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살 찌다

A2 verb #4,000 most common 12 min read

살 찌다

sal jjida Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 살 찌다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 살 찌다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners should focus on the most basic form of the expression: '살 찌다'. You will mostly use this to talk about yourself or simple facts. At this stage, it's important to know that '살' means 'flesh' and '찌다' means 'to increase'. You can use it with simple adverbs like '많이' (a lot) or '조금' (a little). For example, '저는 많이 먹어요. 그래서 살쪄요.' (I eat a lot. So I gain weight.) This level focuses on simple subject-verb structures. You should also learn the past tense '살쪘어요' to say 'I gained weight.' It is one of the first verbs you'll use when describing physical changes. Don't worry too much about complex grammar; just remember that '살' and '찌다' go together like bread and butter when talking about getting bigger. You might also see it in very simple health contexts or when talking about your favorite foods. Even at this basic level, understanding that '살' isn't just 'fat' but 'body mass' helps. You can practice by saying what makes you gain weight, such as '피자' (pizza) or '초콜릿' (chocolate). The goal is to be able to state a simple cause and effect regarding weight. Remember the polite ending '-어요' to make it '살쪘어요' or '살쪄요'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '살 찌다' with more descriptive particles and conjunctions. You will learn to use the subject marker '이' as in '살이 찌다'. You should be able to explain *why* you gained weight using '-아서/어서' (because). For example, '빵을 많이 먹어서 살이 쪘어요' (I gained weight because I ate a lot of bread). You will also start using the future tense or intentions, like '살이 찔 것 같아요' (I think I will gain weight). At this level, you can also start using negative forms like '살이 안 쪄요' (I don't gain weight) or '살찌고 싶지 않아요' (I don't want to gain weight). You might encounter this word in daily conversations about dieting or exercise. You should also be able to distinguish between the action of gaining weight ('살찌다') and the state of being fat ('뚱뚱하다'), though you'll mostly stick to the verb '살찌다' as it's more common in casual conversation. You'll also learn to use it with '요즘' (lately) to describe recent trends in your body. This level is about connecting the verb to your daily life and habits, like '운동을 안 하면 살이 쪄요' (If you don't exercise, you gain weight).

At the B1 level, you move beyond simple cause-and-effect and start using '살 찌다' in more complex sentence structures, such as the progressive '살이 찌고 있다' (is gaining weight) or the experience '살이 찐 적이 있다' (have gained weight before). You will also use it with '기 시작하다' (to start to...), as in '지난달부터 살이 찌기 시작했어요' (I started gaining weight since last month). At this stage, you should be familiar with the causative form '살을 찌우다' (to fatten up/to bulk up) and when to use it, such as for athletes or pets. You'll also start to use more specific adverbs like '부쩍' (suddenly/remarkably) or '점점' (gradually). You can participate in conversations about health and body image, expressing concerns using '-(으)ㄹ까 봐' (worried that...), like '살이 찔까 봐 걱정돼요' (I'm worried I'll gain weight). You will also recognize the word in slightly more formal contexts, like a doctor giving advice: '살이 찌면 건강에 좋지 않습니다' (Gaining weight is not good for your health). Your vocabulary will expand to include related terms like '다이어트' (diet) and '요요 현상' (yo-yo effect), allowing you to describe the cycle of weight gain and loss in more detail.

At the B2 level, you can use '살 찌다' in nuanced discussions about social standards, metabolism, and health. You will use complex grammar like '-는 바람에' (because of - usually negative) or '-다 보니' (while doing... I realized...). For example, '야식을 자주 먹다 보니 살이 부쩍 쪘어요' (While eating late-night snacks often, I realized I've gained a lot of weight). You'll understand the cultural implications of the word in Korea, including how it's used in workplace small talk or in media. You will also be able to use formal alternatives like '체중이 증가하다' in written reports or professional settings. You can discuss the '체질' (constitution/body type) and how some people have a '살찌는 체질' (a constitution that gains weight easily). You will also be able to use the word in idiomatic expressions or as part of larger compound concepts, like '나잇살' (age-related fat). At this level, you should be able to debate topics like 'Is the societal pressure to not gain weight too high?' using '살찌다' as a core verb. You will also notice how the word is used in literature or more descriptive writing to set a scene or describe a character's transformation over time.

At the C1 level, your usage of '살 찌다' involves a deep understanding of its stylistic and emotional nuances. You can use it in metaphorical ways or understand its role in proverbs and four-character idioms like '천고마비' (The sky is high and horses get fat). You can distinguish between '살이 오르다' (to fill out/become plump in a healthy way), '살이 붙다' (to put on some needed weight), and '몸이 불다' (to swell up/bloat). You can use the word in sophisticated grammatical structures like '-은/는 고사하고' (let alone...), for example, '살이 빠지기는 고사하고 오히려 더 쪘어요' (Let alone losing weight, I actually gained more). You can write essays about the psychological effects of weight gain or the economics of the diet industry in Korea. You understand the subtle differences in register between saying '살쪘어요' to a friend and '체중 변화가 있었습니다' to a medical professional. You are also aware of the historical context—how '살찌다' was once a sign of wealth and is now often viewed through the lens of self-management. Your ability to use the word is no longer just about the physical act but about the social and psychological narratives surrounding the body.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of '살 찌다' and its related lexicon. You can identify the word in ancient texts or classical poetry where '살' and '찌다' might have slightly different archaic nuances. You can use the word with absolute precision in any context, from a scientific dissertation on metabolic rates to a satirical piece of social commentary on 'mukbang' culture. You understand the phonetic nuances and how changing the pitch or stress can convey sarcasm, concern, or jealousy. You can effortlessly switch between colloquialisms like '확찐자' and highly academic terms like '체지방량의 가변성' (variability of body fat mass). You can analyze the etymological roots of '찌다' and how it relates to other verbs of growth and accumulation. You are capable of translating complex English nuances regarding body image into the most appropriate Korean equivalent, knowing exactly when '살 찌다' is too blunt and when '후덕하다' is too formal. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, reflecting not just linguistic skill but a complete internalisation of the cultural and social history of the Korean body.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

살 찌다 in 30 Seconds

살 찌다 means to gain weight or get fat in Korean.
It is a combination of '살' (flesh/fat) and '찌다' (to increase).
The past tense '살쪘어' is commonly used to describe a current state of being heavier.
It is very common in Korean daily life, media, and social conversations.

The Korean phrase 살 찌다 (sal jjida) is a fundamental verb phrase that every learner must master to navigate daily conversations about health, lifestyle, and physical changes. At its core, it translates to "to gain weight" or "to get fat." The phrase is composed of two parts: 살 (sal), meaning flesh, muscle, or fat, and 찌다 (jjida), which in this specific context means to grow, increase, or put on mass. It is important to note that while 찌다 also means "to steam" (as in steaming dumplings), the two meanings are homonyms with different underlying roots. When you say 살 찌다, you are describing the physiological process of the body accumulating more mass. In Korean culture, the usage of this term can be quite direct compared to Western standards, and it is frequently heard in various social contexts, ranging from self-deprecation after a large meal to observations about a friend's health.

Literal Breakdown: 살 (Flesh/Fat) + 찌다 (To increase/put on). Together, they form the action of gaining body mass.
Grammatical Category: It is an intransitive verb phrase. Often, the subject marker '이' is added to make it '살이 찌다', though in casual speech, the '이' is frequently dropped.

요즘 운동을 안 해서 살이 많이 쪘어요. (I gained a lot of weight lately because I haven't been exercising.)

Contextually, 살 찌다 is used to describe a change in state. Unlike the adjective 뚱뚱하다 (ttungttunghada), which describes a static state of being fat, 살 찌다 focuses on the transition or the result of gaining weight. For instance, if you haven't seen a relative in a long time, they might say "살 좀 쪘네?" (Did you gain some weight?), which in older generations was often intended as a compliment suggesting you are well-fed and healthy. However, in modern Korea, where thinness is highly idealized, the phrase is more commonly associated with stress, the need for a diet, or the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. You will hear it in the gym, at the dinner table, and in medical consultations.

겨울에는 추워서 활동량이 적으니까 살찌기 쉬워요. (It's easy to gain weight in winter because activity levels are low due to the cold.)

Social Nuance: While 'fat' is a sensitive word in English, '살찌다' is used more casually in Korean, though it still carries weight (pun intended) regarding self-image.

맛있게 먹으면 0칼로리라는데, 왜 저는 살이 찌죠? (They say if you eat happily it's 0 calories, so why am I gaining weight?)

Furthermore, the phrase is often used in the past tense 살쪘다 to describe one's current state. If someone says "나 살쪘어," they aren't just saying they gained weight in the past; they are stating that they are currently "heavier" than they were before or heavier than they want to be. This is a common feature of Korean verbs describing bodily changes (like 늙다 - to grow old). Understanding this aspect helps learners avoid the mistake of using the present tense when they actually want to describe their current appearance.

방학 동안 집에서 잠만 잤더니 살이 포동포동하게 쪘어요. (I gained weight and got chubby because I did nothing but sleep at home during vacation.)

Common Collocations: 부쩍 살찌다 (to gain weight suddenly), 살이 통통하게 찌다 (to get pleasantly plump).

추석 연휴가 지나면 항상 살이 쪄서 고민이에요. (I'm worried because I always gain weight after the Chuseok holiday.)

Using 살 찌다 correctly involves understanding its conjugation and the particles that typically accompany it. While the phrase can stand alone as 살찌다, it is technically a noun (살) followed by a verb (찌다). Therefore, you can insert the subject marker 이 to emphasize the "flesh" as the thing that is increasing. In most spoken Korean, the marker is omitted. The most critical grammatical point for English speakers is the tense. In English, we might say "I am getting fat" (present progressive) or "I have gained weight" (present perfect). In Korean, the past tense 살쪘다 (sal-jjeot-da) is almost always used to describe the current state of having more weight than before. If you use the present tense 살쪄, it sounds like a general fact or something that happens habitually.

Past Tense (Current State): 살쪘어요 (sal-jjeot-eo-yo) - I have gained weight / I am currently fat.
Present Progressive (Ongoing): 살찌고 있어요 (sal-jji-go is-seo-yo) - I am in the process of gaining weight right now.

밤늦게 야식을 먹으면 살찌기 마련입니다. (If you eat late-night snacks, you are bound to gain weight.)

When talking about the cause of weight gain, we use the particle 때문에 (because of) or the connective -아서/어서. For example, "스트레스 때문에 살쪘어요" (I gained weight because of stress). Another common structure is using 살찌는 체질 (sal-jji-neun che-jil), which refers to a physical constitution that gains weight easily. This is a very common way for Koreans to explain their body type. You might also encounter the causative form 살을 찌우다 (sal-eul jji-u-da), which means "to fatten something up" or "to intentionally gain weight." This is used for livestock or perhaps an athlete trying to bulk up.

그는 운동선수라서 일부러 살을 찌우고 있어요. (Since he is an athlete, he is intentionally gaining weight/bulking up.)

Negative Forms: 살 안 쪄요 (I don't gain weight), 살찌지 않아요 (I don't gain weight - formal).

아무리 많이 먹어도 살이 안 찌는 사람들이 부러워요. (I envy people who don't gain weight no matter how much they eat.)

In more formal or academic settings, 살 찌다 might be replaced with 체중이 증가하다 (weight increases). However, in everyday life, even in semi-formal situations like a doctor's visit, 살이 찌다 is perfectly acceptable. It's also worth noting the use of adverbs. To say you've gained a "little" weight, use 조금 or 좀. To say you've gained a "lot," use 많이 or 부쩍. The word 부쩍 is particularly expressive, implying a sudden and noticeable increase.

결혼하고 나서 마음이 편해졌는지 살이 부쩍 쪘네요. (You seem to have gained a lot of weight since getting married; perhaps you're more at ease now.)

임신 중에는 자연스럽게 살이 찌게 됩니다. (During pregnancy, you naturally end up gaining weight.)

If you spend any time in South Korea or watching Korean media, you will hear 살 찌다 constantly. It is a central theme in many aspects of modern Korean life. One of the most common places is the dining table. Because Korean culture revolves heavily around food and communal eating, the conversation often drifts toward the caloric consequences of the delicious meal being shared. You'll hear friends jokingly say, "이거 먹으면 살찌는데..." (I'll gain weight if I eat this...) while reaching for another piece of fried chicken. This reflects a societal obsession with maintaining a certain physique, but it also shows the casual nature of the word. It isn't always a heavy, medical discussion; it's often lighthearted banter.

In K-Dramas: Characters often lament their weight gain after a breakup (eating ice cream) or stress. It's a relatable trope used to show the character's emotional state.
In Variety Shows: Comedians frequently use their weight gain as a source of humor, discussing their 'mukbang' (eating broadcast) habits and the resulting '살'.

TV에서 맛집을 볼 때마다 살찔까 봐 무서워요. (Every time I see a famous restaurant on TV, I'm scared I'll gain weight just watching.)

Another significant context is the workplace. In Korea, it is not uncommon for co-workers or bosses to comment on someone's appearance. While this might be considered harassment or inappropriate in many Western offices, in Korea, a boss saying "요즘 살 좀 쪘네? 일이 편한가 봐?" (Gained some weight lately? Is work too easy for you?) is a traditional (though increasingly criticized) way of making small talk. It implies that the person is relaxed or not under too much pressure. Conversely, if someone looks like they've lost weight, people might worry they are sick or overworked. Therefore, 살 찌다 exists in a weird space between a personal health metric and a social barometer.

가을은 천고마비의 계절이라 말도 살찌고 나도 살쪄요. (Autumn is the season of 'high sky and fat horses,' so the horses gain weight and so do I.)

Beauty Industry: Advertisements for diet pills, gyms, and 'health foods' constantly use '살찌지 않는 비결' (the secret to not gaining weight) to attract customers.

명절 음식을 너무 많이 먹어서 살찌는 소리가 들려요. (I've eaten so much holiday food that I can hear the sound of myself gaining weight.)

Lastly, you will hear this word in fashion contexts. When trying on clothes, if something feels tight, a shopper might say, "내가 살이 쪘나? 옷이 왜 이렇게 작지?" (Did I gain weight? Why is this clothing so small?). It's a way of externalizing the frustration of a changing body shape. In schools, students often talk about the '고3 살' (senior year fat), referring to the weight students gain during their final year of high school because they spend 15 hours a day sitting and studying for the university entrance exam. In all these cases, 살 찌다 is the go-to expression to describe the physical reality of the body's expansion.

시험 공부하느라 앉아만 있었더니 엉덩이에 살이 쪘어요. (I've been sitting down to study for exams, so I gained weight in my buttocks.)

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using 살 찌다 is confusing it with the adjective 뚱뚱하다 (ttungttunghada). While both relate to being fat, they are grammatically and contextually different. 뚱뚱하다 is a descriptive adjective that describes a person's current physical state as being obese or overweight. It is often considered quite blunt and potentially offensive. 살 찌다, on the other hand, is a verb describing the *process* of gaining weight. Saying "나 뚱뚱해" (I am fat) is a harsh self-judgment, whereas "나 살쪘어" (I gained weight) is more of a report on a recent change. Beginners often use the adjective when they should use the verb to describe a change.

Mistake: Using Present Tense for State: Saying '나 살쪄' (I gain weight) when you mean 'I am fat right now'. Correct: '나 살쪘어'.
Mistake: Mixing up '찌다' and '찌우다': '찌다' is something that happens to you. '찌우다' is something you actively do (to yourself or an animal).

Incorrect: 저는 매일 살쪘어요. (I gained weight every day - sounds like a one-time event).
Correct: 저는 매일 살이 찌고 있어요. (I am gaining weight every day.)

Another common error is the misuse of the subject marker. While 살이 찌다 is the standard form, some learners try to use the object marker 살을 찌다. This is grammatically incorrect because 찌다 is an intransitive verb; you cannot "gain a weight" as an object in the same way you "eat an apple." If you want to use the object marker 을, you must use the causative verb 찌우다 (to fatten up), as in "몸집을 찌우다" (to bulk up one's body). Misusing these markers can make your Korean sound unnatural or confusing to native speakers.

Confusion: 부었다 vs 살쪘다. '부었다' means swollen (like after eating ramen at night), while '살쪘다' is actual fat gain.

Semantic Error: Using '살찌다' for an increase in muscle mass. While technically okay, Koreans usually use '근육이 붙다' (muscle attaches) or '벌크업하다' (to bulk up) for gym-related gains.

잘못된 표현: 근육으로 살쪘어요. (I gained weight with muscle - sounds odd).
자연스러운 표현: 운동해서 근육이 붙었어요. (I gained muscle from working out.)

Finally, be careful with the social context. Even though Koreans talk about weight more openly, it doesn't mean everyone enjoys hearing that they have gained weight. Using 살 찌다 toward a superior or someone you aren't close with can be seen as rude or overly personal. Always gauge the relationship before commenting on someone else's '살'. If you must mention it, using the honorific 살이 좀 오르셨네요 (You've put on a bit of weight - implying health) is slightly safer than the blunt 살쪘네요.

친구에게: 너 왜 이렇게 살쪘어? (To a friend: Why did you gain so much weight? - Casual/Blunt)

While 살 찌다 is the most common way to say "gain weight," there are several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. Understanding these synonyms will make your Korean sound more sophisticated and precise. The most direct formal equivalent is 체중이 늘다 (che-jung-i neul-da) or 체중이 증가하다 (che-jung-i jeung-ga-ha-da). These are used in medical, journalistic, or formal contexts. For example, a news report would say "성인 비만으로 인한 체중 증가" (Weight gain due to adult obesity) rather than using the more colloquial 살 찌다.

체중이 늘다 / 증가하다: Literal: Body weight increases. Used in formal settings, hospitals, and fitness apps.
몸이 불다: Literal: The body swells. Often used to describe a sudden or noticeable bloating/weight gain, sometimes due to health issues or water retention.

건강검진 결과 체중이 5kg 증가한 것으로 나타났습니다. (The health checkup results showed a weight increase of 5kg.)

If you want to describe someone who has gained weight in a way that makes them look healthy, prosperous, or kind-looking, you can use 후덕해지다 (hu-deok-hae-ji-da). This word carries a positive connotation, often associated with the "generous" look of a middle-aged person who is well-off. Another pleasant way to describe a slight, cute weight gain is 통통해지다 (tong-tong-hae-ji-da), which means to become chubby or plump. This is commonly used for kids or someone who looks cute with a bit more weight.

오랜만에 뵈니 인상이 아주 후덕해지셨네요. (Since I haven't seen you in a while, you look very generous/prosperous [referring to a healthy weight gain].)

Comparison: 살찌다 vs 뚱뚱하다: 살찌다 is the verb (to gain weight). 뚱뚱하다 is the adjective (to be fat). Never say '살쪄요' to mean 'I am fat' permanently; use '뚱뚱해요' or '체격이 커요'.
살이 붙다: Literal: Flesh attaches. Often used when someone was very thin and has finally gained some necessary weight.

아픈 뒤에 밥을 잘 먹어서 살이 좀 붙었어요. (After being sick, I've been eating well, so I've put on some flesh/weight.)

In slang, young people might use terms like 확찐자 (hwak-jin-ja). This is a pun on 확진자 (confirmed patient, used during COVID-19). 확 찐 means "suddenly gained weight," so a 확찐자 is someone who gained weight suddenly due to staying home during the pandemic. While this is very informal, it shows how productive the verb 찌다 is in modern Korean. On the opposite end, if you want to say someone is "obese," the medical term is 비만이다 (bi-man-i-da).

격리 기간 동안 운동을 못 해서 확찐자가 되었어요. (I couldn't exercise during quarantine, so I became someone who gained weight suddenly.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The verb '찌다' meaning 'to gain weight' and '찌다' meaning 'to steam' are homonyms. This sometimes leads to puns in Korean advertisements involving steamed food and weight gain.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /sʰal t͈t͡ɕida/

US /sɑl tʃidɑ/

Stress is generally even, but the '찌' (jji) is emphasized due to the double consonant.

Rhymes With

말 찌다 (mal jjida - horses get fat) 날 뛰다 (nal ttwida - to jump around) 발 씻다 (bal ssitda - to wash feet) 잘 되다 (jal doeda - to go well) 팔 펴다 (pal pyeoda - to stretch arm) 달 뜨다 (dal tteuda - moon rises) 칼 들다 (kal deulda - to hold a knife) 말 듣다 (mal deutda - to listen)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '찌' as a soft 'ji' instead of the tense 'jji'.
Not pronouncing the 'l' (ㄹ) in '살' clearly.
Pronouncing '살' like 'sal' in English 'salt' (too long).
Confusing '찌다' with '지다'.
Failing to tense the vocal cords for the double consonant ㅉ.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The words are common, but the tense usage can be tricky.

Writing 3/5

Requires understanding of the subject marker '이' and irregular conjugations.

Speaking 2/5

The double consonant 'ㅉ' requires practice for clear pronunciation.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognized in casual conversation and media.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

살 (flesh) 먹다 (to eat) 많이 (a lot) 안 (not) 몸 (body)

Learn Next

살이 빠지다 (to lose weight) 다이어트 (diet) 운동하다 (to exercise) 체중 (body weight) 건강 (health)

Advanced

신진대사 (metabolism) 체지방 (body fat) 근육량 (muscle mass) 요요 현상 (yo-yo effect) 성인병 (lifestyle diseases)

Grammar to Know

The past tense for current state (-았다/었다)

살이 쪘어요 (I am currently in a state of having gained weight).

The conditional -(으)면

많이 먹으면 살이 쪄요.

The reason connective -아서/어서

운동을 안 해서 살이 쪘어요.

The fear/worry connective -(으)ㄹ까 봐

살이 찔까 봐 걱정이에요.

The causative -우- (찌우다)

아이의 살을 찌우려고 노력해요.

Examples by Level

저는 요즘 살이 쪘어요.

I gained weight lately.

Uses the past tense '쪘어요' to describe current state.

많이 먹으면 살쪄요.

If you eat a lot, you gain weight.

Uses present tense for a general fact.

우리 고양이가 살쪘어요.

Our cat got fat.

Subject is '고양이' (cat).

살찌고 싶지 않아요.

I don't want to gain weight.

Uses '-고 싶지 않아요' for negative desire.

동생이 살이 조금 쪘어요.

My younger sibling gained a little weight.

Adverb '조금' (a little) modifies the verb.

피자를 먹으면 살이 쪄요?

Do you gain weight if you eat pizza?

Question form of the present tense.

저는 살이 안 쪄요.

I don't gain weight.

Uses '안' for negation.

케이크는 살이 많이 쪄요.

Cake makes you gain a lot of weight.

Topic marker '는' emphasizes the cake as the cause.

방학 동안 운동을 안 해서 살이 쪘어요.

I gained weight because I didn't exercise during vacation.

Uses '-아서/어서' to give a reason.

너무 많이 먹어서 살이 찔 것 같아요.

I think I will gain weight because I ate too much.

Uses '-(으)ㄹ 것 같다' to express a future probability.

살이 찌면 옷이 안 맞아요.

If you gain weight, your clothes won't fit.

Uses the conditional '-(으)면'.

겨울에는 보통 살이 찌기 쉬워요.

It's usually easy to gain weight in winter.

Uses '-기 쉽다' meaning 'it is easy to...'.

살이 쪄서 다이어트를 시작했어요.

I gained weight, so I started a diet.

Connects two actions with '-아서/어서'.

어머니는 제가 살찌는 것을 걱정하세요.

My mother worries about me gaining weight.

Uses nominalizer '-는 것' and honorific '-세요'.

주말마다 고기를 먹어서 살이 부쩍 쪘어요.

I gained a lot of weight because I eat meat every weekend.

Adverb '부쩍' indicates a sudden increase.

살이 안 찌는 음식이 뭐예요?

What are some foods that don't make you gain weight?

Uses noun-modifying form '-는' with '음식'.

스트레스를 받으면 살이 찌는 체질이에요.

I have the type of constitution that gains weight when stressed.

Uses '체질' (constitution) to describe body type.

살이 찔까 봐 저녁을 안 먹기로 했어요.

I decided not to eat dinner for fear of gaining weight.

Uses '-(으)ㄹ까 봐' to express fear or worry.

갑자기 살이 찌기 시작해서 병원에 갔어요.

I started gaining weight suddenly, so I went to the hospital.

Uses '-기 시작하다' (to start doing).

그 선수는 몸집을 키우려고 일부러 살을 찌웠어요.

That athlete intentionally gained weight to bulk up.

Uses causative '살을 찌우다' and intention '-(으)려고'.

나이가 들면 나잇살이 찌기 마련입니다.

It's natural to gain 'age-fat' as you get older.

Uses '-(으)기 마련이다' to express an inevitable outcome.

야식을 먹는 습관 때문에 살이 많이 쪘나 봐요.

It seems I gained a lot of weight because of my late-night snacking habit.

Uses '-나 보다' to express an inference.

살이 찌고 나서부터 무릎이 아프기 시작했어요.

My knees started hurting after I gained weight.

Uses '-고 나서부터' (ever since doing...).

어떻게 하면 살이 안 찌고 건강을 유지할 수 있을까요?

How can I stay healthy without gaining weight?

Uses '-지 않고' (without doing) and '-(으)ㄹ 수 있다'.

취직한 후에 회식이 잦아지면서 살이 부쩍 늘었어요.

Since I got a job, I've gained a lot of weight as company dinners became frequent.

Uses '-면서' to show simultaneous actions/states.

살이 찌는 바람에 예전에 입던 바지가 하나도 안 맞아요.

Because I gained weight, none of the pants I used to wear fit anymore.

Uses '-는 바람에' for an unintended negative consequence.

임신 중에는 태아를 위해 어느 정도 살이 찌는 것이 당연합니다.

During pregnancy, it's natural to gain some weight for the fetus.

Uses '-를 위해' (for the sake of) and '-는 것이 당연하다'.

살이 찔까 봐 전전긍긍하기보다는 규칙적인 운동을 하세요.

Instead of worrying constantly about gaining weight, do regular exercise.

Uses '전전긍긍하다' (to be on edge/worry) and '-기보다는'.

그는 스트레스를 폭식으로 풀어서 살이 급격히 쪘어요.

He relieved his stress through binge eating, so he gained weight rapidly.

Uses '폭식' (binge eating) and '급격히' (rapidly).

살이 찌면 외모뿐만 아니라 자신감도 떨어질 수 있습니다.

Gaining weight can lead to a drop in confidence as well as appearance.

Uses '-뿐만 아니라' (not only... but also).

탄수화물을 과다 섭취하면 살이 찌기 쉬운 환경이 조성됩니다.

Excessive carbohydrate intake creates an environment where it's easy to gain weight.

Uses '과다 섭취' (excessive intake) and '조성되다' (to be created/formed).

살이 쪘다고 해서 무조건 굶는 것은 건강에 해롭습니다.

Just because you gained weight, starving yourself unconditionally is harmful to your health.

Uses '-다고 해서' (just because... doesn't mean...).

현대인들은 활동량 부족으로 인해 살이 찌는 경향이 뚜렷합니다.

Modern people have a clear tendency to gain weight due to a lack of physical activity.

Uses '-로 인해' (due to) and '경향이 뚜렷하다' (tendency is clear).

살이 찌는 것은 단순한 외모의 문제가 아니라 대사 질환의 신호일 수 있습니다.

Gaining weight is not just a matter of appearance but can be a signal of metabolic disease.

Uses 'A가 아니라 B이다' (not A but B) and '대사 질환' (metabolic disease).

살이 찌기 시작하면 호르몬 불균형이 찾아와 다이어트가 더 힘들어집니다.

Once weight gain starts, hormonal imbalances occur, making dieting even harder.

Uses '불균형' (imbalance) and '-아/어지다' (to become).

가을은 천고마비의 계절이라 하여 말도 살찌고 사람의 식욕도 왕성해집니다.

They say autumn is the season of 'high sky and fat horses,' so even horses gain weight and human appetites become vigorous.

Uses the idiom '천고마비' and '왕성해지다' (to become vigorous).

살이 쪘다는 사실에 집착하다 보면 거식증이나 폭식증 같은 부작용이 생길 수 있습니다.

If you obsess over the fact that you've gained weight, side effects like anorexia or bulimia can occur.

Uses '집착하다' (to obsess) and '부작용' (side effect).

어린 시절에 살이 찌면 성인이 되어서도 비만이 될 확률이 매우 높습니다.

If one gains weight in childhood, the probability of becoming obese as an adult is very high.

Uses '확률' (probability) and '비만' (obesity).

살이 찌는 원인을 규명하기 위해 다양한 임상 실험이 진행되고 있습니다.

Various clinical trials are being conducted to identify the causes of weight gain.

Uses '규명하다' (to identify/investigate) and '임상 실험' (clinical trial).

과거에는 살이 찐 체격을 부의 상징으로 여겼으나, 오늘날은 자기 관리의 척도로 봅니다.

In the past, a heavy build was regarded as a symbol of wealth, but today it is seen as a measure of self-management.

Uses '-으로 여기다' (to regard as) and '척도' (measure/yardstick).

사회적 미의 기준이 왜곡되면서 살이 찌는 것에 대한 병적인 공포가 확산되고 있습니다.

As social standards of beauty become distorted, a pathological fear of gaining weight is spreading.

Uses '왜곡되다' (to be distorted) and '병적인 공포' (pathological fear).

살이 찌는 메커니즘은 유전적 요인과 환경적 요인이 복합적으로 작용하는 결과입니다.

The mechanism of weight gain is the result of a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors.

Uses '메커니즘' (mechanism) and '복합적으로 작용하다' (act complexly).

도시화로 인한 좌식 생활의 증가는 인류 전체가 살이 찌는 주된 원인으로 지목됩니다.

The increase in sedentary lifestyles due to urbanization is pointed out as the main reason the entire human race is gaining weight.

Uses '좌식 생활' (sedentary lifestyle) and '지목되다' (to be pointed out).

살이 찌는 과정을 생화학적으로 분석하면 인슐린 저항성과의 밀접한 연관성을 발견할 수 있습니다.

Analyzing the process of weight gain biochemically reveals a close link with insulin resistance.

Uses '생화학적으로' (biochemically) and '인슐린 저항성' (insulin resistance).

빈곤층일수록 저렴한 고열량 식품에 의존하게 되어 역설적으로 살이 더 찌는 현상이 나타납니다.

The poorer a person is, the more they rely on cheap, high-calorie foods, leading to the paradoxical phenomenon of gaining more weight.

Uses '빈곤층' (the poor), '역설적으로' (paradoxically), and '-(으)ㄹ수록'.

살이 찌는 것에 대한 담론은 단순히 건강을 넘어 계급과 젠더의 문제로 확장되기도 합니다.

The discourse on gaining weight extends beyond mere health to issues of class and gender.

Uses '담론' (discourse) and '확장되다' (to be expanded).

살이 찌는 것은 신체가 에너지를 비축하려는 본능적인 방어 기제 중 하나입니다.

Gaining weight is one of the body's instinctive defense mechanisms for storing energy.

Uses '비축하다' (to store/reserve) and '방어 기제' (defense mechanism).

무분별한 다이어트 정보는 살이 찌는 근본적인 원인을 해결하기보다 신체 기능을 저하시킵니다.

Indiscriminate diet information degrades bodily functions rather than solving the fundamental cause of weight gain.

Uses '무분별한' (indiscriminate) and '저하시키다' (to degrade/lower).

Common Collocations

살이 부쩍 찌다

살이 포동포동하게 찌다

살이 찔까 봐 걱정하다

살찌는 체질

일부러 살을 찌우다

살이 찌기 쉽다

살찌는 소리가 들리다

갑자기 살이 찌다

살찌지 않는 비결

살이 통통하게 찌다

Common Phrases

살쪘어?

— Did you gain weight? (Informal check-in or observation).

너 오랜만이다! 살 좀 쪘어?

나 살찐 것 같아.

— I think I gained weight. (Common self-reflection).

바지가 꽉 끼는 걸 보니 나 살찐 것 같아.

살찌면 어떡해?

— What if I gain weight? (Expressing worry).

이 케이크 다 먹으면 살찌면 어떡해?

살 안 쪄요.

— I don't gain weight / It doesn't make you gain weight.

이 음식은 채소가 많아서 살 안 쪄요.

살찌는 음식

— Fattening food.

튀김은 대표적인 살찌는 음식이에요.

살이 쪄서 고민이에요.

— I'm worried because I gained weight.

겨울 동안 살이 너무 많이 쪄서 고민이에요.

살찌기 딱 좋다.

— It's perfect for gaining weight (referring to habits or food).

이렇게 매일 누워만 있으면 살찌기 딱 좋아요.

살이 쪄도 예뻐요.

— You're pretty even if you gain weight.

걱정 마, 너는 살이 쪄도 예뻐.

살이 찌는 이유

— The reason for gaining weight.

살이 찌는 이유는 사람마다 다릅니다.

살이 찔 틈이 없다.

— No time/room to gain weight (because of being too busy).

일이 너무 바빠서 살이 찔 틈이 없어요.

Often Confused With

살 찌다 vs 뚱뚱하다

뚱뚱하다 is an adjective for a permanent state of being fat; 살찌다 is a verb for the process of gaining weight.

살 찌다 vs 붓다

붓다 means to be swollen or bloated (usually temporary), while 살찌다 is actual fat gain.

살 찌다 vs 두껍다

두껍다 means 'thick' for objects (like a book); don't use it for people instead of 살찌다.

Idioms & Expressions

"천고마비 (天高馬肥)"

— The sky is high and the horses get fat; a metaphor for the bountiful autumn season.

천고마비의 계절이라 식욕이 왕성해지네요.

Literary/Common

"살찌는 소리가 들리다"

— To feel like one is gaining weight rapidly (humorous exaggeration).

이 삼겹살을 먹으니 살찌는 소리가 들려요.

Informal

"살이 내리다"

— Opposite of 살찌다; to lose weight (often due to hardship or sickness).

고생을 많이 했는지 살이 쏙 내렸네.

Neutral

"살을 붙이다"

— To add flesh; often used metaphorically to 'flesh out' a plan or story.

아이디어에 살을 붙여서 보고서를 완성하세요.

Metaphorical

"뼈만 남다"

— To have only bones left; to be extremely thin (extreme opposite of 살찌다).

다이어트를 너무 심하게 해서 뼈만 남았어요.

Exaggeration

"확찐자"

— A person who gained weight suddenly (pun on 'confirmed case').

집에만 있었더니 저도 확찐자가 됐어요.

Slang/Modern

"살이 오르다"

— To put on weight in a healthy, plump way.

가을 전어는 살이 올라서 정말 맛있어요.

Neutral

"후덕하다"

— To be generous and fleshy; looking kind and well-fed.

할머니의 후덕한 인상이 참 좋아요.

Polite

"나잇살"

— Age-related fat; weight that is hard to lose in middle age.

나잇살이 찌기 시작하면 빼기가 힘들어요.

Informal

"물만 먹어도 살찐다"

— To gain weight even by drinking water (exaggeration of an easy-weight-gain constitution).

저는 물만 먹어도 살찌는 것 같아요.

Informal

Easily Confused

살 찌다 vs 살지다

Sounds very similar to 살찌다.

살지다 is an adjective primarily used for animals to mean 'well-fed/meaty'. 살찌다 is the verb for humans/animals gaining weight.

들판의 소들이 살지다.

살 찌다 vs 찌다 (Steaming)

Identical spelling and pronunciation.

Context determines meaning. '만두를 찌다' (steam dumplings) vs '살이 찌다' (gain weight).

날씨가 쪄요 (The weather is steaming hot).

살 찌다 vs 부풀다

Both imply getting bigger.

부풀다 is to swell with air or emotion (like a balloon or hope).

풍선이 부풀다.

살 찌다 vs 늘다

Both mean increase.

늘다 is general (skills, weight, numbers). 살찌다 is specifically for body mass.

한국어 실력이 늘었어요.

살 찌다 vs 지다

Sounds like the ending of 찌다.

지다 means to lose, to set (sun), or to become (adjective ending).

해가 지다.

Sentence Patterns

[N]은/는 살이 쪄요.

피자는 살이 쪄요.

[Reason]-아서/어서 살이 쪘어요.

많이 먹어서 살이 쪘어요.

살이 찔까 봐 [Action].

살이 찔까 봐 안 먹었어요.

살이 찌는 바람에 [Negative Result].

살이 찌는 바람에 옷이 안 맞아요.

살이 찌는 체질이다.

저는 쉽게 살이 찌는 체질이에요.

살이 찌기는 고사하고...

살이 찌기는 고사하고 오히려 빠졌어요.

살이 오르다.

요즘 건강해 보여요, 살이 좀 올랐네요.

살이 찌는 메커니즘.

살이 찌는 메커니즘을 연구하고 있습니다.

Word Family

Nouns

살 (flesh/fat)

비만 (obesity)

체중 (body weight)

몸무게 (body weight)

나잇살 (age-fat)

Verbs

살찌다 (to gain weight)

살찌우다 (to fatten up - causative)

살지다 (to be fat - adjective for animals)

살빠지다 (to lose weight)

Adjectives

뚱뚱하다 (to be fat)

통통하다 (to be chubby)

후덕하다 (to be generous/fleshy)

비만하다 (to be obese)

다이어트 (diet)

운동 (exercise)

식욕 (appetite)

요요 현상 (yo-yo effect)

칼로리 (calorie)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily spoken Korean.

Common Mistakes

Using '살을 찌다' instead of '살이 찌다'. → 살이 찌다
찌다 is an intransitive verb. You cannot 'gain weight' as an object; weight is the subject that increases on you.
Using present tense '살쪄요' to say 'I am fat'. → 살쪘어요
The past tense describes the state resulting from the action. '살쪘어요' means 'I gained weight (and am now in that state).'
Using '살찌다' for inanimate objects. → 두껍다 / 두툼하다
'살' refers to living flesh. You can't use it for a thick book or a heavy bag.
Using '뚱뚱하다' as a verb. → 살찌다
뚱뚱하다 is an adjective. You cannot say '뚱뚱해졌어요' to mean the process as naturally as '살쪘어요' in most cases.
Confusing '찌다' (to gain) with '지다' (to become/to lose). → 살이 찌다
The pronunciation of ㅉ vs ㅈ is crucial. '살이 지다' is not a standard expression for weight gain.

Tips

Tense is Key

Always remember that '살쪘어요' describes your current state. If you say '살쪄요', it sounds like a general habit or something that happens repeatedly.

Social Sensitivity

In Korea, commenting on weight is common, but it's becoming more sensitive. Avoid using it with strangers or people older than you unless you are sure they won't mind.

Pair with Adverbs

Korean is rich in adverbs. Use '부쩍' for sudden gain, '포동포동' for cute chubbiness, and '통통하게' for a pleasant plumpness.

Pronounce the ㅉ

The double ㅉ is a 'tense' consonant. Don't let it sound like a soft 'j'. Bite down slightly and release air sharply.

Formal vs Informal

In a diary, '살쪘다' is fine. In a medical report, use '체중 증가'. Knowing when to switch register is a sign of an advanced learner.

The 'Sal' Connection

Connect 'Sal' to 'Salami'. If you eat too much salami, you will 'Sal-jji' (gain weight)!

Context Clues

If you hear '다이어트' (diet) or '운동' (exercise) in a conversation, '살 찌다' is likely the next word you'll hear.

Subject vs Object

Use '이' for '살이 찌다' (intransitive) and '을' for '살을 찌우다' (causative/transitive).

Autumn Horses

Learn '천고마비'. It's a great way to show off your cultural knowledge when talking about the fall season.

Avoid 뚱뚱하다

When talking about yourself, '살쪘어' is much more natural and less self-deprecating than '나 뚱뚱해'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a big bowl of 'Sal-ad' (살) that you keep adding 'Cheese' (찌다) to. The more cheese you add, the more weight you gain!

Visual Association

Picture a person ('살') stepping on a scale and the needle 'Steaming' (찌다) upwards like a boiling pot.

Word Web

살 (flesh) 찌다 (to increase) 몸무게 (weight) 지방 (fat) 근육 (muscle) 음식 (food) 다이어트 (diet) 건강 (health)

Challenge

Try to use '살 찌다' in three different tenses today: past (살쪘어요), present (살쪄요), and future (살찔 거예요).

Word Origin

The phrase is of pure Korean origin. '살' (sal) has historically meant the soft tissue of the body. '찌다' (jjida) in this sense is related to the idea of increasing or growing thick.

Original meaning: To put on flesh or to grow thick in body mass.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this with women or superiors in Korea, as beauty standards are very strict.

In English-speaking cultures, telling someone they 'gained weight' is often considered very rude. In Korea, it's more common, but still sensitive.

The song 'Fat' (살쪄) by various K-pop artists often deals with body image. The '확찐자' (Hwak-jin-ja) meme during the 2020 pandemic. K-drama 'Oh My Venus' which centers around a character gaining weight and then losing it.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a restaurant

이거 먹으면 살찌겠죠?
살찌는 건 다 맛있어요.
살찔까 봐 조금만 먹을게요.
맛있게 먹으면 살 안 쪄요.

At the gym

살 빼려고 운동해요.
근육은 안 붙고 살만 쪄요.
살이 쪄서 몸이 무거워요.
살찌지 않게 조심하세요.

With family

우리 강아지 살쪘네?
너 살 좀 쪄야겠다.
명절이라 살쪘어요.
살쪄도 보기 좋아.

At the hospital

갑자기 살이 쪘어요.
살이 찌면 혈압이 올라가요.
살찌는 이유를 모르겠어요.
체중이 늘지 않게 하세요.

Buying clothes

살이 쪄서 한 치수 큰 걸로 주세요.
살찌면 이 옷 못 입어요.
살쪄서 허리가 꽉 끼어요.
살찌기 전에는 맞았는데...

Conversation Starters

"요즘 살이 쪄서 고민인데, 좋은 운동 추천해 줄 수 있어요?"

"겨울만 되면 살이 찌는 것 같은데, 여러분은 어때요?"

"살 안 찌는 체질인 사람들이 제일 부러워요. 그렇죠?"

"한국 사람들은 왜 그렇게 살찌는 것에 민감한 걸까요?"

"살찌는 음식 중에 가장 포기하기 힘든 게 뭐예요?"

Journal Prompts

최근에 살이 쪘거나 빠진 경험이 있나요? 그때 기분이 어땠는지 써 보세요.

살이 찌는 것에 대해 자신의 생각을 적어 보세요. 건강이 중요한가요, 외모가 중요한가요?

자신이 가장 좋아하는 '살찌는 음식' 세 가지와 그 이유를 설명해 보세요.

한국의 외모 지상주의와 '살 찌다'라는 표현의 상관관계에 대해 논해 보세요.

만약 아무리 먹어도 살이 안 찐다면, 하루 동안 무엇을 먹고 싶은지 상상해 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It depends on the context and relationship. While Koreans use it more casually than English speakers use 'get fat,' it can still be sensitive, especially regarding beauty standards. It's best used for yourself or very close friends.

Grammatically, '살이 찌다' uses the subject marker '이' to emphasize 'flesh'. '살찌다' is the combined verb form. In spoken Korean, they are used interchangeably, with '살찌다' being slightly more casual.

In Korean, many verbs describing a change in physical state use the past tense to describe the current resulting state. '살쪘어' means you *have gained* weight and therefore *are* currently heavier.

Technically yes, as '살' can mean flesh/muscle, but it's more common to say '근육이 붙다' (muscle attaches) or '몸집이 커지다' (body gets bigger) for gym progress.

You can say '살이 찔까 봐 무서워요' or '살이 찔까 봐 걱정돼요'.

It's generally risky, but '살이 좀 오르셨네요' or '후덕해지셨네요' are more polite/positive ways to comment on a healthy-looking weight gain.

It's a humorous expression meaning you feel like you are gaining weight right this second because you are eating something very high-calorie.

No, '살 찌다' is only for living beings. For a thick wallet, use '지갑이 두툼하다'.

It refers to the fat that naturally accumulates as people age, often around the belly, which is harder to lose.

You can say '저는 아무리 먹어도 살이 안 쪄요'.