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조절되다

A2 verb #6,000 most common 8 min read

조절되다

jojeoldoeda Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 조절되다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 조절되다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to worry too much about the complex Hanja roots. Just think of '조절되다' as a way to say 'something changes to be right.' You might see this on a simple remote control or a microwave. Imagine you have a heater. When the room gets warm, the heater stops. You can say 'The heat is adjusted.' In Korean, we say '열이 조절돼요.' It is a useful word for very basic daily functions. Even at this level, remember that it is a 'happening' word, not an 'acting' word. You are describing what happens to the object. Simple phrases like '볼륨이 조절돼요' (The volume is adjusted) or '불빛이 조절돼요' (The light is adjusted) are great ways to start using this verb in your daily life. It helps you talk about the world around you and how things work automatically.

At the A2 level, you should start using '조절되다' to talk about your environment and basic needs. This is the level where you describe how things 'are adjusted' in your home or office. For example, if you are talking about a smart home, you can say '온도가 자동으로 조절돼요' (The temperature is automatically adjusted). You can also use it for your body, like '식사량으로 몸무게가 조절돼요' (Weight is regulated by the amount of food you eat). The key at A2 is to pair '조절되다' with simple adverbs like '잘' (well), '안' (not), and '자동으로' (automatically). This allows you to explain the status of things. If something isn't working right, like a chair that won't stay at the right height, you can say '높이가 조절 안 돼요' (The height won't adjust). This level is about practical, everyday utility.

At the B1 level, you can move beyond physical objects and start using '조절되다' for more abstract concepts like time, schedules, and feelings. You might talk about how your work schedule is adjusted based on a project's needs: '업무 일정이 상황에 따라 조절되었습니다.' You can also use it in social settings to describe how emotions or atmospheres are regulated. For instance, '음악 덕분에 분위기가 잘 조절되었어요' (The atmosphere was well-regulated thanks to the music). At this level, you should also be comfortable using the word in different tenses and with more complex connectors like '-어서/아서' or '-니까'. You are starting to explain *why* and *how* things are being adjusted, not just that they are. It’s a great word for making your Korean sound more professional and precise in a workplace or a detailed conversation.

At the B2 level, '조절되다' becomes a key vocabulary word for discussing technical, social, and economic systems. You will encounter it in news reports, articles, and documentaries. You should understand its nuance compared to '조정되다' (to be mediated/coordinated). For example, in an essay about the economy, you might write, '시장 가격은 수요와 공급의 원리에 의해 자연스럽게 조절됩니다' (Market prices are naturally adjusted by the principles of supply and demand). You can also use it to discuss health in a more scientific way, such as how hormones regulate body temperature. At this level, you should be able to use the noun form '조절' in combination with other nouns (e.g., '자기 조절 능력' - self-regulation ability). Your sentences will become longer and more descriptive, using '조절되다' to show systemic balance.

At the C1 level, you are expected to use '조절되다' with high precision and in highly formal or academic contexts. You will use it to describe complex biological feedback loops, intricate legal regulations, or subtle psychological states. For example, you might discuss how 'public opinion is regulated by the media' or how 'the intensity of a literary work is regulated by its pacing.' You should also be familiar with passive constructions that use '조절되다' to avoid assigning direct blame or to maintain a neutral, objective tone in research papers. At this level, you can distinguish between '조절되다' and even more specific terms like '제어되다' (technically controlled) or '수렴되다' (converged/adjusted toward a point). You are no longer just using the word; you are manipulating it to convey exact shades of meaning in complex discourse.

At the C2 level, '조절되다' is a tool for philosophical and highly specialized discussion. You might use it to talk about the 'self-regulating nature of the universe' or the 'regulatory mechanisms of ancient political structures.' You can interpret the word in literature, analyzing how a character's internal conflict is '조절되다' through external events. At this stage, your mastery of the word includes knowing all its Hanja-based synonyms and being able to use it in poetic or highly rhetorical ways. You might use it in a speech to describe how a nation's growth must be 'well-regulated' to be sustainable. The word is no longer a vocabulary item but a conceptual building block for expressing sophisticated ideas about balance, harmony, and systemic evolution in the Korean language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

조절되다 in 30 Seconds

조절되다 means 'to be adjusted' or 'to be regulated' in a passive sense.
It is used for physical settings like temperature, volume, and brightness.
It also applies to abstract things like schedules, emotions, and economic prices.
Always use the subject marker -이/가 with this verb, never -을/를.

The Korean verb 조절되다 (jo-jeol-doe-da) is the passive or intransitive counterpart to the active verb 조절하다. While the active form means 'to adjust' or 'to regulate' (implying an agent doing the work), the passive form focuses on the state of something being regulated or the fact that an adjustment has occurred. This distinction is crucial in Korean grammar because it changes the focus from the person acting to the object or system itself. In daily life, you will encounter this word most frequently when discussing technology, health, and environmental conditions. For example, when an air conditioner maintains a specific temperature without human intervention, we say the temperature is being '조절되다'. This word carries a sense of balance and systematic control, suggesting that there is a standard or a desired level that is being maintained.

Passive State: This word is used when the subject of the sentence is the thing that undergoes the change. For instance, 'The volume is adjusted' (볼륨이 조절된다).
Automatic Processes: It is frequently used for automated systems like smart homes, thermostats, and car sensors where human input is not constant.
Biological Functions: In medical contexts, it describes how the body regulates itself, such as blood sugar levels or heart rates being kept in check by hormones.

스마트폰의 화면 밝기가 주변 환경에 따라 자동으로 조절되다.

The brightness of the smartphone screen is automatically adjusted according to the surrounding environment.

Beyond physical objects, '조절되다' is also used in abstract contexts. It can refer to the regulation of market prices, the pacing of a story, or even the management of one's emotions. When someone says their 'mind is being regulated,' it implies a movement toward stability and calm. The word is composed of the Hanja roots '조' (調 - to tune/coordinate) and '절' (節 - joint/limit), combined with the suffix '-되다' (to become/be). This etymological root emphasizes the act of finding the right 'joint' or 'limit' to ensure harmony. Whether you are talking about the flow of water in a dam or the amount of salt in a dish, this verb is your primary tool for describing the state of being under control.

운동을 통해 스트레스가 어느 정도 조절될 수 있습니다.

Stress can be regulated to some extent through exercise.

Using '조절되다' correctly requires an understanding of Korean sentence structure, particularly the relationship between the subject and the verb. Because this is a passive verb, the 'thing' being adjusted is the subject. In English, we might say 'The heat is adjusted,' and in Korean, '열이 조절되다' follows that same logic. You will often see this verb paired with adverbs like '자동으로' (automatically), '수동으로' (manually), or '미세하게' (finely/subtly). These adverbs describe *how* the state is being maintained. For example, 'The brightness is finely adjusted' would be '밝기가 미세하게 조절된다'.

Common Subject Particles: Always use -이 or -가 with the noun that is being adjusted. Examples: 습도가 (humidity), 속도가 (speed), 양이 (amount).
Cause and Effect: When explaining why something is adjusted, use the marker -에 의해 (by) or -에 따라 (according to). 'The schedule is adjusted according to the weather' (날씨에 따라 일정이 조절된다).

이 기계는 습도가 자동으로 조절되는 기능이 있습니다.

This machine has a function where the humidity is automatically regulated.

In more advanced contexts, you might use '조절되다' to describe social or economic phenomena. For instance, in a market economy, supply and demand naturally adjust prices. Here, you would say '가격이 수요와 공급에 의해 조절된다' (Prices are adjusted by supply and demand). Notice how the passive voice removes the need to specify a single person doing the adjusting; it highlights the systemic nature of the process. In academic writing, this is preferred because it sounds more objective and scientific. It shifts the narrative from 'someone did something' to 'a state is being maintained'.

회의 시간이 갑자기 조절되어 당황했습니다.

I was flustered because the meeting time was suddenly adjusted.

In South Korea, technology is integrated into every aspect of life, so '조절되다' is heard everywhere—from the subway to your favorite cafe. If you are riding the Seoul Metro during peak hours, you might hear announcements about how the train frequency is being '조절되다' (regulated) to manage the crowd. Similarly, in high-tech offices, the lighting and ventilation systems are often described as 'automatically regulated' (자동으로 조절되는 시스템). If you are buying a new appliance, the salesperson will likely highlight features where things like water pressure, heat, or speed are 'well-regulated' to save energy or improve performance.

In the Hospital: Doctors use this word to talk about vital signs. '혈압이 잘 조절되고 있습니다' means 'Your blood pressure is being well-regulated/controlled'.
In the Gym: Trainers might talk about how your breathing or heart rate should be regulated during high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
In Corporate Life: Managers use it when talking about project timelines or budget allocations that need to be adjusted based on new information.

이 의자는 높낮이가 아주 쉽게 조절됩니다.

The height of this chair is adjusted very easily.

Social media and the news also use '조절되다' when discussing government policies or economic shifts. For example, if the government increases the interest rate to curb inflation, the news might report that 'interest rates are being adjusted' (금리가 조절되고 있다). In the arts, a director might talk about how the lighting in a scene is '조절되다' to create a specific mood. Essentially, any time a state of balance is mentioned, or a change is made to keep something within a specific range, this is the word you will hear. It conveys a professional, precise, and often technical tone.

감정이 잘 조절되지 않아서 힘들어요.

It's hard because my emotions are not being well-regulated.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with '조절되다' is confusing it with its active form, '조절하다'. In English, the word 'adjust' can be used both transitively ('I adjust the chair') and sometimes intransitively in different structures. However, in Korean, the distinction is rigid. If you use the object marker '-을/를', you MUST use '조절하다'. If you use the subject marker '-이/가', you should use '조절되다'. For example, '의자를 조절하다' (to adjust the chair) is correct, but '의자가 조절하다' would mean the chair itself is doing the adjusting to something else, which makes no sense.

Particle Confusion: Mistake: 온도를 조절되다. Correct: 온도가 조절되다. (The temperature is adjusted.)
Confusion with '조정되다': '조정되다' (jo-jeong-doe-da) is often confused with '조절되다'. While '조절' is about fine-tuning or regulating a physical or measurable amount, '조정' is more about mediation, coordination, or policy changes (like adjusting a law or a conflict between two parties).

틀린 표현: 볼륨을 조절되다.

Incorrect: The volume (object) is adjusted (passive). Use '볼륨이' instead.

Another common error is overusing '조절되다' for simple physical movements. For example, if you are just 'moving' a mirror to see better, '맞추다' (to match/set) or '움직이다' (to move) might be more natural. '조절되다' implies a level of precision or a systematic change. If you say a mirror is '조절되다', it sounds like it has a high-tech motorized system. Lastly, pay attention to the tense. '조절되고 있다' (is being adjusted) is for ongoing processes, while '조절되었다' (was adjusted) is for completed actions. Beginners often stick only to the present tense, losing the nuance of the situation.

맞는 표현: 온도가 자동으로 조절됩니다.

Correct: The temperature is automatically adjusted.

To sound more like a native speaker, it is helpful to know the subtle differences between '조절되다' and its synonyms. While '조절되다' is the most versatile term for regulation, other words might be better suited for specific contexts. For example, '조정되다' (to be coordinated/mediated) is better for schedules or interpersonal conflicts. '제어되다' (to be controlled) is used in highly technical or engineering contexts, like a robot's movements being controlled by a computer. '통제되다' (to be controlled/restricted) has a stronger nuance of authority, like traffic being controlled by the police or a population being controlled during a pandemic.

조정되다 (Jo-jeong-doe-da): Used for plans, opinions, or prices. 'The price was adjusted' (가격이 조정되었다). It implies a decision-making process.
제어되다 (Je-eo-doe-da): Technical control. 'The machine is controlled by AI' (기계가 인공지능에 의해 제어된다).
맞춰지다 (Mat-chwo-ji-da): More casual. 'The focus is set' or 'The puzzle is matched'. It means to be set to a specific point.

내일 회의 시간이 2시로 조정되었습니다.

Tomorrow's meeting time has been adjusted (coordinated) to 2 o'clock.

When choosing between these words, ask yourself: Is this a systematic regulation of an amount (조절되다)? Is it a change in a plan or policy (조정되다)? Or is it a strict control by an external force (통제되다)? For instance, if you are talking about 'self-control,' Koreans often use '자기 조절' (self-regulation). If you are talking about 'crowd control,' they use '군중 통제'. Understanding these nuances will prevent you from sounding like a textbook and help you express the exact level of control or adjustment you mean.

교통 흐름이 경찰에 의해 통제되고 있습니다.

The traffic flow is being controlled (restricted) by the police.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 節 (절) originally referred to the joints in bamboo, implying a natural point of division or control.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /t͡ɕo.d͡ʑʌl.dwe.da/

US /t͡ɕoʊ.d͡ʒʌl.dweɪ.dɑ/

Stress is usually even across syllables in Korean, but a slight emphasis on 'jo' is common.

Rhymes With

연결되다 (yeon-gyeol-doe-da) 해결되다 (hae-gyeol-doe-da) 판결되다 (pan-gyeol-doe-da) 체결되다 (che-gyeol-doe-da) 종결되다 (jong-gyeol-doe-da) 응결되다 (eung-gyeol-doe-da) 청결하다 (cheong-gyeol-ha-da) 강렬하다 (gang-ryeol-ha-da)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jeol' as 'jol'.
Making the 'd' in 'doe' too hard like an English 't'.
Failing to pronounce the 'w' sound in 'doe' (dway).
Pronouncing 'jo' like 'cho'.
Stopping the 'l' sound too early in 'jeol'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to the common Hanja roots.

Writing 3/5

Requires careful use of subject markers instead of object markers.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of 'jeol-doe' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clearly articulated in most formal and technical contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

하다 (To do) 되다 (To become) 맞추다 (To set/match) 변하다 (To change) 온도 (Temperature)

Learn Next

조정하다 (To coordinate) 제어하다 (To control) 유지되다 (To be maintained) 관리하다 (To manage) 평형 (Equilibrium)

Advanced

항상성 (Homeostasis) 피드백 루프 (Feedback loop) 메커니즘 (Mechanism) 상호작용 (Interaction) 최적화 (Optimization)

Grammar to Know

Passive Suffix -되다

사용하다 -> 사용되다, 조절하다 -> 조절되다

Subject Marker -이/가 with Passive Verbs

문이 열리다 (The door opens), 온도가 조절되다 (The temperature is adjusted)

Adverbial -게 with Verbs

조절되게 만들다 (To make it be adjusted)

Causal -어/아서 with 되다

조절되어서 다행이에요 (I'm glad it's adjusted)

Conditional -면 with 조절되다

조절되면 알려주세요 (Let me know if it's adjusted)

Examples by Level

불빛이 조절돼요.

The light is adjusted.

Simple present tense of 조절되다.

소리가 조절돼요?

Is the sound adjusted?

Question form using the same structure.

이것은 자동으로 조절돼요.

This is adjusted automatically.

Adverb '자동으로' adds detail.

온도가 조절돼요.

The temperature is adjusted.

Common noun '온도' with subject marker '가'.

의자 높이가 조절돼요.

The chair height is adjusted.

Compound subject '의자 높이'.

물이 조절돼요.

The water is adjusted.

Simple subject '물' with marker '이'.

바람이 조절돼요.

The wind is adjusted.

Refers to the strength of the fan's air.

시계가 조절돼요.

The clock is adjusted.

Refers to setting the time.

에어컨 온도가 자동으로 조절됩니다.

The air conditioner temperature is automatically adjusted.

Formal ending -습니다.

화면 밝기가 아주 잘 조절돼요.

The screen brightness is adjusted very well.

Adverbial phrase '아주 잘'.

이 가방은 끈 길이가 조절돼요.

The strap length of this bag is adjusted.

Topic marker '은' used for the bag.

약으로 혈압이 조절되고 있어요.

Blood pressure is being adjusted (controlled) with medicine.

Progressive form -고 있다.

안경 다리가 조절되는 모델인가요?

Is this a model where the glasses' temples are adjusted?

Adjective form '조절되는' modifying '모델'.

습도가 조절되지 않아서 너무 건조해요.

The humidity isn't being adjusted, so it's too dry.

Negative form -지 않다.

속도가 자동으로 조절되는 자전거예요.

It's a bicycle where the speed is automatically adjusted.

Noun modifying clause.

이 램프는 색깔이 조절됩니다.

The color of this lamp is adjusted.

Focus on the property of the object.

업무량이 적절히 조절되어야 합니다.

The workload must be properly adjusted.

Must form -어야 하다.

스트레스가 조절되지 않으면 건강에 해로워요.

If stress is not regulated, it is harmful to health.

Conditional marker -면.

회의 일정이 다음 주 월요일로 조절되었습니다.

The meeting schedule was adjusted to next Monday.

Past tense -었습니다.

식단이 조절되면서 몸이 가벼워졌어요.

As my diet was adjusted, my body became lighter.

Reason/Background marker -(으)면서.

감정이 잘 조절되지 않아서 명상을 시작했어요.

I started meditation because my emotions weren't well-regulated.

Causal marker -어서.

수업 시간이 학생들의 요청으로 조절될 거예요.

The class time will be adjusted due to students' requests.

Future tense -(으)ㄹ 거예요.

예산이 조절되어 새로운 장비를 샀습니다.

The budget was adjusted, so we bought new equipment.

Sequential action marker -어/아.

목소리 크기가 마이크에 의해 조절됩니다.

The voice volume is adjusted by the microphone.

Agent marker -에 의해.

시장의 가격은 공급량에 따라 조절되기도 합니다.

Market prices are sometimes adjusted according to the supply amount.

Inclusion marker -기도 하다.

인슐린은 체내 혈당이 조절되도록 돕는 호르몬입니다.

Insulin is a hormone that helps blood sugar in the body be regulated.

Purpose marker -도록.

정부에 의해 대출 금리가 미세하게 조절되었습니다.

The loan interest rate was finely adjusted by the government.

Passive voice with external agent.

이 시스템은 에너지 소비가 효율적으로 조절되게 설계되었습니다.

This system is designed so that energy consumption is efficiently regulated.

Result/Goal marker -게.

심리 상담을 통해 분노가 조절되는 과정을 배웠어요.

I learned the process of anger being regulated through psychological counseling.

Noun modifying clause with '과정'.

경기 흐름이 조절되지 않으면 인플레이션이 발생할 수 있습니다.

If the economic flow is not regulated, inflation can occur.

Hypothetical condition.

빛의 세기가 조절되는 특수 렌즈를 사용합니다.

We use special lenses where the light intensity is adjusted.

Complex noun phrase.

기계의 회전 속도가 센서에 의해 조절됩니다.

The rotation speed of the machine is adjusted by the sensor.

Technical usage.

국가 간의 갈등이 외교적 협상을 통해 조절되고 있습니다.

Conflicts between nations are being adjusted (regulated) through diplomatic negotiations.

Abstract usage in political context.

호르몬의 불균형으로 인해 신진대사가 원활히 조절되지 않습니다.

Due to hormone imbalance, metabolism is not being smoothly regulated.

Formal cause marker -로 인해.

작품의 긴장감은 문장의 길이에 따라 조절되기도 합니다.

The tension of a work is sometimes regulated by the length of the sentences.

Literary analysis context.

인구 밀도는 도시 계획의 핵심 요소에 의해 조절될 수 있습니다.

Population density can be regulated by key elements of urban planning.

Sociological context.

인공지능 알고리즘에 의해 뉴스 노출 빈도가 조절됩니다.

The frequency of news exposure is adjusted by artificial intelligence algorithms.

Modern technology context.

생태계의 균형은 포식자와 피식자의 관계에 의해 조절됩니다.

The balance of the ecosystem is regulated by the relationship between predator and prey.

Scientific/Biological context.

법적인 제재를 통해 시장의 독점이 조절되어야 합니다.

Market monopolies must be regulated through legal sanctions.

Legal/Economic context.

인간의 수면 주기는 멜라토닌 분비에 의해 조절된다는 사실이 밝혀졌습니다.

The fact that the human sleep cycle is regulated by melatonin secretion has been revealed.

Reported speech/Fact structure.

우주의 질서는 보이지 않는 물리 법칙에 의해 정교하게 조절됩니다.

The order of the universe is sophisticatedly regulated by invisible physical laws.

Philosophical/Scientific context.

역사적 흐름은 때로는 우연한 사건들에 의해 조절되기도 한다.

The flow of history is sometimes adjusted (influenced) by accidental events.

Historiographical context.

자아의 팽창은 사회적 규범과 타인과의 관계 속에서 조절된다.

The expansion of the ego is regulated within social norms and relationships with others.

Psychological/Philosophical context.

언어의 변화는 대중의 사용 습관에 의해 끊임없이 조절되고 변모한다.

Language change is constantly regulated and transformed by the usage habits of the public.

Linguistic context.

권력의 집중은 헌법적 장치에 의해 엄격히 조절되어야 민주주의가 유지된다.

Democracy is maintained only when the concentration of power is strictly regulated by constitutional devices.

Political theory context.

기후 변화의 속도는 인간의 탄소 배출 저감 노력에 의해 조절될 수밖에 없다.

The pace of climate change cannot but be regulated by human efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

-ㄹ 수밖에 없다 (cannot but/have no choice).

예술적 감흥은 작가의 의도와 관객의 해석 사이에서 조절되는 미묘한 경험이다.

Artistic inspiration is a subtle experience regulated between the artist's intention and the audience's interpretation.

Aesthetic theory context.

생명체의 항상성은 끊임없는 내부 피드백에 의해 조절되는 결과물이다.

The homeostasis of a living organism is the result of constant internal feedback regulation.

Biological theory context.

Common Collocations

자동으로 조절되다

미세하게 조절되다

잘 조절되다

쉽게 조절되다

적절히 조절되다

수동으로 조절되다

스스로 조절되다

일정이 조절되다

양이 조절되다

속도가 조절되다

Common Phrases

조절되는 기능

— A function that is adjusted. Refers to a feature on a machine.

이 제품은 습도가 조절되는 기능이 있어요.

잘 조절되지 않다

— Not being well-regulated. Used when something is out of control.

감정이 잘 조절되지 않아서 힘들어요.

조절될 수 있다

— Can be adjusted. Indicates possibility.

높이는 자유롭게 조절될 수 있습니다.

조절된 상태

— An adjusted state. Refers to the result of regulation.

조절된 상태로 유지해 주세요.

조절되는 과정

— The process of being adjusted. Refers to the steps taken.

가격이 조절되는 과정을 지켜봅시다.

조절되어 나오다

— To come out adjusted. Used for products or results.

이 커피는 당도가 조절되어 나와요.

조절되게 만들다

— To make something be adjusted. Focus on the design.

빛이 조절되게 만들었습니다.

조절되는 범위

— The range of adjustment. How much something can change.

조절되는 범위가 넓습니다.

조절될 필요가 있다

— Need to be adjusted. Suggests a necessary change.

이 계획은 조절될 필요가 있어요.

조절되지 않는 문제

— A problem that isn't being adjusted. A persistent issue.

조절되지 않는 소음 때문에 잠을 못 자요.

Often Confused With

조절되다 vs 조절하다

This is the active form. Use it when YOU are doing the adjusting (e.g., '내가 온도를 조절하다').

조절되다 vs 조정되다

Used for plans, schedules, or mediating conflicts. '조절' is for amounts/degrees.

조절되다 vs 제어되다

Specifically for technical or robotic control. More formal than 조절되다.

Idioms & Expressions

"수위가 조절되다"

— To have the level (of intensity or language) adjusted. Often used for censorship or tone.

방송의 수위가 조절되었습니다.

Media

"완급이 조절되다"

— To have the pace or speed (fast and slow) adjusted. Used in music or storytelling.

영화의 완급이 잘 조절되었어요.

Arts

"강약이 조절되다"

— To have the strength (strong and weak) adjusted. Used in exercise or music.

운동의 강약이 조절됩니다.

Sports

"호흡이 조절되다"

— To have one's breathing regulated. Often means finding one's rhythm.

달리기를 할 때 호흡이 조절되어야 합니다.

Health

"균형이 조절되다"

— To have the balance adjusted. Used for systemic stability.

생태계의 균형이 조절됩니다.

Science

"분위기가 조절되다"

— To have the atmosphere adjusted. Usually by lighting or music.

조명으로 분위기가 조절돼요.

Social

"맥락이 조절되다"

— To have the context adjusted. Used in linguistics or logic.

대화의 맥락이 조절되었습니다.

Academic

"비중이 조절되다"

— To have the importance or weight of something adjusted in a mix.

시험에서 수학의 비중이 조절되었어요.

Education

"간격이 조절되다"

— To have the intervals or space between things adjusted.

버스 배차 간격이 조절됩니다.

Transport

"밀도가 조절되다"

— To have the density adjusted. Used in urban planning or chemistry.

인구 밀도가 조절되고 있습니다.

Science

Easily Confused

조절되다 vs 조정되다

Both mean 'to be adjusted' in English.

조절되다 is for physical/measurable quantities. 조정되다 is for plans, prices, or social mediation.

습도가 조절되다 (Correct for humidity) vs 일정이 조정되다 (Correct for schedule).

조절되다 vs 통제되다

Both involve control.

조절되다 is about balance and fine-tuning. 통제되다 is about restriction and authority.

속도가 조절되다 (Regulated speed) vs 교통이 통제되다 (Blocked traffic).

조절되다 vs 맞춰지다

Both mean reaching a certain state.

조절되다 is a systematic process. 맞춰지다 is about fitting a specific point or matching someone's needs.

안경이 얼굴에 맞춰지다 (Fitted) vs 안경 다리가 조절되다 (Adjusted).

조절되다 vs 변하다

Both involve change.

조절되다 is intentional and regulated. 변하다 is just a general change which might be random.

날씨가 변하다 (Weather changes) vs 실내 온도가 조절되다 (Indoor temp is regulated).

조절되다 vs 관리되다

Both involve keeping something in a good state.

조절되다 is a specific act of adjustment. 관리되다 is a broader, continuous maintenance.

혈압이 조절되다 (Specific reading) vs 공원이 관리되다 (General upkeep).

Sentence Patterns

N이/가 조절돼요.

소리가 조절돼요.

N이/가 자동으로 조절됩니다.

밝기가 자동으로 조절됩니다.

N이/가 상황에 따라 조절돼요.

일정이 상황에 따라 조절돼요.

N이/가 ~에 의해 조절되고 있습니다.

가격이 수요에 의해 조절되고 있습니다.

N이/가 ~하는 과정에서 조절되다.

감정이 대화하는 과정에서 조절되다.

N의 항상성은 ~에 의해 조절되는 결과이다.

체온의 항상성은 신경계에 의해 조절되는 결과이다.

Any

N이/가 잘 조절되지 않다.

혈압이 잘 조절되지 않아요.

Any

N이/가 조절될 수 있다.

높이가 조절될 수 있어요.

Word Family

Nouns

조절 (Adjustment/Regulation)

조절기 (Adjuster/Controller)

조절력 (Ability to adjust/control)

조절판 (Control panel)

Verbs

조절하다 (To adjust - Active)

재조절하다 (To readjust)

Adjectives

조절 가능한 (Adjustable)

조정 (Coordination)

제어 (Control)

관리 (Management)

통제 (Restriction)

변화 (Change)

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in technical manuals, medical advice, and news reports.

Common Mistakes

온도를 조절되다 → 온도가 조절되다
Passive verbs like 조절되다 cannot take an object marker (-를). Use the subject marker (-가).
시간이 조절했어요 → 시간이 조절되었어요
If the time is the subject, it 'was adjusted' (passive), it didn't 'adjust' something else (active).
조절되는 가격 → 조정되는 가격
For prices in an economic context, '조정' (coordination/adjustment) is often more natural than '조절'.
자동으로 조절하다 에어컨 → 에어컨 온도가 자동으로 조절되다
Incorrect word order and confusion between active/passive voice.
몸무게를 조절되다 → 몸무게가 조절되다
Again, using the object marker with a passive verb is a fundamental grammar error.

Tips

Subject vs Object

Always check your particles. If you see -을/를, change the verb to 조절하다. If you see -이/가, keep 조절되다.

Hanja Roots

Remember 調 (to tune). This will help you link it to other words like 조율 (tuning an instrument) and 조사 (investigation/tuning into facts).

Smart Home Tech

If you are in Korea, look at your appliances. You will see '조절' buttons everywhere. This is the best way to learn the word in context.

The 'Doe' Sound

The 'dwe' in 조절되다 (jo-jeol-dwe-da) is a quick diphthong. Practice it like the 'we' in 'wet'.

Scientific Tone

Use '조절되다' in your writing to sound more objective and analytical, especially in reports or essays.

Health First

Koreans use this word a lot for health. '컨디션 조절' (regulating one's condition/taking care of oneself) is a very common phrase.

Don't Overuse

For simple things like moving a chair, '움직이다' is fine. Only use '조절되다' if there is a setting or mechanism involved.

News Keywords

When listening to the news, '금리' (interest rate) and '조절' often go together. This is a key phrase for economic news.

Balance

Think of the word as meaning 'finding the perfect balance.' It’s not just change; it’s change toward an ideal state.

Suffix Power

Learning how '-되다' works will unlock hundreds of other Korean passive verbs for you.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jo-Jeol' as 'Joe's Jewels'. If Joe has jewels, he needs to 'regulate' how many he shows so he doesn't get robbed. 'Doe-da' means it 'becomes' regulated.

Visual Association

Imagine a thermostat on a wall. As the temperature goes up, the dial 'becomes adjusted' (조절되다) to keep you cool.

Word Web

에어컨 (Air conditioner) 볼륨 (Volume) 밝기 (Brightness) 혈압 (Blood pressure) 습도 (Humidity) 일정 (Schedule) 감정 (Emotion) 속도 (Speed)

Challenge

Try to find three things in your room right now that can be '조절되다' and say them out loud in Korean.

Word Origin

Composed of the Hanja 調 (조 - tune/adjust) and 節 (절 - joint/limit/season) plus the Korean suffix -되다 (to become).

Original meaning: To become a state where things are tuned to their proper limits.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-eo)

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but when used for people's behavior, it can sound a bit clinical or cold.

In English, we often use 'adjust' for both the action and the state. In Korean, the distinction between active (하다) and passive (되다) is much more prominent.

Used in Korean health documentaries about 'Self-Regulation' (자기 조절). Commonly seen in Samsung/LG appliance manuals for 'Smart Control' features. Heard in K-Dramas when characters talk about 'controlling' their feelings.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Home Appliances

온도가 조절되다
습도가 조절되다
밝기가 조절되다
세기 조절

Health and Medicine

혈압이 조절되다
혈당이 조절되다
체중 조절
호르몬 조절

Office and Work

일정이 조절되다
업무량 조절
시간 조절
예산 조절

Psychology

감정이 조절되다
스트레스 조절
분노 조절
마음 조절

Economics

가격이 조절되다
금리 조절
공급 조절
시장 조절

Conversation Starters

"이 에어컨은 온도가 자동으로 조절되나요?"

"요즘 스트레스가 잘 조절되지 않아서 고민이에요."

"의자 높이가 조절되는 걸로 사고 싶어요."

"화면 밝기가 주변에 따라 조절되니까 편하네요."

"회의 시간이 갑자기 조절되었는데 괜찮으세요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내 감정은 어떻게 조절되었나요? (How were my emotions regulated today?)

내가 사용하는 물건 중 자동으로 조절되는 것은 무엇인가요? (Which things I use are automatically adjusted?)

건강을 위해 식단을 어떻게 조절하고 있나요? (How am I adjusting my diet for health?)

내 일정이 타인에 의해 조절된 경험이 있나요? (Have I had an experience where my schedule was adjusted by others?)

사회의 질서가 어떻게 조절된다고 생각하나요? (How do you think social order is regulated?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but usually for biological functions like heart rate or emotions. If you mean a person's behavior is being 'controlled' by someone else, '통제되다' or '조종되다' is better.

'조절' (Jo-jeol) is like a dimmer switch—it's for fine-tuning amounts. '조정' (Jo-jeong) is like a calendar—it's for coordinating plans or fixing a discrepancy.

It is a standard word used in both casual and formal settings. The formality depends on the ending (-돼요 vs -됩니다).

You can say '조절 가능한' (Jo-jeol gan-eung-han) or '조절되는' (Jo-jeol-doe-neun).

Yes! For example, '불의 세기가 조절되다' (The fire strength is adjusted) or '간이 조절되다' (The seasoning is adjusted).

It's understandable but '내 마음이 진정되다' (My heart/mind calms down) or '감정이 조절되다' (Emotions are regulated) is more common.

'방치되다' (to be neglected) or '고정되다' (to be fixed/static) are common antonyms depending on the context.

'-되다' is the standard passive suffix for Sino-Korean nouns ending in '-하다'. '-해지다' is usually for adjectives (e.g., 예뻐지다).

Yes, '볼륨이 조절되다' is very common for TVs, radios, and phones.

Not necessarily, but in modern contexts, it often does. You can specify '수동으로' (manually) if it's not automatic.