Explanation at your level:
열심 means working hard. If you study a lot, you are using 열심. It is a good word to show you are a good student!
Use 열심 when you want to say you are trying your best. We often say 열심히 to describe an action, like 'I am studying 열심히.'
열심 indicates a state of focused effort. It is used to describe someone who is dedicated to their craft or studies. It implies a sense of passion and persistence.
In B2, you learn that 열심 captures the nuance of 'earnestness.' It is not just about the volume of work, but the attitude of the person performing it.
The term 열심 represents a cultural value in Korea regarding diligence. It is often linked to the concept of 'passion' (열정) and is a hallmark of a disciplined, high-achieving individual.
At the C2 level, you appreciate 열심 as a philosophical construct. It bridges the gap between mere labor and purposeful, heart-driven endeavor, reflecting a deep-seated cultural emphasis on effort.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 열심 means diligence.
- It is often used as 열심히.
- It implies a 'hot heart'.
- It is a very positive word.
Hey there! 열심 (yeol-sim) is a beautiful Korean word that captures the spirit of hard work. Think of it as the 'fuel' you put into your engine when you are really excited about achieving a goal.
When you do something with 열심, you aren't just going through the motions. You are fully present, focused, and determined to succeed. It is a very positive word often used to encourage students or coworkers.
The word 열심 comes from Sino-Korean roots. The first character, 열 (熱), means 'heat' or 'fever,' and the second, 심 (心), means 'heart.'
Historically, this implies that to be 'diligent,' you must have a 'hot heart.' It suggests that true effort isn't just about physical labor; it is about having a burning passion inside you that keeps you moving forward.
You will most commonly hear this word in the phrase 열심히 (yeol-sim-hi), which is the adverbial form meaning 'diligently.' People use it to describe how they study or work.
It is very common in daily life. You might say, 'I am studying 열심히 for my Korean test!' It is appropriate for both formal settings, like a business meeting, and casual chats with friends.
1. 열심을 다하다: To give your all. Example: 'I will give my all to this project.'
2. 열심인 사람: A diligent person. Example: 'He is such a hard worker.'
3. 열심을 내다: To get motivated. Example: 'Let's try to get motivated for the final push.'
4. 열심당: Zealots (historical context).
5. 열심히 노력하다: To make a diligent effort.
열심 is a noun, but it is almost always used with suffixes like -히 (to become an adverb) or -하다 (to become a verb). Pronunciation-wise, it sounds like 'yul-seem' with a soft 'y' sound.
It rhymes with words like 'dream' in spirit, though not in sound. Remember to keep the 'l' sound crisp and clear to sound like a native speaker!
Fun Fact
It combines the concept of heat and the heart to represent effort.
Pronunciation Guide
Short, crisp 'yul' followed by 'seem'.
Similar to UK, keep the 'l' sound distinct.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'yeol' as 'yul'
- Dropping the 'm' sound
- Adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read
Easy to use
Commonly spoken
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adverb formation
열심 -> 열심히
Noun usage
열심을 다하다
Verb combination
열심히 하다
Examples by Level
나는 열심히 공부해요.
I study diligently.
Adverbial form
그는 열심히 일합니다.
열심히 운동해요.
열심히 연습하세요.
열심히 준비했어요.
열심히 달렸습니다.
열심히 생각해요.
열심히 도와줄게요.
열심히 살아요.
목표를 위해 열심히 노력하고 있습니다.
그녀는 항상 열심히 배우는 태도를 보입니다.
열심히 하는 모습이 보기 좋습니다.
시험 준비를 열심히 해야 합니다.
열심히 하면 좋은 결과가 있을 거예요.
매일 열심히 운동하는 것이 중요합니다.
그 팀은 열심히 경기에 임했습니다.
열심히 일한 만큼 보람이 있어요.
열심히 하는 것도 중요하지만 효율적으로 하는 것도 중요합니다.
그는 어떤 일이든 열심을 다해 처리합니다.
열심히 노력한 끝에 성공을 거두었습니다.
열심히 준비한 발표라 긴장이 됩니다.
열심히 배우려는 자세가 훌륭합니다.
모두가 열심을 다해 축제를 준비했습니다.
열심히 살다 보니 어느덧 시간이 흘렀네요.
열심히 하는 사람에게는 기회가 옵니다.
그의 열심인 태도는 주변 사람들에게 큰 귀감이 됩니다.
열심을 다하는 과정 그 자체가 가치 있는 경험입니다.
단순히 열심히 하는 것을 넘어 전략적인 사고가 필요합니다.
그는 연구에 열심을 다해 괄목할 성과를 냈습니다.
열심을 내어 도전하는 모습이 매우 인상적입니다.
성공의 비결은 매 순간 열심을 다하는 것입니다.
그는 예술 활동에 열심을 쏟고 있습니다.
열심히 하는 것은 성실함의 증거입니다.
그의 학문에 대한 열심은 타의 추종을 불허합니다.
열심을 다하는 삶은 그 자체로 고귀한 여정입니다.
열심과 끈기가 결합할 때 비로소 위대한 성취가 탄생합니다.
그녀는 열심을 다해 난관을 극복해 나갔습니다.
열심을 다하는 자세는 내면의 성숙을 이끕니다.
그의 열심은 단순한 노력을 넘어선 헌신입니다.
열심을 다하는 것은 인생을 대하는 태도입니다.
열심히 정진하는 모습에서 깊은 울림을 받았습니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"열심을 다하다"
To do one's best
이번 시험에 열심을 다할 것이다.
neutral"열심인 사람"
A diligent person
그는 정말 열심인 사람이다.
neutral"열심을 내다"
To put in effort
조금만 더 열심을 내보자.
casual"열심이 지나치다"
To be overzealous
열심이 지나치면 실수를 할 수 있다.
neutral"열심을 쏟다"
To pour effort into
그는 프로젝트에 모든 열심을 쏟았다.
formal"열심의 결실"
Fruit of one's labor
이것은 내 열심의 결실이다.
formalEasily Confused
Both imply energy
열정 is passion, 열심 is effort
열정이 넘치다 vs 열심히 하다
Both mean good work
성실 is about consistency/character
성실한 학생 vs 열심히 공부하는 학생
Both mean effort
노력 is the act, 열심 is the attitude
노력을 하다 vs 열심을 다하다
Spelling
It is always 열심히
열심히 공부해요
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 열심히 + Verb
나는 열심히 일합니다.
Noun + 을/를 위해 열심히 + Verb
꿈을 위해 열심히 노력합니다.
열심을 다해 + Verb
열심을 다해 준비했습니다.
열심히 하는 모습이 + Adjective
열심히 하는 모습이 보기 좋아요.
열심인 + Noun
그는 열심인 학생입니다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
열심 is a noun, so you need a verb like 하다.
They are related but have different focus.
The correct adverbial form is -히.
It is rarely used for negative tasks.
In very formal writing, other words might be better.
Tips
Heart Heat
Remember Hot Heart = Heat + Heart.
Daily Use
Use it to praise others.
Cultural Value
Effort is highly valued in Korea.
Adverb Rule
Always add -히 for verbs.
Clear L
Don't skip the L sound.
Noun vs Adverb
Don't confuse the two.
Sino-Korean
It has ancient roots.
Flashcards
Use it with common verbs.
Sentence Building
Practice with 'I am...'
Listen
Listen for it in K-dramas.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Hot Heart' (Yeol-Sim) pumping blood to help you work.
Visual Association
A student with a glowing heart studying late at night.
Word Web
Challenge
Say 'I am studying 열심히' every time you open your book today.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Hot heart
Cultural Context
None, it is a very positive word.
Similar to 'diligence' or 'earnestness'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School
- 열심히 공부해요
- 열심히 듣겠습니다
- 열심히 숙제해요
Work
- 열심히 일하겠습니다
- 열심히 준비했습니다
- 열심을 다하겠습니다
Sports
- 열심히 뛰어요
- 열심히 연습해요
- 열심히 응원해요
Hobbies
- 열심히 배워요
- 열심히 연습해요
- 열심히 즐겨요
Conversation Starters
"무엇을 열심히 하고 있나요?"
"열심히 하는 일이 무엇인가요?"
"열심히 노력한 적이 있나요?"
"공부를 열심히 하는 팁이 있나요?"
"열심히 살고 싶나요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 내가 열심히 한 일은?
내가 가장 열심히 노력하는 것은?
열심히 사는 사람들의 특징은?
열심히 살아야 하는 이유는?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUse it with '하다' or as '열심히'.
It is neutral and common.
No, it is for positive effort.
열심히.
It is similar, but '열정' is better for passion.
Yes, often.
No, it is very basic.
Yes, '열심히 운동해요'.
Test Yourself
나는 ___ 공부합니다.
Adverb form is needed for a verb.
What does 열심 mean?
It means diligence.
Is 열심 a verb?
It is a noun.
Word
Meaning
Direct translation.
Subject-Adverb-Verb order.
Score: /5
Summary
열심 is the heart-driven effort you put into achieving your dreams.
- 열심 means diligence.
- It is often used as 열심히.
- It implies a 'hot heart'.
- It is a very positive word.
Heart Heat
Remember Hot Heart = Heat + Heart.
Daily Use
Use it to praise others.
Cultural Value
Effort is highly valued in Korea.
Adverb Rule
Always add -히 for verbs.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More academic words
입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
