Explanation at your level:
You use 크게 when you want to say 'loudly'. If you want to tell someone to speak louder, you say '크게 말하세요'. It is very easy to use!
At this level, you can use 크게 to describe size. For example, 'The house is big' is '집이 커요', but 'The house grew big' is '집이 크게 변했어요'.
Now you can use it for abstract concepts. '크게 성공하다' means to succeed greatly. It is a great way to add emphasis to your sentences about your future goals.
In professional contexts, 크게 is used to describe changes or trends. '크게 기여하다' (contribute significantly) is a very common phrase in business reports.
Use 크게 to describe nuance in emotional states. '크게 실망하다' (to be deeply disappointed) shows a higher level of vocabulary mastery than simple adjectives.
At the mastery level, you will notice 크게 used in literary works to describe monumental shifts in history or character development, showing the depth of the word's reach.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means loudly or greatly
- Derived from 'big'
- Used with verbs
- Very common in daily life
Welcome! Let's talk about 크게. This is one of those super handy words you will hear every single day in Korea. Think of it as the 'volume' or 'scale' knob for your sentences.
When you want to say something is loud, like 크게 말하다 (speak loudly), you use this word. It is also perfect for when you want to describe something that is done on a large scale, like 크게 성공하다 (succeed in a big way). It is friendly, flexible, and essential for your daily conversations!
The word 크게 comes from the root adjective 크다 (keu-da), which means 'to be big'. In the Korean language, adding the suffix '-게' to an adjective turns it into an adverb.
Historically, this root has been part of the Korean language since ancient times. It relates to concepts of physical height, volume, and importance. Over centuries, it evolved from just describing a physical object to describing the manner in which an action occurs, which is why we use it as an adverb today.
You use 크게 whenever you want to emphasize the intensity of an action. It is very common in casual settings, like telling a friend to 'laugh loudly' (크게 웃어).
In formal settings, it is used to describe growth or impact. For instance, a company might 'grow significantly' (크게 성장하다). It is a neutral word, meaning you can use it with your boss or your best friend without worry.
1. 크게 한턱내다: To treat someone to a big meal. 2. 크게 뜨다: To open one's eyes wide. 3. 크게 놀라다: To be greatly surprised. 4. 크게 다치다: To be seriously injured. 5. 크게 웃다: To laugh out loud.
Grammatically, 크게 acts as an adverb modifying verbs. It does not change based on tense or subject, making it very easy to learn!
Pronunciation-wise, it is pronounced 'keu-ge'. The 'k' sound is aspirated, and the 'g' is soft. It rhymes loosely with words like 'vague' if you stretch the vowel, but focus on the crisp 'k' sound at the start.
Fun Fact
It is one of the most common adverbs in the Korean language.
Pronunciation Guide
Similar to 'kuh-geh'
Similar to 'kuh-geh'
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'g' as 'j'
- Dropping the 'eu' vowel
- Stress on the wrong syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read
Easy to use
Common
Clear sound
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adverbial Suffix -게
크다 -> 크게
Verb Modification
크게 말하다
Adjective Roots
크다
Examples by Level
크게 말하세요.
Loudly speak-please.
Adverb + Verb
크게 웃어요.
Loudly laugh.
Adverb + Verb
크게 쓰세요.
Big write.
Adverb + Verb
크게 들려요.
Loudly it-is-heard.
Adverb + Verb
크게 보세요.
Big look.
Adverb + Verb
크게 부르세요.
Loudly call.
Adverb + Verb
크게 하세요.
Big do.
Adverb + Verb
크게 만드세요.
Big make.
Adverb + Verb
크게 자랐어요.
크게 되었어요.
크게 생각해요.
크게 열었어요.
크게 틀었어요.
크게 그렸어요.
크게 읽으세요.
크게 들으세요.
크게 성공했어요.
크게 기여했어요.
크게 실망했어요.
크게 놀랐어요.
크게 다쳤어요.
크게 변했어요.
크게 기대해요.
크게 환영해요.
크게 차이가 납니다.
크게 영향을 미칩니다.
크게 발전했습니다.
크게 개선되었습니다.
크게 논의되었습니다.
크게 주목받았습니다.
크게 후회했습니다.
크게 만족합니다.
크게 반발하고 있습니다.
크게 부각되었습니다.
크게 훼손되었습니다.
크게 활성화되었습니다.
크게 고무되었습니다.
크게 동요했습니다.
크게 억제되었습니다.
크게 간주됩니다.
크게 획책하다.
크게 폄하하다.
크게 고취하다.
크게 옹호하다.
크게 반감하다.
크게 배척하다.
크게 숭상하다.
크게 매도하다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"크게 한턱내다"
To treat someone to a big meal
오늘 내가 크게 한턱낼게!
casual"눈을 크게 뜨다"
To open eyes wide
눈을 크게 뜨고 찾아봐.
neutral"크게 마음먹다"
To make a big decision
크게 마음먹고 시작했다.
neutral"크게 한방"
A big successful strike
이번에 크게 한방 노리자.
casual"크게 보아"
In the big picture
크게 보아 좋은 일이다.
formal"크게 뉘우치다"
To deeply repent
그는 크게 뉘우쳤다.
formalEasily Confused
Both mean 'a lot'
많이 is for quantity, 크게 is for degree/size/volume
많이 먹어 vs 크게 말해
Both relate to intensity
높게 is for height/pitch, 크게 is for volume/size
높게 점프해 vs 크게 말해
Both relate to size
넓게 is for area, 크게 is for general size/degree
넓게 펼쳐라 vs 크게 성공해
Base form confusion
크다 is adjective, 크게 is adverb
집이 크다 vs 크게 말하다
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Verb + 크게
그는 웃었다 크게.
크게 + Verb
크게 말하세요.
Subject + 크게 + Adjective
그는 크게 기쁘다.
크게 + Verb + (으)면
크게 성공하면 좋겠다.
Subject + 가 + 크게 + Verb
회사가 크게 성장했다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Adverbs need a space before the verb.
Do not add particles to adverbs.
Redundant suffix.
Wrong verb conjugation for command.
Adverbs are not subjects.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant speaker in your room.
When Native Speakers Use It
When encouraging someone.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value 'big' success.
Grammar Shortcut
Adjective + 게 = Adverb.
Say It Right
Keep the 'k' sharp.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as an adjective.
Did You Know?
It is a top 500 word.
Study Smart
Pair it with verbs.
Contextual Tip
Use it for volume.
Grammar Tip
It never conjugates.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Big' (크) 'Game' (게) where everyone is cheering '크게'!
Visual Association
A giant megaphone.
Word Web
Challenge
Try using '크게' in three sentences today.
Word Origin
Korean
Original meaning: To be big
Cultural Context
None.
Used similarly to 'loudly' or 'greatly' in English.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- 크게 읽으세요
- 크게 쓰세요
- 크게 대답하세요
at work
- 크게 기여하다
- 크게 성장하다
- 크게 논의하다
at home
- 음악 크게 틀지 마
- 크게 웃어봐
- 크게 말해줘
travel
- 크게 다쳤어요
- 크게 놀랐어요
- 크게 만족해요
Conversation Starters
"어떤 일을 크게 성공하고 싶나요?"
"어떤 상황에서 크게 웃나요?"
"목소리를 크게 내는 편인가요?"
"어떤 소리를 크게 듣나요?"
"크게 후회한 적이 있나요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 크게 웃은 적이 있나요?
미래에 크게 성공하고 싶은 분야는?
최근에 크게 놀란 일은?
크게 변한 나의 모습은?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is also for scale, growth, and degree.
No, that would be '작게'.
It is neutral and fits in all contexts.
No, it is an adverb.
크-게.
No, it modifies verbs or adjectives.
Yes, extremely.
크다 (to be big).
Test Yourself
음악을 ___ 틀어주세요.
We want to turn the music up.
Which means 'to laugh loudly'?
크게 = loudly.
Can '크게' describe physical size?
It describes the manner of an action, not the object itself.
Word
Meaning
Matching phrases.
Subject + Adverb + Verb.
그는 ___ 놀랐어요.
Greatly surprised.
What is the opposite of 크게?
Small vs Big.
'크게' can be used for abstract concepts like success.
Yes, it is very common.
Word
Meaning
Basic usage.
Complex sentence structure.
Score: /10
Summary
Use '크게' whenever you need to add 'loudness' or 'significance' to an action.
- Means loudly or greatly
- Derived from 'big'
- Used with verbs
- Very common in daily life
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant speaker in your room.
When Native Speakers Use It
When encouraging someone.
Cultural Insight
Koreans value 'big' success.
Grammar Shortcut
Adjective + 게 = Adverb.
Example
음악 소리를 크게 틀어주세요.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More general words
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
정도
A2An approximate amount or degree.
위에
A1on top of
절대적
B2Being unconditional, unlimited, or not relative to anything else. It describes something that is certain, total, or supreme without comparison.
절대로
A2Never, absolutely not.
우연적이다
B2To be accidental or coincidental; happening by chance.
우연히
B1By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.
데리다
A1To take (a person); to pick up.
따라
A2Along, according to.
