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Vocabulary
심각하다

B1 adjective #3,500 most common 7 min read

심각하다

Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 심각하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 심각하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '심각하다' often, but you might hear it in very simple contexts. Think of it as 'very, very bad.' For example, if you see a broken phone, you might say '심각해요' to show you understand it's a big problem. At this stage, just remember that '심각해요' means 'It's serious.' You can use it when something is not a joke. It's a useful word to know when someone is telling you bad news, so you can show you are listening carefully. It is pronounced 'sim-gak-hae-yo'.

At the A2 level, you can start using '심각하다' to describe problems you see around you. You might say '날씨가 심각해요' (The weather is serious/bad) during a storm, or '교통이 심각해요' (The traffic is serious/bad). You should learn the noun-modifying form '심각한'. For example, '심각한 문제' (a serious problem). This allows you to build longer sentences. You should also be able to distinguish it from '진지하다' (sincere/serious person), which you might have learned earlier. Remember, '심각하다' is for the problem, not the person's personality.

At the B1 level, you should use '심각하다' to discuss social and environmental topics. You can talk about '환경 오염' (environmental pollution) or '경제' (economy) and describe them as '심각한 상황' (a serious situation). You should also be comfortable using the adverb '심각하게' with verbs like '생각하다' (to think) or '고민하다' (to worry/ponder). For instance, '이 문제를 심각하게 생각하고 있어요' (I am thinking about this problem seriously). This level requires you to understand the gravity the word carries in professional or news contexts.

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between '심각하다' and its synonyms like '중대하다' (momentous) or '엄중하다' (stern). You can use '심각하다' in formal writing, such as essays about the '저출산 문제' (low birth rate problem) or '고령화 사회' (aging society). You should be able to recognize it in news reports and understand that it often implies a need for urgent policy changes or societal attention. You can also use it to describe abstract concepts, like '심각한 오류' (a serious error) in a computer program or a logic flow.

At the C1 level, you use '심각하다' with high precision. You understand its Hanja roots (深 - deep, 刻 - carve) and how that depth affects the tone of your speech. You can use it to critique literature, politics, or philosophy, identifying '심각한 결함' (serious flaws) in arguments. You are also aware of its use in idiomatic expressions and can use it sarcastically if the context allows, though you know it's primarily a formal word. Your ability to pair it with advanced adverbs like '극도로' (extremely) or '치명적으로' (fatally) shows your mastery.

At the C2 level, '심각하다' is a tool for nuanced expression in professional, academic, or literary Korean. You can discuss the '심각성' (seriousness/gravity) of a situation as a noun and use the word in complex sentence structures involving conditional or causative forms. You understand the subtle shift in meaning when '심각하다' is used in different registers, from a doctor's clinical diagnosis to a politician's rhetorical warning. You can also distinguish it from highly specific terms like '위중하다' (medically critical) or '절박하다' (desperate/urgent) in high-stakes environments.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

심각하다 in 30 Seconds

Used to describe grave, severe, or critical situations and problems.
Commonly found in news reports about the economy, environment, and health.
Distinct from '진지하다' which describes a person's sincere personality.
Often used as '심각한' (adjective) or '심각하게' (adverbially).

The Korean word 심각하다 (Simgakhada) is a powerful adjective that translates to 'to be serious,' 'severe,' or 'grave.' To truly understand this word, we must look at its roots in Hanja (Chinese characters). The first character, 심 (深), means 'deep,' and the second, 각 (刻), means 'to carve' or 'to engrave.' When combined, they describe a situation that is so profound and intense that it feels as if it is 'deeply carved' into the fabric of reality or one's mind. Unlike simple seriousness, 심각하다 implies a level of urgency or a negative consequence if the matter is not addressed. It is rarely used for lighthearted sincerity; instead, it is reserved for matters of weight, such as societal crises, medical emergencies, or critical errors in judgment.

Core Nuance: The word suggests that a situation has reached a point where it is no longer trivial or easily ignored. It carries a heavy emotional and logical weight.
Social Context: In Korean society, recognizing when a situation is '심각하다' is crucial for maintaining proper decorum. If a superior or a doctor uses this word, the listener is expected to adopt a posture of extreme attention and concern.

요즘 미세먼지 문제가 정말 심각하다. (The fine dust problem these days is truly serious.)

You will frequently encounter this word in news headlines discussing the economy, climate change, or low birth rates. It is also the standard term used by medical professionals to describe a patient's worsening condition. However, it can also be used in personal relationships, such as when a friend says, 'We need to talk; it's serious.' In this context, it signals that the conversation will not be about mundane topics but about something that could fundamentally change the relationship.

환자의 상태가 생각보다 심각합니다. (The patient's condition is more serious than expected.)

Environmental Usage: Often used with words like '오염' (pollution) or '가뭄' (drought) to indicate environmental distress.

Using 심각하다 correctly requires understanding its role as a descriptive verb (adjective) in Korean. Like other adjectives, it can either modify a noun or serve as the predicate of a sentence. When modifying a noun, it changes to 심각한 (simgak-han). For example, 'a serious problem' becomes '심각한 문제.' When it ends a sentence, it follows standard conjugation rules based on politeness levels.

Noun Modification: Structure: [심각한] + [Noun]. Example: '심각한 표정' (A serious expression).
Sentence Ending: Present: 심각해요 (Polite), 심각합니다 (Formal), 심각해 (Informal). Past: 심각했어요 (Polite). Future: 심각할 거예요 (Polite).

그는 심각한 표정으로 서류를 읽고 있었다. (He was reading the documents with a serious expression.)

It is also very common to use the adverbial form, 심각하게 (simgak-hage), which means 'seriously' or 'severely.' This is used to describe how an action is performed or how a state is perceived. For instance, 'to think seriously' is '심각하게 생각하다.' This is a vital phrase when you want to emphasize that you are giving a matter deep consideration.

이 문제를 너무 심각하게 받아들이지 마세요. (Don't take this problem too seriously.)

Degree Adverbs: Pair it with '매우' (very), '정말' (really), or '상당히' (considerably) to adjust the intensity. '상당히 심각하다' is common in formal reports.

If you turn on a Korean news broadcast like KBS or MBC, you will hear 심각하다 within the first five minutes. It is the linguistic backbone of reporting on '사회 문제' (social issues). Reporters use it to describe the '저출산' (low birth rate) crisis, '취업난' (job shortage), or '기후 위기' (climate crisis). In these contexts, the word serves as a call to action, signaling to the public that the status quo is unsustainable.

전문가들은 경제 상황이 매우 심각하다고 경고했습니다. (Experts warned that the economic situation is very serious.)

In the world of K-Dramas, especially medical or legal thrillers, this word is a staple. A doctor might come out of the operating room and say '상태가 심각합니다' to a waiting family, instantly raising the tension. In a legal setting, a lawyer might describe the '심각한 범죄' (serious crime) committed by the antagonist. Even in daily life, if a friend stops laughing and says '나 지금 심각해' (I'm serious right now), it's a social cue to stop joking immediately.

너 표정이 왜 그렇게 심각해? 무슨 일 있어? (Why is your expression so serious? Is something wrong?)

Lastly, in educational settings, teachers use this word to highlight the importance of certain topics. If a student is failing to pay attention to a core concept, a teacher might say '이건 심각한 문제입니다' to emphasize that failing to understand this will lead to major difficulties later on. It is a word that demands respect and focus wherever it is uttered.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make when using 심각하다 is confusing it with 진지하다 (jinjihada). In English, the word 'serious' covers both 'a serious person' and 'a serious problem.' In Korean, these are distinct. 진지하다 describes a person's character, attitude, or a sincere conversation. 심각하다 describes a dire situation or a grave problem. If you call a person '심각한 사람,' you aren't saying they are sincere; you are saying they are a 'problematic' or 'troubling' person, which can be an insult.

Wrong: 제 친구는 아주 심각한 사람이에요. (My friend is a very 'grave/troubling' person.)
Right: 제 친구는 아주 진지한 사람이에요. (My friend is a very sincere/serious person.)

Another mistake involves the intensity of the word. Because 심각하다 is quite heavy, using it for minor inconveniences can sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic. If you lose your pen, saying '이건 심각한 문제예요' (This is a serious problem) will likely make Koreans laugh because the word is too 'big' for the situation. For minor things, use '큰일이다' (It's a big deal) or just '문제다' (It's a problem).

Finally, watch out for the adverbial usage. While '심각하게' means 'seriously,' it is often used with verbs of thinking or perceiving. Using it with verbs like 'to eat' or 'to run' doesn't make sense unless the context is very specific (e.g., eating in a serious manner during a grave ritual), which is rare.

While 심각하다 is the most common word for 'serious,' several other words share the same semantic space but offer different shades of meaning. Understanding these will help you sound more like a native speaker and choose the right word for the right level of formality.

중대하다 (Jungdaehada): This means 'important and great.' It is used for 'grave' matters that have significant consequences, often in historical or political contexts. Example: '중대한 결정을 내리다' (To make a grave/momentous decision).
엄중하다 (Eomjunghada): This emphasizes 'strictness' and 'solemnity.' It is often used for warnings or legal punishments. Example: '엄중한 경고' (A stern warning).
위중하다 (Wijunghada): Specifically used for medical conditions. It means 'critically ill.' If a patient is '위중하다,' they are in danger of losing their life. '심각하다' is broader; '위중하다' is clinical.

Comparison:
1. 상황이 심각하다 (The situation is serious/bad).
2. 상황이 위중하다 (The patient's life is at risk).
3. 상황이 엄중하다 (The situation requires strict discipline).

For everyday casual conversation, instead of '심각하다,' you might use '장난 아니야' (It's no joke) to describe something intense, or '큰일 났어' (We're in big trouble) for an immediate problem. Choosing '심각하다' adds a layer of formal concern that these casual phrases lack.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 刻 (각) is the same 'gak' used in 'shigak' (time), originally referring to marks carved on a water clock to measure time. In 'simgakhada', it implies the situation is 'etched' in a way that cannot be easily erased.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɕim.ɡak.ha.da/

US /ʃim.ɡɑk.hɑ.dɑ/

The stress is generally even across the syllables, with a slight emphasis on 'gak' in emphatic speech.

Rhymes With

생각하다 (saeng-gak-ha-da) 정확하다 (jeong-hwak-ha-da) 솔직하다 (sol-jik-ha-da) 심심하다 (sim-sim-ha-da) 엄격하다 (eom-gyeok-ha-da) 합격하다 (hap-gyeok-ha-da) 간단하다 (gan-dan-ha-da) 강력하다 (gang-ryeok-ha-da)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'gak' as 'gag' (the final 'k' should be unreleased).
Making the 's' sound too heavy like an English 'sh'.
Failing to aspirate the 'h' in 'hada' clearly.
Pronouncing 'sim' like 'sim' in 'simple' (it should be more like 'seem').
Running the syllables together too fast so 'gak' is lost.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Recognizable in news headlines and formal texts.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of noun-modifying and adverbial forms.

Speaking 3/5

Commonly used, but must be distinguished from '진지하다'.

Listening 2/5

Very clear pronunciation and frequently repeated in media.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

문제 (Problem) 상황 (Situation) 매우 (Very) 생각하다 (To think) 어렵다 (To be difficult)

Learn Next

심각성 (Seriousness) 중대하다 (Momentous) 엄중하다 (Stern) 위기 (Crisis) 대책 (Measure/Plan)

Advanced

심화되다 (To deepen/intensify) 각인되다 (To be engraved/imprinted) 경종 (Warning bell) 해이 (Laxity/Slackness)

Grammar to Know

Adjective Noun Modifying Form (-ㄴ/은)

심각하다 -> 심각한 문제

Adverbial Form (-게)

심각하다 -> 심각하게 생각하다

Change of State (-아/어지다)

심각하다 -> 심각해지다 (to become serious)

Noun Derivation (-성)

심각하다 -> 심각성 (seriousness)

Negative '안' and '-지 않다'

안 심각해요 / 심각하지 않아요

Examples by Level

문제가 심각해요.

The problem is serious.

Polite present tense form of '심각하다'.

상황이 심각해요.

The situation is serious.

Subject marker '이' used with '상황' (situation).

정말 심각해요?

Is it really serious?

Question form using rising intonation.

아니요, 안 심각해요.

No, it's not serious.

Negative form using '안'.

표정이 심각해요.

Your expression is serious.

Describing a physical appearance/state.

이건 심각한 일이에요.

This is a serious matter.

Noun modifying form '심각한'.

너무 심각하게 생각하지 마세요.

Don't think too seriously.

Adverbial form '심각하게' with negative command '-지 마세요'.

감기가 심각해요.

The cold is serious (severe).

Using '심각하다' to describe the severity of an illness.

심각한 문제가 생겼어요.

A serious problem has occurred.

Past tense '생겼어요' with noun modifier '심각한'.

요즘 공기 오염이 심각해요.

Air pollution is serious these days.

Topic marker '이' with '공기 오염' (air pollution).

그의 병은 심각하지 않아요.

His illness is not serious.

Long negative form '-지 않다'.

심각한 표정으로 말했어요.

He spoke with a serious expression.

Particle '으로' indicating the manner/state.

환경 문제가 아주 심각합니다.

Environmental problems are very serious.

Formal polite ending '-습니다'.

왜 그렇게 심각하게 있어요?

Why are you being so serious?

Adverb '심각하게' with the verb '있다'.

이것은 심각한 실수입니다.

This is a serious mistake.

Equative sentence structure 'N은 N입니다'.

상태가 더 심각해졌어요.

The condition has become more serious.

Change of state form '-아/어지다'.

지구 온난화는 매우 심각한 사회적 이슈입니다.

Global warming is a very serious social issue.

B1 level vocabulary: '지구 온난화', '사회적 이슈'.

우리는 이 문제를 심각하게 받아들여야 합니다.

We must take this problem seriously.

Must/Should form '-아야/어야 하다'.

경제 위기가 심각해지면서 실업률이 높아졌어요.

As the economic crisis became serious, the unemployment rate rose.

Connecting particle '-(으)면서' (while/as).

심각한 부상을 입어서 병원에 입원했어요.

I was hospitalized because I suffered a serious injury.

Causal connection '-어서'.

그녀의 표정이 심각한 것을 보니 무슨 일이 있나 봐요.

Seeing her serious expression, something must have happened.

Guessing form '-나 보다' with '-(으)ㄴ 것을 보니'.

가뭄이 심각해서 농작물이 다 말라 죽었어요.

The drought is so serious that all the crops withered and died.

Describing natural disasters.

심각한 대화를 나누기 위해 카페에 갔어요.

We went to a cafe to have a serious conversation.

Purpose form '-(으)러' or '-(으)기 위해'.

사고 현장은 생각보다 훨씬 더 심각했습니다.

The accident scene was much more serious than I thought.

Comparative '생각보다' and '훨씬 더'.

정부는 이번 사태의 심각성을 인지하고 대책을 마련 중입니다.

The government is aware of the seriousness of this situation and is preparing measures.

Noun form '심각성' (seriousness/gravity).

심각한 인력 부족 현상이 제조업 전반에 나타나고 있습니다.

A serious labor shortage is appearing throughout the manufacturing industry.

B2 level vocabulary: '인력 부족', '제조업 전반'.

그 논문은 현대 사회의 심각한 도덕적 해이를 지적하고 있다.

The thesis points out the serious moral hazard of modern society.

Written style ending '-ㄴ다/다'.

부작용이 심각할 경우 즉시 복용을 중단해야 합니다.

If the side effects are serious, you must stop taking it immediately.

Conditional '-(으)ㄹ 경우' (in case of).

수질 오염이 심각한 수준에 도달했다는 보고서가 발표되었다.

A report was released stating that water pollution has reached a serious level.

Indirect quotation '-다(고 하)는'.

그녀는 자신의 실수가 얼마나 심각한지 깨닫지 못했다.

She didn't realize how serious her mistake was.

Interrogative clause '얼마나 -ㄴ지'.

심각하게 훼손된 문화재를 복원하는 작업이 시작되었습니다.

Work to restore the seriously damaged cultural heritage has begun.

Passive form '훼손되다' (to be damaged).

이번 사건은 우리 사회에 심각한 경종을 울렸습니다.

This incident has sounded a serious alarm for our society.

Idiomatic expression '경종을 울리다'.

기후 변화의 여파가 예상보다 훨씬 심각한 국면으로 치닫고 있다.

The aftermath of climate change is heading toward a much more serious phase than expected.

Advanced verb '치닫다' (to rush/head toward).

그의 발언은 외교적으로 심각한 결례가 될 수 있다.

His remarks could be a serious diplomatic discourtesy.

Noun '결례' (discourtesy/impoliteness).

자원 고갈 문제는 인류의 생존을 위협하는 심각한 사안이다.

The issue of resource depletion is a serious matter threatening human survival.

Relative clause '인류의 생존을 위협하는'.

그 작가는 인간 소외라는 심각한 주제를 작품 속에 녹여냈다.

The author melted the serious theme of human alienation into the work.

Metaphorical verb '녹여내다'.

심각한 정보 불균형은 시장의 효율성을 저해하는 요인이 된다.

Serious information asymmetry becomes a factor that hinders market efficiency.

Academic term '정보 불균형' (information asymmetry).

이번 판결은 향후 유사한 사건에 심각한 영향을 미칠 것으로 보인다.

This ruling is expected to have a serious impact on similar cases in the future.

Speculative form '-(으)ㄹ 것으로 보인다'.

정치적 양극화가 심각한 수준에 이르러 사회적 합의가 불가능해졌다.

Political polarization has reached a serious level, making social consensus impossible.

Causal connection '-어/아서' with '불가능해지다'.

정신 건강 문제는 현대인들이 직면한 가장 심각한 과제 중 하나이다.

Mental health issues are one of the most serious challenges faced by modern people.

Superlative expression '가장 -한 - 중 하나'.

본 사안은 국가 안보와 직결된 매우 심각하고도 엄중한 문제입니다.

This matter is a very serious and grave issue directly linked to national security.

Emphasis '-고도' (and also/even).

구조적인 모순이 심각하게 누적되어 결국 시스템의 붕괴를 초래했다.

Structural contradictions accumulated seriously, eventually leading to the collapse of the system.

Advanced vocabulary: '구조적 모순', '누적되다', '초래하다'.

그 철학자는 존재의 가벼움이 가져오는 심각한 허무주의를 경계했다.

The philosopher warned against the serious nihilism brought about by the lightness of being.

Abstract philosophical usage.

심각한 인권 침해 사례가 보고되자 국제 사회의 비난이 쏟아졌다.

As cases of serious human rights violations were reported, criticism from the international community poured in.

Time/Cause connection '-자' (as soon as/since).

언론의 자유가 심각하게 위축될 경우 민주주의의 근간이 흔들릴 수 있다.

If freedom of the press is seriously curtailed, the foundation of democracy can be shaken.

Conditional '-(으)ㄹ 경우' with metaphorical '근간이 흔들리다'.

기술의 급격한 발전은 심각한 윤리적 딜레마를 야기하고 있다.

The rapid development of technology is causing a serious ethical dilemma.

Causative verb '야기하다' (to cause/provoke).

이번 사태를 심각하게 고찰해 본 결과, 근본적인 개혁이 필요하다는 결론에 도달했다.

As a result of seriously contemplating this situation, we reached the conclusion that fundamental reform is necessary.

Formal verb '고찰하다' (to contemplate/investigate).

심각한 경제적 불평등은 사회 통합을 저해하는 가장 큰 걸림돌이다.

Serious economic inequality is the biggest obstacle hindering social integration.

Metaphorical noun '걸림돌' (stumbling block/obstacle).

Synonyms

중대하다 위태롭다 엄중하다 깊다

Antonyms

가볍다 사소하다

Common Collocations

심각한 문제

심각한 표정

상태가 심각하다

심각하게 생각하다

심각한 오염

심각한 타격

심각한 수준

심각한 부작용

심각한 위기

심각한 결함

Common Phrases

심각해 보여요

— You look serious. Used when noticing someone's worried face.

무슨 일 있어요? 심각해 보여요.

나 지금 심각해

— I'm serious right now. Used to tell others to stop joking.

웃지 마, 나 지금 심각해.

심각한 건 아니에요

— It's not that serious. Used to reassure someone.

걱정 마세요, 그렇게 심각한 건 아니에요.

심각하게 받아들이다

— To take something seriously. Often used in advice.

제 말을 너무 심각하게 받아들이지 마세요.

심각성을 깨닫다

— To realize the seriousness. Used for a change in awareness.

사람들이 이제야 문제의 심각성을 깨달았다.

심각한 오류

— A serious error. Common in computing or logic.

프로그램에서 심각한 오류가 발생했습니다.

심각한 상황

— A serious situation. A general descriptive phrase.

지금 매우 심각한 상황입니다.

심각한 타격

— A serious blow. Used for economic or emotional damage.

이번 가뭄은 농가에 심각한 타격을 주었다.

심각한 중독

— A serious addiction. Used for health or social issues.

그는 스마트폰 중독이 심각하다.

심각한 갈등

— A serious conflict. Used for relationships or politics.

두 나라 사이에 심각한 갈등이 생겼다.

Often Confused With

심각하다 vs 진지하다

English 'serious' covers both, but Korean separates 'situation/problem' (심각) from 'personality/attitude' (진지).

심각하다 vs 무겁다

Means 'heavy'. While a serious atmosphere can be '무겁다', '심각하다' specifically points to a problem.

심각하다 vs 위중하다

Only for critical medical conditions where life is at risk.

Idioms & Expressions

"심각한 경종을 울리다"

— To sound a serious alarm/warning. Used when an event warns society.

이번 사고는 안전 불감증에 심각한 경종을 울렸다.

Formal

"심각한 도전에 직면하다"

— To face a serious challenge. Used in business or politics.

우리 회사는 지금 심각한 도전에 직면해 있습니다.

Formal

"심각한 타격을 입다"

— To suffer a serious blow. Used for damage or loss.

관광업계가 이번 사태로 심각한 타격을 입었다.

Neutral

"심각한 국면을 맞다"

— To face a serious phase/turn of events.

협상이 결렬되면서 심각한 국면을 맞이하게 되었다.

Formal

"심각한 결례를 범하다"

— To commit a serious discourtesy. Used for social blunders.

그는 회의 중에 심각한 결례를 범했다.

Formal

"심각한 우려를 표하다"

— To express serious concern. Common in diplomatic language.

정부는 이번 사태에 대해 심각한 우려를 표했다.

Formal

"심각한 기로에 서다"

— To stand at a serious crossroads. Used for critical decisions.

그 나라는 지금 민주주의의 심각한 기로에 서 있다.

Written

"심각한 후유증을 남기다"

— To leave serious after-effects/consequences.

전쟁은 사회에 심각한 후유증을 남겼다.

Neutral

"심각한 오판을 내리다"

— To make a serious misjudgment.

그는 상황을 심각하게 오판하여 큰 손해를 보았다.

Formal

"심각한 균열이 생기다"

— A serious crack/rift occurs. Used for relationships or groups.

두 단체 사이에 심각한 균열이 생기기 시작했다.

Written

Easily Confused

심각하다 vs 진지하다

Both translate to 'serious' in English.

'진지하다' is about being sincere or earnest in character or conversation. '심각하다' is about a dire or severe situation.

그는 진지한 학생이다 (He is a sincere student) vs 그는 심각한 환자다 (He is a critically ill patient).

심각하다 vs 엄중하다

Both imply a lack of lightness.

'엄중하다' is about strictness and solemnity, often in a legal or disciplinary sense. '심각하다' is about the severity of a problem.

엄중한 경고 (A stern warning) vs 심각한 위기 (A serious crisis).

심각하다 vs 중대하다

Both mean 'grave' or 'important'.

'중대하다' focuses on the importance and weight of a decision or event. '심각하다' focuses on the negative severity of a problem.

중대한 결정 (A momentous decision) vs 심각한 오류 (A serious error).

심각하다 vs 위중하다

Both describe bad conditions.

'위중하다' is strictly medical. '심각하다' is general.

환자가 위중하다 (Patient is critical) vs 오염이 심각하다 (Pollution is serious).

심각하다 vs 절박하다

Both imply a high-stakes situation.

'절박하다' adds the nuance of 'urgency' and 'desperation'. '심각하다' focuses on the 'severity'.

절박한 심정 (A desperate feeling) vs 심각한 상황 (A serious situation).

Sentence Patterns

[Subject]이/가 심각해요.

감기가 심각해요.

[심각한] + [Noun]이에요.

심각한 문제예요.

[Subject]을/를 심각하게 생각해요.

이 일을 심각하게 생각해요.

[Subject]의 심각성을 인지하다.

오염의 심각성을 인지하다.

[Subject]이/가 심각한 국면에 처하다.

경제가 심각한 국면에 처했다.

[Subject]이/가 심각한 사회적 파장을 낳다.

그 사건은 심각한 사회적 파장을 낳았다.

[Subject]이/가 심각해지고 있다.

문제가 심각해지고 있다.

심각한 [Noun] 중 하나이다.

심각한 문제 중 하나이다.

Word Family

Nouns

심각성 (Seriousness/Gravity)

심각 (Seriousness - used rarely on its own)

Verbs

심각해지다 (To become serious)

Adjectives

심각하다 (Serious/Severe)

심도 (Depth/Profundity)

각인 (Engraving/Imprinting)

심각히 (Seriously - archaic/formal adverb)

심각화 (Aggravation/Becoming serious)

심각주의 (Serious-ism - rare/slang)

How to Use It

frequency

Top 10% of adjectives used in news and formal media.

Common Mistakes

Calling a sincere person '심각한 사람'. → 진지한 사람
'심각한 사람' implies the person is a 'problem' or is in a troubling state, not that they are sincere.
Using '심각하다' for physical weight. → 무겁다
'Serious' and 'Heavy' are different in Korean. Use '무겁다' for weight.
Using '심각하게' to mean 'really' in a positive way. → 정말 / 진짜
'심각하게' always carries a heavy, usually negative weight. Don't say '심각하게 맛있어요' (It's seriously delicious) unless you're being very slangy/ironic.
Confusing '심각하다' with '위험하다' (dangerous). → 위험하다
A situation can be serious (심각) without being immediately dangerous (위험), though they often go together.
Misspelling as '심격하다'. → 심각하다
The second syllable is '각' (gak), not '격' (gyeok).

Tips

Situation vs. Personality

Always remember: Situation = 심각하다, Personality = 진지하다. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

News Vocabulary

When you hear '심각' on the news, pay attention. It usually precedes a discussion about a major societal challenge.

Adverbial Pairing

'심각하게' pairs perfectly with '생각하다' (think), '받아들이다' (accept/take), and '고민하다' (worry).

Medical Context

In a hospital, '심각하다' is a formal way to say someone is in bad shape. It's polite but direct.

Don't be a 'Serious' person

Calling a friend '심각한 사람' suggests they are depressing or problematic. Use '진지한 사람' to compliment their focus.

Noun Modifiers

Practice '심각한 문제', '심각한 상황', '심각한 표정'. These three will cover 80% of your usage.

Tone Matters

Listen for the drop in pitch. When Koreans say '심각해', the mood usually shifts to a more somber one.

Hanja Roots

Remember 심 (Deep) + 각 (Carve). It’s a 'deeply carved' problem.

Vs. 위중하다

If someone is in the ICU, use '위중하다'. If they just have a very bad flu, use '심각하다'.

Warning Bells

Learn the phrase '경종을 울리다' (sound the alarm) with '심각한'. It’s a very high-level expression.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'SIM' card that is 'GAK' (cracked). A cracked SIM card is a 'SERIOUS' problem because you can't use your phone!

Visual Association

Imagine a deep, jagged crack (각) in a very deep (심) ocean floor. It represents a situation that is deep and broken.

Word Web

Problem (문제) Pollution (오염) Expression (표정) Crisis (위기) Serious (심각) Deep (심) Carve (각) Worry (걱정)

Challenge

Try to find one news headline today that uses the word '심각' and translate the context.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja characters 深 (심 - deep) and 刻 (각 - carve/engrave).

Original meaning: To be so deep that it is carved into something; profound and lasting.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-eo)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use it for trivial mistakes, as it can sound condescending or overly dramatic.

English speakers might use 'serious' for a person's mood, but in Korean, '심각하다' is almost always about the situation or the weight of the problem.

Used in countless news segments about the '저출산 심각성' (seriousness of low birth rate). Frequently appearing in medical K-Dramas like 'Hospital Playlist' or 'Dr. Romantic'. A common phrase in variety shows when a game gets too intense: '왜 이렇게 심각해?'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medical

상태가 심각합니다
심각한 부상
심각한 질병
부작용이 심각하다

Environmental

오염이 심각하다
심각한 가뭄
기후 위기가 심각하다
환경 파괴의 심각성

Economic

경제 위기가 심각하다
심각한 인플레이션
취업난이 심각하다
심각한 타격을 입다

Social

사회적 문제가 심각하다
심각한 갈등
저출산이 심각하다
심각한 범죄

Personal

심각한 표정
심각하게 생각하다
나 지금 심각해
심각한 대화

Conversation Starters

"요즘 환경 문제가 정말 심각하지 않아요? (Isn't the environmental problem really serious these days?)"

"왜 그렇게 심각한 표정을 짓고 있어요? (Why are you making such a serious expression?)"

"이 문제를 어떻게 하면 심각하게 해결할 수 있을까요? (How can we seriously solve this problem?)"

"상태가 심각해 보이는데 병원에 가보는 게 어때요? (Your condition looks serious; how about going to the hospital?)"

"그 영화의 주제가 너무 심각해서 좀 우울했어요. (The theme of that movie was so serious that I felt a bit depressed.)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 당신이 뉴스에서 본 가장 심각한 문제는 무엇이었나요? (What was the most serious problem you saw in the news today?)

당신이 인생에서 가장 심각하게 고민했던 일은 무엇인가요? (What is the thing you have pondered most seriously in your life?)

친구와 심각한 대화를 나눈 적이 있나요? 어떤 내용이었나요? (Have you ever had a serious conversation with a friend? What was it about?)

환경 오염의 심각성을 줄이기 위해 우리가 할 수 있는 일은 무엇일까요? (What can we do to reduce the seriousness of environmental pollution?)

심각한 상황에서도 웃음을 잃지 않는 것이 중요할까요? (Is it important to keep smiling even in serious situations?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. If you call someone '심각한 사람', it means they are a problematic or troubling person. To say someone is serious/earnest, use '진지한 사람'.

'심각하게' means 'seriously' in the sense of worrying or perceiving a grave problem. '진지하게' means 'sincerely' or 'earnestly'. For example, '진지하게 대화하다' means to have a sincere talk, while '심각하게 대화하다' means to talk about a grave problem.

Yes, in 99% of cases, it describes a negative state, problem, or crisis. It is rarely used for something positive.

If you mean 'Are you telling the truth?', say '진심이야?' or '정말이야?'. If you mean 'Is the situation serious?', say '상황이 심각해?'.

You can say '사소한 문제' (a trivial problem) or '가벼운 문제' (a light/minor problem).

Koreans sometimes use it sarcastically when a joke is really bad, saying '와, 진짜 심각하다' (Wow, that's really 'serious'/bad).

Yes, especially in news. '문제의 심각성' (the seriousness of the problem) is a very common phrase.

It means the patient's condition is severe and they need urgent care. It's just one step below '위중하다' (critical).

Usually, no. For a scary movie, use '무섭다'. But if the movie's *theme* is very heavy and dark, you could say it's '심각하다'.

The past tense is '심각했다' (plain) or '심각했어요' (polite).