고장내다

The Korean verb 고장내다 is a compound word derived from 고장 (breakdown/malfunction) and 내다 (to cause/produce). It specifically refers to the act of making something stop working.

Think of it as the transitive version of 'to break.' If your computer stops working because you spilled water on it, you 고장내다 the computer. It is a very common word used in everyday life, especially when discussing electronics or household appliances.

Unlike the general word for 'break' (부수다), which often implies physically shattering something into pieces, 고장내다 focuses on the functional failure of an object. Even if a phone looks perfect on the outside, if the screen won't turn on, you have successfully '고장냈다' the phone.

The word 고장 (go-jang) has an interesting etymology. Historically, it was used to describe a 'hitch' or a 'snag' in a process. Over time, as industrialization introduced more complex machinery, the term became the standard way to describe a machine that has 'hit a snag' or failed.

The suffix -내다 is a productive auxiliary verb in Korean that adds the nuance of 'causing a state to come into existence.' By combining these, the language created a concise way to hold someone accountable for a broken item.

While older generations might have used more descriptive phrases for specific mechanical failures, 고장내다 became the universal term during the rapid modernization of Korea in the 20th century. It reflects a society that became increasingly reliant on technology, where the 'state of being broken' became a frequent topic of conversation.

You will most often hear this word when talking about electronics, vehicles, or appliances. Common collocations include 컴퓨터를 고장내다 (break the computer) or 세탁기를 고장내다 (break the washing machine).

In terms of register, it is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, or colleagues. However, be careful when using it in formal settings; if you are reporting a broken item to a superior, you might prefer a more passive construction like '고장이 났습니다' (it broke) to avoid directly blaming yourself.

It is important to note that this is a transitive verb. It requires an object. You cannot just say 'I 고장내다.' You must specify what you broke. If you don't know who broke it, you would switch to the intransitive form, 고장나다 (to break down).

While 고장내다 is a literal verb, it is often used in figurative contexts to describe ruining a plan or a social dynamic.

• 분위기를 고장내다: Literally 'to break the atmosphere,' meaning to ruin the mood of a gathering.
• 계획을 고장내다: To wreck a well-laid plan.
• 말을 고장내다: A rare way to suggest someone 'broke' the conversation flow.
• 기분을 고장내다: To spoil someone's mood.
• 관계를 고장내다: To damage a relationship through thoughtless actions.

These expressions highlight how the word has moved beyond just mechanical objects into the realm of social and abstract concepts.

Grammatically, 고장내다 follows the standard conjugation rules for regular verbs ending in -다. The past tense is 고장냈다, and the present progressive is 고장내고 있다.

Pronunciation-wise, pay attention to the double consonant 'ㅈ' in '고장.' It should be sharp and tense. The '내' syllable should be clear, and the final '다' is usually pronounced with a slight downward intonation in declarative sentences.

Rhyming words in Korean are less common due to the agglutinative nature of the language, but it shares the '내다' suffix with words like 끝내다 (to finish) and 보여내다 (to show). Practice the transition from the 'ng' sound in '고장' to the 'n' in '내다' to sound more natural.