This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Korean
Vocabulary
고취하다

B2 verb #8,000 most common 5 min read

고취하다

gochwihada Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 고취하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 고취하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '고취하다' yet because it is a very difficult word. Instead, you can think of it as 'making someone feel strong' or 'giving someone a good heart.' Imagine a teacher saying, 'You can do it!' to a student. That feeling of wanting to do better is what '고취하다' creates. In simple Korean, we use words like '응원해요' (I cheer for you) or '힘내요' (Be strong). You might see '고취하다' in very formal posters, but for now, just remember it means to help someone have a big, brave spirit.

For A2 learners, '고취하다' is a word you might see in a textbook about Korean history or society. It means 'to inspire.' While '응원하다' is for sports or friends, '고취하다' is for serious things like 'loving your country' or 'working hard at school.' It is a combination of two ideas: beating a drum and blowing a trumpet to make people feel excited. You can remember it by thinking of a parade that makes everyone feel proud and happy. It is a verb that describes how a leader makes a group of people feel motivated.

At the B1 level, you should recognize '고취하다' as a formal transitive verb. It is used when an influential person or organization tries to instill a specific value in others. For example, a company might want to '고취하다' (instill) a sense of responsibility in its employees. You will see this word in news articles or formal speeches. It is different from '북돋우다' (to encourage) because '고취하다' sounds much more official and is usually used for abstract concepts like 'awareness,' 'morale,' or 'patriotism.' It often follows the pattern: [Abstract Noun] + 을/를 고취하다.

B2 learners should be able to use '고취하다' in formal writing and understand its specific nuances. It implies a deliberate effort to shape or strengthen someone's consciousness or spirit. It is frequently used in the context of '사기 고취' (boosting morale) or '의식 고취' (raising awareness). You should be able to distinguish it from '고양하다' (to enhance/uplift), which is a close synonym but used more for general states of being. When writing an essay about social issues, using '고취하다' instead of '주다' (to give) or '만들다' (to make) will significantly improve your formal tone.

At the C1 level, you should master the rhetorical power of '고취하다.' This word carries historical weight, often appearing in documents related to the independence movement or national development. It describes the psychological mobilization of a populace. You should also be familiar with the noun form '고취' and how it functions in complex sentences like '민족의식의 고취는 독립운동의 원동력이 되었다' (The instillation of national consciousness became the driving force of the independence movement). You should also understand its metaphorical roots in military music (drumming and blowing) and how that reflects the 'loud' and 'active' nature of the inspiration it describes.

For C2 proficiency, '고취하다' should be part of your active academic and professional vocabulary. You should be able to discuss its use in political discourse, where it can sometimes carry a nuance of propaganda or strategic psychological management. You should be able to analyze how different leaders '고취하다' various ideologies and the sociological impact of such actions. Furthermore, you should be comfortable using it in highly abstract philosophical contexts, such as discussing the role of art in '고취하는' the human spirit or the ethical implications of '고취하는' certain competitive drives in education.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

고취하다 in 30 Seconds

A formal verb used to inspire or instill abstract qualities like morale, patriotism, or awareness in individuals or groups.
Derived from Hanja meaning 'to beat a drum and blow a trumpet,' reflecting its roots in military encouragement.
Commonly paired with objects like 사기 (morale), 의식 (consciousness), and 자긍심 (pride) in professional settings.
Higher formality than '북돋우다' or '격려하다,' making it suitable for essays, news, and official speeches.

The Korean verb 고취하다 (gochwihada) is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe the act of instilling, inspiring, or fostering a specific mindset, spirit, or sense of purpose in others. Etymologically rooted in Hanja, the word consists of 鼓 (고 - drum) and 吹 (취 - blow/trumpet). Historically, this referred to the loud music played by military bands to excite soldiers before a battle. In modern usage, it has evolved into a metaphorical 'beating of the drum' for the mind and soul.

Core Concept: To actively breathe life into an abstract concept like 'morale,' 'patriotism,' or 'creativity' within a group or individual.

You will frequently encounter this word in formal contexts such as corporate speeches, political manifestos, and educational philosophy. It is rarely used in casual conversation with friends (where you might use '응원하다' or '힘을 주다' instead). When a CEO gives a speech to boost the team's spirit after a difficult quarter, they are 고취하는 the company's morale. When a teacher encourages students to have pride in their culture, they are 고취하는 national identity.

지도자는 팀원들의 사기를 고취하다 위해 특별 강연을 준비했다. (The leader prepared a special lecture to inspire the team's morale.)

In terms of nuance, 고취하다 implies a level of intentionality and authority. It suggests that the person doing the inspiring has a goal in mind—to move a collective toward a better state of mind. It is often paired with nouns like 의식 (consciousness), 정신 (spirit), and 의욕 (will/desire). Using this word correctly marks you as an advanced speaker who understands the subtleties of social influence and formal rhetoric.

Using 고취하다 correctly requires understanding its transitive nature. It always takes an object—specifically the abstract quality being instilled. The basic grammar pattern is [Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 고취하다. Because it is a formal word, it often appears in the ~기 위해 (in order to) or ~는 데 기여하다 (contribute to) structures.

Common Object Pairings: 사기 (Morale), 애국심 (Patriotism), 준법정신 (Law-abiding spirit), 창의성 (Creativity), 자긍심 (Self-pride).

In passive or descriptive contexts, the noun form 고취 (instillation/inspiration) is combined with 되다 to mean 'to be inspired' or 'to be instilled.' For example, '사기가 고취되었다' means 'Morale was boosted.' However, the active form 고취하다 is much more common in leadership and educational settings where an agent is actively working to change a mindset.

정부는 국민들의 환경 보호 의식을 고취하기 위해 대대적인 캠페인을 벌였다. (The government launched a major campaign to instill environmental protection awareness in the citizens.)

When constructing sentences, remember that the subject is usually an entity with influence, such as a government, a teacher, a parent, or a great work of art. The object is almost never a physical thing. You cannot '고취하다' a car or a house; you only '고취하다' the desire to own them or the pride in having them.

You are most likely to hear 고취하다 in professional and academic environments. It is a staple of the 9 o'clock news in Korea, especially when reporting on government initiatives or social movements. For instance, during the Olympics, news anchors will talk about how the athletes' performances 고취하다 the national pride of the Korean people.

이번 행사는 청소년들의 과학적 탐구심을 고취하는 데 목적이 있습니다. (The purpose of this event is to inspire scientific curiosity in youth.)

In the workplace, it appears during 'Hoon-ryeon' (training) or 'Hwe-ui' (meetings). A manager might say they want to 고취하다 a sense of responsibility among the staff. In literature and history books, the word is used to describe how revolutionary leaders stirred the hearts of the masses to fight for independence or justice. It carries a heavy, dignified weight that suggests the transformation of the human spirit.

The most common mistake learners make with 고취하다 is using it for simple encouragement. If your friend is sad and you want to cheer them up, do not say '너의 기분을 고취하고 싶어' (I want to instill your mood). Instead, use '위로하다' (to comfort) or '기운을 북돋우다' (to cheer up). 고취하다 is about building a lasting spirit or consciousness, not just a temporary emotion.

Mistake 1: Wrong Object: Using it with physical objects. Correct: '애국심을 고취하다' (Instill patriotism). Incorrect: '꽃을 고취하다' (Instill a flower).

Another error is confusing 고취하다 with 강요하다 (to force). While both involve a leader influencing a group, 고취하다 implies that the inspiration is positive and meant to empower, whereas 강요하다 is about forcing compliance. Finally, watch out for the spelling; it is 고취 (Go-Chwi), not 고추 (Go-Chu), which means chili pepper!

Incorrect: 선생님이 학생들에게 숙제를 고취했다.
Correct: 선생님이 학생들에게 학구열을 고취했다.

Korean has several words for 'inspiring' or 'encouraging,' and choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the specific target. 고취하다 is at the top of the formality scale.

고양하다 (Goyang-hada): Very similar to 고취하다, but focuses more on 'lifting up' or 'enhancing' a state. Often used with '문화' (culture) or '기운' (energy).
북돋우다 (Bukdot-uda): A pure Korean (non-Hanja) word that means to encourage or boost. It sounds warmer and more personal than 고취하다. Use this with friends and family.
격려하다 (Gyeongryeo-hada): To give words of encouragement. This is more about verbal support ('You can do it!') rather than instilling a deep spirit.

If you are writing a formal essay or a news report, 고취하다 is your best bet. If you are talking to a coworker about their great work, 격려하다 or 북돋우다 is more natural.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, 'Gochwi' was a specific genre of court and military music. Today, we only use the word metaphorically for psychological inspiration.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ko.tɕʰwi.ɦa.da/

US /go.tʃwi.hɑ.dɑ/

Stress is even across all syllables, typical of Korean, but a slight emphasis on 'chwi' can occur in formal speech.

Rhymes With

성취하다 (achieve) 취취하다 (be drunk/gloomy) 유치하다 (childish/attract) 자치하다 (self-govern) 조치하다 (take measures) 대치하다 (confront) 배치하다 (arrange) 자치하다 (occupy)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'chwi' as 'chu' (like chili pepper).
Aspirating the first 'k' too much like an English 'k'.
Failing to pronounce the 'h' in 'hada' clearly in formal settings.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in news and books, but requires Hanja knowledge for deep understanding.

Writing 5/5

Difficult to use naturally without sounding overly formal or stiff.

Speaking 5/5

Rarely used in daily speech; beginners should stick to '북돋우다'.

Listening 4/5

Easily confused with other '고' or '취' words if not paying attention to context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

격려하다 응원하다 마음 정신 의식

Learn Next

고양하다 진작시키다 함양하다 고무적이다 부추기다

Advanced

이데올로기 민족주의 선동 계몽 헤게모니

Grammar to Know

~기 위해 (In order to)

사기를 고취하기 위해 보너스를 주었다.

~는 데 기여하다 (Contribute to)

이 행사는 애국심을 고취하는 데 기여했다.

~도록 (So that/In a way that)

학생들이 자부심을 고취하도록 도와주세요.

~함으로써 (By doing)

의식을 고취함으로써 문제를 해결했다.

Noun + 을/를 통한 (Through noun)

캠페인을 통한 의식 고취가 필요하다.

Examples by Level

선생님은 학생들의 마음을 고취해요.

The teacher inspires the students' hearts.

Simple present tense with -요.

우리는 용기를 고취해야 해요.

We must instill courage.

-해야 해요 indicates necessity.

그 노래는 힘을 고취해요.

That song inspires strength.

Subject-Object-Verb order.

엄마는 나의 자신감을 고취해요.

Mom instills confidence in me.

Possessive '나의'.

책을 읽으면 생각이 고취돼요.

If you read books, your thoughts are inspired.

Passive form -돼요.

좋은 말은 사랑을 고취해요.

Good words inspire love.

Adjective '좋은' modifying '말'.

운동은 건강 의식을 고취해요.

Exercise instills health awareness.

Noun + 의식 (awareness).

이 영화는 희망을 고취해요.

This movie inspires hope.

Demonstrative '이' (this).

지도자는 사기를 고취하기 위해 연설했습니다.

The leader gave a speech to boost morale.

-하기 위해 means 'in order to'.

전통문화는 자부심을 고취합니다.

Traditional culture instills pride.

Formal ending -합니다.

이 캠페인은 환경 보호를 고취해요.

This campaign inspires environmental protection.

Object '환경 보호'.

우리는 서로의 열정을 고취해야 합니다.

We must inspire each other's passion.

서로의 (each other's).

역사 공부는 애국심을 고취합니다.

Studying history instills patriotism.

Noun + 공부 (studying).

그의 성공은 많은 사람을 고취했습니다.

His success inspired many people.

Past tense -했습니다.

예술은 창의성을 고취하는 힘이 있어요.

Art has the power to inspire creativity.

-는 힘 (power that...).

봉사 활동은 보람을 고취합니다.

Volunteering instills a sense of reward.

Subject '봉사 활동'.

정부는 국민들의 준법정신을 고취하려고 노력합니다.

The government tries to instill a law-abiding spirit in its citizens.

-하려고 노력하다 (try to do).

경영진은 직원들의 근로 의욕을 고취했습니다.

Management boosted the employees' will to work.

근로 의욕 (work motivation).

이 책은 독자들의 비판적 사고를 고취합니다.

This book inspires readers' critical thinking.

비판적 사고 (critical thinking).

올림픽은 평화의 정신을 고취하는 행사입니다.

The Olympics is an event that instills the spirit of peace.

Adjective clause -는 행사.

부모님은 자녀의 독립심을 고취해야 합니다.

Parents must instill independence in their children.

독립심 (independence).

강연자는 청중의 도전 정신을 고취했습니다.

The speaker inspired the audience's challenging spirit.

도전 정신 (challenge spirit).

새로운 정책은 공정성을 고취할 것입니다.

The new policy will instill fairness.

Future tense -ㄹ 것입니다.

그림은 인간의 존엄성을 고취하는 역할을 합니다.

Painting plays a role in instilling human dignity.

역할을 하다 (play a role).

기업은 혁신적인 문화를 고취하기 위해 다양한 프로그램을 도입했다.

The company introduced various programs to foster an innovative culture.

혁신적인 (innovative).

언론은 사회적 책임감을 고취하는 데 앞장서야 한다.

The media should take the lead in instilling a sense of social responsibility.

-는 데 앞장서다 (to take the lead in).

이 다큐멘터리는 인권 의식을 고취하기 위해 제작되었습니다.

This documentary was produced to raise awareness of human rights.

Passive '제작되었습니다'.

그 연설은 민족의 자긍심을 고취하는 데 큰 기여를 했다.

The speech made a great contribution to instilling national pride.

기여를 하다 (to contribute).

학교는 학생들의 협동심을 고취하는 교육을 강화하고 있다.

Schools are strengthening education that fosters a spirit of cooperation in students.

강화하고 있다 (is strengthening).

광고는 소비자의 구매 욕구를 고취하는 기법을 사용한다.

Advertising uses techniques to stimulate the consumer's desire to purchase.

구매 욕구 (desire to buy).

지도자는 위기 상황에서 희망의 메시지를 고취해야 한다.

A leader must instill a message of hope in a crisis situation.

위기 상황 (crisis situation).

이 운동은 시민들의 자발적 참여를 고취하는 효과가 있다.

This movement has the effect of encouraging voluntary participation from citizens.

자발적 참여 (voluntary participation).

고전 문학은 보편적 가치를 고취함으로써 시대를 초월하는 생명력을 얻는다.

Classical literature gains timeless vitality by instilling universal values.

-함으로써 (by doing).

정치적 선동은 대중의 분노를 고취하여 사회적 갈등을 야기할 수 있다.

Political incitement can instill anger in the masses and cause social conflict.

야기하다 (to cause/trigger).

철학은 인간 존재에 대한 근원적인 질문을 고취하는 학문이다.

Philosophy is a discipline that inspires fundamental questions about human existence.

근원적인 (fundamental/root).

그 예술가는 작품을 통해 평화와 화해의 정신을 고취하고자 했다.

The artist intended to instill the spirit of peace and reconciliation through their work.

-하고자 하다 (intend to).

교육의 본질은 지식 전달을 넘어 인간성을 고취하는 데 있다.

The essence of education lies in instilling humanity beyond the transmission of knowledge.

~에 있다 (lies in/consists of).

역사적 유물은 후세에게 조상의 지혜를 고취하는 매개체가 된다.

Historical artifacts serve as a medium to instill the wisdom of ancestors in future generations.

매개체 (medium/vehicle).

기술의 발전이 인간의 편의를 넘어 윤리적 의식을 고취해야 할 시점이다.

It is time for technological development to instill ethical awareness beyond human convenience.

~해야 할 시점이다 (it is time to).

국가적 재난 상황에서 연대감을 고취하는 것이 무엇보다 중요하다.

In a national disaster situation, instilling a sense of solidarity is more important than anything else.

연대감 (solidarity).

그의 담론은 현대 사회의 물질만능주의를 비판하고 정신적 가치를 고취하는 데 주력하고 있다.

His discourse focuses on criticizing the materialism of modern society and instilling spiritual values.

주력하고 있다 (focusing/concentrating on).

문화적 헤게모니는 특정 이데올로기를 고취함으로써 대중의 동의를 이끌어낸다.

Cultural hegemony elicits public consent by instilling a specific ideology.

이데올로기 (ideology).

심미적 경험은 인간의 감수성을 고취하여 삶의 질을 근본적으로 변화시킨다.

Aesthetic experience inspires human sensitivity and fundamentally transforms the quality of life.

심미적 (aesthetic).

법치주의의 확립은 시민들의 준법 의식을 고취하는 것으로부터 시작된다.

The establishment of the rule of law begins with instilling a law-abiding consciousness in citizens.

~로부터 시작된다 (begins from).

종교적 의례는 신성함을 고취하여 공동체의 결속을 다지는 기능을 수행한다.

Religious rituals perform the function of instilling sacredness and strengthening community bonds.

결속을 다지다 (strengthen bonds).

지식인은 사회의 부조리를 고발하고 정의감을 고취할 도덕적 책무가 있다.

Intellectuals have a moral duty to denounce social absurdities and instill a sense of justice.

도덕적 책무 (moral duty).

과학적 합리성을 고취하는 교육은 미신과 편견을 타파하는 데 필수적이다.

Education that instills scientific rationality is essential for breaking down superstition and prejudice.

타파하다 (to break down/overthrow).

예술적 아방가르드는 기존의 질서를 파괴하고 새로운 미의식을 고취하려 시도한다.

The artistic avant-garde attempts to destroy the existing order and instill a new aesthetic consciousness.

미의식 (aesthetic consciousness).

Synonyms

고무하다 북돋우다 일깨우다 진작시키다

Antonyms

낙담시키다 억제하다

Common Collocations

사기를 고취하다

의식을 고취하다

애국심을 고취하다

자긍심을 고취하다

학구열을 고취하다

준법정신을 고취하다

창의성을 고취하다

독립심을 고취하다

연대감을 고취하다

경쟁심을 고취하다

Common Phrases

사기 고취

— Boosting morale. Used as a noun phrase in business.

사기 고취를 위한 보너스.

의식 고취 캠페인

— Awareness raising campaign. Common in government work.

안전 의식 고취 캠페인.

정신 고취

— Instilling a spirit. Used for philosophical or national goals.

개척 정신 고취.

고취할 필요가 있다

— There is a need to instill. Used in arguments.

책임감을 고취할 필요가 있다.

고취하는 데 목적이 있다

— The purpose lies in instilling. Used to explain goals.

이 행사는 열정을 고취하는 데 목적이 있다.

고취시키는

— Inspiring (causative focus). Often used as an adjective.

영감을 고취시키는 연설.

고취되어

— Being inspired/instilled. Used in descriptive sentences.

분위기에 고취되어 열심히 했다.

고취함과 동시에

— While simultaneously instilling. Used in complex logic.

지식을 전달함과 동시에 창의성을 고취한다.

널리 고취하다

민주주의를 널리 고취하다.

새롭게 고취하다

— To instill anew. Used for reviving a spirit.

희망을 새롭게 고취하다.

Often Confused With

고취하다 vs 고정하다

Means 'to fix' or 'to fasten.' Sounds similar but completely unrelated.

고취하다 vs 고추

Means 'chili pepper.' A common pronunciation mistake for beginners.

고취하다 vs 고치다

Means 'to repair' or 'to fix.' Phonetically similar at the start.

Idioms & Expressions

"북 치고 장구 치다"

— To play both the drum and the hourglass drum. Doing everything by oneself. Related to the 'drumming' aspect of 고취.

혼자서 북 치고 장구 치며 행사를 진행했다.

Informal

"바람을 불어넣다"

— To blow wind into someone. Meaning to incite or inspire (can be negative like 'inflating' someone's ego).

친구에게 헛바람을 불어넣지 마라.

Informal

"불을 지피다"

— To light a fire. To spark interest or passion.

그의 연설이 혁명에 불을 지피고 열정을 고취했다.

Neutral

"맥을 짚다"

— To feel the pulse. Used when a leader knows how to '고취하다' by understanding the people.

그는 대중의 맥을 짚어 사기를 고취했다.

Neutral

"기를 살리다"

— To revive someone's 'Gi' (energy). A more common way to say boost morale.

칭찬으로 아이의 기를 살려주었다.

Neutral

"피를 끓게 하다"

— To make one's blood boil. To inspire extreme passion or anger.

애국가가 사람들의 피를 끓게 하고 애국심을 고취했다.

Neutral

"심금을 울리다"

— To touch the heartstrings. To deeply move and inspire.

그의 이야기는 심금을 울리며 감동을 고취했다.

Literary

"용기백배하다"

— To have one's courage multiplied a hundredfold.

사기가 고취되어 군사들이 용기백배했다.

Formal

"정신을 바짝 차리다"

— To pull one's spirit together. Often the result of being '고취'ed.

훈계를 듣고 정신을 바짝 차렸다.

Neutral

"한마음 한뜻"

— One heart, one mind. The goal of '연대감 고취'.

우리는 한마음 한뜻으로 위기를 극복해야 한다.

Neutral

Easily Confused

고취하다 vs 고양하다

Both mean to uplift or inspire.

고취하다 is more about 'instilling' a specific value, while 고양하다 is about 'raising' the general level of something like culture or spirit.

사기를 고취하다 vs 문화 수준을 고양하다.

고취하다 vs 고무하다

Both involve encouragement.

고무하다 is more about stimulating someone to take action, while 고취하다 is about building a mindset.

그의 성공은 나를 고무했다 (stimulated me to act).

고취하다 vs 북돋우다

Both mean encourage.

북돋우다 is a native Korean word, softer and more emotional; 고취하다 is Hanja-based and formal.

친구의 용기를 북돋우다.

고취하다 vs 진작시키다

Both boost morale.

진작시키다 is almost exclusively used with '사기' (morale) or economic 'industry,' whereas 고취하다 is more versatile with abstract concepts.

사기를 진작시키다.

고취하다 vs 함양하다

Both involve building values.

함양하다 means to cultivate something over a long time (like character), while 고취하다 is more about a sudden or strong inspiration.

인격을 함양하다.

Sentence Patterns

[Object]을/를 고취하다

용기를 고취하다.

[Object]을/를 고취하기 위해 [Action]

사기를 고취하기 위해 회식을 했다.

[Object] 고취에 힘쓰다

정부는 의식 고취에 힘쓰고 있다.

[Object] 고취를 목적으로 하다

이 사업은 자긍심 고취를 목적으로 한다.

[Subject]은/는 [Object]을/를 고취하는 데 기여한다

예술은 창의성을 고취하는 데 기여한다.

[Object]의 고취가 시급하다

윤리 의식의 고취가 시급하다.

[Object]을/를 고취하고자 하는 시도

정신을 고취하고자 하는 시도가 계속되었다.

[Object] 고취를 통한 사회 변화

의식 고취를 통한 사회 변화를 꿈꾼다.

Word Family

Nouns

고취 (Instillation/Inspiration)

고취자 (Inspirer/Instiller)

Verbs

고취되다 (To be inspired/instilled)

고취시키다 (To cause to instill)

Adjectives

고취적인 (Inspirational/Instilling)

격려 (Encouragement)

사기 (Morale)

동기 (Motivation)

의식 (Consciousness)

정신 (Spirit)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written media, academic texts, and formal speeches; rare in daily spoken Korean.

Common Mistakes

Using it for physical objects. → 의식을 고취하다 (Instill awareness).
You cannot instill a physical thing; only spirits or mindsets.
Confusing with '고정하다' (Fix). → 사기를 고취하다.
Don't say '사기를 고정하다' unless you want to 'fix morale in one place,' which makes no sense.
Using it in very casual settings. → 친구에게 힘을 주다.
Saying '고취하다' to a friend sounds like you are giving a political speech.
Wrong spelling: 고추하다. → 고취하다.
고추 means chili pepper. 'Chili-ing' someone is not a word!
Using it as an intransitive verb. → 사기가 고취되었다 (Morale was instilled).
If there is no object, you must use the passive '되다' form.

Tips

Focus on the Object

Always pair '고취하다' with abstract nouns like 사기, 의식, or 정신. Never use it with concrete objects.

Match the Register

Use this word in essays or formal presentations to impress your audience with your advanced vocabulary.

The Drummer's Rule

Remember the drum (鼓) in the Hanja. If the action feels like 'beating a drum' to wake people up, use 고취하다.

Passive vs Active

Use '고취되다' when the spirit is rising naturally due to an environment, and '고취하다' when someone is actively causing it.

Leadership Vocabulary

In Korea, a good leader is often described as someone who can '고취' the team. Use it when discussing leadership qualities.

Synonym Choice

If '고취하다' feels too heavy, try '북돋우다.' It has the same meaning but a softer, more native Korean feel.

News Keywords

When you hear '고취' on the news, look for the word '캠페인' (campaign) nearby; they are very common partners.

Avoid Overuse

Don't use it more than once in a short speech. It's a 'heavy' word that loses its impact if repeated too much.

Pair with Adjectives

Use adjectives like '강력하게' (strongly) or '효과적으로' (effectively) to describe how the spirit is being instilled.

Clear Vowels

Ensure the 'wi' in 'chwi' is a clear glide. It shouldn't sound like 'u' or 'i' alone.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a drummer (GO) and a trumpet player (CHWI) performing a loud song (HADA) to wake up your lazy spirit.

Visual Association

A massive golden drum being hit, sending out waves of energy that turn people from grey to bright colors.

Word Web

사기 (Morale) 애국심 (Patriotism) 의식 (Awareness) 정신 (Spirit) 동기 (Motive) 리더십 (Leadership) 교육 (Education) 문화 (Culture)

Challenge

Try to write three sentences using '고취하다' about your favorite hobby, your job, and your country.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja 鼓吹 (고취). 鼓 (고) means 'drum' and 吹 (취) means 'to blow' (as in a flute or trumpet).

Original meaning: Originally referred to the music played by military bands to encourage soldiers and signal movements during battle.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use it in contexts that might sound like brainwashing or forced propaganda, as the word implies a strong external influence on someone's thoughts.

In English, we might use 'inspire' or 'instill,' but '고취하다' feels slightly more 'active' and 'loud' because of its musical origins.

King Sejong's intent to '고취' the people's literacy with Hangeul. Admiral Yi Sun-sin's speeches to '고취' morale before the Battle of Myeongnyang. The 2002 World Cup 'Red Devils' cheering culture as a form of national '고취'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In the Military

장병들의 사기를 고취하다
전투 의지를 고취하다
군인 정신을 고취하다
승리욕을 고취하다

In a Company

근로 의욕을 고취하다
소속감을 고취하다
책임 의식을 고취하다
혁신 정신을 고취하다

In a School

학구열을 고취하다
탐구 정신을 고취하다
협동심을 고취하다
자아 존중감을 고취하다

In Government/NGOs

납세 의식을 고취하다
환경 보호 의식을 고취하다
인권 의식을 고취하다
시민 정신을 고취하다

In Arts/Literature

미적 감수성을 고취하다
인문학적 소양을 고취하다
상상력을 고취하다
비판 의식을 고취하다

Conversation Starters

"어떤 영화가 당신의 열정을 고취하나요? (Which movie inspires your passion?)"

"팀의 사기를 고취하기 위한 가장 좋은 방법은 무엇일까요? (What is the best way to boost a team's morale?)"

"한국 역사에서 국민들의 애국심을 가장 고취한 사건은 무엇인가요? (What event in Korean history most inspired the people's patriotism?)"

"선생님이 학생들의 의욕을 고취하는 것이 왜 중요할까요? (Why is it important for teachers to inspire students' motivation?)"

"음악이 사람의 기분을 고취하는 데 어떤 역할을 한다고 생각하세요? (What role do you think music plays in uplifting a person's mood?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 나에게 가장 큰 동기를 고취한 일은 무엇인가요? (What inspired you the most today?)

미래의 나에게 용기를 고취할 수 있는 편지를 써 보세요. (Write a letter that can inspire courage in your future self.)

우리 사회에서 시급히 고취해야 할 의식은 무엇이라고 생각하나요? (What awareness do you think needs to be urgently instilled in our society?)

당신이 리더라면 팀원들의 사기를 어떻게 고취하겠습니까? (If you were a leader, how would you boost your team's morale?)

자신감을 고취하기 위해 매일 할 수 있는 작은 습관들에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about small daily habits that can instill self-confidence.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is rare. You usually use it for others. If you want to say you inspired yourself, you might say '스스로 의욕을 고취했다,' but '다짐했다' (resolved) is more common.

Only if the context is very serious or if you are being intentionally dramatic/humorous. Otherwise, use '힘내!' or '파이팅!'.

There isn't one perfect opposite, but '저하시키다' (to lower) or '위축시키다' (to daunt/shrink) are often used for the opposite effect.

Usually no, it's positive. However, in political contexts, it can be used to describe instilling negative feelings like 'hatred' (증오를 고취하다), though this is less common.

In standard speech, the 'H' in '하다' is often weakened after 'Chwi,' sounding almost like 'go-chwi-a-da,' but in very formal settings, it should be clear.

No. You '고취' the *desire* to play piano, but the skill itself is '연마하다' (polish/practice) or '익히다' (learn).

Yes, '시키다' makes it explicitly causative ('to make someone instill'), but in practice, they are used interchangeably.

鼓 (Drum) and 吹 (Blow). Just remember the image of a military parade.

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

No, it is reserved for humans who have 'consciousness' and 'spirit'.

Test Yourself 204 questions

writing

Translate to Korean: 'The teacher inspired the students' courage.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Subject (선생님) + Object (용기) + Verb (고취했다).