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C1 verb #12,000 most common 9 min read

탐독하다

tamdokada
Examples 탐독하다 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 탐독하다 in your Level:
탐독하다 is a special word for 'reading.' At the A1 level, you know the word '읽다' (to read). '탐독하다' is like '읽다' but much stronger. Imagine you have a favorite book. You don't just read it once. You read it many times. You look at every word. You love the story so much that you forget to eat or sleep. That is '탐독하다.' It is 'reading with love and focus.' We use this word for books that are very important or difficult, like a famous old story or a big science book. You don't use it for a quick text message from a friend. Think of it as 'super reading.' Even though this is a hard word, you can remember it as 'reading because I love the book very much.' In Korea, people think reading like this is very good and smart.
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At the A2 level, you are learning more specific verbs. '탐독하다' is a formal verb that means 'to read something very carefully and with great interest.' It comes from Chinese characters (Hanja). '탐' means 'to enjoy/indulge' and '독' means 'to read.' So it means 'to enjoy reading very much.' You use this word when you want to sound more professional or when you are talking about a serious hobby. For example, 'He reads history books every day' could be '그는 매일 역사서를 탐독합니다.' It shows that he doesn't just look at the pages; he really cares about the history. This word is often used in books or when people talk about famous writers and smart people. It's a way to say someone is a 'big fan' of a certain book or type of learning.
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As a B1 learner, you should distinguish between different types of reading. While '읽다' is general, '탐독하다' (耽讀--) implies a level of immersion. It is often translated as 'to read avidly' or 'to pore over.' You use it when the subject is deeply engaged with the text. For instance, if a student is preparing for a deep discussion on a novel, they might '탐독' the book to catch all the nuances. The word suggests that the reader is finding great pleasure or value in the text. It's common in formal writing, such as essays or reports about reading habits. A key point to remember is that the object of '탐독하다' is usually something substantial—literature, philosophy, or a long series of books. It’s not used for casual, everyday reading like news snippets or social media posts.
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At the B2 level, you can appreciate the cultural and stylistic weight of '탐독하다.' This verb belongs to a higher register of Korean vocabulary. It describes a scholarly or passionate approach to reading. When you use '탐독하다,' you are implying that the reader is 'indulging' in the text, as suggested by the Hanja '耽' (indulge/be addicted). It is a perfect word to use when writing a book review or a cover letter to describe your intellectual interests. It contrasts with '정독하다' (to read for accuracy) and '속독하다' (to speed read). '탐독하다' carries an emotional and intellectual intensity that other reading verbs lack. In Korean society, being a '탐독가' (an avid reader) is a highly respected trait, associated with depth of character and wisdom. You will often see this word in literary criticism or in the biographies of influential figures.
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For C1 learners, '탐독하다' is an essential part of your formal and literary vocabulary. It represents a specific psychological state of 'flow' in reading. The etymology—耽 (to sink into/indulge) and 讀 (to read)—highlights the immersive nature of the action. In C1 contexts, you should use this word to describe the deep, exhaustive study of a text where the reader seeks to internalize the author's message or style. It is frequently paired with objects like '고전' (classics), '철학서' (philosophical books), or '전집' (complete works). Understanding the nuance between '탐독' and its synonyms like '숙독' (reading to ponder/digest) and '열독' (reading with passion) is crucial. '탐독' specifically captures the 'addictive' pleasure of the intellect being fully occupied by a superior text. It is a hallmark of sophisticated Korean prose.
At the C2 level, '탐독하다' is viewed through its historical and philosophical dimensions. It evokes the image of the traditional Korean scholar (Seonbi) who would spend a lifetime in the '탐독' of a few core texts, believing that deep reading leads to self-cultivation. In modern discourse, it is used to critique the superficiality of information consumption in the digital age, advocating for a return to '탐독' as a way to preserve deep thought. The word functions as a powerful rhetorical tool in academic and literary circles to denote a level of engagement that is both exhaustive and transformative. A C2 speaker uses '탐독하다' to describe not just an action, but a commitment to the life of the mind, often exploring its metaphorical potential in describing the deep 'reading' of any complex system or cultural phenomenon.
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Examples

탐독하다 in 30 Seconds

  • 탐독하다 means to read something with intense passion and thoroughness, losing oneself in the text.
  • It is a C1 level word, formal and literary, used for significant works like classics or philosophy.
  • The word combines '耽' (indulge) and '讀' (read), implying a deep, almost addictive intellectual pleasure.
  • Commonly used to describe the habits of scholars, writers, or serious bibliophiles.

The Korean verb 탐독하다 (耽讀--) is a sophisticated term that describes the act of reading not just for information, but with an intense, almost obsessive passion. At its core, the word is composed of two Hanja characters: 耽 (탐), which means 'to be addicted to' or 'to indulge in,' and 讀 (독), which means 'to read.' When combined, they form a concept that translates to 'reading with deep absorption.' This is the kind of reading where the world around you disappears, and you become entirely submerged in the text. It is a CEFR C1 level word because it moves beyond the basic '읽다' (to read) into the realm of literary appreciation and intellectual devotion.

Semantic Nuance
Unlike 'skimming' or 'scanning,' 탐독하다 implies a slow, deliberate process where the reader savors every word, sentence, and underlying meaning. It is often associated with high-quality literature, philosophy, or specialized academic texts.
Social Context
You will encounter this word in literary reviews, biographies of famous intellectuals, or when describing a serious hobbyist's relationship with their library. It suggests a level of intellectual rigor and emotional connection to the material.

그는 어린 시절부터 도서관의 모든 고전을 탐독하며 자신의 세계관을 넓혔다. (Since childhood, he expanded his worldview by avidly reading all the classics in the library.)

In a modern world dominated by short-form content and quick digital consumption, 탐독하다 represents a return to 'deep work' or 'slow reading.' It is the antithesis of the modern scroll. When someone says they are '탐독'ing a book, they are signaling that the book is of significant value to them. It is not something they are just passing time with; it is something they are studying with their heart and mind. This verb is frequently used in the form of '탐독가' (an avid reader/bibliophile) to describe someone whose life revolves around books.

철학자들의 저서를 탐독하는 것은 고통스럽지만 즐거운 과정이다. (Avidly reading the works of philosophers is a painful yet joyful process.)

Historically, this word was used to describe the scholarly devotion of the Joseon dynasty literati (Seonbi), who would spend decades 'tamdok'-ing the Confucian classics. It carries a weight of tradition and respect for the written word. In current usage, it can also be applied to modern contexts, such as a scientist reading research papers or a fan reading every single detail of a beloved fantasy series. However, it remains a high-register word, making it more common in writing and formal speeches than in casual daily conversation.

Etymological Depth
The character 耽 (탐) is also found in '탐닉' (addiction/indulgence). This suggests that '탐독' is not just a passive act but an active, almost addictive pursuit of the pleasure found in text.

Using 탐독하다 correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior and the types of objects it typically takes. As a transitive verb, it follows the standard pattern of [Subject] + [Object] + [탐독하다]. However, because of its intensity, the objects are rarely trivial things. You wouldn't '탐독' a text message or a menu. Instead, you '탐독' literature, scientific journals, historical records, or long-form essays.

Standard Pattern
[Noun/Book] + 을/를 + 탐독하다. Example: '그는 헤르만 헤세의 소설을 탐독했다.' (He read Hermann Hesse's novels avidly.)
Adverbial Modification
Commonly paired with adverbs like '밤새' (all night), '수십 번' (dozens of times), or '깊이' (deeply) to emphasize the thoroughness of the reading.

그녀는 전공 서적을 탐독하느라 시간 가는 줄 몰랐다. (She was so absorbed in avidly reading her major textbooks that she lost track of time.)

One interesting aspect of 탐독하다 is its flexibility in tense and mood. In academic writing, it is often used in the present tense to describe a general habit of a scholar or a group. In narrative prose, it is used in the past tense to show a character's development or their intellectual background. It can also be used in the passive-leaning context of '탐독되다' (to be avidly read), though this is less common than the active form.

그는 고전 문학을 탐독함으로써 풍부한 어휘력을 갖추게 되었다. (By avidly reading classical literature, he came to possess a rich vocabulary.)

Furthermore, the word can be used metaphorically. While it primarily refers to books, it can occasionally describe the deep study of any complex 'text' or 'system,' such as a musician 'tamdok'-ing a musical score or a programmer 'tamdok'-ing a complex codebase, though these are more creative extensions of the word. The core remains the printed or written word.

Common Objects
1. 고전 (Classics)
2. 전집 (Complete works)
3. 논문 (Theses/Papers)
4. 시집 (Poetry collections)
5. 역사서 (Historical books)

When writing, remember that 탐독하다 is a 'heavy' word. It carries weight. If you use it to describe reading a comic book, it might sound hyperbolic or even humorous, unless the comic book is being treated as a serious work of art. Use it when the reading material is worthy of the 'tam' (耽 - indulgence) it implies.

In daily life, 탐독하다 is not a word you would hear at a coffee shop between friends talking about a webtoon. However, it is ubiquitous in specific intellectual and formal spheres. If you are a student in Korea, you will see this word in your literature textbooks or in the 'recommendation' sections of university libraries. It is a favorite word of librarians, professors, and literary critics.

In Media
Book review programs on TV or radio often use this word. A host might say, '이 책은 많은 독자들에게 탐독되고 있는 베스트셀러입니다' (This book is a bestseller being avidly read by many readers).
In Biographies
When describing the life of a great leader or artist, the narrator often mentions their '탐독' habits. For example, '링컨은 어린 시절 성경과 역사서를 탐독하며 성장했다' (Lincoln grew up avidly reading the Bible and history books in his childhood).

그 작가는 해외 문학을 탐독하며 자신만의 독특한 문체를 완성했다. (The author completed her unique writing style while avidly reading foreign literature.)

You will also find this word in academic journals. Researchers use it to describe a thorough literature review process. It signifies that the researcher didn't just look at the abstracts but deeply engaged with the previous studies. In the business world, a CEO might mention '탐독'ing a particular management book that changed their business philosophy. In these cases, it serves to demonstrate the speaker's depth of thought and commitment to learning.

현대인들에게는 한 권의 책을 탐독할 여유가 필요하다. (Modern people need the leisure to avidly read a single book.)

In summary, while you might not say '나 어제 만화책 탐독했어' to a friend without sounding a bit dramatic or ironic, you will definitely hear it in any setting that values deep knowledge, literature, or intellectual history. It is a word of the 'intellectual elite' but is accessible to anyone who takes their reading seriously.

Because 탐독하다 is a specialized word, learners often confuse it with other verbs related to reading. The most common mistake is using it for casual reading or for reading materials that don't justify the 'deep indulgence' implied by the word. Let's look at the distinctions.

Vs. 읽다 (To Read)
'읽다' is the general term. You can '읽다' a text message, a sign, or a book. '탐독하다' is a subset of reading that is intense and thorough. Using '탐독하다' for a street sign is a mistake.
Vs. 정독하다 (To Read Carefully)
'정독하다' (精讀--) focuses on accuracy and understanding every detail. While similar, '탐독하다' adds an emotional layer of passion and indulgence. You might '정독' a contract to find errors, but you '탐독' a novel because you love it.

[Mistake] 아침에 신문 헤드라인을 탐독했다. (I avidly read the newspaper headlines this morning.) -> Correct: 훑어보았다 (skimmed) or 읽었다.

Another error is confusing it with '속독하다' (速讀--), which means 'speed reading.' These are polar opposites. '탐독하다' is about depth, while '속독하다' is about breadth and speed. Using them interchangeably will confuse your listener regarding your reading style. Furthermore, some learners use '탐독하다' with non-textual objects. You cannot '탐독' a movie or a song (though you can '탐미' - appreciate the beauty of them).

그는 시험 공부를 위해 교과서를 정독했다. (He read the textbook carefully for the exam.) - Note: Using '탐독했다' here would imply he was passionately in love with the textbook.

Finally, ensure the register is correct. Using '탐독하다' in a very casual, slang-heavy conversation might make you sound overly pretentious or like you're trying too hard to sound intellectual. It's best reserved for essays, formal introductions, or discussions about literature and personal growth.

To master 탐독하다, it helps to see it within the family of other 'reading' verbs in Korean. Each has a slightly different nuance depending on the speed, depth, and purpose of the reading.

열독하다 (熱讀--)
Meaning: To read with heat/passion. Difference: Very similar to '탐독하다,' but '열독' emphasizes the enthusiasm and energy of the reader more than the 'indulgent' or 'addictive' side.
숙독하다 (熟讀--)
Meaning: To read and ripen (ponder). Difference: This is about reading something until you fully digest and understand the meaning. It is more academic and less about 'passion' than '탐독하다.'
다독하다 (多讀--)
Meaning: To read many books. Difference: Focuses on quantity rather than depth. A '다독가' reads 100 books a year; a '탐독가' might read one book 100 times.

그는 단순히 다독하는 것보다 한 권을 탐독하는 것을 선호한다. (He prefers avidly reading one book over simply reading many books.)

Other alternatives include '애독하다' (愛讀--), which means 'to love reading (a specific book or author).' If you have a favorite magazine you subscribe to, you are an '애독자' (loyal reader). While '탐독' is about the act of reading deeply, '애독' is about the status of being a fan of the material. There is also '심독하다' (深讀--), meaning 'to read deeply,' which is often used in religious or philosophical contexts to describe searching for hidden spiritual meanings.

In a creative writing context, you might use '파고들다' (to dig into) as a more native-Korean (Pure Korean) alternative to the Sino-Korean '탐독하다.' For example, '책 속으로 파고들다' (to dig/delve into a book) conveys a similar sense of immersion but feels slightly more visceral and less academic.

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Examples by Level

1

저는 이 동화책을 탐독해요.

I read this fairy tale book avidly.

Simple [Subject] + [Object] + [Verb] structure.

2

그는 만화책을 탐독하고 있어요.

He is avidly reading a comic book.

-고 있다 expresses a continuous action.

3

우리는 도서관에서 책을 탐독해요.

We read books avidly in the library.

Place particle -에서 is used.

4

어머니는 요리책을 탐독하세요.

My mother reads cookbooks avidly.

Honorific -시- is added to the verb.

5

저는 매일 아침 책을 탐독합니다.

I read books avidly every morning.

Formal ending -습니다.

6

친구는 소설책을 탐독하는 것을 좋아해요.

My friend likes reading novels avidly.

-는 것을 좋아하다 means 'to like doing something.'

7

이 책을 탐독해 보세요.

Please try reading this book avidly.

-아/어 보다 means 'to try doing something.'

8

그는 어제 밤늦게까지 책을 탐독했어요.

He read the book avidly until late last night.

Past tense -았/었-.

1

그녀는 역사 책을 탐독하는 취미가 있어요.

She has a hobby of avidly reading history books.

취미가 있다 means 'to have a hobby.'

2

유명한 작가의 글을 탐독하면 기분이 좋아요.

I feel good when I avidly read a famous author's writing.

-(으)면 means 'if' or 'when.'

3

그 학생은 과학 잡지를 탐독하느라 바빠요.

That student is busy avidly reading science magazines.

-느라 expresses a reason for being busy.

4

저는 이 시집을 여러 번 탐독했습니다.

I have read this poetry book avidly several times.

여러 번 means 'several times.'

5

아버지는 신문을 탐독하시면서 커피를 마셔요.

My father drinks coffee while avidly reading the newspaper.

-(으)면서 means 'while.'

6

어려운 책이지만 탐독할 가치가 있어요.

It's a difficult book, but it's worth reading avidly.

-(으)ㄹ 가치가 있다 means 'to be worth doing.'

7

그는 여행 가이드를 탐독하며 여행을 준비해요.

He prepares for the trip while avidly reading the travel guide.

-(으)며 is a literary way to say 'while' or 'and.'

8

선생님은 우리에게 고전을 탐독하라고 하셨어요.

The teacher told us to read the classics avidly.

-(으)라고 하다 is used for reported commands.

1

그는 주말 내내 도서관에서 철학 서적을 탐독했다.

He avidly read philosophy books in the library all weekend.

주말 내내 means 'all throughout the weekend.'

2

전문 서적을 탐독하다 보면 새로운 지식을 얻게 됩니다.

If you keep avidly reading professional books, you will gain new knowledge.

-다 보면 implies that a result follows a repeated action.

3

그녀는 좋아하는 작가의 신작이 나오면 바로 탐독한다.

She avidly reads her favorite author's new work as soon as it comes out.

신작 (new work) and 바로 (immediately).

4

어린 시절의 탐독 습관이 지금의 저를 만들었습니다.

My childhood habit of avidly reading made me who I am today.

습관 (habit) and -를 만들다 (made me).

5

그 보고서를 탐독한 후에 의견을 말씀해 주세요.

Please give your opinion after you have avidly read the report.

-(으)ㄴ 후에 means 'after doing something.'

6

그는 외국어 실력을 키우기 위해 원서를 탐독했다.

He avidly read original books to improve his foreign language skills.

-기 위해 means 'in order to.'

7

많은 사람들이 그의 블로그 글을 탐독하고 있다.

Many people are avidly reading his blog posts.

Passive-like nuance in an active sentence.

8

고전을 탐독하는 것은 사고의 깊이를 더해 준다.

Avidly reading the classics adds depth to one's thinking.

-어/아 주다 indicates an action done as a favor or for benefit.

1

그 학자는 평생을 고문서 탐독에 바쳤다.

That scholar dedicated his whole life to avidly reading ancient documents.

-에 바치다 means 'to dedicate to.'

2

비평가들은 그 소설을 탐독하며 숨겨진 상징을 찾아냈다.

Critics avidly read the novel and found hidden symbols.

비평가 (critic) and 찾아내다 (to find/discover).

3

그는 감옥에서도 책을 탐독하며 희망을 잃지 않았다.

Even in prison, he did not lose hope while avidly reading books.

-에서도 means 'even in' or 'at.'

4

복잡한 매뉴얼을 탐독해야 기계를 제대로 조작할 수 있다.

You must avidly read the complex manual to operate the machine properly.

-해야 -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 expresses a necessary condition.

5

그녀의 서재에는 그녀가 탐독한 흔적이 가득한 책들이 꽂혀 있다.

In her study, books full of traces of her avid reading are on the shelves.

흔적 (trace/mark) and 가득하다 (to be full of).

6

그는 리더십에 관한 서적을 탐독하여 경영에 적용했다.

He avidly read books on leadership and applied them to management.

-하여 (literary form of -해서) connects two actions.

7

현대 사회에서 한 권의 책을 탐독할 시간은 사치처럼 느껴진다.

In modern society, time to avidly read a single book feels like a luxury.

사치 (luxury) and -처럼 느껴지다 (feels like).

8

그는 천재적인 재능보다 끊임없는 탐독을 통해 성공했다.

He succeeded through constant avid reading rather than innate genius.

-보다 (rather than) and -를 통해 (through).

1

그 문학가는 도스토옙스키의 전집을 수차례 탐독하며 영감을 얻었다.

The literary figure gained inspiration by avidly reading Dostoevsky's complete works several times.

전집 (complete works) and 수차례 (several times).

2

철학적 사유의 깊이는 텍스트를 탐독하는 과정에서 형성된다.

The depth of philosophical thought is formed in the process of avidly reading texts.

사유 (thought/reasoning) and 형성되다 (to be formed).

3

그는 난해한 이론서를 탐독한 끝에 독자적인 이론을 정립했다.

After avidly reading difficult theoretical books, he established his own independent theory.

-ㄴ 끝에 means 'after a long period of...'

4

그 비평은 작품을 충분히 탐독하지 못한 채 쓰인 듯하다.

That criticism seems to have been written without having sufficiently read the work avidly.

-ㄴ 채 means 'in the state of...' and -ㄴ 듯하다 means 'seems like.'

5

그는 성경을 탐독함으로써 삶의 진정한 의미를 깨달았다.

By avidly reading the Bible, he realized the true meaning of life.

-함으로써 indicates the means or method.

6

지적 호기심이 강한 그는 백과사전을 탐독하며 유년 시절을 보냈다.

Having strong intellectual curiosity, he spent his childhood avidly reading encyclopedias.

-ㄴ 그는 (He, who is...) relative clause structure.

7

그의 연설문은 고전 수사학을 탐독한 흔적이 역력히 드러난다.

His speech clearly shows traces of having avidly read classical rhetoric.

역력히 (clearly) and 드러나다 (to be revealed).

8

진정한 공부란 단순히 정보를 습득하는 것이 아니라 텍스트를 탐독하는 것이다.

True study is not simply acquiring information, but avidly reading texts.

-란... -는 것이다 defines a concept.

1

그 사상가는 동서양의 고전을 넘나들며 인류의 보편적 가치를 탐독했다.

That thinker avidly read the universal values of humanity while traversing Eastern and Western classics.

넘나들다 (to cross over/traverse) and 보편적 (universal).

2

텍스트에 대한 치열한 탐독 없이는 비평의 정당성을 확보하기 어렵다.

Without fierce avid reading of the text, it is difficult to secure the legitimacy of criticism.

치열한 (fierce/intense) and 확보하다 (to secure/ensure).

3

그는 시대의 징후를 탐독하며 다가올 미래를 예견하고자 노력했다.

He tried to foresee the coming future by avidly reading the signs of the times.

징후 (sign/symptom) and 예견하다 (to foresee).

4

고독한 수련의 과정에서 그는 내면의 목소리를 탐독하기 시작했다.

In the process of lonely discipline, he began to 'avidly read' his inner voice.

Metaphorical use of '탐독' for self-reflection.

5

작가는 언어의 한계를 극복하기 위해 침묵의 문장을 탐독한다.

The author 'avidly reads' sentences of silence to overcome the limitations of language.

침묵 (silence) and 극복하다 (to overcome).

6

역사학자는 사료의 행간을 탐독하며 역사의 진실에 다가선다.

The historian approaches the truth of history by avidly reading between the lines of historical records.

행간 (between the lines) and 다가서다 (to approach).

7

그의 삶 자체가 하나의 거대한 고전을 탐독하는 과정과도 같았다.

His life itself was like the process of avidly reading a single, massive classic.

-와/과도 같다 means 'is just like.'

8

진리는 명시적인 문장보다 은유 속에 숨겨진 의미를 탐독할 때 발견된다.

Truth is discovered when avidly reading the meanings hidden in metaphors rather than explicit sentences.

명시적 (explicit) and 은유 (metaphor).

Common Collocations

고전을 탐독하다
밤새 탐독하다
전집을 탐독하다
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