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심화시키다

A2 verb #4,000 most common 10 min read

심화시키다

simhwasikida Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 심화시키다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 심화시키다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '심화시키다' might seem a bit difficult because it's a long word with Hanja (Chinese character) roots. However, you can think of it as 'making something more.' Imagine you have a friend. You like them. If you talk more and share secrets, you 'deepen' that friendship. You are making it 'deeper' (심) and 'changing' (화) it to be better. In A1, we focus on the basic idea: taking something you already have (like a hobby or a friend) and making it more serious or special. You can remember it as 'More + Deep + Make.' Even if you don't use it yet, knowing that '심' means 'deep' will help you later with many other Korean words!

At the A2 level, you are starting to talk about your thoughts and feelings more clearly. '심화시키다' is a great word to use when you want to sound more advanced than just saying '더 많이 해요' (I do it more). If you are studying Korean, you can say '한국어 공부를 심화시키고 싶어요' (I want to deepen my Korean studies). This means you don't just want to learn 'Hello,' you want to learn the grammar and the culture too. It's a causative verb, so you always use it with an object like '우정' (friendship), '이해' (understanding), or '공부' (study). It shows you are moving from a beginner level to a more serious level in whatever you are doing.

For B1 learners, '심화시키다' becomes a very useful tool for academic and professional discussions. You'll encounter it in textbooks and news reports. At this level, you should distinguish between '심화시키다' (to make deeper) and '심화되다' (to become deeper). For example, '경제 위기가 심화되었다' (The economic crisis deepened) versus '정부의 실책이 위기를 심화시켰다' (The government's mistake deepened the crisis). You can use it to describe deepening your research, deepening a social conflict, or deepening an analysis. It adds a layer of sophistication to your speaking and writing, moving you away from simple descriptive verbs to more precise, causative ones.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '심화시키다' in various abstract contexts. It is frequently used in discussions about social issues, philosophy, and complex relationships. You might use it to describe how a specific historical event 'deepened' the divide between two groups, or how a specific scientific discovery 'deepened' our understanding of the universe. You should also be aware of its collocations, such as '갈등을 심화시키다' (to deepen conflict) or '논의를 심화시키다' (to deepen a discussion). At this level, your use of the word should reflect an understanding of its nuance—that it implies a qualitative shift toward the core or essence of a subject.

C1 learners should use '심화시키다' with precision in formal essays, debates, and professional environments. It is a key word for critical analysis. You might analyze how a literary work 'deepens' its exploration of human nature, or how a corporate strategy aims to 'deepen' market penetration through localized approaches. You should also be able to use it in its nominal form '심화' in compound nouns like '심화 학습' (advanced learning) or '심화 과정' (advanced course). Your mastery of this word involves using it to describe the intensification of complex systems, theoretical frameworks, and subtle emotional states with perfect grammatical accuracy.

At the C2 level, '심화시키다' is part of a sophisticated vocabulary used to discuss systemic changes and high-level abstract concepts. You might use it to critique how globalization 'deepens' structural inequalities or how a particular philosophical movement 'deepened' the discourse on existentialism. You understand the historical and Hanja roots (深化) perfectly, allowing you to see connections with other words like '심오하다' (profound) or '변화' (change). At this level, the word is used effortlessly to describe the most subtle and profound shifts in thought, policy, and human experience, often within complex sentence structures that involve multiple clauses and high-level grammar.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

심화시키다 in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning to deepen or intensify abstract concepts like knowledge, relationships, or social problems.
Comes from '심화' (deepening) + '시키다' (to make), indicating a causative action where someone or something causes the deepening.
Commonly used in academic, professional, and news contexts to describe qualitative growth or the worsening of a situation.
Must be used with an object (을/를), unlike '심화되다' which is the passive form meaning 'to become deepened.'

The Korean verb 심화시키다 (sim-hwa-si-ki-da) is a powerful and sophisticated word used to describe the act of making something deeper, more intense, or more profound. It is a causative verb derived from the noun '심화' (深化), which literally translates to 'deepening' or 'becoming deep.' When you add '시키다' (to make/cause), the word transforms into an active process of driving a situation, a relationship, or a level of knowledge into a more significant or complex state. In everyday life, you might hear this in academic settings where a teacher wants to deepen a student's understanding of a subject. In social contexts, it often refers to deepening a bond or friendship between two people. However, it is equally common in negative contexts, such as when a misunderstanding deepens a conflict or a crisis deepens economic instability.

Academic Context: This word is frequently used in schools and universities to describe the transition from basic knowledge to advanced study. For example, '학습을 심화시키다' means to take one's learning to a more profound level.
Interpersonal Context: It describes the process of strengthening emotional ties. '우정을 심화시키다' means to make a friendship more meaningful and sturdy over time.
Societal Context: In news and politics, it often refers to the worsening of problems. '갈등을 심화시키다' suggests that an action has made an existing conflict even more severe or deep-rooted.

우리는 대화를 통해 서로에 대한 이해를 심화시키다 (We deepened our understanding of each other through conversation).

Understanding the nuances of '심화시키다' requires recognizing that it implies a deliberate or consequential progression. It is not just about 'adding more' of something; it is about increasing the depth. Imagine a well being dug deeper into the ground; that physical process is the metaphor for what this word does to abstract concepts. Whether you are deepening a color in an art class or deepening a strategic partnership in business, the core essence remains the same: moving from the surface to the core.

정부의 정책이 빈부 격차를 심화시키다 (The government's policy deepened the gap between the rich and the poor).

In professional writing, this word is a staple. It conveys a sense of seriousness and analytical depth that simpler words like '키우다' (to grow) or '더하다' (to add) lack. When a researcher says they want to '심화시키다' their study, they are promising a rigorous, detailed investigation that goes beyond the obvious. It is a word of quality and intensity.

이번 세미나는 전공 지식을 심화시킬 좋은 기회입니다 (This seminar is a great opportunity to deepen your major knowledge).

Emotional Depth: It can be used to describe the intensification of feelings, such as longing, love, or even sadness.
Technical Application: In engineering or science, it might refer to deepening a physical structure or a chemical process.

In conclusion, '심화시키다' is a versatile verb that bridges the gap between everyday conversation and high-level discourse. By using it, you signal that you are discussing a process of substantial change—making something not just bigger, but deeper and more significant.

Using 심화시키다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure as a transitive verb. Because it is a causative verb ending in '-시키다', it always requires an object (marked by 을/를) that is being deepened. You are the agent (subject) causing the deepening to happen to that object. For instance, you don't just 'deepen'; you 'deepen something.' This 'something' can be abstract, like a relationship, or concrete, like a hole, though the abstract usage is far more common in modern Korean.

Structure 1: [Subject] + [Object]-을/를 + 심화시키다: This is the standard active form. '선생님은 학생들의 사고력을 심화시켰다' (The teacher deepened the students' thinking skills).
Structure 2: [Abstract Concept] + 심화시키다: Common objects include understanding (이해), conflict (갈등), friendship (우정), knowledge (지식), and crisis (위기).

그의 발언은 양국 간의 갈등을 더욱 심화시켰다 (His remarks further deepened the conflict between the two countries).

When conjugating '심화시키다', it follows the standard rules for '-하다' verbs that have been converted to '-시키다'. In the present tense, it becomes '심화시켜요' (polite) or '심화시킨다' (plain). In the past tense, it is '심화시켰어요' or '심화시켰다'. For future intentions, use '심화시킬 거예요' or '심화시키겠습니다'. It is important to distinguish this from '심화하다' (which is rarely used alone) and '심화되다' (the passive/intransitive form meaning 'to become deepened').

우리는 이 문제를 해결하기 위해 논의를 심화시켜야 합니다 (We must deepen our discussion to solve this problem).

In formal settings, such as business presentations or academic papers, '심화시키다' is preferred over more colloquial terms. If you are writing a report about market research, you would say '시장 분석을 심화시키다' (deepen market analysis) rather than '시장 분석을 더 많이 하다' (do more market analysis). The choice of '심화시키다' implies a qualitative improvement, not just a quantitative increase. It suggests you are looking for nuances, root causes, and complex connections.

독서는 우리의 사고를 심화시키는 데 큰 도움이 됩니다 (Reading is a great help in deepening our thoughts).

Finally, consider the emotional weight. When used with words like '상처' (wound) or '슬픔' (sadness), '심화시키다' can describe a painful process of making an emotional burden heavier or more ingrained. '그의 무관심이 나의 외로움을 심화시켰다' (His indifference deepened my loneliness). This shows the word's ability to span from the cold, analytical world of academia to the warm, sensitive world of human emotion.

You will encounter 심화시키다 in a variety of environments, ranging from the evening news to university lecture halls. It is a 'high-frequency formal word,' meaning while you might not use it while buying apples at the market, you will definitely hear it when the vendor explains why the apple prices have risen due to a 'deepening' economic crisis. Understanding these contexts helps you grasp the word's 'social weight.'

The News & Media: News anchors often use this word to describe intensifying social issues. '양극화 현상이 심화시키고 있습니다' (The polarization phenomenon is deepening [something]). Note: usually '심화되고 있습니다' is used for the state, but '심화시키고 있습니다' is used when identifying a cause.
Educational Institutions: In syllabus descriptions or during lectures, professors use it to describe 'advanced' courses. '심화 과정' (Deepened/Advanced course) is a common term for Level 2 or Level 3 classes.

이번 특강은 기초 이론을 심화시키는 내용으로 구성되었습니다 (This special lecture consists of content that deepens basic theories).

In the corporate world, '심화시키다' appears in strategic planning and performance reviews. A manager might talk about '심화된 협력' (deepened cooperation) with a partner company. It signifies a move beyond a mere contract toward a symbiotic relationship. Similarly, in marketing, a brand might aim to '고객과의 유대감을 심화시키다' (deepen the bond with customers). This is much more sophisticated than just 'increasing sales.'

기후 변화는 식량 위기를 더욱 심화시키고 있습니다 (Climate change is further deepening the food crisis).

In literature and essays, authors use '심화시키다' to describe the internal growth of a character or the development of a theme. A poet might write about how the autumn rain 'deepens' their solitude. Here, the word takes on a lyrical quality, showing that it is not just a cold, academic term but one that can carry significant emotional resonance. It is the go-to word for any process that moves from the superficial to the essential.

작가는 이 작품을 통해 인간의 고독에 대한 성찰을 심화시켰다 (Through this work, the author deepened their reflection on human solitude).

Lastly, in the context of self-improvement, you might hear people talk about '심화 학습' (deep learning/advanced study) or '자기 성찰을 심화시키다' (deepen self-reflection). It is a word associated with maturity and progress. When you use this word, you sound like someone who values depth over breadth, and substance over appearance.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 심화시키다 is confusing it with its passive/intransitive counterpart, 심화되다. Because Korean verbs often come in pairs (하다/되다 or 시키다/되다), it is crucial to know who is doing the deepening. If a situation is getting deeper on its own (or you aren't specifying the cause), use '심화되다'. If a specific person, policy, or action is making it deeper, use '심화시키다'.

Mistake 1: Wrong Voice (Active vs. Passive): Incorrect: '갈등이 심화시켰다' (The conflict deepened [something?]). Correct: '갈등이 심화되었다' (The conflict deepened/was deepened).
Mistake 2: Using it for Physical Depth Only: While you can use it for physical things, using '깊게 하다' or '더 파다' (to dig more) is often more natural for literal holes. '심화시키다' is primarily for abstract depth.

Incorrect: 구멍을 심화시켰다. Better: 구멍을 더 깊게 팠다 (Dug the hole deeper).

Another mistake is overusing the word in casual conversation. '심화시키다' is quite formal. If you are telling a friend that you want to get to know them better, saying '우리 우정을 심화시키자' (Let's deepen our friendship) sounds a bit like a business proposal or a philosophical manifesto. In casual settings, '더 친해지자' (Let's get closer) or '더 깊게 알자' (Let's know each other more deeply) is much more natural.

그 영화는 인간의 내면을 심화시켜 보여주었다 (The movie showed the human interior in a deepened way).

Learners also sometimes confuse '심화시키다' with '악화시키다' (to worsen). While deepening a conflict (갈등을 심화시키다) is worsening it, you cannot '심화시키다' a disease or a cold. For health or purely negative states that don't have a 'depth' metaphor, '악화시키다' is the correct choice. '심화시키다' implies a progression into the 'core' or 'complexity' of something, whereas '악화시키다' simply means it's getting worse.

Incorrect: 감기를 심화시켰다. Correct: 감기를 악화시켰다 (Made the cold worse).

Finally, ensure you don't confuse '심화' (深化) with '실화' (actual story) or '신화' (myth). They sound somewhat similar to a beginner's ear but have completely different meanings. Always focus on the '심' (深 - deep) to remember the meaning of '심화시키다'.

While 심화시키다 is an excellent word, having alternatives in your vocabulary allows you to be more precise depending on the context. Depending on whether you are talking about learning, relationships, or problems, different words might fit better. Here is a comparison with similar terms.

심화시키다 vs. 깊게 하다: '깊게 하다' is the native Korean equivalent. It is less formal and can be used for both physical and abstract depth. Use '심화시키다' for academic or professional writing.
심화시키다 vs. 강화하다 (To strengthen): '강화하다' focuses on making something stronger or more robust (like security or a bond), whereas '심화시키다' focuses on making it more profound or complex.
심화시키다 vs. 악화시키다 (To worsen): As mentioned before, '악화시키다' is purely for negative progression (health, situation), while '심화시키다' focuses on the 'depth' of the issue.

보안을 강화하다 (Strengthen security) vs. 연구를 심화시키다 (Deepen research).

In the context of learning, you might use '발전시키다' (to develop). While '심화시키다' means going deeper into one topic, '발전시키다' suggests growing and expanding that topic into something bigger or better. If you are talking about a relationship, '돈독히 하다' (to make close and thick) is a beautiful, slightly formal alternative specifically for bonds and friendships. It emphasizes the 'solidity' of the bond rather than just the 'depth.'

협력을 돈독히 하다 (To solidify/deepen cooperation).

Another related word is '확대하다' (to expand). This is the opposite of '심화시키다' in terms of direction; '확대하다' goes wide (breadth), while '심화시키다' goes down (depth). A good project often does both: '범위를 확대하고 내용을 심화시키다' (Expand the scope and deepen the content). Using these two together shows a comprehensive approach to a task.

이론을 실제 사례에 적용하며 이해를 심화시켰다 (Deepened understanding by applying theory to actual cases).

By knowing these alternatives, you can avoid repetitive writing and choose the word that captures the exact nuance of the 'deepening' you are describing. Whether it's the sharpening of a conflict, the enrichment of a study, or the strengthening of a friendship, there is a specific word for every kind of depth.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '化' (hwa) is the same one used in 'culture' (문화 - mun-hwa) and 'chemistry' (화학 - hwa-hak), implying a fundamental transformation into a new state.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɕim.ɦwa.ɕʰi.kʰi.da/

US /ɕim.hwɑ.ɕi.ki.dɑ/

In Korean, stress is generally even across syllables, but a slight emphasis may be placed on the first syllable '심' to establish the root meaning.

Rhymes With

강화시키다 (gang-hwa-si-ki-da) 변화시키다 (byeon-hwa-si-ki-da) 악화시키다 (ak-hwa-si-ki-da) 정화시키다 (jeong-hwa-si-ki-da) 진화시키다 (jin-hwa-si-ki-da) 활성화시키다 (hwal-seong-hwa-si-ki-da) 단순화시키다 (dan-sun-hwa-si-ki-da) 객관화시키다 (gaek-gwan-hwa-si-ki-da)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '심화' as '시마' (forgetting the 'h' sound).
Not aspirating the 'ㅋ' in '시키다'.
Confusing the pronunciation with '실화' (sil-hwa).
Shortening '시키다' to '시카다'.
Merging '심' and '화' into a single blurred syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Requires knowledge of Hanja-based vocabulary, but common in news and textbooks.

Writing 4/5

Choosing between '심화시키다' and '심화되다' can be tricky for learners.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but it's a bit long for fast speech.

Listening 3/5

Easy to recognize in formal broadcasts or lectures.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

깊다 (To be deep) 변화 (Change) 시키다 (To make/cause) 공부 (Study) 친구 (Friend)

Learn Next

심오하다 (To be profound) 강화하다 (To strengthen) 완화하다 (To ease) 고찰하다 (To contemplate) 본질 (Essence)

Advanced

고착화시키다 (To solidify/fixate) 내면화하다 (To internalize) 구체화하다 (To materialize/specify) 체계화하다 (To systematize) 정교화하다 (To elaborate)

Grammar to Know

Causative suffix '-시키다'

공부를 시키다 (make someone study), 심화시키다 (make something deep).

Passive/Intransitive suffix '-되다'

심화되다 (to become deep/intensified).

Noun + 하다 to Noun + 시키다 conversion

이해하다 (to understand) vs 이해시키다 (to make someone understand).

Adverbial form '-게'

깊게 (deeply), 심화되게 (so that it deepens).

Intentional '-고자 하다'

이해를 심화시키고자 합니다 (I intend to deepen understanding).

Examples by Level

우리는 우정을 심화시켜요.

We deepen our friendship.

우정 (friendship) + -을 (object marker) + 심화시켜요 (present polite).

공부를 심화시키고 싶어요.

I want to deepen my studies.

-고 싶어요 (want to) is added to the verb stem.

대화는 이해를 심화시켜요.

Conversation deepens understanding.

이해 (understanding) is the object.

사랑을 심화시켜요.

Deepen the love.

Basic object-verb structure.

생각을 심화시키세요.

Please deepen your thoughts.

-으세요 is a polite command/request.

취미를 심화시켜요.

I deepen my hobby.

취미 (hobby) is the object.

관계를 심화시켰어요.

I deepened the relationship.

Past tense form -시켰어요.

지식을 심화시켜요.

Deepen the knowledge.

지식 (knowledge) + -을.

책을 읽어서 지식을 심화시켜요.

I deepen my knowledge by reading books.

-어서 (because/by doing) connects the reason and action.

이 캠프는 우정을 심화시킬 거예요.

This camp will deepen our friendship.

-ㄹ 거예요 indicates future tense.

서로의 문화를 이해하며 관계를 심화시켜요.

We deepen our relationship while understanding each other's culture.

-며 (while) indicates simultaneous actions.

질문은 사고를 심화시킵니다.

Questions deepen thinking.

Formal ending -습니다.

연습이 실력을 심화시켰어요.

Practice deepened my skills.

실력 (skill/ability) is the object.

우리는 논의를 심화시켜야 해요.

We must deepen the discussion.

-어야 해요 (must/have to).

그 경험은 제 인생관을 심화시켰습니다.

That experience deepened my outlook on life.

인생관 (view of life) is a common abstract object.

토론을 통해 생각을 심화시켜 보세요.

Try deepening your thoughts through debate.

-어 보세요 (try doing).

정부는 경제 위기를 심화시키지 않으려 노력했다.

The government tried not to deepen the economic crisis.

-지 않으려 (in order not to) + 노력하다 (to try).

이 연구는 기존의 이론을 심화시키는 데 목적이 있다.

This research aims to deepen existing theories.

-는 데 (in doing something/for the purpose of).

오해는 두 사람의 갈등을 심화시킬 뿐이었다.

The misunderstanding only deepened the conflict between the two.

-ㄹ 뿐이다 (only/nothing but).

지속적인 교육이 전문성을 심화시킵니다.

Continuous education deepens expertise.

전문성 (professionalism/expertise) is the object.

그의 논문은 사회적 불평등 문제를 심화시켜 분석했다.

His thesis analyzed the problem of social inequality in a deepened way.

심화시켜 (deepening and...) used as a connecting adverbial.

명상은 내면의 평화를 심화시키는 방법입니다.

Meditation is a way to deepen inner peace.

내면의 평화 (inner peace) is the object.

환경 오염은 생태계의 위기를 심화시키고 있다.

Environmental pollution is deepening the crisis of the ecosystem.

-고 있다 (progressive tense).

이 책은 철학적 사고를 심화시키는 데 도움을 준다.

This book helps in deepening philosophical thinking.

도움을 준다 (gives help/helps).

양극화 현상은 사회적 불안을 심화시키는 주요 원인이다.

The polarization phenomenon is a major cause that deepens social unrest.

주요 원인 (major cause) modified by the relative clause.

그는 자신의 예술 세계를 심화시키기 위해 유학을 떠났다.

He went abroad to study in order to deepen his artistic world.

-기 위해 (in order to).

기업들은 고객 맞춤형 서비스를 통해 브랜드 충성도를 심화시킨다.

Companies deepen brand loyalty through customized services.

브랜드 충성도 (brand loyalty) is a business term.

무분별한 개발은 기후 위기를 심화시킬 위험이 크다.

Indiscriminate development has a high risk of deepening the climate crisis.

-ㄹ 위험이 크다 (the risk is high).

역사 교육은 민족적 정체성을 심화시키는 역할을 한다.

History education plays a role in deepening national identity.

역할을 한다 (plays a role).

비판적 사고는 학문적 탐구를 심화시키는 필수 요소이다.

Critical thinking is an essential element for deepening academic inquiry.

필수 요소 (essential element).

그의 침묵은 주변 사람들의 의구심을 심화시켰다.

His silence deepened the doubts of those around him.

의구심 (doubt/suspicion).

문화 교류는 국가 간의 우호 관계를 심화시킨다.

Cultural exchange deepens friendly relations between nations.

우호 관계 (friendly relations).

신자유주의 정책은 노동 시장의 불안정성을 심화시켰다는 비판을 받는다.

Neoliberal policies are criticized for having deepened the instability of the labor market.

-었다는 비판을 받는다 (receives criticism that...).

작가는 고독이라는 주제를 심화시켜 인간 존재의 본질을 탐구한다.

The author explores the essence of human existence by deepening the theme of solitude.

본질 (essence) and 탐구한다 (explores/investigates).

정보의 편향성은 확증 편향을 심화시킬 우려가 있다.

Bias in information carries the risk of deepening confirmation bias.

확증 편향 (confirmation bias) and 우려가 있다 (there is a concern).

제도적 보완이 없는 기술 발전은 정보 격차를 심화시킬 수 있다.

Technological advancement without institutional supplements can deepen the digital divide.

정보 격차 (digital divide/information gap).

이 철학자는 칸트의 의무론을 심화시켜 독자적인 윤리 체계를 구축했다.

This philosopher deepened Kant's deontology to build an independent ethical system.

의무론 (deontology) and 구축했다 (constructed/built).

글로벌 공급망의 붕괴는 인플레이션 압력을 심화시키고 있다.

The collapse of global supply chains is deepening inflationary pressure.

공급망 (supply chain) and 인플레이션 압력 (inflationary pressure).

심리 치료는 환자가 자신의 무의식을 심화시켜 이해하도록 돕는다.

Psychotherapy helps patients deepen their understanding of their own unconscious.

무의식 (unconscious) and -도록 돕는다 (helps so that...).

정치적 극단주의는 사회적 통합을 저해하고 분열을 심화시킨다.

Political extremism hinders social integration and deepens division.

저해하고 (hinders and...) and 분열 (division).

포퓰리즘의 득세는 민주주의의 근간을 흔들고 사회적 균열을 심화시키고 있다.

The rise of populism is shaking the foundations of democracy and deepening social fissures.

근간 (foundation) and 균열 (fissure/crack).

인공지능의 발전은 인간 소외 현상을 심화시킬 것이라는 디스토피아적 전망이 제기된다.

Dystopian prospects are raised that the development of AI will deepen the phenomenon of human alienation.

인간 소외 (human alienation) and 전망이 제기된다 (prospects are raised).

구조적 모순을 해결하지 못한 채 시행된 개혁은 오히려 갈등을 심화시키는 결과를 초래했다.

Reforms implemented without resolving structural contradictions resulted in deepening conflicts instead.

구조적 모순 (structural contradiction) and 결과를 초래했다 (brought about the result).

현대 과학은 미시 세계에 대한 탐구를 심화시킴으로써 우주의 기원을 밝히고자 한다.

Modern science seeks to reveal the origin of the universe by deepening the exploration of the microscopic world.

-함으로써 (by doing) and 기원을 밝히다 (reveal the origin).

젠더 갈등의 심화시키는 담론들은 생산적인 논의를 가로막는 장애물이 된다.

Discourses that deepen gender conflict become obstacles that block productive discussion.

담론 (discourse) and 가로막는 장애물 (blocking obstacle).

자본의 집중은 부의 편중을 심화시켜 계급 간의 이동성을 저하시킨다.

Concentration of capital deepens the bias of wealth and lowers mobility between classes.

부의 편중 (concentration of wealth) and 이동성 (mobility).

언어의 심오한 체계를 심화시켜 연구하는 것은 인류학적 가치가 매우 크다.

Deepening the study of the profound systems of language has great anthropological value.

인류학적 가치 (anthropological value).

기후 위기에 대한 안일한 대응은 미래 세대의 생존 위협을 심화시킬 뿐이다.

Complacent responses to the climate crisis only deepen the threat to the survival of future generations.

안일한 대응 (complacent response) and 생존 위협 (survival threat).

Common Collocations

이해를 심화시키다

갈등을 심화시키다

우정을 심화시키다

위기를 심화시키다

논의를 심화시키다

지식을 심화시키다

고찰을 심화시키다

불평등을 심화시키다

연구를 심화시키다

관계를 심화시키다

Common Phrases

심화 학습

— Advanced learning or enrichment study. Often used in schools for high-level tracks.

방과 후에 심화 학습 반이 운영됩니다.

심화 과정

— An advanced course or in-depth program. Usually follows a basic course.

초급 과정을 마친 후 심화 과정을 신청했다.

갈등 심화

— Deepening of conflict. A noun phrase describing an intensifying dispute.

지역 간 갈등 심화가 우려된다.

이해 심화

— Deepening of understanding. Often a goal in workshops or seminars.

상호 이해 심화를 위한 프로그램이 마련되었다.

위기 심화

— Deepening of a crisis. Used in news to describe worsening conditions.

기후 위기 심화로 인해 자연재해가 늘고 있다.

양극화 심화

— Deepening of polarization. Often refers to the wealth gap or political divide.

소득 양극화 심화는 사회적 불안을 초래한다.

전문성 심화

— Deepening of expertise. Making one's professional skills more profound.

직원들의 전문성 심화를 위해 교육을 실시한다.

인식 심화

— Deepening of awareness. Increasing the level of public consciousness.

인권에 대한 인식 심화가 필요하다.

유대감 심화

— Deepening of the sense of bonding. Strengthening emotional connections.

팀원들 간의 유대감 심화를 위해 워크숍을 갔다.

논의 심화

— Deepening of discussion. Moving from surface talk to core issues.

본격적인 논의 심화를 위해 소위원회를 구성했다.

Often Confused With

심화시키다 vs 심화되다

Passive/Intransitive form. Use this when the situation deepens on its own. '갈등이 심화되다' (The conflict deepens).

심화시키다 vs 악화시키다

To worsen. Used for health or purely negative progression without the 'depth' metaphor.

심화시키다 vs 강화하다

To strengthen. Focuses on power and stability rather than depth and complexity.

Idioms & Expressions

"뿌리를 심화시키다"

— To deepen the roots. Used metaphorically for making a tradition or a foundation very strong and deep.

전통 문화의 뿌리를 심화시키는 노력이 필요하다.

Formal

"골을 심화시키다"

— To deepen the furrow/valley. Used specifically for making a rift or emotional distance between people much larger.

거짓말은 두 사람 사이의 골을 심화시켰다.

Neutral

"사고의 지평을 심화시키다"

— To deepen the horizon of thought. Actually, usually 'expand' (넓히다) is used for horizons, but '심화시키다' is used when making the thought within that horizon more profound.

철학은 우리의 사고의 지평을 심화시킨다.

Academic

"내실을 심화시키다"

— To deepen the inner substance. Making the inside of an organization or person more solid and meaningful.

겉모양보다는 내실을 심화시키는 데 집중합시다.

Formal

"관심을 심화시키다"

— To deepen interest. Moving from casual curiosity to serious study.

그 책은 환경 문제에 대한 나의 관심을 심화시켰다.

Neutral

"성찰을 심화시키다"

— To deepen reflection. Looking into one's own mind or actions with more intensity.

여행은 자신에 대한 성찰을 심화시키는 기회가 된다.

Literary

"분열을 심화시키다"

— To deepen division. Making a split in a group even more permanent or severe.

정치적 논쟁은 국민적 분열을 심화시켰다.

Formal

"유대 관계를 심화시키다"

— To deepen the bond of relationship. Strengthening the ties that bind people or groups.

협력을 통해 유대 관계를 심화시켜 나갑시다.

Formal

"학문적 깊이를 심화시키다"

— To deepen academic depth. Increasing the level of expertise in a field.

그는 연구를 통해 학문적 깊이를 심화시켰다.

Academic

"불신을 심화시키다"

— To deepen distrust. Making people trust each other even less.

약속을 어기는 것은 불신을 심화시킬 뿐이다.

Neutral

Easily Confused

심화시키다 vs 실화 (True story)

Sounds similar to 심화.

실화 means a true story; 심화 means deepening.

이 영화는 실화(true story)를 바탕으로 했다.

심화시키다 vs 신화 (Myth)

Sounds similar to 심화.

신화 means a myth or legend.

그리스 신화(myth)는 재미있다.

심화시키다 vs 진화 (Evolution)

Both end in -화.

진화 means evolution or progress over time; 심화 means going deeper.

생물은 진화(evolve)한다.

심화시키다 vs 정화 (Purification)

Both end in -화.

정화 means to clean or purify.

공기를 정화(purify)시키다.

심화시키다 vs 확대 (Expansion)

Opposite direction of growth.

확대 is going wider/bigger; 심화 is going deeper.

사업을 확대(expand)하다.

Sentence Patterns

[Object] + 을/를 + 심화시키고 싶어요.

한국어 공부를 심화시키고 싶어요.

[Subject] + 은/는 + [Object] + 을/를 + 심화시켰다.

그 책은 나의 생각을 심화시켰다.

[Object] + 을/를 + 심화시키기 위해 + [Action].

우정을 심화시키기 위해 여행을 갔다.

[Cause] + 은/는 + [Problem] + 을/를 + 심화시키는 원인이다.

가뭄은 식량 위기를 심화시키는 원인이다.

[Object] + 을/를 + 심화시키는 데 + 도움이 되다.

이 강의는 이해를 심화시키는 데 도움이 된다.

[Object] + 을/를 + 심화시켜 + [Advanced Action].

이론을 심화시켜 분석을 진행했다.

[Object] + 의 + 심화시키는 + [Noun].

갈등을 심화시키는 발언은 삼가야 한다.

[Abstract Concept] + 을/를 + 한층 + 심화시킴으로써 + [Result].

사고를 한층 심화시킴으로써 진리에 도달했다.

Word Family

Nouns

심화 (深化): Deepening; intensification.

심화학습 (深化學習): Advanced/enrichment study.

심도 (深度): Depth (often used for degree of intensity).

Verbs

심화되다 (深化--): To become deeper; to be intensified (passive/intransitive).

심화하다 (深化--): To deepen (rarely used as an active verb without '시키다').

Adjectives

심오하다 (深奧--): To be profound; to be deep (of meanings or theories).

깊다: To be deep (native Korean adjective).

심연 (深淵): Abyss; deep pool.

심층 (深層): Deep layer.

심야 (深夜): Late night.

심각하다 (深刻--): To be serious; to be grave.

심해 (深海): Deep sea.

How to Use It

frequency

Common in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. Less common in daily casual speech.

Common Mistakes

갈등이 심화시켰다. → 갈등이 심화되었다. / 누군가가 갈등을 심화시켰다.
You cannot use the causative '-시키다' without an object. If the conflict itself is the subject, use the passive '-되다'.
감기를 심화시켰다. → 감기를 악화시켰다.
Diseases don't 'deepen' in complexity; they simply get 'worse' (악화).
구멍을 심화시켰다. → 구멍을 더 깊게 팠다.
Literal physical depth is usually described with native verbs like '파다' (dig) or '깊게 하다'.
우리를 심화시켰다. → 우리의 관계를 심화시켰다.
You don't deepen 'people'; you deepen the 'relationship' between them.
심화 학습을 들었다. → 심화 학습을 했다. / 심화 과정을 들었다.
'Learning' (학습) is something you 'do' (하다), while a 'course' (과정) is something you 'take/listen to' (듣다).

Tips

The Causative Rule

Always remember that '-시키다' implies an external force causing the action. You need an object that is being deepened.

Think 'Deep + Change'

Remember the Hanja: 심 (Deep) + 화 (Change). It's a change toward depth.

Use it in Interviews

Saying '전문성을 심화시키고 싶습니다' (I want to deepen my expertise) makes you sound very professional in a job interview.

Academic Tone

Replace '더 많이 생각하다' with '사고를 심화시키다' in your essays to get a higher score.

Pronunciation Tip

Make sure to pronounce the 'h' in 'hwa'. If you skip it, the word becomes hard to recognize.

Depth vs. Breadth

Contrast '심화' (depth) with '확대' (breadth). A good study does both.

Avoid '-시키다' Overuse

Don't use '심화시키다' if the thing is happening naturally. Use '심화되다' instead.

Education Terminology

'심화 학습' is a key term in Korean education. Knowing this helps you understand school systems.

Visual Link

Picture a tree's roots growing deeper into the soil. That's '심화시키다'.

TOPIK Prep

This word is a favorite in TOPIK II writing tasks about social problems.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine 'SIM' as a 'SIM card' that you push 'DEEP' (심) into a phone to 'CHANGE' (화) it from a piece of plastic into a working 'SYSTEM' (시키다).

Visual Association

Visualize a drill bits going deeper into the earth. Each turn of the drill is '심화시키다', making the hole more profound.

Word Web

심 (Deep) 화 (Change) 시키다 (Make) 이해 (Understanding) 갈등 (Conflict) 우정 (Friendship) 학습 (Learning) 연구 (Research)

Challenge

Try to use '심화시키다' in a sentence about your favorite hobby. Instead of saying 'I practice a lot,' say 'I want to deepen my skills.'

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja (Sino-Korean) characters '深' (심 - sim) meaning 'deep' and '化' (화 - hwa) meaning 'to change' or 'to become.' The suffix '-시키다' is a Korean causative marker.

Original meaning: To cause a state of becoming deep.

Sino-Korean (Hanja roots with Korean grammar suffixes).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it with negative social issues (like '갈등 심화') in a public setting, as it can sound very critical or alarmist.

In English, we often use 'deepen' for both positive (friendship) and negative (crisis) things, just like in Korean. However, '심화시키다' sounds more formal than the English 'deepen' in casual talk.

Used in Korean Ministry of Education guidelines for '심화 교육' (Gifted/Advanced Education). Frequently appears in the titles of academic seminars at Seoul National University. A common term in K-News reports regarding '빈부 격차 심화' (Deepening gap between rich and poor).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Education/Study

심화 학습을 하다
지식을 심화시키다
이해를 심화시키다
심화 과정을 듣다

Social/Political Issues

갈등을 심화시키다
위기를 심화시키다
불평등을 심화시키다
양극화를 심화시키다

Relationships

우정을 심화시키다
유대감을 심화시키다
신뢰를 심화시키다
관계를 심화시키다

Research/Academia

연구를 심화시키다
논의를 심화시키다
고찰을 심화시키다
분석을 심화시키다

Personal Growth

성찰을 심화시키다
사고를 심화시키다
통찰력을 심화시키다
전문성을 심화시키다

Conversation Starters

"어떻게 하면 한국어 실력을 더 심화시킬 수 있을까요? (How can I deepen my Korean skills further?)"

"이 책이 당신의 생각에 어떤 심화된 변화를 주었나요? (What deepened changes did this book bring to your thoughts?)"

"우리의 협력 관계를 심화시키기 위한 좋은 아이디어가 있나요? (Do you have any good ideas to deepen our cooperative relationship?)"

"최근의 경제 상황이 사회적 갈등을 심화시키고 있다고 생각하시나요? (Do you think the recent economic situation is deepening social conflicts?)"

"전문성을 심화시키기 위해 어떤 노력을 하고 계신가요? (What efforts are you making to deepen your expertise?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 배운 것 중에서 더 심화시키고 싶은 내용은 무엇인가? (What content that I learned today do I want to deepen further?)

친구와의 관계를 심화시키기 위해 내가 할 수 있는 일은 무엇일까? (What can I do to deepen my relationship with a friend?)

나의 인생관을 심화시킨 가장 중요한 경험에 대해 써보자. (Write about the most important experience that deepened your outlook on life.)

사회적 불평등을 심화시키는 원인 중 하나를 골라 그 해결책을 생각해보자. (Pick one cause that deepens social inequality and think of a solution.)

명상이나 독서가 나의 내면을 어떻게 심화시키는지 기록해보자. (Record how meditation or reading deepens your inner self.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

While it's technically possible, it sounds very strange and overly formal. For a physical hole, use '더 깊게 파다' (to dig deeper) or '깊게 만들다' (to make deep).

No, it's very positive in education and relationships! '지식을 심화시키다' (deepen knowledge) and '우정을 심화시키다' (deepen friendship) are both positive goals.

'심화시키다' is the formal, Hanja-based version. '깊게 하다' is the native, more casual version. Use '심화시키다' in writing and '깊게 하다' in speaking with friends.

You use the noun form '심화' to make '심화 과정' (advanced course) or '심화 반' (advanced class).

Use '심화되다' when the subject is the thing getting deeper. Example: '갈등이 심화되었다' (The conflict deepened). Use '심화시키다' when someone causes it: '그가 갈등을 심화시켰다' (He deepened the conflict).

Yes, '사랑을 심화시키다' sounds very poetic and serious, like making a romance more profound.

Yes, very often! Companies '심화시키다' their partnerships (협력) or their market analysis (시장 분석).

Yes, it frequently appears in TOPIK II (Intermediate/Advanced) reading and writing sections.

No, for diseases use '악화되다' or '심해지다'. '심화시키다' is for abstract complexity, not physical illness.

No, it's too formal for slang. Young people might just say '더 깊게 가자' (Let's go deeper).