A2 noun 2 min read

침착

침착 is the quality of being calm and steady, even when things get stressful.

Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use 침착 when you are not scared. If you see a big dog and you do not cry, you are 침착. It is a good word for a brave person.

When you have a hard test, you must be 침착. This means you do not worry too much. You stay quiet and think about the answers. It helps you do a good job.

Being 침착 is very useful at work or school. When there is a problem, a 침착 person looks for a solution instead of getting angry. It is a sign of being a mature and reliable person.

The term 침착 implies a high level of emotional intelligence. It describes someone who can regulate their internal state despite external chaos. It is often used in professional feedback to highlight someone's reliability under pressure.

In advanced contexts, 침착 represents a deliberate choice to prioritize logic over impulse. It is a hallmark of leadership. Whether in a crisis or a negotiation, maintaining a 침착 demeanor allows one to influence the environment positively and steer outcomes toward success.

Etymologically, 침착 captures the philosophical depth of 'settling' one's spirit. In literary or high-register discourse, it is synonymous with stoicism. It suggests a profound alignment between one's internal temperament and the external reality, reflecting a mastery of self that transcends mere 'calmness' and enters the realm of character excellence.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Means calm and composed.
  • Used for people in pressure.
  • Positive trait.
  • Add '하다' to use as a verb.

When we talk about 침착, we are talking about that super-power of staying cool. Imagine a storm is happening around you, but you are the person standing still, thinking clearly, and not letting your heart race. That is the essence of being 침착.

It is a highly valued trait in Korean culture. Whether you are a doctor handling an emergency or a student taking a big exam, being 침착 means you have control over your emotions. It is not about being cold or unfeeling; it is about keeping your head in the game so you can make the best decisions possible.

The word 침착 comes from Sino-Korean roots. The character 침 (沈) means to sink or settle, and 착 (着) means to attach or land. Literally, it means 'to settle down' or 'to land safely'.

Historically, this concept was deeply tied to Confucian ideals of self-cultivation. A person of high status or wisdom was expected to remain 침착 regardless of external circumstances. Over centuries, it evolved from a philosophical ideal into a common term used to describe anyone who handles life's ups and downs with grace and stability.

You will often hear 침착 used with verbs like 'to maintain' or 'to remain'. For example, saying someone 'maintains 침착' is a very common way to compliment their professional behavior.

It is used in both formal business settings and casual daily life. If a friend is panicking about a test, you might tell them, '침착해' (Stay calm!). It is a versatile word that fits perfectly whenever someone needs to be reminded to breathe and focus.

1. 침착을 잃다: To lose one's composure. Use this when someone starts panicking. 2. 침착하게 대응하다: To respond calmly. Perfect for describing how a pro handles a crisis. 3. 침착함을 유지하다: To keep one's cool. This is the gold standard of behavior. 4. 침착한 태도: A calm demeanor. Used to describe someone's general vibe. 5. 침착의 미덕: The virtue of calmness. A more poetic way to talk about the value of staying steady.

In Korean, 침착 functions as a noun, but it is frequently turned into an adjective by adding '하다' (침착하다). This makes it very flexible in sentence construction.

Pronunciation-wise, it sounds like 'chim-chak'. The 'ch' sounds are crisp, and the 'k' at the end is a soft stop. It rhymes with words like 'impact' in a loose sense, though the vowel sounds are distinct. Focus on keeping the rhythm steady, just like the meaning of the word!

Fun Fact

The character '沈' (sink) is used in many words related to deep thoughts or sinking.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʃɪmtʃæk/

Sounds like 'chim-chak'

US /tʃɪmtʃæk/

Sounds like 'chim-chak'

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing the final 'k' sound
  • Adding extra vowels
  • Wrong stress on syllables

Rhymes With

impact compact contact exact react

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read

Writing 2/5

Easy to use

Speaking 2/5

Easy to say

Listening 2/5

Easy to hear

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

차분 조용 하다

Learn Next

냉정 평정 의연

Advanced

수양 통찰력

Grammar to Know

Adjective formation

침착 + 하다

Adverb formation

침착 + 하게

Noun usage

침착 + 을

Examples by Level

1

나는 침착하다.

I am calm.

Simple subject-verb.

2

그는 침착해.

He is calm.

Casual form.

3

침착하세요.

Please be calm.

Polite command.

4

침착한 아이.

A calm child.

Adjective form.

5

침착한 모습.

A calm look.

Noun phrase.

6

침착할 수 있다.

Can be calm.

Ability.

7

침착하게 말해.

Speak calmly.

Adverbial use.

8

침착이 필요해.

Calmness is needed.

Noun usage.

1

침착함을 유지하세요.

2

그녀는 항상 침착하다.

3

침착하게 생각하자.

4

침착한 태도가 중요하다.

5

위기에도 침착했다.

6

침착함을 잃지 마.

7

그는 침착한 사람이다.

8

침착한 목소리로 말했다.

1

면접에서는 침착함이 중요하다.

2

그는 침착하게 상황을 설명했다.

3

침착함을 유지하는 것은 어렵다.

4

그녀의 침착한 대응이 빛났다.

5

침착하게 결정을 내리자.

6

침착한 성격 덕분에 성공했다.

7

당황하지 말고 침착해라.

8

그의 침착함은 모두를 안심시켰다.

1

그는 압박 속에서도 침착함을 잃지 않았다.

2

침착한 판단력이 위기를 모면하게 했다.

3

그녀는 침착하게 논리적으로 반박했다.

4

침착함을 유지하는 법을 배워야 한다.

5

그의 침착한 태도는 신뢰를 준다.

6

침착하게 사태를 관망했다.

7

침착함은 리더의 필수 자질이다.

8

침착하게 한 단계씩 해결해 나갔다.

1

그의 침착한 카리스마는 팀을 안정시켰다.

2

침착함은 감정을 억제하는 것이 아니라 다스리는 것이다.

3

침착하게 사안을 분석한 끝에 결론에 도달했다.

4

폭풍전야 같은 상황에서도 그는 침착함을 유지했다.

5

침착한 대응이 최선의 전략이었다.

6

그녀의 침착한 어조가 긴장을 완화했다.

7

침착함은 내면의 단단함에서 나온다.

8

침착하게 상황을 장악하는 능력이 탁월하다.

1

그의 침착함은 오랜 수양의 결과였다.

2

침착하게 운명에 순응하는 자세를 보였다.

3

침착함은 혼란 속에서 질서를 찾는 힘이다.

4

그는 침착한 태도로 비극을 마주했다.

5

침착하게 본질을 꿰뚫어 보는 통찰력이 있었다.

6

침착함은 고도의 정신적 훈련을 요한다.

7

그녀의 침착한 침묵은 강력한 메시지였다.

8

침착하게 사유하는 습관이 그를 지탱했다.

Common Collocations

침착함을 유지하다
침착하게 행동하다
침착한 태도
침착을 잃다
침착하게 대응하다
침착한 목소리
침착하게 생각하다
침착한 성격
침착을 되찾다
매우 침착하다

Idioms & Expressions

"침착의 미덕"

The virtue of being calm

그는 침착의 미덕을 아는 사람이다.

formal

"침착을 잃지 마라"

Don't lose your cool

무슨 일이 있어도 침착을 잃지 마라.

neutral

"침착하게 대처하다"

Handle things with composure

그는 문제를 침착하게 대처했다.

neutral

"침착한 마음가짐"

A calm mindset

침착한 마음가짐이 성공의 열쇠다.

formal

"침착을 가장하다"

To pretend to be calm

그는 침착을 가장했지만 떨고 있었다.

neutral

"침착한 대응책"

A calm countermeasure

침착한 대응책을 마련했다.

formal

Easily Confused

침착 vs 차분

Both mean calm

차분 is softer, 침착 is stronger.

차분한 성격 vs 침착한 대응

침착 vs 냉정

Both involve lack of panic

냉정 can be cold/unfeeling.

냉정한 판단

침착 vs 태연

Both mean calm

태연 is about not showing reaction.

태연하게 거짓말하다

침착 vs 평정

Both mean peace

평정 is about regaining balance.

평정을 되찾다

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + 는/가 + 침착하다

그는 매우 침착하다.

A2

Subject + 는/가 + 침착하게 + Verb

그는 침착하게 대답했다.

B1

침착함을 + 유지하다

침착함을 유지하는 것이 중요하다.

B1

침착을 + 잃다

당황해서 침착을 잃지 마라.

B2

침착한 + Noun

그의 침착한 태도가 인상적이다.

Word Family

Nouns

침착성 The quality of being calm

Verbs

침착하다 To be calm

Adjectives

침착한 Calm

Related

차분하다 Similar adjective

How to Use It

frequency

8

Formality Scale

Formal Neutral Casual

Common Mistakes

Using '침착' as a verb directly → Use '침착하다'
침착 is a noun, it needs '하다' to become a verb.
Confusing with '차분' → Both work, but 침착 implies strength under pressure.
They are synonyms but have slight nuance differences.
Using it for 'quiet' room → Use '조용하다'
침착 describes people's state, not room volume.
Misspelling as '침작' → 침착
The final consonant is ㅊ, not ㅈ.
Overusing in every sentence → Use synonyms like 차분함 or 평정
Variety makes your Korean sound more natural.

Tips

💡

The 'Chim' Trick

Think of 'Chim' as 'Chill'.

💡

Complimenting

Use it to praise a friend.

🌍

Confucian Roots

It's a virtue.

💡

The '하다' rule

Always add it to make it a verb.

💡

Crisp sounds

Hit the 'ch' sounds hard.

💡

Don't confuse

Don't use for 'quiet'.

💡

Sino-Korean

It has deep roots.

💡

Flashcards

Use with '차분'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Chim-chak: Think of a 'chimney' (chim) that is 'chucking' (chak) out smoke calmly.

Visual Association

A monk meditating in the middle of a busy city.

Word Web

Calm Peace Control Steady Focus

Challenge

Try to stay 침착 for 5 minutes during a busy day.

Word Origin

Sino-Korean

Original meaning: To settle down

Cultural Context

None

Equates to 'keeping one's cool' or 'composure'.

Used in many Korean dramas when a hero faces a villain.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At work

  • 침착하게 보고하세요.
  • 침착함을 유지하세요.
  • 침착한 대응이 필요합니다.

At school

  • 시험 때는 침착하세요.
  • 침착하게 문제를 푸세요.
  • 침착한 태도를 보이세요.

In emergencies

  • 침착하세요!
  • 침착하게 대피하세요.
  • 침착함을 잃지 마세요.

In relationships

  • 침착하게 이야기해요.
  • 침착한 대화가 필요해요.
  • 침착함을 보여주세요.

Conversation Starters

"어떻게 그렇게 침착할 수 있어요?"

"위기 상황에서 침착함을 유지하는 비결이 뭐예요?"

"당신은 평소에 침착한 편인가요?"

"침착함을 잃었던 적이 있나요?"

"침착한 사람이 왜 중요한가요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 하루 동안 침착했던 순간을 기록해보세요.

침착함을 잃었을 때 어떤 기분이었나요?

침착한 사람이 되기 위해 무엇을 할 수 있을까요?

당신이 아는 가장 침착한 사람에 대해 써보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

Usually for people, but can describe a situation or atmosphere.

No, use 조용하다 for volume.

Yes, very positive.

Add 하다.

침착 is more about strength under pressure.

Yes, if the dog is well-behaved.

Yes, it is a great compliment.

It is a noun, but used as a verb with 하다.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

그는 위기에도 ___하다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 침착

침착하다 is the correct adjective form.

multiple choice A2

침착의 뜻은 무엇인가요?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 차분함

침착 means calm or steady.

true false B1

침착은 나쁜 의미인가요?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It is a very positive trait.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Adverb vs Noun.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Subject + Object + Verb.

Score: /5

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