고려되다

The Korean verb 고려되다 (goryeodoeda) is a sophisticated and essential term that translates to 'to be considered' or 'to be taken into account.' It is the passive counterpart of the active verb 고려하다, which means 'to consider.' In the Korean language, passive forms are frequently used to emphasize the object or the situation rather than the person performing the action. This is particularly true in formal, academic, and professional settings where the focus is on the decision-making process or the factors involved in a specific outcome. Understanding 고려되다 is vital for learners moving into the intermediate level because it allows for more nuanced and objective communication. For instance, instead of saying 'We considered the price,' one might say 'The price was considered,' which sounds more formal and professional in a report or a business meeting.

Core Meaning

The state of an idea, fact, or circumstance being part of a thinking process before a final decision is reached.

Grammatical Function

It is an intransitive verb (자동사) because the action happens to the subject, typically marked by the particles -이 or -가.

In everyday life, you might hear this word when people are discussing plans that involve many variables. For example, when a city council discusses building a new park, they might say that the needs of the elderly are being considered. This usage highlights that the elderly are not just an afterthought but a central factor in the planning process. The word 고려 (consideration) combined with 되다 (to become/be) literally suggests that the act of consideration is being realized upon the subject. This nuance is important because it implies a level of seriousness and thoroughness that simpler words like '생각하다' (to think) might lack.

Furthermore, 고려되다 is often used in the negative to express that something was overlooked or ignored. If a student fails an exam despite working hard, they might complain that their effort wasn't taken into account. In this context, '고려되지 않았다' conveys a sense of unfairness or an incomplete evaluation. It is a powerful word for expressing systemic or objective viewpoints. It moves the conversation away from personal opinions and toward a more factual discussion of what factors were present in a logical deliberation.

The word also appears frequently in legal and official documents. In these contexts, it refers to the judicial or administrative review of evidence or circumstances. If a judge reduces a sentence, they might state that the defendant's remorse was considered. This formal application reinforces the word's association with authority and structured thought. For a learner, mastering this word means being able to participate in higher-level discussions about policy, science, and ethics, where objective passivity is often the preferred mode of speech.

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Formal to Semi-formal. Rarely used in very casual speech among close friends unless the topic is serious.

In summary, 고려되다 is a versatile verb that bridges the gap between basic descriptions of thinking and advanced analytical discussion. It signifies that a subject has entered the 'deliberation zone' and is being weighed against other factors. Whether you are reading a news article about economic policy or writing a formal email to a professor, this word provides the necessary weight and clarity to describe the process of thoughtful evaluation.

Using 고려되다 correctly requires an understanding of Korean passive sentence structures. Unlike the active form 고려하다, which takes an object marked by 을/를 (e.g., '나는 가격을 고려한다' - I consider the price), 고려되다 makes the factor being considered the subject of the sentence. Therefore, you must use the subject particles 이 or 가. This shift in perspective is the most common hurdle for English speakers, as English often uses the passive 'to be considered' with a wide range of prepositions, while Korean keeps it strictly as a subject-predicate relationship.

Subject Marker Usage

Use [Noun] + 이/가 고려되다. Example: 날씨가 고려되다 (The weather is considered).

One of the most frequent patterns involves the auxiliary verb -어/아야 하다, which adds the meaning of 'must' or 'should.' When you say 고려되어야 한다, you are stating that it is necessary for something to be taken into account. This is a staple phrase in business proposals and persuasive writing. For instance, '안전이 가장 먼저 고려되어야 합니다' (Safety must be considered first). Here, the emphasis is entirely on 'safety,' and the speaker is establishing it as an non-negotiable factor in the plan.

Another common way to use this verb is with adverbs that describe the depth or priority of the consideration. Adverbs like 신중하게 (carefully), 우선적으로 (prioritially), 함께 (together), and 충분히 (sufficiently) are often paired with 고려되다. These adverbs provide context to how the thinking process is being conducted. If you say '충분히 고려되었습니다,' you are reassuring the listener that the matter was not rushed and that every angle was looked at. This is a great phrase to use in customer service or professional feedback.

In more complex sentences, 고려되다 can be used in a conjunctive form, such as 고려되면서 (while being considered) or 고려되더라도 (even if it is considered). These allow you to build sophisticated logical arguments. For example, '비용이 고려되더라도 품질이 더 중요합니다' (Even if the cost is considered, quality is more important). This structure allows you to acknowledge one factor while prioritizing another, which is a key skill in debate and analytical writing.

Finally, pay attention to the environment in which the consideration happens. You can use the particle -에서 to specify the context. For example, '이번 회의에서 이 문제가 고려될 것입니다' (This issue will be considered in this meeting). This helps define the scope of the deliberation. By combining the subject, the context, and the manner of consideration, you can create very precise and professional Korean sentences that demonstrate a high level of linguistic control.

Common Ending

고려되고 있다 (Is currently being considered) - used for ongoing processes.

If you turn on a Korean news broadcast or open a major newspaper like the Chosun Ilbo or Hankyoreh, you will encounter 고려되다 almost daily. It is the standard term for describing government deliberations, economic policy changes, and legal rulings. When the government discusses raising taxes or changing social distancing rules, the news anchor will inevitably say that various social impacts are being considered. This environment is where the word feels most at home—neutral, objective, and authoritative.

In the corporate world, 고려되다 is a staple of office life. During meetings, managers use it to evaluate project proposals or employee performance. You might hear a supervisor say, '이번 프로젝트에서는 창의성이 중요하게 고려될 것입니다' (Creativity will be significantly considered in this project). It is also common in formal emails. If you apply for a job or a scholarship, the rejection or acceptance letter will likely use this word: '귀하의 지원서는 신중하게 고려되었습니다' (Your application was carefully considered). This usage provides a professional distance that is polite yet firm.

Academic Context

Used in research papers to discuss variables. '연구 결과에 영향을 줄 수 있는 요인들이 고려되었다' (Factors that could affect research results were considered).

You will also hear this word in documentaries and educational programs. When historians discuss why a certain king made a specific decision, they will analyze the factors that were considered at the time. This helps viewers understand the complexity of historical events. For example, a narrator might explain that '지정학적 위치가 국방 정책에서 중요하게 고려되었습니다' (Geographical location was importantly considered in defense policy). In this way, the word helps bridge the gap between simple facts and deep analysis.

Social media and internet forums also use 고려되다, though often in the context of complaining or debating. Users might argue that a certain celebrity's past actions should be considered before they are allowed to return to television. Or, in a gaming community, players might discuss whether the 'balance' of a game is being considered by the developers. Even in these less formal digital spaces, the word maintains its function as a marker for analytical thought, showing that the speaker is looking at the bigger picture.

Public Announcements

Often heard in subway or bus announcements regarding safety or service changes. '승객 여러분의 안전이 최우선으로 고려되고 있습니다.'

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using 고려되다 is confusing it with its active form, 고려하다. Because the English word 'consider' can be used in many ways, learners often try to use the object marker 을/를 with 고려되다. For example, a learner might say '가격을 고려되다' (Wrong), trying to say 'The price is considered.' However, since 고려되다 is passive, the price is the subject. The correct form is 가격이 고려되다. Remembering that '-되다' verbs almost always take the subject marker -이/가 is a crucial rule for avoiding this error.

Mistake 1: Wrong Particle

Using 을/를 instead of 이/가. Incorrect: 문제를 고려되다. Correct: 문제가 고려되다.

Another common error is using 고려되다 when the more casual 생각하다 (to think) or 생각되다 (to be thought of) would be more appropriate. 고려되다 implies a formal, systematic, or serious deliberation. If you are just talking about what you want for dinner, saying '피자가 저녁 메뉴로 고려되고 있어요' (Pizza is being considered as a dinner menu) sounds unnaturally stiff and robotic. In casual contexts, it is better to say '피자 먹을까 생각 중이에요' (I'm thinking about eating pizza). Save 고려되다 for situations that involve weighing options or official decisions.

A third mistake is failing to conjugate the verb correctly in the passive voice. Some learners might try to create a passive by adding '-어지다' to the already passive '고려되다', resulting in '고려되어지다.' While you will actually hear some native speakers say this (it's called 'double passivization'), it is grammatically redundant and often criticized in formal writing. The standard, clean form is simply 고려되다. Stick to the simpler form to ensure your Korean sounds educated and clear.

Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with the nuance between 고려되다 and 감안되다. While they are very similar, 감안되다 is specifically used when taking 'extenuating circumstances' or 'background facts' into account to adjust a judgment. 고려되다 is broader. For example, you 'consider' (고려) a plan, but you 'take into account' (감안) the fact that it's raining when judging the plan's success. Using 고려되다 in a situation that specifically requires 감안되다 isn't necessarily 'wrong,' but using the more specific word shows a higher level of fluency.

Mistake 2: Overuse in Casual Speech

Using it with friends about trivial things. It makes you sound like a news reporter.

Korean has several words that overlap with 고려되다, and knowing which one to pick depends on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey. The most common alternative is 감안되다. As mentioned previously, 감안되다 is used when you are adjusting a decision based on specific circumstances or difficulties. For example, '늦은 시간임이 감안되어야 한다' (The fact that it is late must be taken into account). It implies a sense of 'allowance' or 'adjustment' that 고려되다 does not necessarily have.

감안되다 vs 고려되다

고려되다: General consideration of factors.
감안되다: Taking specific external circumstances into account to influence a decision.

Another similar word is 참작되다 (chamjakdoeda). This is a highly formal term, often used in legal contexts. It specifically refers to 'taking circumstances into consideration' when determining a punishment or a level of responsibility. You will see this in news reports about court cases: '정상 참작되다' (to have circumstances taken into account for a lighter sentence). If 고려되다 is the general term and 감안되다 is the situational term, 참작되다 is the judicial term.

If the consideration involves a discussion among multiple people, 논의되다 (nonuiedoeda) might be a better fit. While 고려되다 focuses on the internal process of weighing factors, 논의되다 means 'to be discussed' or 'to be debated.' For example, '이 문제는 다음 회의에서 논의될 것입니다' (This issue will be discussed in the next meeting). Often, a problem is discussed (논의) so that all factors can be considered (고려). These two words are frequently found in the same paragraph in professional reports.

Finally, there is 검토되다 (geomtodaeda), which means 'to be reviewed' or 'to be examined.' This is used when a specific document, plan, or proposal is being scrutinized for errors or feasibility. A manager might say, '제안서가 검토되고 있습니다' (The proposal is being reviewed). This implies a more technical or detailed check than the broader 고려되다. By choosing between consideration (고려), allowance (감안), judicial consideration (참작), discussion (논의), and review (검토), you can precisely describe any professional thought process.

Summary Table

- 고려되다: General/Formal consideration.
- 감안되다: Contextual adjustment.
- 참작되다: Legal/Official leniency.
- 검토되다: Technical review/scrutiny.