의하다

The Korean verb 의하다 (ui-hada) is a cornerstone of intermediate and advanced Korean, primarily functioning as a relational verb that establishes a connection between a cause, source, or basis and its resulting action or state. While it literally translates to 'to be due to' or 'to be based on,' its utility in the Korean language is far more expansive than its English counterparts. In daily life, you will most frequently encounter it in its grammaticalized forms: ~에 의하면 (according to) and ~에 의해서 (by/through). This word is the bridge that allows speakers to move from simple observations to structured, evidence-based reporting. It is essential for anyone aiming to understand Korean news, academic texts, or formal discussions, as it provides the logical scaffolding for complex arguments.

Semantic Range

의하다 covers everything from physical causation (damage caused by a storm) to intellectual attribution (according to the professor) and passive agency (a book written by an author).

Syntactic Function

It almost always requires the particle '에' to attach to the preceding noun, forming a phrase that modifies the following verb or noun phrase.

Understanding 의하다 requires a shift in perspective. In English, we often use prepositions like 'by' or 'according to.' In Korean, these are expressed through this verb form, making the relationship more active and explicit. For example, when a news anchor says '뉴스에 의하면,' they are literally saying 'if we depend on the news' or 'based on the news.' This verb imbues the sentence with a sense of formality and objectivity, which is why it is rare in casual conversations between close friends but ubiquitous in professional settings. It allows the speaker to distance themselves from the information, attributing it to a specific source or cause.

Historically, 의하다 is rooted in Hanja (Chinese characters), specifically 依 (의) meaning 'to depend on' or 'to rely.' This root is visible in other words like 의지하다 (to lean on/rely on) and 의존하다 (to be dependent). When you use 의하다, you are essentially saying that one piece of information or one event 'leans' on another for its existence or truth. This conceptual metaphor of 'leaning' or 'depending' is vital for mastering the word's nuances. It isn't just about 'because'; it's about the structural foundation of a statement.

As you progress in Korean, you will notice that 의하다 appears in more complex structures like '에 의거하여' (based on/in accordance with) or '에 기인하다' (to result from). These are all part of the same semantic family. Mastery of 의하다 is the first step toward these higher-level expressions. It allows you to explain not just *that* something happened, but *how* and *why* it happened through a specific mechanism or according to a specific authority. This is the difference between saying 'It rained, so the road is wet' and 'The road is wet due to the rain,' with the latter sounding much more professional and precise.

Using 의하다 correctly involves understanding its three main grammatical forms: ~에 의하면, ~에 의해서, and ~에 의한. Each serves a distinct syntactic purpose. ~에 의하면 is used as a sentence starter or a clause connector to introduce a source of information. It is almost always followed by a quote or an reported statement ending in '-다고 하다' or '-ㄴ다더라.' This structure is vital for indirect speech and reporting facts you didn't witness personally.

Pattern 1: ~에 의하면

Noun + 에 의하면 + [Reported Statement]. Used for 'According to [Noun].' Example: 기상청에 의하면 내일은 맑을 것입니다.

Pattern 2: ~에 의해서

Noun + 에 의해서 + [Verb]. Used for 'By [Noun]' or 'Through [Noun].' Often used in passive sentences. Example: 이 그림은 피카소에 의해서 그려졌습니다.

The second major form, ~에 의해서, is the primary way to mark the agent in a passive sentence. In English, we use 'by' (e.g., 'The cake was eaten by the dog'). In Korean, while there are other ways to express passivity, '에 의해서' is the most formal and explicit. It is used extensively in literature and academic writing to describe works of art, scientific discoveries, or historical events. It can also indicate the means or method by which something is achieved, such as '노력에 의해서' (through effort).

The third form, ~에 의한, is the adnominal (noun-modifying) form. It allows you to attach a cause or basis directly to a noun. For example, '태풍에 의한 피해' means 'damage caused by the typhoon.' This is incredibly common in headlines and reports where brevity is key. Instead of writing a full sentence like 'The typhoon caused damage,' you can simply say 'typhoon-caused damage.' This noun-heavy style is a hallmark of professional Korean writing.

Pattern 3: ~에 의한

Noun A + 에 의한 + Noun B. Used for 'Noun B caused by/based on Noun A.' Example: 실수에 의한 사고 (An accident caused by a mistake).

One nuance to keep in mind is the level of formality. If you are talking to a friend about why you are late, you wouldn't say '교통사고에 의해서 늦었습니다.' That sounds like a police report! Instead, you would use '교통사고 때문에' (because of a car accident). 의하다 is reserved for situations where you want to sound objective, authoritative, or when the relationship between cause and effect is complex and requires formal linkage. It is the language of textbooks, laws, and professional documentation.

To hear 의하다 in its natural habitat, you need to step outside the realm of casual K-dramas and into the world of Korean media and academia. If you turn on the 9 o'clock news (KBS News 9), you will hear the anchor say '정부 발표에 의하면...' (According to the government announcement...) at least three times a night. It is the standard way to introduce official information. In documentary narration, it is used to explain historical events: '이 성벽은 조선 시대에 의해서 축조되었습니다' (This fortress wall was constructed by the Joseon Dynasty). It provides a sense of gravity and historical accuracy to the narrative.

The Newsroom

Journalists use '에 의하면' to cite sources, polls, and reports. It signals to the audience that the information is not just hearsay but has a specific origin.

Legal and Official Documents

Contracts and laws use '에 의해' to define rights and responsibilities. '법률에 의해 금지됨' (Prohibited by law) is a common phrase seen on signage and in legal fine print.

In a university setting, 의하다 is everywhere. Professors lecturing on sociology, science, or history will use it to link theories to their founders or effects to their causes. A biology professor might say, '바이러스에 의한 감염' (Infection caused by a virus), while a literature professor might discuss '작가의 의도에 의한 해석' (Interpretation based on the author's intention). For a student, hearing this word is a cue that the speaker is about to provide a logical explanation or cite an authority, so it is a vital 'listening marker' for comprehension.

Interestingly, you will also find 의하다 in the business world during presentations and meetings. When a manager presents a quarterly report, they will use '데이터에 의하면' (according to the data) to justify their conclusions. In this context, the word acts as a shield; it shifts the responsibility from the speaker to the data itself. If the conclusion is unpopular, the speaker can point to the fact that it was '데이터에 의한 결과' (a result caused by the data). This rhetorical use of 의하다 is a key part of professional communication in Korean corporate culture.

The most common mistake learners make with 의하다 is using it in casual, everyday contexts where it feels jarringly formal. For example, if you say '친구에 의하면 나는 멋있대' (According to my friend, I'm cool), it sounds like you are reading a formal report about your own coolness. In casual speech, people prefer '친구가 그러는데' (My friend says) or '친구가 말하기를' (As my friend said). Using 의하다 with friends can make you sound robotic or overly dramatic, unless you are intentionally being sarcastic or humorous.

Mistake 1: Over-formality

Using '에 의하면' for everyday gossip or simple reasons. Correct for news, incorrect for 'My mom said it's dinner time.'

Mistake 2: Confusing '에 의해' and '때문에'

'때문에' is for simple cause/effect. '에 의해' is for formal agency or complex mechanisms. Don't say '너에 의해 행복해' for 'I'm happy because of you.'

Another frequent error is the confusion between ~에 의해서 and ~로/으로. While both can mean 'by' or 'through,' ~로 usually indicates a tool or a direction (e.g., '펜으로 쓰다' - write with a pen), whereas ~에 의해서 indicates a more abstract agent or a systematic cause. You wouldn't say '펜에 의해서 썼어요' because the pen is just a simple tool, not a complex agent or cause. Understanding this distinction helps in choosing the right 'by' for the right situation.

Finally, learners often forget that ~에 의해서 is primarily used for non-human causes or abstract agents in formal writing. While you *can* use it for people (e.g., '세종대왕에 의해 창제된 한글'), in modern spoken Korean, using '에게' or '한테' for the agent of a passive verb is much more natural. For example, '모기한테 물렸어요' (I was bitten by a mosquito) is standard, whereas '모기에 의해서 물렸어요' sounds like a scientific report on the mosquito's actions. Save 의하다 for the big, formal stuff!

To truly master 의하다, you must see how it sits alongside its synonyms and near-synonyms. The most direct competitor is 따르다 (to follow). In many cases, ~에 따르면 and ~에 의하면 are interchangeable, both meaning 'according to.' However, 따르면 is slightly more common in modern journalism and has a broader range, as it can also mean 'following' a path or a rule. 의하면 feels slightly more traditional and heavy on the 'dependency' aspect.

의하다 vs. 따르다

Both mean 'according to.' 의하다 emphasizes dependence on the source, while 따르다 emphasizes following the information provided by the source.

의하다 vs. 기인하다

기인하다 (起因-) means 'to originate from' or 'to result from.' It is even more formal than 의하다 and is used almost exclusively in academic or technical writing to discuss the root cause of a phenomenon.

Another important comparison is with 근거하다 (to be based on). While 의하다 is a general-purpose relational verb, 근거하다 specifically refers to the 'ground' or 'evidence' (근거) for a claim. You would use 근거하다 when you want to highlight the logical proof behind a statement. For example, '이 가설은 실험 결과에 근거합니다' (This hypothesis is based on experimental results). 의하다 is more flexible and can be used for simple attribution, whereas 근거하다 is strictly for logical foundations.

For causes, 말미암다 is a beautiful, albeit slightly archaic and very formal, alternative. It means 'to be caused by' or 'to arise from.' You might see it in literature or high-level political speeches. '오해로 말미암은 비극' (A tragedy caused by a misunderstanding) sounds much more poetic and weighty than using 의하다. However, for 99% of formal situations, 의하다 is the safer and more modern choice. It provides the perfect balance of formality and clarity.

Finally, consider 바탕으로 하다 (to make something the foundation). This is used when you are using one thing as the raw material or inspiration for another. For example, '이 영화는 실화를 바탕으로 합니다' (This movie is based on a true story). Here, 의하다 would be too cold and clinical. 바탕으로 하다 suggests a creative or constructive process, whereas 의하다 suggests a direct logical or causal link. Choosing between these words depends on whether you are talking about a cold fact or a creative foundation.