overseas markets through strategic alliances is an essential gateway to leaping into a global company.

Term '도약하다' (to leap) and '필수 관문' (essential gateway).

5

특정 산업 유치를 위한 지자체의 과도한 경쟁은 자칫 세금 낭비로 이어질 개연성이 큽니다.

There is a high probability that excessive competition among local governments to attract a specific industry might lead to a waste of taxes.

Term '개연성이 크다' (high probability).

6

금융 허브 유치를 위해서는 법적 제도 정비와 더불어 정주 여건 개선이 병행되어야 합니다.

To attract a financial hub, the reorganization of legal systems and the improvement of living conditions must be carried out in parallel.

Term '정주 여건' (settlement/living conditions) and '병행되다' (to be parallel).

7

관광객 유치에만 급급한 나머지 지역의 고유한 문화적 가치가 훼손되어서는 안 됩니다.

The unique cultural value of the region must not be damaged by being too intent on attracting tourists.

-에 급급하다 (to be intent on/preoccupied with).

8

인구 유입을 유치하기 위한 정책적 대안이 인구 절벽 위기 속에서 시급히 요구되고 있습니다.

Policy alternatives to attract population inflow are urgently required amidst the crisis of the population cliff.

Term '인구 절벽' (population cliff).

Synonyms

끌어들이다 초빙하다 영입하다 불러오다

Antonyms

배척하다 거부하다

Common Collocations

투자 유치
올림픽 유치
고객 유치
자본 유치
공장 유치
관광객 유치
인재 유치
엑스포 유치
유치 경쟁
유치 성공

Common Phrases

유치에 나서다

— To step forward or start efforts to attract/host something.

여러 도시가 유치에 나섰습니다.

유치에 성공하다

— To succeed in attracting or hosting.

결국 대규모 투자를 유치하는 데 성공했습니다.

유치에 박차를 가하다

— To accelerate or speed up efforts to attract/host.

정부는 엑스포 유치에 박차를 가하고 있습니다.

유치 위원회

— A committee formed specifically to bid for or attract an event.

유치 위원회가 해외 홍보를 시작했습니다.

유치전

— An 'attraction battle' or intense competition to host an event.

치열한 유치전 끝에 승리했습니다.

유치 활동

— Activities aimed at attracting investment or events.

적극적인 유치 활동이 필요합니다.

유치를 희망하다

— To hope or desire to host/attract something.

우리 시는 이번 대회를 유치하기를 희망합니다.

유치 가능성

— The possibility or likelihood of succeeding in attracting/hosting.

유치 가능성이 매우 높습니다.

유치 배경

— The background or reasons behind the effort to attract/host.

이번 투자 유치 배경에 대해 설명하겠습니다.

유치 효과

— The effect or impact of successfully attracting/hosting.

공장 유치 효과가 나타나고 있습니다.

Often Confused With

유치하다 vs 유치하다 (幼稚--)

The adjective meaning 'childish'. Grammar: Adjective vs Verb. Meaning: Immature vs Attract.

유치하다 vs 초대하다

General 'invite'. 유치하다 is more strategic and for large-scale entities.

유치하다 vs 개최하다

To hold an event. 유치하다 is the process of getting the event to your location.

Idioms & Expressions

"유치에 목을 매다"

— To be desperately focused only on attracting/hosting something (literally: hanging one's neck on it).

정부가 엑스포 유치에만 목을 매고 있다는 비판이 있다.

Informal/Critical
"총력을 기울이다"

— To devote all one's power (often used with 유치).

올림픽 유치를 위해 총력을 기울이고 있습니다.

Formal
"사활을 걸다"

— To bet one's life and death (very high stakes, often used with investment attraction).

이번 투자 유치에 회사의 사활을 걸었습니다.

Formal/Serious
"문턱을 낮추다"

— To lower the threshold (often to attract more people or investment).

고객 유치를 위해 대출 문턱을 낮췄습니다.

Metaphorical
"러브콜을 보내다"

— To send a 'love call' (to actively try to recruit or attract someone/something).

기업들이 그 인재에게 러브콜을 보내고 있습니다.

Journalistic
"판을 깔다"

— To set the stage (to create environment to attract something).

정부는 투자를 유치하기 위해 판을 깔아주어야 합니다.

Informal
"발 벗고 나서다"

— To step forward with great enthusiasm (literally: with bare feet).

시장이 직접 투자 유치를 위해 발 벗고 나섰습니다.

Common
"입맛을 맞추다"

— To cater to someone's taste (often to attract specific investors).

투자자의 입맛을 맞추기 위해 사업 계획을 수정했습니다.

Informal
"고지를 선점하다"

— To pre-occupy the high ground (to get an advantage in a hosting competition).

유치 경쟁에서 유리한 고지를 선점했습니다.

Formal
"마중물을 붓다"

— To pour priming water (to make a small initial investment to attract larger ones).

정부 예산이 투자 유치의 마중물 역할을 했습니다.

Economic Metaphor

Easily Confused

유치하다 vs 유인하다

Both mean to lead or attract.

유인하다 often implies luring or enticement (sometimes negative, like a trap). 유치하다 is professional and for hosting/investment.

경찰은 범인을 유인했다. vs 정부는 투자를 유치했다.

유치하다 vs 영입하다

Both mean bringing something in.

영입하다 is specifically for people (experts, talent). 유치하다 can be for money, events, or institutions.

새로운 감독을 영입했다. vs 공장을 유치했다.

유치하다 vs 모집하다

Both involve gathering.

모집하다 is for recruiting members or applicants (volunteers, students). 유치하다 is for larger economic/political entities.

회원을 모집하다. vs 투자를 유치하다.

유치하다 vs 섭외하다

Both involve inviting/contacting.

섭외하다 is used for casting or booking someone for a specific role (MC, guest). 유치하다 is for hosting an entire event.

가수를 섭외했다. vs 월드컵을 유치했다.

유치하다 vs 포섭하다

Both mean winning someone over.

포섭하다 usually means winning people over to one's side, often in a political or covert way. 유치하다 is public and economic.

반대파를 포섭했다. vs 외자를 유치했다.

Sentence Patterns

A2

[Object] + 을/를 유치해요.

투자를 유치해요.

B1

[Object] + 을/를 유치하기 위해 [Action].

손님을 유치하기 위해 세일을 해요.

B1

[Object] + 유치에 성공하다.

공장 유치에 성공했어요.

B2

[Object] + 유치를 둘러싼 [Noun].

엑스포 유치를 둘러싼 경쟁이 치열해요.

B2

[Location] + 에 + [Object] + 을/를 유치하다.

인천에 물류 센터를 유치했습니다.

C1

[Object] + 유치는 [Noun]에 기여하다.

외자 유치는 경제 성장에 기여합니다.

C1

[Object] + 유치에 박차를 가하다.

정부는 인재 유치에 박차를 가하고 있습니다.

C2

[Object] + 유치에 급급하다.

성과 유치에만 급급해서는 안 됩니다.

Word Family

Nouns

유치 Attraction, hosting, induction.
유치권 Lien (legal term, slightly different context but same Hanja origins).

Verbs

유치되다 To be attracted, to be hosted (passive).
유치시키다 To cause something to be attracted.

Related

유인하다 (to lure)
초빙하다 (to invite a professional)
모집하다 (to recruit/collect)
개최 (hosting/opening)
투자 (investment)

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional/media contexts; Low in daily casual chat.

Common Mistakes
  • 올림픽이 유치하다. 올림픽을 유치하다.

    Using '이' makes it look like you are saying 'The Olympics are childish'. Use '을' for the verb 'to host'.

  • 친구를 유치했어요. 친구를 초대했어요.

    You don't 'strategically attract' a friend to your house. Use '초대하다' for people and social events.

  • 투자를 서울을 유치하다. 투자를 서울에 유치하다.

    The destination needs the particle '에' (to), not the object marker '을'.

  • 유치한 농담을 유치하다. N/A (Nonsense)

    Trying to use both meanings in one sentence is confusing. 'Attracting a childish joke' makes no sense.

  • 공장을 개최하다. 공장을 유치하다.

    You '개최' (hold/open) an event, but you '유치' (attract) a physical facility like a factory.

Tips

Check the Particles

If you see '을/를', it's a verb (attract). If you see '가/이' at the end of a sentence without an object, it's likely the adjective (childish).

Think Business

Whenever you think of 'bringing in business' or 'landing a deal' for a city, use 유치하다.

News Staple

You will see this word in almost every Korean economic news article. Learning it opens up a huge part of Korean media.

Learn the Hanja

誘 (유) = lead, 致 (치) = arrive. This helps you remember that it's about leading something to arrive at your place.

Keep it Formal

Avoid using this for small personal favors. It's a high-level word for professional and official use.

Aspiration is Key

The 'ch' sound in 'chi' must be strong. If it's too soft, it might be misunderstood.

Noun Form

In reports, use '투자 유치' instead of '투자를 유치함' for a more professional, concise look.

The Magnet

Imagine yourself holding a magnet labeled 'YU-CHI' and pulling in a chest of gold.

National Pride

Remember that hosting (유치) is a big deal in Korea. It's often linked to the concept of national progress.

유치에 성공하다

Memorize this as a set phrase. It's the most common way to report a positive result.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'You' (유) 'Choose' (치). You want to make them 'Choose' you, so you 'Attract' them.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant magnet (your city/company) pulling in a gold bar (investment) or the Olympic rings.

Word Web

투자 (Investment) 올림픽 (Olympics) 고객 (Customer) 자본 (Capital) 개최 (Hosting) 성공 (Success) 경쟁 (Competition) 유치 위원회 (Committee)

Challenge

Try to find three news articles today that use the word '유치'. Write down what they are trying to attract.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja characters 誘 (유) meaning 'to entice/lead' and 致 (치) meaning 'to arrive/reach/cause'.

Original meaning: To lead someone or something so that they arrive at a certain point.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound like you are 'luring' someone into a trap, although '유치' is generally professional and positive.

In English, we use different verbs: 'attract' for investment, 'host' for events, 'recruit' for talent. Korean uses '유치하다' for all of these, making it a very versatile 'power verb'.

2030 Busan World Expo Bidding Campaign (부산 엑스포 유치) 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Bidding (평창 올림픽 유치) The 'Invest Korea' initiative by KOTRA.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Investment

  • 외자 유치
  • 투자 유치 성공
  • 자본을 유치하다
  • 투자 유치 설명회

International Events

  • 올림픽 유치
  • 엑스포 유치
  • 월드컵 유치 경쟁
  • 국제 회의 유치

Retail and Marketing

  • 신규 고객 유치
  • 회원 유치 이벤트
  • 손님을 유치하다
  • VIP 고객 유치

Regional Development

  • 공장 유치
  • 기업 유치
  • 대학 유치
  • 인구 유입 유치

Finance and Banking

  • 예금 유치
  • 자금 유치
  • 유동성 유치
  • 펀드 유치

Conversation Starters

"이번에 우리 시에서 엑스포를 유치하려고 하는데 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"회사에서 새로운 투자를 유치하는 게 얼마나 어려울까요?"

"한국이 다음 동계 올림픽을 다시 유치할 수 있을까요?"

"고객을 유치하기 위해 가장 좋은 마케팅 방법은 무엇일까요?"

"지역 경제를 위해 어떤 기업을 유치하는 것이 가장 좋을까요?"

Journal Prompts

만약 당신이 도시의 시장이라면, 어떤 국제 행사를 유치하고 싶나요? 그 이유는 무엇인가요?

회사가 투자를 유치하는 과정에서 겪을 수 있는 가장 큰 어려움은 무엇이라고 생각합니까?

관광객 유치가 지역 주민들의 삶에 미치는 긍정적인 영향과 부정적인 영향에 대해 써 보세요.

인재를 유치하기 위해 기업이 제공해야 할 가장 중요한 복지는 무엇일까요?

최근 뉴스에서 본 '유치' 관련 소식 중 가장 인상 깊었던 것은 무엇인가요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. While they sound the same, the verb '유치하다' means to attract or host (investment, events). The adjective '유치하다' means childish. Context and grammar will tell you which is which. If there is an object marker (을/를), it's the verb.

No, that would sound very strange. Use '초대하다' for social invitations. '유치하다' is for big things like money, factories, or international festivals.

'유치' is the effort to bring an event to your city (the bidding process). '개최' is the act of actually holding the event once you have it. You '유치' first, then '개최' later.

Not usually between friends, unless you are discussing news or business. It is a formal word common in newspapers, TV news, and office meetings.

You can say '고객을 유치하다'. This is commonly used in business plans and marketing reports.

The most common are '투자' (investment), '올림픽' (Olympics), '자본' (capital), and '공장' (factory).

Yes, a shop owner can say '손님 유치를 위해 노력하고 있어요' (I am working hard to attract customers), but it sounds more formal than '손님을 모으다'.

Yes, it is the passive form. For example, '투자가 유치되었다' means 'Investment was attracted'.

It literally means 'attraction war'. It refers to the fierce competition between cities or countries to host a major event like the World Expo.

It stands for '외국인 자본 유치', which means attracting foreign investment or capital into the country.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

우리 도시는 올림픽을 유치하고 싶어 합니다. (Translate to English)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

어떻게 하면 투자를 유치할 수 있을까요? (Translate to English)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '투자 유치'.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '고객 유치'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'The government is working hard to attract foreign companies.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Explain the difference between '유치' and '초대' in Korean.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a short paragraph about why hosting the Olympics is good.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'Attracting talent is a crucial task for startups.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '유치에 성공하다'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '유치 경쟁'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'The city succeeded in attracting a Samsung factory.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '유치 가능성'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'We are accelerating efforts to attract tourists.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '유치 위원회'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'The bank is trying to attract new depositors.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '유치 효과'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'Many cities are competing to host the headquarters.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '외자 유치'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'Attracting a data center requires a lot of electricity.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using '유치에 나서다'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'I want to attract investment' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Seoul hosted the Olympics' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

How do you say 'Attracting customers is important'?

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Pronounce '유치하다' clearly.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'We succeeded in hosting the Expo'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Why are you trying to attract foreign capital?'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Ask 'Is the hosting competition fierce?'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'We need a strategy for attracting talent'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'I am looking for an investor to attract'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The effect of attracting the factory is huge'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Let's accelerate the hosting efforts'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'There is no guarantee of hosting'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'It is difficult to attract tourists these days'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'We should lower the threshold to attract customers'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The city is active in hosting international conferences'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Who is the head of the bidding committee?'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'We failed to attract the investment'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'I hope our village attracts a library'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'The company is recruiting global talent'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say 'Don't confuse hosting with being childish'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '투자를 유치하다'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '올림픽 유치 성공'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '고객 유치 이벤트'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '외자 유치에 나서다'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '인재 유치 경쟁'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '엑스포 유치 위원회'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '공장 유치 효과'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '유치에 박차를 가하다'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '신규 회원 유치'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '자본 유치가 시급합니다'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '관광객 유치 전략'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '유치 가능성이 높습니다'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '해외 투자를 유치했습니다'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '유치 경쟁이 치열합니다'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write: '인재를 유치해야 합니다'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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