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A2 verb 9 min read

관심을 갖다

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Examples 관심을 갖다 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 관심을 갖다 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you learn that '관심을 갖다' means to be interested in something. You use it in very simple sentences to talk about your hobbies. For example, '저는 한국어에 관심을 가져요' (I am interested in Korean). At this stage, you should focus on the basic structure: [Noun] + 에 + 관심을 가져요. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just remember that '관심' is the 'interest' and '갖다' is 'to have'. It is a useful way to tell people what you like or what you are curious about during a basic introduction. You might also hear it in simple questions like '무엇에 관심을 가져요?' (What are you interested in?). This helps you start simple conversations with Korean friends about their interests.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use '관심을 갖다' to describe changes in your interests over time. You might use the past tense '가졌어요' (had/took interest) or the 'starting to' form '갖기 시작했어요'. For example, '작년부터 요리에 관심을 갖기 시작했어요' (I started taking an interest in cooking since last year). You also learn to use different particles like '-에게' when you are interested in a person or a specific group. At this level, you can add simple adjectives like '많은' (many/a lot) to say '많은 관심을 가져요' (I have a lot of interest). This allows you to express the degree of your curiosity and talk about your evolving hobbies or school subjects in more detail.
At the B1 level, '관심을 갖다' is used in more diverse social and practical contexts. You might use it to talk about social issues, news, or work-related topics. For example, '많은 사람들이 환경 문제에 관심을 갖고 있습니다' (Many people are taking an interest in environmental issues). You start to use the '-고 있다' form to show that the interest is ongoing. You also learn to use the phrase in the negative to express polite indifference or to explain why you didn't choose a certain path. At this level, you understand the difference between '관심을 갖다' (active) and '관심이 있다' (state), and you can use the phrase to make polite requests like '제 제안에 관심을 가져 주시면 감사하겠습니다' (I would be grateful if you would take an interest in my proposal).
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At the B2 level, you use '관심을 갖다' with more sophisticated modifiers and in complex sentence structures. You might use adverbs like '각별히' (specially), '지속적으로' (continuously), or '부쩍' (remarkably). For example, '최근 청년 실업 문제에 부쩍 관심을 갖게 되었습니다' (Recently, I have remarkably come to take an interest in the youth unemployment problem). You can also use the phrase in the passive-like causative forms or within embedded clauses to explain motivations. At this level, you can discuss the importance of public interest in policy-making or scientific advancements, using '관심을 갖다' as a key term in your arguments and discussions. You also recognize its use in professional journalism and literature.
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At the C1 level, you master the subtle nuances of '관심을 갖다' compared to more formal alternatives like '관심을 기울이다' or '주목하다'. You use it in academic or professional presentations to describe research focus or market analysis. For example, '본 연구는 다문화 가정의 교육적 요구에 관심을 갖고 시작되었습니다' (This study was initiated with an interest in the educational needs of multicultural families). You can use it to analyze societal trends, such as the 'lack of interest' (무관심) in certain demographics. You also understand the psychological implications of the phrase in literature, where 'taking an interest' might symbolize a character's growth or a shift in their worldview. Your usage is precise, choosing this phrase over others to convey a specific blend of curiosity and intentionality.
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At the C2 level, you use '관심을 갖다' with the fluency of a native speaker, incorporating it into high-level discourse, legal contexts, or philosophical debates. You can discuss the ethics of 'taking an interest' in others' private lives versus 'public interest' (공익). You might use it in complex idiomatic constructions or to critique societal apathy. For example, you could eloquently argue how a society's failure to 'take an interest' in its history leads to repeated mistakes. You are comfortable using the phrase in all registers, from highly formal speeches at an international summit to nuanced, poetic expressions in creative writing. You understand the historical evolution of the phrase and can use it to express the most subtle shades of human engagement and mental focus.
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Examples

관심을 갖다 in 30 Seconds

  • A verb phrase meaning 'to take an interest in' something or someone.
  • Used with particles '-에' (for things) or '-에게' (for people).
  • Combines '관심' (interest) and '갖다' (to have/hold).
  • Essential for talking about hobbies, social issues, and personal connections.

The Korean expression 관심을 갖다 is a fundamental verb phrase used to describe the act of developing, possessing, or showing interest in something or someone. At its core, it combines the noun 관심 (interest/concern) with the verb 갖다 (a contracted form of 가지다, meaning 'to have' or 'to hold'). When you use this phrase, you are literally saying you 'hold interest' toward a subject. This is one of the most versatile expressions in the Korean language because it covers everything from a passing curiosity to a deep, professional commitment or even romantic attraction.

Semantic Nuance
Unlike the English verb 'to like,' which focuses on preference, 관심을 갖다 focuses on the direction of one's attention and mental energy. It implies that a subject has captured your focus.
Grammatical Connection
It is almost always used with the particle -에 (to/in) or -에게 (to a person). For example, '정치에 관심을 갖다' means 'to have an interest in politics.'

요즘 많은 사람들이 환경 보호에 관심을 갖고 있습니다.

Translation: These days, many people are taking an interest in environmental protection.

In social contexts, this phrase is used to show empathy or social awareness. If a teacher says they 'have interest' in a student, it doesn't mean they like them as a friend; it means they are paying close attention to the student's progress and well-being. In business, having interest in a market means you are researching and considering investment. It is a phrase that signals engagement.

그 회사는 한국 시장에 관심을 갖기 시작했습니다.

Translation: That company has started to take an interest in the Korean market.

Furthermore, the phrase is often used in the negative to express apathy. '관심을 갖지 않다' (not to have interest) is a polite but firm way to say you don't care about something. It is more formal than saying '싫어하다' (to dislike). It suggests a lack of mental investment rather than an active negative emotion. Understanding the breadth of this phrase allows you to navigate social hierarchies and professional settings with ease.

아이들에게 더 많은 관심을 가져 주세요.

Translation: Please pay more attention/interest to the children.
Register and Formality
The phrase is neutral and can be used in almost any setting. By changing the ending (e.g., 갖습니다, 가져요, 가졌어), you can adjust the politeness level without changing the core meaning of 'taking an interest.'

전공 분야에 관심을 갖는 것은 중요합니다.

Translation: It is important to take an interest in your major field.

To wrap up, '관심을 갖다' is your go-to phrase for expressing curiosity, professional focus, or social concern. It bridges the gap between 'knowing' about something and 'caring' about it. As you advance in your Korean studies, you will find this phrase appearing in news headlines, romantic dramas, and academic papers alike, making it a cornerstone of functional Korean vocabulary.

Using 관심을 갖다 correctly requires understanding its relationship with particles and the flow of the sentence. The most important thing to remember is the destination of the interest. In English, we say 'interested IN' something. In Korean, we use the particle -에 for things or -에게 for people to indicate where that interest is directed.

The 'Object' of Interest
When you are interested in a hobby, a subject, or a trend, use [Noun] + 에. Example: '요리에 관심을 갖다' (To take an interest in cooking).
Interested in People
When the target is a person, -에게 or -한테 is used. Example: '그 사람에게 관심을 갖다' (To take an interest in that person).

우리는 새로운 기술에 관심을 가져야 합니다.

Translation: We must take an interest in new technology.

The phrase can be conjugated into various tenses. To say you 'became' interested, you can use the past tense 가졌다 or the 'started to' form 갖게 되었다. This is very common when describing how you discovered a new hobby or career path. For instance, '작년부터 한국어에 관심을 갖게 되었어요' (I came to have an interest in Korean since last year).

그는 어릴 때부터 우주에 관심을 가졌습니다.

Translation: He has had an interest in space since he was young.

You can also modify '관심' with adjectives to specify the degree of interest. Use 많은 (a lot of), 깊은 (deep), or 특별한 (special) to add more detail to your sentences. This elevates your speaking from basic to intermediate levels. For example, '역사에 깊은 관심을 갖다' means to have a deep interest in history.

정부는 교육 문제에 특별한 관심을 갖고 있습니다.

Translation: The government is taking a special interest in education issues.
Sentence Patterns
[Subject] + 은/는 + [Noun] + 에 + 관심을 갖다. (Subject is interested in Noun.)

누구나 자신의 건강에 관심을 가져야 해요.

Translation: Everyone should take an interest in their own health.

Finally, in more formal writing, you might see 관심을 기울이다 (to lean/devote interest toward), which is a slightly more active version of 관심을 갖다. However, for everyday conversation and standard writing, 관심을 갖다 is the most natural and frequently used choice. By mastering these patterns, you can talk about your passions and observations fluently.

The phrase 관심을 갖다 is ubiquitous in Korean life. You will encounter it in news broadcasts, corporate meetings, school classrooms, and even on social media. Understanding the context in which it appears helps you grasp the subtle shifts in its meaning.

In the News
News anchors often use this phrase when discussing public opinion. They might say, 'The public is taking a keen interest in the new policy' (대중이 새로운 정책에 깊은 관심을 갖고 있습니다).
In the Workplace
Managers use it to encourage employees to stay updated on market trends. 'We need to take an interest in our competitors' moves' (경쟁사의 움직임에 관심을 가져야 합니다).

면접관이 제 경력에 관심을 가졌어요.

Translation: The interviewer took an interest in my career background.

On YouTube or social media, creators frequently use the imperative form. You might hear, 'Please show a lot of interest in our next video!' (다음 영상에도 많은 관심 가져 주세요!). This is the standard way to ask for engagement, likes, and comments. It sounds polite and inviting rather than demanding.

구독자 여러분, 이 프로젝트에 관심을 가져 주셔서 감사합니다.

Translation: Subscribers, thank you for taking an interest in this project.

In education, teachers use it to motivate students. A teacher might tell parents that a student needs to 'take an interest in books' (책에 관심을 가져야 해요) to improve their reading skills. Here, it implies a proactive effort to engage with the material. It's not just about liking books, but about actively focusing on them.

학생들이 과학에 관심을 갖도록 도와주세요.

Translation: Please help the students take an interest in science.
Cultural Nuance in Conversation
If someone says '관심을 가져 주셔서 감사합니다' (Thank you for your interest), it is a standard, polite way to acknowledge someone's help, attention, or even just their listening.

Whether you are watching a variety show where guests are asked about their 'interests' or reading a business report about 'consumer interest,' the phrase 관심을 갖다 is the linguistic thread connecting these different worlds. It is an essential part of the 'social glue' in Korean communication.

While 관심을 갖다 is straightforward, English speakers often make specific errors due to literal translation or confusion with similar-sounding Korean phrases. Avoiding these will make your Korean sound much more natural.

Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Particle
Many learners use the object marker -를/을 for the topic of interest (e.g., '한국어를 관심을 갖다'). This is incorrect. You must use -에. The interest (관심) is the object, and the topic is the direction.
Mistake 2: Confusing '관심을 갖다' with '관심이 있다'
'관심이 있다' means 'to HAVE an interest' (state). '관심을 갖다' means 'to TAKE/HOLD an interest' (action/process). While often interchangeable, '관심을 갖다' sounds more active and intentional.

❌ 한국어를 관심을 가져요. (Incorrect)
✅ 한국어에 관심을 가져요. (Correct)

Another mistake is using 관심을 갖다 when you actually mean 'to pay attention' in a classroom or safety sense. In those cases, 집중하다 (to concentrate) or 주의하다 (to be careful) are better. 관심을 갖다 is about curiosity and care, not just looking at something.

❌ 수업 시간에 선생님께 관심을 가지세요. (Sounds like: Be curious about the teacher's life.)
✅ 수업 시간에 선생님께 집중하세요. (Correct: Pay attention to the teacher's lesson.)

Finally, learners sometimes forget to use the honorific forms when asking someone senior to take an interest. Instead of '관심을 가져!', use '관심을 가져 주세요' or the even more formal '관심을 가져 주시기 바랍니다'. Using the plain form with a boss or teacher would be a significant social faux pas.

Common Confusion: 흥미 vs 관심
'흥미' (Heung-mi) is more about 'fun' or 'amusement.' '관심' is broader, covering concern, attention, and importance. You 'have interest' (관심) in your child's health, but you 'have interest/fun' (흥미) in a video game.

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the use of the -에 particle and the active nature of 갖다—you will avoid the most common pitfalls and communicate your interests clearly and correctly.

To truly master Korean, you should know the synonyms and related phrases for 관심을 갖다. Depending on the level of intensity or the specific context, you might choose a different word to express your interest.

흥미를 느끼다 (To feel interest/amusement)
This is used when something is entertaining or fascinating. It's more about the 'fun' aspect. Example: '나는 이 영화에 흥미를 느껴요' (I find this movie interesting/fun).
주목하다 (To pay attention/notice)
This is more formal and means to 'keep an eye on' or 'spotlight' something. It is often used in business or news. Example: '시장이 이 기술에 주목하고 있습니다' (The market is paying attention to this technology).

비교:
1. 음악에 관심을 갖다 (Broad interest/care)
2. 음악에 흥미를 느끼다 (Finding music fun/fascinating)

In formal settings, you might use 관심을 기울이다. This literally means 'to lean your interest' toward something. It implies a high level of effort and devotion. It's common in official speeches or academic writing. For example, '정부는 민생 문제에 더 많은 관심을 기울여야 합니다' (The government must devote more interest to the people's livelihood issues).

그는 사회 문제에 관심을 기울이고 있습니다.

Translation: He is devoting attention to social issues.

If you want to describe a state where you are 'hooked' or 'obsessed,' you might use 빠지다 (to fall into). For example, '요즘 골프에 빠졌어요' (I'm really into golf lately). While 관심을 갖다 is the standard, polite way to express interest, 빠지다 is much more casual and intense. Knowing these variations allows you to express exactly how much you care about a topic.

Summary Table of Alternatives
  • 관심이 있다: To have an interest (General).
  • 흥미가 있다: To be interested (Fun-focused).
  • 호기심을 갖다: To have curiosity (Question-focused).
  • 마음을 두다: To set one's heart on (Emotional focus).

By choosing the right word from this spectrum, you can convey whether your interest is a professional focus, a fun hobby, a deep concern, or a passing curiosity. This precision is what makes a speaker sound advanced and sophisticated in Korean.

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Examples by Level

1

저는 한국 노래에 관심을 가져요.

I take an interest in Korean songs.

Subject + Noun + 에 + 관심을 가져요 (present tense).

2

그는 스포츠에 관심을 가져요.

He is interested in sports.

Sports is the object of interest, marked by '에'.

3

우리는 동물에 관심을 가져요.

We take an interest in animals.

'동물' (animals) + '에'.

4

무엇에 관심을 가져요?

What are you interested in?

'무엇' (what) is the question word.

5

저는 그림에 관심을 가져요.

I take an interest in painting.

'그림' (painting/drawing) + '에'.

6

친구는 요리에 관심을 가져요.

My friend is interested in cooking.

Third person subject + '요리' + '에'.

7

저는 이 책에 관심을 가져요.

I am interested in this book.

'이 책' (this book) + '에'.

8

꽃에 관심을 가져요.

I take an interest in flowers.

Simple noun + '에' + verb phrase.

1

작년부터 한국어에 관심을 가졌어요.

I have been interested in Korean since last year.

Past tense '가졌어요' used for established interest.

2

그녀는 패션에 많은 관심을 가져요.

She has a lot of interest in fashion.

Adjective '많은' (a lot of) modifies '관심'.

3

아이들이 우주에 관심을 갖기 시작했어요.

The children started to take an interest in space.

'-기 시작하다' means 'to start doing'.

4

건강에 관심을 가져야 해요.

You should take an interest in your health.

'-아야 해요' expresses necessity/should.

5

그는 새로운 게임에 관심을 가졌어요.

He took an interest in the new game.

Past tense indicating a specific point of interest.

6

외국 문화에 관심을 가져 보세요.

Try taking an interest in foreign cultures.

'-어 보세요' means 'try doing'.

7

저는 역사에 관심을 갖고 싶어요.

I want to have an interest in history.

'-고 싶어요' expresses desire.

8

선생님은 학생들에게 관심을 가져요.

The teacher takes an interest in the students.

Use '-에게' for people (students).

1

요즘 많은 사람들이 환경에 관심을 갖고 있습니다.

Nowadays, many people are taking an interest in the environment.

'-고 있다' shows a continuous state or current trend.

2

제 제안에 관심을 가져 주셔서 감사합니다.

Thank you for taking an interest in my proposal.

'-어 주셔서' is a polite way to say 'because you did...'.

3

그 회사는 해외 시장에 관심을 갖기 시작했습니다.

The company has started to take an interest in overseas markets.

Formal ending '-습니다'.

4

사회 문제에 관심을 갖는 것은 중요합니다.

It is important to take an interest in social issues.

'-는 것' turns the verb phrase into a noun clause.

5

그는 자신의 미래에 대해 깊은 관심을 가졌어요.

He took a deep interest in his future.

'깊은' (deep) emphasizes the intensity.

6

우리는 서로에게 더 많은 관심을 가져야 합니다.

We must take more interest in each other.

'서로에게' means 'to each other'.

7

그 작가는 소외된 사람들에게 관심을 가져요.

The author takes an interest in marginalized people.

Specific target group '소외된 사람들'.

8

정치에 관심을 갖지 않으면 변화가 없어요.

If you don't take an interest in politics, there is no change.

'-지 않으면' means 'if (you) don't'.

1

정부는 저출산 문제에 각별한 관심을 갖고 있습니다.

The government is taking a special interest in the low birth rate problem.

'각별한' (special/particular) is a formal modifier.

2

소비자들이 친환경 제품에 관심을 갖기 시작하자 기업들도 변했습니다.

As consumers started taking an interest in eco-friendly products, companies also changed.

'-자' indicates 'as soon as' or 'since'.

3

학계는 이 새로운 발견에 지대한 관심을 가졌습니다.

The academic world took an immense interest in this new discovery.

'지대한' (immense/huge) is a high-level adjective.

4

청소년들이 지역 사회에 관심을 갖도록 유도해야 합니다.

We must encourage teenagers to take an interest in the local community.

'-도록' means 'so that' or 'to the point where'.

5

그 배우는 연기뿐만 아니라 연출에도 관심을 가졌어요.

That actor took an interest not only in acting but also in directing.

'-뿐만 아니라' means 'not only... but also'.

6

우리는 타인의 고통에 관심을 가질 필요가 있습니다.

We need to take an interest in the pain of others.

'-ㄹ 필요가 있다' means 'need to'.

7

언론이 이 사건에 관심을 갖기 시작하면서 진실이 밝혀졌습니다.

As the media started taking an interest in this case, the truth was revealed.

'-면서' indicates simultaneous actions or causality.

8

그는 인공지능 기술이 인간 사회에 미칠 영향에 관심을 가졌습니다.

He took an interest in the impact that AI technology will have on human society.

Complex noun phrase as the object of interest.

1

현대인들은 정신 건강에 부쩍 관심을 갖게 되었습니다.

Modern people have remarkably come to take an interest in mental health.

'부쩍' (remarkably/noticeably) describes a sudden increase.

2

이 논문은 도시 재생 사업에 관심을 갖고 집필되었습니다.

This paper was written with an interest in urban regeneration projects.

Passive construction '집필되었습니다' (was written).

3

기업은 사회적 책임(CSR)에 더 많은 관심을 가져야 할 때입니다.

It is time for corporations to take more interest in corporate social responsibility (CSR).

'-ㄹ 때이다' means 'it is time to'.

4

대중이 정치적 사안에 관심을 갖지 않을 때 민주주의는 위태로워집니다.

Democracy becomes endangered when the public does not take an interest in political issues.

Conditional clause using '-을 때'.

5

그는 전통 건축의 미학에 깊은 관심을 갖고 연구에 매진했습니다.

He took a deep interest in the aesthetics of traditional architecture and devoted himself to research.

'매진하다' (to devote oneself) pairs well with '관심을 갖다'.

6

교육 현장에서는 개별 학생의 창의성에 관심을 가질 것을 강조합니다.

In education, they emphasize taking an interest in the creativity of individual students.

'-을 것을 강조하다' (emphasize that...).

7

투자자들은 신재생 에너지 분야에 비상한 관심을 보이고 있습니다.

Investors are showing an extraordinary interest in the renewable energy sector.

'비상한' (extraordinary) is a sophisticated adjective.

8

우리는 기후 위기가 인류의 생존에 미치는 영향에 관심을 가져야 합니다.

We must take an interest in the impact of the climate crisis on human survival.

Complex relative clause modifying '영향'.

1

포스트모더니즘 철학은 언어의 불확실성에 관심을 갖습니다.

Postmodern philosophy takes an interest in the uncertainty of language.

Academic subject and abstract object.

2

그 사상가는 인간의 실존적 고독에 끊임없이 관심을 가졌습니다.

That thinker was constantly interested in the existential loneliness of humans.

'실존적' (existential) and '고독' (loneliness).

3

사법부는 법의 형평성 문제에 더욱 세심한 관심을 기울여야 합니다.

The judiciary must pay even more meticulous interest/attention to the issue of legal equity.

'세심한' (meticulous) and '기울여야' (should lean/devote).

4

기술의 진보가 인간 소외를 야기할 수 있다는 점에 관심을 가져야 합니다.

We must take interest in the fact that technological progress can cause human alienation.

'-는 점에' (in the point that...).

5

그 작가는 일상의 사소한 풍경에 관심을 갖고 이를 문학적으로 승화시켰습니다.

The writer took an interest in the trivial scenes of daily life and sublimated them into literature.

'승화시키다' (to sublimate) is a high-level verb.

6

국가 간의 이해관계가 얽힌 영토 분쟁에 국제 사회가 관심을 갖고 있습니다.

The international community is taking an interest in territorial disputes where national interests are intertwined.

'이해관계가 얽힌' (intertwined interests).

7

생명 윤리 문제는 과학계뿐만 아니라 종교계에서도 관심을 갖는 사안입니다.

The issue of bioethics is a matter of interest not only in the scientific community but also in the religious community.

Comparative structure with '-뿐만 아니라'.

8

예술가는 시대의 아픔에 관심을 갖고 이를 작품에 투영할 의무가 있습니다.

Artists have an obligation to take interest in the pain of the times and project it into their works.

'투영하다' (to project/reflect) and '의무' (obligation).

Common Collocations

깊은 관심을 갖다
적극적인 관심을 갖다
지속적인 관심을 갖다
특별한 관심을 갖다
전혀 관심을 갖지 않다
사회적 관심을 갖다
학문적 관심을 갖다
개인적인 관심을 갖다
폭넓은 관심을 갖다
비상한 관심을 갖다
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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

関心を持つ Japanese
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