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감독하다

A2 verb #6,000 most common 10 min read

감독하다

Q: How do I say 'proctoring an exam'?

You use '시험을 감독하다'.

gamdokhada Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 감독하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 감독하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of 감독하다 as 'the teacher watching the students.' Imagine you are taking a test. There is a teacher standing at the front of the room. That teacher is '감독하다'-ing. You don't need to use this word in complex ways yet. Just remember that it means someone is watching to make sure things are done correctly. It's like a 'boss' word. You might see it in simple sentences about school or sports. For example: '선생님이 시험을 감독해요' (The teacher supervises the exam). It’s a formal word, so it usually ends in ~아요/어요 or ~습니다.

At the A2 level, you can start using 감독하다 to describe different jobs. You know that a '감독' is a movie director or a sports coach. The verb 감독하다 is what they do. You can use it to talk about overseeing a small project or a group of people. You should also learn the noun form '감독' because it's very common. In A2, you might say '그는 축구 팀을 감독해요' (He coaches the soccer team). Notice that we use the object particle '을/를' for the team or the project being supervised. This level is about connecting the action to specific roles you see in daily life.

By B1, you should understand the nuance between 감독하다 and other 'watching' words. You should know that '감독하다' is professional and authoritative. It's not just 'looking' (보다); it's 'overseeing with responsibility.' You can use it in more complex sentence structures, like using it with grammar like '~기 위해' (in order to). For example: '사고를 예방하기 위해 작업 현장을 감독해야 합니다' (In order to prevent accidents, you must supervise the work site). You also start to see it in news contexts or more formal workplace settings. You should be comfortable conjugating it into past, present, and future tenses.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 감독하다 in abstract or technical contexts. This includes government oversight, financial regulation, or complex project management. You should also be familiar with related nouns like '감독관' (supervisor/inspector) and '감독원' (supervisory service). You can discuss the differences between '감독하다' (supervise) and '관리하다' (manage) in a professional discussion. For instance, '관리' is about maintenance, while '감독' is about the strict oversight of behavior and standards. You might say, '정부는 시장의 공정성을 감독할 책임이 있다' (The government has a responsibility to supervise the fairness of the market).

At the C1 level, you use 감독하다 with precision in academic or high-level professional writing. You understand its etymology (Hanja roots) and how it fits into the broader legal and administrative lexicon of Korea. You can use it to describe systemic oversight, such as '사법 감독' (judicial supervision). You also recognize it in literature or high-level journalism where it might describe the 'stewardship' of a nation or an era. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the social hierarchy and the specific legal obligations implied by '감독.' You can handle complex passive constructions or nominalized forms smoothly.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 감독하다 is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You use it to discuss philosophical concepts of oversight, the ethics of surveillance versus supervision, and the historical development of supervisory bodies in Korea. you can use the word in creative writing to imply a 'watchful fate' or a 'guiding hand.' You are fully aware of all synonyms (관장하다, 지휘하다, 통제하다) and can choose the exact word to convey the desired level of formality, authority, and tone. You can interpret the subtle implications of the word in legal codes or high-level political discourse without hesitation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

감독하다 in 30 Seconds

감독하다 means to supervise or oversee, focusing on ensuring rules are followed and tasks are completed correctly by someone in a position of authority.
It is commonly used in professional contexts like construction sites, exam rooms (proctoring), film sets (directing), and sports coaching.
The word originates from Hanja roots meaning 'to inspect' and 'to urge,' reflecting its dual nature of observation and command.
Grammatically, it is a transitive verb that requires an object (the person or thing being supervised) and usually takes the ~을/를 particle.

The Korean verb 감독하다 is a cornerstone of professional and organizational vocabulary in Korea. At its core, it translates to 'to supervise,' 'to oversee,' or 'to direct.' It is derived from the Hanja characters 監 (감), meaning 'to inspect' or 'to watch,' and 督 (독), meaning 'to urge' or 'to command.' This combination suggests a role that is both observant and authoritative. Unlike the general verb 'to look' (보다), 감독하다 implies a formal responsibility to ensure that rules are followed, standards are met, and progress is made according to a plan. In a modern context, you will encounter this word most frequently in workplaces, educational settings during examinations, and in the arts, particularly in filmmaking and sports. When a manager watches over their employees to ensure productivity, they are 감독하다-ing. When a proctor stands in a classroom to prevent cheating during a test, they are performing the act of 감독하다.

Professional Supervision: This refers to the act of a superior overseeing the work of subordinates. It carries a nuance of accountability and quality control. For example, a site manager at a construction zone must 감독하다 the workers to ensure safety protocols are strictly followed to prevent accidents.

공사 현장을 철저히 감독하다 보면 사고를 예방할 수 있습니다. (By thoroughly supervising the construction site, accidents can be prevented.)

In the realm of cinema and sports, the word takes on a slightly more creative but still authoritative meaning. A film director 감독하다 the entire production, from the actors' performances to the lighting and sound. Similarly, a sports coach 감독하다 the team’s training and strategy. However, note that in these contexts, the noun form '감독' (Director/Coach) is often used as a title. If you are describing the action of directing a movie, you would say '영화를 감독하다.' This word is essential for anyone looking to navigate Korean corporate culture or discuss the technical aspects of production and management. It is a formal word, rarely used in casual, personal relationships unless one is jokingly acting like a boss.

Regulatory Oversight: Government agencies or financial institutions often use this word to describe their role in monitoring markets or industries to ensure legal compliance. This is a high-level, systemic use of the word.

금융 당국은 시장의 투명성을 위해 거래를 감독하다라는 명령을 받았습니다. (Financial authorities were ordered to supervise transactions for market transparency.)

Furthermore, the word is deeply embedded in the educational system. During the 'Suneung' (CSAT) or any university exam, the '감독관' (supervisor/proctor) is the person who 감독하다 the room. Their presence is synonymous with strictness and adherence to protocol. If you are in Korea and someone tells you they are '감독하고 있어요,' they are likely in a position of responsibility at that moment, ensuring that a specific task is being executed correctly. Understanding this word helps you identify who is in charge and the nature of the hierarchy in a given situation.

Using 감독하다 correctly requires understanding its transitive nature; it always needs an object—the thing or person being supervised. The standard sentence structure is [Subject]가/이 [Object]을/를 감독하다. Depending on the level of formality and the relationship between the speaker and listener, the verb will be conjugated into various forms such as 감독합니다 (formal polite), 감독해요 (informal polite), or 감독해 (casual).

Directing a Project: When you are the lead on a project, you use this verb to describe your role in ensuring everyone else is doing their part correctly. It is more about the 'watching and correcting' aspect than the 'doing' aspect.

팀장은 프로젝트의 모든 단계를 세밀하게 감독하다가 실수를 발견했습니다. (The team leader discovered a mistake while minutely supervising all stages of the project.)

Another common usage is in the passive or causative sense, though the active form is most frequent. If you want to say you are being supervised, you might use the noun form with '받다' (to receive), resulting in '감독을 받다.' This is very common in student or trainee contexts. For example, '나는 선배에게 감독을 받으며 일을 배웠다' (I learned the work while being supervised by my senior).

Exam Proctoring: In schools, this verb specifically refers to the act of proctoring. It’s not just 'watching'; it’s watching to ensure no rules are broken.

교수님께서 직접 시험을 감독하다 보니 교실 분위기가 아주 엄숙했습니다. (Since the professor supervised the exam in person, the classroom atmosphere was very solemn.)

In literary or formal writing, 감독하다 can also be used in the sense of 'stewardship' or 'governance,' though this is less common in daily speech. You might see it in news reports about government oversight of environmental regulations or financial markets. The verb remains consistent in its requirement for a direct object. You cannot simply 'supervise' in Korean; you must 'supervise [something].' If the object is omitted, it must be clearly understood from the context.

Movie Production: Directing a film involves supervising thousands of details. Here, the word encompasses both the technical and artistic oversight.

봉준호 감독은 이 영화를 감독하다라기보다 하나의 세계를 창조했습니다. (Rather than just directing this movie, Director Bong Joon-ho created a whole world.)

When conjugating, remember that '하다' verbs are very regular. In the past tense, it becomes '감독했다,' and in the future, '감독할 것이다.' If you want to express the ability to supervise, you use '감독할 수 있다.' This versatility makes it a powerful verb to master for describing roles, responsibilities, and professional activities.

The word 감독하다 echoes through various sectors of Korean society. If you step onto a Korean film set, you will hear the term '감독님' (Director) constantly, but the verb 감독하다 will be used by producers or critics discussing the director's work. In the news, particularly during the evening broadcasts, you will hear it in reports about '금융감독원' (Financial Supervisory Service - FSS). The news anchor might say, '금융감독원이 은행들의 대출 과정을 철저히 감독하다라고 발표했습니다' (The FSS announced they would thoroughly supervise the banks' lending processes).

Sports Broadcasting: Commentators often use this verb when discussing a coach's management of a game. They might analyze how a coach supervised the players' defensive positioning during a crucial match.

새로 부임한 코치가 팀의 훈련을 어떻게 감독하다에 따라 이번 시즌 성적이 결정될 것입니다. (The performance this season will be determined by how the newly appointed coach supervises the team's training.)

In the workplace, you might hear this word during performance reviews or when new safety regulations are introduced. A HR manager might say, '직원들의 복무 규정 준수 여부를 정기적으로 감독하다' (To regularly supervise whether employees are complying with service regulations). It is a word that carries the weight of the law or company policy. You won't hear it much in a coffee shop among friends, unless they are talking about their difficult boss who 'supervises every single thing' (일일이 다 감독하다).

Educational Institutions: Schools use this word for exam proctoring. Students will often hear announcements like '시험 감독 선생님의 지시에 따르세요' (Follow the instructions of the teacher supervising the exam).

국가 고시를 감독하다 위해 수천 명의 공무원이 동원되었습니다. (Thousands of civil servants were mobilized to supervise the national examination.)

In dramas (K-Dramas), specifically those set in offices or hospitals, the word is used to highlight tension between a strict supervisor and a struggling subordinate. A chief surgeon might tell a resident, '수술실에서는 내가 모든 것을 감독하다!' (In the operating room, I supervise everything!). This usage emphasizes the life-and-death stakes of the oversight. Whether it's the watchful eye of a government body, the creative vision of a director, or the strict gaze of a teacher, 감독하다 is the word that defines the act of responsible watching in Korean society.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 감독하다 is confusing it with similar verbs like 관리하다 (to manage) or 감시하다 (to monitor/watch). While they overlap, the nuances are distinct. 관리하다 is broader and often refers to the maintenance of things (like a building or health), whereas 감독하다 is specifically about overseeing people's actions and processes. If you say you '감독하다' your health, it sounds very strange; you should use '관리하다' there.

감독하다 vs. 감시하다: 감시하다 has a negative connotation, often implying spying or watching someone suspiciously (like a CCTV or a prison guard). 감독하다 is the professional, legitimate version of overseeing.

도둑을 감시하다 (O) / 도둑을 감독하다 (X). You monitor a thief; you don't 'supervise' them as if you are their boss.

Another mistake is the incorrect use of particles. Because 감독하다 is a transitive verb, it must take the object particle ~을/를. Learners sometimes use ~에 대해 (about) or ~에게 (to), which is grammatically incorrect. You don't 'supervise to someone'; you 'supervise someone.'

Incorrect Particle Usage: Common Error: '학생들에게 감독하다' (X). Correct: '학생들을 감독하다' (O). Even though the supervision is directed *at* the students, they are the direct object of the action.

직원들을 감독하다 (O) / 직원에게 감독하다 (X). Always use the object particle for the person or group being overseen.

Finally, learners often forget that '감독' can be both a noun and part of a verb. While '감독' is a movie director, '감독하다' is the act of directing. If you want to say 'He is a director,' use '그는 감독입니다.' If you want to say 'He directed the movie,' use '그는 영화를 감독했습니다.' Mixing these up can lead to sentences that sound like 'He is a direct' or 'He movie directed,' which confuses native speakers. Always be mindful of whether you are identifying a person's role or describing their active work.

To truly master 감독하다, you must see how it sits alongside its synonyms and near-synonyms. Each word in this family has a specific 'flavor' and context where it is most appropriate.

관리하다 (Gwan-ri-ha-da): Meaning 'to manage' or 'to maintain.' This is used for buildings, schedules, health, and general business management. It is less about 'watching' and more about 'taking care of' and 'organizing.'

지휘하다 (Ji-hwi-ha-da): Meaning 'to command' or 'to conduct.' This is used for an orchestra conductor or a military general. It implies leading a group in a synchronized action, whereas 감독하다 is more about oversight and correction.

Comparison: 감독하다 (Supervise a site) vs. 지휘하다 (Command an army) vs. 관리하다 (Manage a budget).

Other alternatives include 통제하다 (to control/regulate), which is much stronger and often used for traffic or emergency situations, and 감시하다 (to monitor), which we discussed as having a more suspicious or security-oriented tone. If you are in a creative field, you might use 연출하다 (to direct/stage), which is specifically for the artistic direction of plays or TV shows, focusing on the visual and performance aspects rather than the administrative 'supervision' of the crew.

관장하다 (Gwan-jang-ha-da): A very formal word meaning 'to be in charge of' or 'to preside over.' You will see this in official government documents or descriptions of high-level administrative roles. It is the 'executive' version of 감독하다.

그는 모든 행정 업무를 관장하다 보니 매우 바쁩니다. (Since he presides over all administrative tasks, he is very busy.)

Choosing the right word depends entirely on the level of authority and the specific field. For a student, '감독하다' is most relevant in the context of exams. For a professional, it's about project oversight. For a movie buff, it's the art of directing. By understanding these subtle differences, you can avoid the 'uncanny valley' of language learning and speak more like a native.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 監 (gam) originally depicted a person looking into a bowl of water to see their reflection, emphasizing the act of close observation.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ɡam.dok.ʰa.da

US ɡɑm.doʊk.hɑ.dɑ

The primary stress is on the second syllable 'dok'.

Rhymes With

습득하다 (seup-deuk-ha-da) 설득하다 (seol-deuk-ha-da) 납득하다 (nap-deuk-ha-da) 강독하다 (gang-dok-ha-da) 해독하다 (hae-dok-ha-da) 낭독하다 (nang-dok-ha-da) 구독하다 (gu-dok-ha-da) 판독하다 (pan-dok-ha-da)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'dok' as 'dog' with a soft 'g'. It must be a crisp 'k' sound.
Omitting the 'h' sound in 'ha', making it sound like 'gam-do-ga-da'.
Stress on the first syllable instead of the second.
Vowel length: keeping 'gam' too short.
Confusing the 'd' in 'dok' with a 't' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in news and credits.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct particle usage and conjugation.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of 'dok-ha' needs practice.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in media.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

보다 (to see) 하다 (to do) 일 (work) 사람 (person) 선생님 (teacher)

Learn Next

관리하다 (to manage) 책임지다 (to take responsibility) 지시하다 (to instruct) 검사하다 (to inspect)

Advanced

관장하다 (to preside) 총괄하다 (to generalize/oversee all) 감찰하다 (to inspect misconduct)

Grammar to Know

~고 있다 (Present Continuous)

지금 시험을 감독하고 있습니다.

~기 위해 (In order to)

안전을 감독하기 위해 현장에 갔어요.

~어야 하다 (Must/Have to)

팀장은 팀원들을 감독해야 합니다.

~는 것 (Gerund)

남을 감독하는 것은 쉬운 일이 아니에요.

~ㄴ/은 적이 있다 (Have done before)

저는 영화를 감독한 적이 없어요.

Examples by Level

선생님이 시험을 감독해요.

The teacher supervises the exam.

Present tense polite form (~해요).

아버지는 제 숙제를 감독하세요.

My father supervises my homework.

Honorific form (~하세요).

누가 이 게임을 감독해요?

Who is supervising this game?

Interrogative form with '누가' (who).

저는 청소를 감독합니다.

I supervise the cleaning.

Formal polite form (~합니다).

우리는 공원을 감독해요.

We supervise the park.

Plural subject '우리는'.

그녀는 아이들을 감독해요.

She supervises the children.

Basic transitive structure.

시험을 잘 감독해 주세요.

Please supervise the exam well.

Request form (~해 주세요).

감독하는 사람이 있어요.

There is a person who is supervising.

Noun-modifying form (~하는).

그는 영화를 감독하고 싶어 해요.

He wants to direct a movie.

Wants to (~하고 싶어 하다) for 3rd person.

코치님이 우리 팀을 감독하십니다.

The coach supervises our team.

Honorific suffix ~시.

공사 현장을 감독하는 것은 위험해요.

Supervising a construction site is dangerous.

Gerund form (~하는 것).

어제는 제가 시험을 감독했어요.

Yesterday, I supervised the exam.

Past tense (~했어요).

누가 이 프로젝트를 감독하나요?

Who is supervising this project?

Polite question ending (~나요).

철저하게 감독하는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important to supervise thoroughly.

Adverbial usage (철저하게).

그 감독은 배우들을 잘 감독해요.

That director supervises the actors well.

Noun '감독' and verb '감독하다' used together.

우리는 매일 공장을 감독해야 해요.

We have to supervise the factory every day.

Must/Have to (~해야 해요).

부실 공사를 막기 위해 현장을 감독합니다.

We supervise the site to prevent poor construction.

In order to (~기 위해).

감독관이 시험실을 엄격하게 감독하고 있습니다.

The supervisor is strictly supervising the exam room.

Continuous aspect (~고 있다).

그는 작년에 처음으로 영화를 감독했습니다.

He directed a movie for the first time last year.

Time adverb '작년에' with past tense.

직원들의 업무를 감독하는 법을 배웠어요.

I learned how to supervise employees' work.

How to (~하는 법).

정부는 식품 위생을 철저히 감독해야 합니다.

The government must thoroughly supervise food hygiene.

Formal obligation (~해야 합니다).

그는 팀을 감독하면서 많은 것을 느꼈다.

He felt many things while supervising the team.

While (~하면서).

이 작업을 감독할 사람이 필요합니다.

We need someone to supervise this task.

Future noun-modifying form (~할).

감독하다 보면 실수를 줄일 수 있어요.

If you supervise, you can reduce mistakes.

If/When (~다 보면).

금융감독원은 은행의 자본 흐름을 감독한다.

The Financial Supervisory Service supervises the capital flow of banks.

Plain style (~ㄴ다) used in journalism.

기술적인 결함이 없는지 세밀하게 감독하세요.

Please supervise minutely to see if there are any technical flaws.

Whether or not (~는지).

그는 여러 명의 인턴을 동시에 감독하고 있다.

He is supervising several interns at the same time.

Adverb '동시에' (at the same time).

투명한 선거를 위해 공정하게 감독해야 한다.

One must supervise fairly for a transparent election.

Adverb '공정하게' (fairly).

박 감독은 이 연극을 감독하며 명성을 얻었다.

Director Park gained fame while directing this play.

Gaining fame (명성을 얻다).

데이터의 정확성을 감독하는 시스템이 필요하다.

A system that supervises the accuracy of data is needed.

Abstract object '정확성' (accuracy).

그는 자신의 감정을 감독하는 데 어려움을 겪었다.

He had difficulty supervising (controlling) his own emotions.

Metaphorical usage; Difficulty in (~하는 데 어려움을 겪다).

환경 보호를 위해 오염 물질 배출을 감독한다.

They supervise the emission of pollutants for environmental protection.

Topic '환경 보호' (environmental protection).

사법부는 행정부의 권한 남용을 감독할 권리가 있다.

The judiciary has the right to supervise the executive branch's abuse of power.

Legal/Political terminology.

그는 전 세계 지사들의 영업 활동을 총괄 감독한다.

He supervises the overall business activities of branches worldwide.

Adverb '총괄' (overall/general).

철저한 감독 없이는 프로젝트의 성공을 장담할 수 없다.

Without thorough supervision, one cannot guarantee the success of the project.

Conditional '없이는' (without).

감독하다라는 행위는 단순한 관찰 이상의 책임을 동반한다.

The act of supervising entails responsibilities beyond simple observation.

Nominalized verb as a subject.

인공지능이 인간의 작업을 감독하는 시대가 도래했다.

The era where AI supervises human work has arrived.

Era has arrived (시대가 도래했다).

그는 예산 집행 과정을 엄중히 감독하겠다고 천명했다.

He declared that he would strictly supervise the budget execution process.

Formal declaration (천명하다).

규제 당국은 시장의 독과점 현상을 감독하고 있다.

Regulatory authorities are supervising the phenomenon of monopolies in the market.

Economic terminology (독과점).

이 논문은 연구 윤리가 어떻게 감독되는지를 분석한다.

This paper analyzes how research ethics are supervised.

Passive form '감독되다' in indirect question.

국가 권력의 비대화를 방지하기 위해 상호 감독 시스템이 작동한다.

A mutual supervision system operates to prevent the overgrowth of state power.

Advanced political science terminology.

그는 인간 소외 현상을 감독하다라는 주제로 영화를 만들었다.

He made a film on the theme of 'supervising' the phenomenon of human alienation.

Thematic/Philosophical usage.

자본주의 시장 경제에서 감독하다의 기능은 갈수록 복잡해지고 있다.

In a capitalist market economy, the function of supervising is becoming increasingly complex.

Increasingly (~갈수록 ~해지고 있다).

감독하다는 것은 타인의 자유와 책임 사이의 균형을 잡는 일이다.

To supervise is to balance the freedom and responsibility of others.

Definition-style sentence.

그는 조직의 부패를 감독하다가 결국 내부 고발자가 되었다.

While supervising the organization's corruption, he eventually became a whistleblower.

Contrastive development (~다가).

범우주적 관점에서 지구의 생태계를 감독하다라는 상상은 흥미롭다.

The imagination of supervising Earth's ecosystem from a cosmic perspective is interesting.

Speculative/Creative usage.

철학자는 권력이 누구에 의해 감독되어야 하는가라는 질문을 던졌다.

The philosopher posed the question of by whom power should be supervised.

Rhetorical question in reported speech.

무의식의 영역을 의식이 감독하다라는 심리학적 이론이 존재한다.

There is a psychological theory that the conscious supervises the realm of the unconscious.

Technical psychological context.

Common Collocations

시험을 감독하다

현장을 감독하다

영화를 감독하다

철저히 감독하다

직접 감독하다

엄격히 감독하다

훈련을 감독하다

제작을 감독하다

전 과정을 감독하다

실무를 감독하다

Common Phrases

감독 하에

— Under the supervision of someone.

그는 전문가의 감독 하에 훈련을 받았다.

감독을 맡다

— To take charge of supervision or directing.

이번 프로젝트의 감독을 맡게 되었습니다.

감독을 소홀히 하다

— To neglect supervision.

감독을 소홀히 하면 사고가 날 수 있다.

감독을 강화하다

— To strengthen oversight or supervision.

정부는 시장 감독을 강화하기로 했다.

감독관을 파견하다

— To dispatch a supervisor or inspector.

본사에서 감독관을 파견했습니다.

감독의 눈을 피하다

— To avoid the supervisor's gaze (often to do something wrong).

그는 감독의 눈을 피해 잠시 쉬었다.

감독이 엄하다

— The supervision is strict.

이 학교는 시험 감독이 매우 엄하다.

감독직에서 물러나다

— To step down from a directorial/supervisory position.

그는 성적 부진으로 감독직에서 물러났다.

감독 권한

— Supervisory authority.

그에게는 현장 감독 권한이 있다.

감독 체계

— Supervision system.

안전을 위해 감독 체계를 개선해야 한다.

Often Confused With

감독하다 vs 관리하다

Management/Maintenance vs. Supervision of actions.

감독하다 vs 감시하다

Neutral/Positive oversight vs. Negative/Suspicious monitoring.

감독하다 vs 관찰하다

Supervising to direct vs. Observing to learn or research.

Idioms & Expressions

"팔짱 끼고 감독하다"

— To supervise while standing by with arms crossed (implies watching without helping).

그는 일은 안 하고 팔짱 끼고 감독만 한다.

Informal

"눈을 부릅뜨고 감독하다"

— To supervise with wide-open eyes (very strictly and alertly).

선생님은 눈을 부릅뜨고 시험을 감독하셨다.

Neutral

"뒷짐 지고 감독하다"

— To supervise with hands behind one's back (implies a relaxed or authoritative stance).

할아버지는 뒷짐 지고 손주들의 공부를 감독하신다.

Neutral

"사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다"

— Too many people supervising/directing leads to a bad result (Too many cooks spoil the broth).

감독하는 사람이 너무 많으니 사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 가는 격이다.

Proverb

"호랑이 없는 굴에 여우가 감독 노릇 한다"

— When the tiger is away, the fox acts like the supervisor (When the cat's away, the mice will play).

팀장님이 안 계시니 대리가 감독 노릇을 하네.

Informal

"감독이 제 코가 석 자"

— The supervisor is in such a mess themselves they can't help others (One's own nose is three feet long).

그도 상황이 안 좋아서 남을 감독할 처지가 아니다.

Informal

"번개 불에 콩 볶아 먹듯 감독하다"

— To supervise very hurriedly and carelessly.

시간이 없어서 감독을 번개 불에 콩 볶아 먹듯 마쳤다.

Informal

"현미경 감독"

— Micro-supervision (Micromanagement).

상사의 현미경 감독 때문에 숨이 막힌다.

Slang/Metaphor

"울며 겨자 먹기로 감독하다"

— To supervise reluctantly or against one's will.

그는 울며 겨자 먹기로 주말 근무를 감독했다.

Neutral

"하나를 보면 열을 안다"

— If you supervise one thing, you know ten (You can judge a person's whole character by one action).

감독하며 그의 태도를 보니 하나를 보면 열을 알겠더군.

Proverb

Easily Confused

감독하다 vs 감독 (Noun)

It can mean the person (Director) or the act (Supervision).

Use '감독' for the person's title and '감독하다' for what they do.

봉준호 감독이 영화를 감독했다.

감독하다 vs 감사하다

Sounds similar to '감독하다'.

감사하다 means 'to thank' or 'to audit'. Context is key.

회계를 감사하다 (Audit accounts) vs. 선생님께 감사하다 (Thank teacher).

감독하다 vs 감찰하다

Both involve inspection.

감찰하다 is specific to investigating misconduct or internal affairs.

경찰이 내부 비리를 감찰하다.

감독하다 vs 지도하다

Both involve guidance.

지도하다 is more about teaching and leading (mentoring), while 감독하다 is about oversight.

학생을 지도하다 (Guide a student).

감독하다 vs 연출하다

Both used in arts.

연출하다 is specifically about the artistic 'staging' of a performance.

연극을 연출하다.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 감독해요.

선생님이 시험을 감독해요.

[Subject]은/는 [Object]을/를 감독하고 싶어요.

저는 영화를 감독하고 싶어요.

[Object]을/를 감독하기 위해 [Action].

현장을 감독하기 위해 일찍 왔어요.

[Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 감독하는 중입니다.

정부가 시장을 감독하는 중입니다.

[Subject]은/는 [Object]을/를 감독할 권한이 있다.

그는 공사를 감독할 권한이 있다.

[Object]이/가 철저히 감독되어야 한다.

예산이 철저히 감독되어야 한다.

[Gerund]은/는 [Subject]의 감독 하에 이루어진다.

모든 절차는 전문가의 감독 하에 이루어진다.

[Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 감독함에 있어서 [Nuance].

그는 현장을 감독함에 있어서 매우 엄격하다.

Word Family

Nouns

감독 Director, coach, or supervision.

감독관 A supervisor, proctor, or inspector (person).

감독원 A supervisory institution or body.

감독청 A supervisory government agency.

Verbs

감독받다 To be supervised (passive).

감독시키다 To make someone supervise (causative).

관리 (Management)

감시 (Surveillance)

지휘 (Command)

단속 (Crackdown/Regulation)

검열 (Censorship/Inspection)

How to Use It

frequency

Very frequent in news, sports, arts, and workplace contexts.

Common Mistakes

학생에게 감독하다 → 학생을 감독하다
You must use the object particle ~을/를, not ~에게.
건강을 감독하다 → 건강을 관리하다
Use '관리하다' for health, as it involves maintenance, not authoritative oversight.
감독하세요 (to a friend) → 지켜봐 줘
감독하세요 sounds like you are asking a friend to be your boss. Use '지켜보다' for casual watching.
영화를 감독이다 → 영화를 감독하다
Don't confuse the noun '감독' (director) with the verb '감독하다' (to direct).
CCTV가 현장을 감독하다 → CCTV가 현장을 감시하다
Machines '감시' (monitor/surveil), while humans '감독' (supervise).

Tips

Game Director

Remember 'Gam-dok' as 'Game Director' to link it to sports and movies.

Object Particle

Always use ~을/를 for the object you are supervising.

Honorifics

Use '감독님' to address anyone in a supervisory role respectfully.

Workplace

Use this word when describing your role in a project to sound professional.

Related Nouns

Learn '감독관' (proctor) along with '감독하다' for school contexts.

vs. Monitor

Use '감시하다' for security cameras and '감독하다' for people.

Film Credits

Look for the word '감독' in the opening credits of any K-Drama or movie.

Formal Tone

This is a formal word; use it in resumes and formal introductions.

Common Phrases

Memorize '시험을 감독하다' as a set phrase.

News Keywords

When you hear '감독' on the news, it's usually about government oversight.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Game-Doc' (감독). A doctor of the game who supervises all the players to make sure they play right.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing on a high platform with a megaphone and a clipboard, looking down at people working below.

Word Web

Director Coach Proctor Oversee Inspect Control Manage Authority

Challenge

Try to use '감독하다' in a sentence about your boss or a teacher today. For example: '상사가 내 보고서를 감독해요.'

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja word 監督 (감독).

Original meaning: To look down from above (監) and urge or command (督).

Sino-Korean (Chinese roots).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use '감독하다' with friends in a way that sounds like you are acting superior, as it can sound bossy or condescending.

In English, we might use 'supervise', 'manage', or 'direct' depending on the job. In Korean, '감독하다' covers all these if there is an element of 'watching over' involved.

Bong Joon-ho (famed movie 감독) Park Hang-seo (famous soccer 감독 in Vietnam) Financial Supervisory Service (금융감독원 - the 'watchdog' of Korean finance)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Office/Workplace

업무를 감독하다
직원을 감독하다
보고서를 감독하다
프로젝트를 감독하다

Construction/Factory

현장을 감독하다
안전을 감독하다
공정을 감독하다
품질을 감독하다

School/Education

시험을 감독하다
학생을 감독하다
자습을 감독하다
급식을 감독하다

Sports/Entertainment

팀을 감독하다
경기를 감독하다
영화를 감독하다
연극을 감독하다

Government/Law

시장을 감독하다
법규 준수를 감독하다
예산을 감독하다
기관을 감독하다

Conversation Starters

"이번 영화는 누가 감독했는지 아세요? (Do you know who directed this movie?)"

"회사에서 누가 당신의 업무를 감독하나요? (Who supervises your work at the company?)"

"시험 감독을 해본 적이 있나요? (Have you ever proctored an exam?)"

"좋은 감독이 되려면 어떤 자질이 필요할까요? (What qualities are needed to be a good director/supervisor?)"

"부모님이 공부하는 걸 감독하시면 어때요? (How do you feel when your parents supervise your studying?)"

Journal Prompts

내가 만약 영화를 감독한다면 어떤 장르를 만들고 싶은지 써 보세요. (If you were to direct a movie, write about what genre you would want to make.)

누군가를 감독해 본 경험에 대해 적어 보세요. (Write about an experience where you supervised someone.)

철저한 감독이 왜 사회에 필요한지 자신의 생각을 정리해 보세요. (Summarize your thoughts on why thorough supervision is necessary for society.)

상사로부터 감독을 받을 때 가장 힘든 점은 무엇인가요? (What is the hardest part about being supervised by a boss?)

미래에는 로봇이 인간의 일을 감독하게 될까요? (Will robots supervise human work in the future?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '감독하다' sounds too formal for babysitting. Use '아이를 돌보다' (take care of a child) or '아이를 보다' (watch a child).

No, it can also be a sports coach (soccer, baseball, etc.) or a supervisor at a workplace.

A '감독' is the head coach/manager in charge of the whole team. A '코치' usually works under the 감독 to train specific skills.

You use '시험을 감독하다'.

It sounds a bit strange. You usually '관리하다' your own work. '감독하다' implies a hierarchical oversight.

It is the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the agency that oversees all financial institutions in Korea.

No, it is neutral and professional. However, someone who '감독's too strictly might be seen as annoying.

Generally no, unless you are supervising a professional animal training session. For pets, use '돌보다'.

Words like '방치하다' (neglect) or '소홀히 하다' (be negligent).

Yes, but '지휘하다' (command) or '통제하다' (control) are often more common for tactical situations.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write a sentence: 'The teacher supervises the exam.'

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

Basic A1 sentence structure.