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짧아지다

A1 verb #4,500 most common 10 min read

짧아지다

jjalpajida Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 짧아지다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 짧아지다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners should focus on '짧아지다' as a way to describe simple physical changes. You will mostly use it to talk about your hair getting shorter after a haircut or a pencil getting shorter as you use it. The grammar is simple: take the adjective '짧다' and add '-아지다'. At this stage, you should practice the past tense '짧아졌어요' because it is how you will most often describe these changes to your friends or teacher. Think of it as the opposite of '길어졌어요' (became long). You don't need to worry about complex metaphors yet; just focus on things you can see and touch.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '짧아지다' to describe natural phenomena and time. This includes talking about the seasons, specifically how the days get shorter in the winter ('해가 짧아져요'). You should also start using adverbs like '조금' (a little), '많이' (a lot), and '점점' (gradually) to add more detail to your sentences. You might also use it in the context of clothing, such as a skirt that became shorter after washing it. Understanding the difference between '짧아지다' (to become short) and '줄어들다' (to shrink/decrease) starts to become important here.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '짧아지다' in more abstract or social contexts. For example, you might talk about a vacation feeling shorter than expected ('휴가가 짧아졌어요') or a distance between two places becoming shorter due to a new road. You will also encounter this word in written texts like simple news articles or stories. You should be able to conjugate it into various forms, including the future tense ('짧아질 거예요') and the connective forms ('짧아져서', '짧아지면'). Your understanding of the word should expand from just 'physical length' to 'duration' and 'distance'.

At the B2 level, you should recognize '짧아지다' in more formal settings, though you might also begin to use its more formal synonym '단축되다' (to be shortened) in those same contexts. You will understand how '짧아지다' can be used metaphorically, such as describing a person's patience or a company's lifespan. You should be able to use the word in complex sentence structures, such as '짧아지기 시작했다' (started to become short) or '짧아질 수밖에 없다' (cannot help but become short). Your ability to distinguish between '짧아지다' and other related verbs like '감소하다' (to decrease) should be sharp.

At the C1 level, '짧아지다' is used fluently in literary and academic contexts. You might encounter it in essays discussing the 'shortening' of human attention spans in the digital age or the 'shortening' of cultural gaps between generations. You will understand the subtle nuances it carries compared to its synonyms. For example, '짧아지다' might feel more descriptive and evocative in a poem, while '단축되다' would feel more appropriate in a research paper. You can also use it in hypothetical and conditional moods to discuss complex social or scientific trends.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '짧아지다'. You can use it to convey subtle irony, poetic beauty, or technical precision. You understand its historical roots and how it relates to other pure Korean and Sino-Korean terms. You can use it in high-level debates about time-space compression in modern society or the shortening of biological cycles. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for nuanced expression, allowing you to describe the fluid nature of reality where things are constantly becoming shorter, whether in length, time, or essence.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

짧아지다 in 30 Seconds

짧아지다 means 'to become short' in terms of physical length or time.
It is formed from the adjective '짧다' and the auxiliary verb '-아지다'.
It is an intransitive verb, meaning it describes a change happening to the subject.
Commonly used for hair, days (daylight), pencils, and time durations like vacations.

The Korean verb 짧아지다 is a compound verb formed by combining the adjective 짧다 (short) with the auxiliary pattern -아/어지다, which translates to 'to become' or 'to get.' Therefore, 짧아지다 literally means 'to become short' or 'to shorten.' This word is incredibly versatile because it covers both physical length and temporal duration. In everyday Korean life, you will encounter this word in various contexts, ranging from describing your new haircut to discussing the changing seasons as the days get shorter in winter. It is an essential A1-level word because it allows learners to describe changes in the state of objects and the environment around them.

Physical Length: Used when an object that was once long has been cut, worn down, or naturally reduced in length. Common examples include hair, pencils, or clothing items like skirts and pants. For instance, if you go to a hair salon and the stylist cuts more than you expected, you might say your hair has 'become short.'

머리카락을 잘랐더니 아주 짧아졌어요.

Translation: After cutting my hair, it became very short.

Temporal Duration: Used to describe time periods getting shorter. This is most frequently heard when talking about daylight hours during the transition from autumn to winter. It can also refer to the duration of a vacation, a meeting, or a lifespan in a more metaphorical sense. Koreans often remark on how 'the sun has become shorter' (meaning sunset is earlier) as the year progresses.

겨울이 되니까 해가 많이 짧아졌네요.

Translation: Since it's becoming winter, the daylight has shortened a lot.

Distance and Space: While less common than length or time, it can describe a distance that feels shorter or has physically been reduced due to a new road or shortcut. If a new bridge is built, the travel time or the perceived distance between two points 'becomes shorter.'

새 길이 생겨서 학교 가는 거리가 짧아졌어요.

Translation: Because a new road was made, the distance to school has become shorter.

Furthermore, 짧아지다 is used in abstract contexts. For example, one's patience can 'become short' (성격이 급해지다 or 참을성이 짧아지다), although Koreans usually use specific idioms for this. In fashion, as trends change, skirt lengths might 'become shorter' (치마가 짧아지다). Understanding this word requires recognizing the transition from a 'long' state to a 'short' state. It is not just about being short; it is about the process of becoming so. This makes it a dynamic verb that captures the essence of change in the physical and temporal world.

유행에 따라 바지 길이가 점점 짧아지고 있어요.

Translation: Pant lengths are gradually becoming shorter according to the trend.

Using 짧아지다 correctly involves understanding its conjugation and its role as an intransitive verb. Because it describes a change in state, it is often used in the past tense (짧아졌다) to indicate that a change has already occurred, or in the progressive form (짧아지고 있다) to show that a change is currently happening. When you use this word, the subject of the sentence is the thing that is getting shorter. You do not need an object marker (~을/를) because the action is happening to the subject itself.

Present Tense Usage: The present tense '짧아져요' is used to describe general facts or recurring situations. For example, if you are explaining that days get shorter in the fall, the present tense is appropriate. It can also describe a current, ongoing observation.

가을에는 낮이 점점 짧아져요.

Translation: In autumn, the daytime gradually becomes shorter.

Past Tense Usage: The past tense '짧아졌어요' is perhaps the most common form. It is used to remark on a completed change. If you notice a friend has cut their hair, or if you realize your favorite pencil is now just a stub, you use the past tense to describe the result of that shortening process.

세탁을 했더니 티셔츠가 짧아졌어요.

Translation: I washed it, and the T-shirt became shorter (shrank).

Future Tense and Intent: The future tense '짧아질 거예요' is used for predictions. This is common in weather reports or when discussing the consequences of an action. For example, if you cut a rope, you predict it will 'become short.'

이 바지를 수선하면 길이가 짧아질 거예요.

Translation: If you repair (alter) these pants, the length will become shorter.

Another important aspect is the use of adverbs with 짧아지다. Common adverbs include 점점 (gradually), 갑자기 (suddenly), 많이 (a lot), and 조금 (a little). These adverbs help specify the rate and degree of the shortening process. In more advanced speech, you might see it combined with other grammar points like -아/어 보이다 (to look like) to say '짧아 보여요' (it looks like it became shorter). Mastery of this word involves not just knowing the definition, but feeling comfortable with how it flows into various grammatical structures to describe the world's constant state of change.

연필이 너무 짧아져서 쓰기 힘들어요.

Translation: The pencil became so short that it is hard to write.

In South Korea, 짧아지다 is a word you will hear frequently in social, commercial, and media settings. Its presence in daily life reflects the Korean attention to detail regarding physical appearance, seasonal changes, and time management. Understanding the specific 'real-world' scenarios where this word pops up will help you sound more natural and understand native speakers better. From the bustling streets of Gangnam to a quiet neighborhood hair salon, here is where the word comes alive.

At the Hair Salon (미용실): This is perhaps the most common place to hear the word. Stylists will use it to confirm how much length you want to remove, or you might use it to describe your desired look. '머리를 너무 짧아지게 하지 마세요' (Please don't make my hair too short) is a vital phrase for any expat in Korea!

손님, 머리 길이가 많이 짧아졌는데 괜찮으세요?

Translation: Customer, your hair length has become quite short; is that okay?

Weather Forecasts (일기예보): Korean news anchors and weather presenters frequently use this word when discussing the seasons. In Korea, the four distinct seasons are a point of pride and constant conversation. You will hear '낮의 길이가 짧아지고 있습니다' (Daylight hours are becoming shorter) almost every day during the late autumn months.

내일부터는 밤이 더 길어지고 낮이 짧아지겠습니다.

Translation: From tomorrow, the nights will get longer and the days will become shorter.

Clothing and Fashion (패션): In the fast-paced world of Korean fashion, trends change rapidly. You might hear people talking about how skirt or pant lengths are 'becoming shorter' in the summer. Also, in clothing stores, when discussing alterations, the staff will use this word to describe the result of the tailoring.

여름이라 옷차림이 많이 짧아졌네요.

Translation: Since it's summer, people's clothing has become much shorter.

Lastly, you'll hear it in schools or workplaces when talking about deadlines or break times. If a vacation is 'shortened' due to extra work, or if a class 'becomes shorter' because of a special event, 짧아지다 is the natural choice. It conveys the feeling of something being reduced from its expected or previous state. Pay attention to how the word sounds in these contexts; it often carries a tone of observation, sometimes with a hint of regret (like a short vacation) or surprise (like a short haircut).

방학이 생각보다 짧아져서 아쉬워요.

Translation: I'm disappointed because the school break became shorter than I thought.

Learning 짧아지다 might seem straightforward, but English speakers often trip up on a few specific areas. These mistakes usually stem from the difference between 'becoming short' (intransitive) and 'making something short' (transitive), as well as confusing it with words that mean 'to decrease' in size or volume. Let's look at the most common pitfalls to ensure your Korean remains accurate and natural.

Confusing Transitive and Intransitive: In English, the word 'shorten' can be both transitive ('I shortened the rope') and intransitive ('The days shortened'). In Korean, 짧아지다 is ONLY intransitive. You cannot '짧아지다' something. If you are the one doing the shortening, you must use '짧게 하다' or '줄이다'.

Mistake: 제가 바지를 짧아졌어요. (X)
Correct: 제가 바지를 짧게 했어요 / 바지가 짧아졌어요. (O)

Explanation: You can't use an object (바지를) with '짧아지다'. Use '짧게 하다' if you did it.

Confusing with '줄어들다' (To Shrink/Decrease): While they are related, '짧아지다' specifically refers to length or duration. '줄어들다' is more general and refers to volume, quantity, or overall size. If the population of a city decreases, you use '줄어들다', not '짧아지다'. Even for clothes, '줄어들다' is used for overall shrinking, whereas '짧아지다' focuses only on the vertical length.

Mistake: 인구가 짧아졌어요. (X)
Correct: 인구가 줄어들었어요. (O)

Explanation: Population (인구) is a quantity, so 'decrease' (줄어들다) is the correct term.

Inappropriate Formal/Informal Mix: Since '짧아지다' is a verb, it must be conjugated according to the social relationship. A common mistake is using the dictionary form '짧아지다' in speech. Always conjugate it to '짧아져요' (polite), '짧아져' (informal), or '짧아집니다' (formal).

Mistake: 낮이 짧아지다. (Spoken to a teacher)
Correct: 낮이 짧아졌어요. (O)

Explanation: Use the polite past tense when speaking to someone of higher status.

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the intransitive nature of the verb and the specific focus on length/time—you will avoid the most frequent errors made by learners and sound much more like a native speaker.

In Korean, there are several words that relate to things getting smaller or shorter. Depending on the context—whether it's formal, technical, or focusing on volume rather than length—you might want to choose a different word than 짧아지다. Understanding these nuances is key to moving from A1 to higher proficiency levels. Here is a comparison of synonyms and related terms.

줄어들다 vs 짧아지다: '줄어들다' is the most common synonym. However, '줄어들다' focuses on the reduction of amount, size, or volume (shrinking/decreasing). '짧아지다' specifically focuses on linear length or time duration. If a sweater shrinks in the dryer, use '줄어들다'. If you cut the sleeves of that sweater to make them shorter, use '짧아지다'.

단축되다 (To be Shortened - Formal): '단축되다' is a Sino-Korean word (短縮) that is used in formal or administrative contexts. You will see this in news reports about shortening travel times, reducing work hours, or shortening a construction period. It sounds more professional than '짧아지다'.

비행시간이 1시간 단축되었습니다.

Translation: The flight time has been shortened by one hour. (Formal)

좁아지다 (To become Narrow): Sometimes learners confuse length with width. '좁아지다' means to become narrow. If a road gets tighter, it's '좁아지다'. If the distance between two points on that road gets smaller, it's '짧아지다'.

낮아지다 (To become Lower): For things like temperature, altitude, or voice pitch, use '낮아지다'. Do not use '짧아지다' for these, even though we might say a 'short' sound in English; in Korean, sounds are usually described as 'low' or 'high'.

In summary, while 짧아지다 is the standard for length and time, '줄어들다' is for volume, '단축되다' is for formal time/distance reduction, and '좁아지다' is for width. Choosing the right one will make your Korean sound precise and sophisticated.

작업 시간이 많이 줄어들었어요.

Translation: The work time has decreased significantly. (Common alternative)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root '짧다' has been used for centuries in Korea to describe everything from the length of grass to the length of a human life, reflecting a deep linguistic focus on the transience of time.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /t͈͡sal.ba.d͡ʑi.da/

US /t͈͡sal.bɑ.d͡ʒi.dɑ/

Primary stress is on the first syllable '짧'.

Rhymes With

밝아지다 (to become bright) 얇아지다 (to become thin) 넓어지다 (to become wide) 젊어지다 (to become young) 닮아지다 (to become similar) 맑아지다 (to become clear) 붉어지다 (to become red) 굵어지다 (to become thick)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'b' (ㅂ) as a 'p' at the end of the first syllable.
Dropping the 'l' (ㄹ) sound entirely.
Mixing up the 'jj' (ㅉ) with a soft 'j' (ㅈ).
Failing to carry the 'b' (ㅂ) over to the next syllable '아'.
Pronouncing it as 'jjap-a-ji-da' instead of 'jjal-ba-ji-da'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is easy to recognize because of the common root '짧다'.

Writing 3/5

The patchim 'ㄹㅂ' can be tricky for beginners to write correctly.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation requires carrying the 'b' sound over, which takes practice.

Listening 2/5

It is distinct and easy to hear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

짧다 (to be short) 길다 (to be long) 크다 (to be big) 작다 (to be small)

Learn Next

길어지다 (to become long) 줄어들다 (to shrink) 단축하다 (to shorten - transitive) 변하다 (to change)

Advanced

왜소해지다 (to become diminutive) 축소되다 (to be downsized) 간소화되다 (to be simplified/shortened)

Grammar to Know

-아/어지다 (Becoming/Change of state)

예뻐지다, 커지다, 짧아지다

-고 있다 (Progressive)

짧아지고 있어요

-아서/어서 (Reason)

짧아져서 힘들어요

-면 (Condition)

짧아지면 알려주세요

-ㄴ/은 것 같다 (Seems like)

짧아진 것 같아요

Examples by Level

머리가 짧아졌어요.

My hair became short.

짧아지다 (past tense: 짧아졌어요)

연필이 짧아졌어요.

The pencil became short.

Subject + 짧아졌어요

바지가 짧아져요.

The pants are getting short.

Present tense indicating a state change.

치마가 너무 짧아졌어요.

The skirt became too short.

Adverb '너무' used for emphasis.

줄이 짧아졌어요.

The string became short.

Physical length change.

손톱이 짧아졌어요.

My fingernails became short.

Result of a completed action.

지우개가 짧아졌어요.

The eraser became short.

Physical object shortening.

막대기가 짧아졌어요.

The stick became short.

Simple subject-verb structure.

겨울에는 해가 짧아져요.

In winter, the sun (daylight) gets shorter.

General fact in present tense.

낮이 점점 짧아지고 있어요.

The daytime is gradually becoming shorter.

-고 있다 (progressive form)

세탁 후에 티셔츠가 짧아졌어요.

After washing, the T-shirt became shorter.

Time/Action sequence (후에).

머리가 조금 짧아졌네요.

Your hair became a little short, I see.

-네요 (expressing surprise/observation)

연필이 짧아져서 쓰기 힘들어요.

The pencil became short, so it's hard to write.

-아서/어서 (reason/cause)

밤이 짧아지고 낮이 길어져요.

Nights get shorter and days get longer.

Contrast using -고.

바지 길이가 짧아졌어요.

The length of the pants became shorter.

Specific attribute (길이) as subject.

갑자기 거리가 짧아졌어요.

Suddenly, the distance became short.

Adverb '갑자기' (suddenly).

새로운 길이 생겨서 학교 가는 시간이 짧아졌어요.

A new road was made, so the time to go to school became shorter.

Cause and effect with time duration.

휴가가 생각보다 짧아져서 아쉬워요.

I'm disappointed because the vacation became shorter than I thought.

Expressing feelings about a change in duration.

기술이 발달하면서 거리가 짧아지고 있습니다.

As technology develops, distances are becoming shorter.

-면서 (simultaneous action/state).

회의 시간이 짧아지면 좋겠어요.

It would be good if the meeting time became shorter.

-면 좋겠다 (expressing a wish).

수면 시간이 짧아지면 건강에 나빠요.

If sleep time becomes short, it's bad for health.

Conditional statement about health.

옷이 짧아지지 않게 조심해서 빠세요.

Wash it carefully so the clothes don't become short (shrink).

-지 않게 (so that something doesn't happen).

기다리는 시간이 짧아져서 다행이에요.

It's a relief that the waiting time became shorter.

Expressing relief about duration.

수명이 짧아지는 원인이 무엇인가요?

What is the cause of lifespans becoming shorter?

Noun-modifying form (짧아지는).

공사 기간이 짧아질 가능성이 높습니다.

There is a high possibility that the construction period will shorten.

Probability and formal future tense.

인터넷 덕분에 정보 전달 경로가 짧아졌습니다.

Thanks to the internet, information delivery routes have shortened.

Abstract path/route as subject.

경기 침체로 인해 근로 시간이 짧아지고 있다.

Working hours are getting shorter due to the economic downturn.

Written style (-고 있다) for social phenomena.

대화가 짧아지는 것은 관계의 적신호일 수 있다.

Conversations becoming shorter can be a red light for a relationship.

Gerund form (-는 것) as subject.

배터리 수명이 짧아져서 교체해야 해요.

The battery life has shortened, so I need to replace it.

Functional duration of a device.

기온이 오를수록 빙하의 길이는 짧아질 수밖에 없다.

As temperatures rise, the length of glaciers cannot help but shorten.

-ㄹ 수밖에 없다 (no choice but to).

유행이 짧아지는 속도가 점점 빨라지고 있다.

The speed at which trends shorten is getting faster.

Abstract concept of trend duration.

대기 시간이 짧아지도록 시스템을 개선했습니다.

We improved the system so that the waiting time would shorten.

-도록 (purpose/result).

현대 사회에서 인간의 집중력은 점점 짧아지는 추세이다.

In modern society, human attention spans are on a trend of becoming shorter.

Formal academic '추세이다' (is a trend).

역사적으로 보면 제국의 수명은 점점 짧아져 왔다.

Looking historically, the lifespans of empires have been getting shorter.

-아/어 오다 (action/state continuing from past).

도시화로 인해 녹지 공간과의 거리가 짧아지기를 기대한다.

I expect the distance to green spaces to shorten due to urbanization (planning).

-기를 기대하다 (to hope/expect).

언어의 경제성 때문에 단어의 형태가 짧아지는 현상이 나타난다.

Due to linguistic economy, the phenomenon of word forms shortening appears.

Linguistic analysis context.

고객의 인내심이 짧아지는 만큼 서비스의 속도도 빨라져야 한다.

As much as customers' patience shortens, service speed must also increase.

-는 만큼 (to the extent that).

생태계 파괴로 인해 특정 종의 번식 주기가 짧아졌다.

Due to ecosystem destruction, the breeding cycle of certain species has shortened.

Scientific/Biological context.

예술 작품에 대한 감상 시간이 짧아지는 것에 대해 우려의 목소리가 높다.

There are loud voices of concern about the shortening of appreciation time for artworks.

Formal discussion of social concerns.

기술 혁신은 제품의 교체 주기를 더욱 짧아지게 만들었다.

Technological innovation has made product replacement cycles even shorter.

Causative structure (-게 만들다).

그의 소설에서 시간의 흐름은 극도로 짧아지거나 길어지며 독자를 현혹한다.

In his novels, the flow of time shortens or lengthens extremely, bewitching the reader.

Literary analysis of temporal distortion.

우주론적 관점에서 별의 일생은 찰나처럼 짧아질 수도 있다.

From a cosmological perspective, the life of a star can become as short as a fleeting moment.

Cosmological/Metaphorical context.

디지털 노마드 시대에 물리적 거리는 무의미할 정도로 짧아졌다.

In the era of digital nomads, physical distance has shortened to the point of being meaningless.

-ㄹ 정도로 (to the degree that).

정치적 담론의 깊이가 짧아지는 현상은 민주주의의 위기를 초래할 수 있다.

The phenomenon of political discourse depth shortening can bring about a crisis in democracy.

High-level political philosophy.

기억의 유효 기간이 짧아지는 것은 정보 과잉의 부작용이다.

The shortening of the validity period of memories is a side effect of information overload.

Psychological/Sociological observation.

전통의 맥락이 짧아지면서 문화적 정체성이 흔들리고 있다.

As the context of tradition shortens, cultural identity is being shaken.

Metaphorical use regarding cultural heritage.

언어의 진화는 복잡한 문장이 짧아지는 방향으로 나아가는 경향이 있다.

The evolution of language tends to move in the direction of complex sentences shortening.

Linguistic evolutionary theory.

삶의 여백이 짧아질수록 우리는 본질적인 가치를 잃어버리기 쉽다.

As the margins of life shorten, we are prone to losing essential values.

-ㄹ수록 (the more... the more...).

Common Collocations

낮이 짧아지다

머리가 짧아지다

수명이 짧아지다

시간이 짧아지다

거리가 짧아지다

바지가 짧아지다

연필이 짧아지다

주기가 짧아지다

간격이 짧아지다

인내심이 짧아지다

Common Phrases

점점 짧아지다

— To gradually become shorter. Used for continuous changes.

해가 점점 짧아지고 있어요.

눈에 띄게 짧아지다

— To become noticeably shorter. Used when a change is obvious.

머리가 눈에 띄게 짧아졌네요.

갑자기 짧아지다

— To suddenly become short. Used for unexpected changes.

계획이 바뀌어서 일정이 갑자기 짧아졌어요.

너무 짧아지다

— To become too short. Often expresses dissatisfaction.

치마를 줄였는데 너무 짧아졌어요.

반으로 짧아지다

— To shorten by half. Describes a significant reduction.

연필이 거의 반으로 짧아졌어요.

길이가 짧아지다

— The length becomes short. Focuses specifically on linear measurement.

세탁 후에 소매 길이가 짧아졌어요.

시간이 짧아지다

— The time becomes short. Refers to duration.

연습 시간이 짧아져서 걱정이에요.

거리가 짧아지다

— The distance becomes short. Refers to physical or perceived space.

다리가 생겨서 거리가 짧아졌어요.

수명이 짧아지다

— Lifespan becomes shorter. Used for living things or machines.

담배를 피우면 수명이 짧아집니다.

간격이 짧아지다

— The interval becomes shorter. Used for frequency.

지하철 간격이 짧아져서 편리해요.

Often Confused With

짧아지다 vs 줄어들다

Use this for volume/size shrinking (like a whole shirt), whereas '짧아지다' is for length.

짧아지다 vs 작아지다

Use this for overall size (big to small), whereas '짧아지다' is specifically long to short.

짧아지다 vs 낮아지다

Use this for height or levels (high to low), not length.

Idioms & Expressions

"목숨이 짧아지다"

— Literally 'life shortens'; to feel like one is losing years of life due to stress or fear.

그 사고 때문에 목숨이 짧아지는 줄 알았어요.

Informal

"입이 짧아지다"

— While '입이 짧다' means to be a picky eater, '입이 짧아지다' can mean losing one's appetite.

아프고 나서 입이 더 짧아졌어요.

Neutral

"가을 해는 꼬리만큼 짧아진다"

— A saying describing how rapidly the sun sets in autumn.

가을 해는 정말 꼬리만큼 짧아지네요.

Literary/Proverbial

"참을성이 짧아지다"

— To lose patience more quickly than before.

나이가 드니 참을성이 짧아지는 것 같아요.

Neutral

"끈이 짧아지다"

— Metaphorically, to lose one's connections or support system.

정권이 바뀌면서 그의 줄(끈)이 짧아졌다.

Slang/Political

"생각이 짧아지다"

— To act without enough thought; to become narrow-minded or hasty.

화가 나면 생각이 짧아지기 마련이다.

Neutral

"발이 짧아지다"

— To visit a place less frequently (though '발길이 끊기다' is more common).

바빠지면서 고향에 가는 발이 짧아졌어요.

Rare/Dialectal

"손이 짧아지다"

— To lack the resources or reach to do something.

도와주고 싶지만 지금은 손이 짧아졌네요.

Metaphorical

"말이 짧아지다"

— To start speaking informally (Banmal) to someone who deserves honorifics.

친해지니까 점점 말이 짧아지네요?

Social

"기운이 짧아지다"

— To lose energy or stamina quickly.

오후만 되면 기운이 짧아져서 힘들어요.

Informal

Easily Confused

짧아지다 vs 좁아지다

Both describe things getting smaller.

좁아지다 is for width/breadth; 짧아지다 is for length/time.

길이 좁아졌어요 (The road got narrow) vs 거리가 짧아졌어요 (The distance got short).

짧아지다 vs 낮아지다

English often uses 'short' for height.

In Korean, height is 'high/low' (높다/낮다), not 'long/short'.

책상이 낮아졌어요 (The desk became lower) vs 연필이 짧아졌어요 (The pencil became short).

짧아지다 vs 줄다

Both mean to decrease.

줄다 is a general decrease in quantity or size; 짧아지다 is specific to length.

몸무게가 줄었어요 (Weight decreased) vs 머리가 짧아졌어요 (Hair became short).

짧아지다 vs 단축되다

Both mean to shorten.

단축되다 is formal/Sino-Korean; 짧아지다 is native/everyday.

비행 시간이 단축되었어요 (Formal) vs 노는 시간이 짧아졌어요 (Casual).

짧아지다 vs 얇아지다

Similar patchim 'ㄹㅂ'.

얇아지다 means to become thin (thickness); 짧아지다 means to become short (length).

책이 얇아졌어요 (The book became thin) vs 연필이 짧아졌어요 (The pencil became short).

Sentence Patterns

[Subject]이/가 짧아졌어요.

머리가 짧아졌어요.

점점 [Subject]이/가 짧아지고 있어요.

낮이 점점 짧아지고 있어요.

[Reason] 때문에 [Subject]이/가 짧아졌어요.

세탁 때문에 바지가 짧아졌어요.

[Subject]이/가 짧아져서 [Result].

연필이 짧아져서 못 써요.

[Subject]이/가 짧아질 가능성이 있다.

시간이 짧아질 가능성이 있어요.

[Subject]이/가 짧아지도록 [Action].

대기 시간이 짧아지도록 노력하세요.

[Subject]이/가 짧아지는 추세이다.

집중력이 짧아지는 추세이다.

[Subject]이/가 짧아짐에 따라 [Change].

수명이 짧아짐에 따라 보험료가 올랐다.

Word Family

Nouns

짧음 (shortness)

단축 (shortening/reduction)

Verbs

짧다 (to be short - root adjective)

짧게 하다 (to make short)

줄이다 (to reduce/shorten)

단축하다 (to shorten - transitive)

Adjectives

짧은 (short - modifying form)

짤막하다 (to be rather short/stubby)

길어지다 (to become long)

줄어들다 (to shrink)

작아지다 (to become small)

낮아지다 (to become low)

좁아지다 (to become narrow)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily life, weather reports, and personal observations.

Common Mistakes

바지를 짧아졌어요. → 바지가 짧아졌어요.
You cannot use the object marker '를' with '짧아지다' because it is an intransitive verb.
키가 짧아졌어요. → 키가 작아졌어요.
Height in Korean uses '작다/낮다', not '짧다'.
짤바졌어요 (Spelling) → 짧아졌어요
The root is '짧-', so you must keep the 'ㄹㅂ' patchim in writing.
인구가 짧아졌어요. → 인구가 줄어들었어요.
Population is a quantity, so 'decrease' (줄어들다/감소하다) is used instead of 'shorten'.
소리가 짧아졌어요. → 소리가 낮아졌어요.
Pitch of sound is 'high/low', not 'long/short', unless you mean the duration of the sound.

Tips

Intransitive Only

Never use an object with '짧아지다'. It's always 'something becomes short', not 'someone shortens something'.

Hair Salon Essential

This is one of the most important words to know at a Korean hair salon to describe your haircut.

Daylight Changes

Use '해가 짧아지다' to talk about the early sunsets in autumn and winter.

Double Patchim

Remember to write both 'ㄹ' and 'ㅂ' in '짧'. It's a hallmark of the word's spelling.

Process vs Result

'-아지고 있다' emphasizes the process, while '-아졌다' emphasizes the final result.

Shrinking Clothes

While '줄어들다' is common for shrinking, '짧아지다' is perfect if the sleeves or legs are now too short.

Vacation Blues

Use '휴가가 짧아졌어요' to express that your vacation time was reduced or felt too short.

Switch to Sino-Korean

In professional reports, try using '단축되다' instead of '짧아지다' for a more formal tone.

Patience and Thought

You can use it to describe 'thought' (생각) or 'patience' (참을성) becoming shorter/hastier.

Pair with 길어지다

Learning '짧아지다' and '길어지다' together as a pair will help you remember both faster.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'jj' (ㅉ) in '짧' as a pair of scissors cutting something long into two 'short' pieces. The 'b' (ㅂ) sound carries you into the 'a-ji-da' (becoming).

Visual Association

Imagine a long pencil being sharpened until it becomes a tiny nub. That process is '짧아지다'. Or imagine the sun setting earlier and earlier each day in October.

Word Web

짧다 길다 길어지다 줄어들다 머리카락 겨울 해 연필 시간

Challenge

Try to use '짧아지다' in three different sentences today: one about your hair, one about the time, and one about an object in your house.

Word Origin

Native Korean origin. It is a combination of the adjective '짧다' and the auxiliary verb '-아지다'.

Original meaning: To undergo a change into a state of shortness.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Avoid using '짧아지다' to describe a person's physical height change unless they are actually shrinking (like in old age); it can sound awkward or rude.

In English, we often use 'shorten' for both actions and results. In Korean, you must distinguish between the two. Also, 'short' can be an insult in English (regarding height), but in Korean, '짧아지다' isn't typically used for people's height; '작아지다' or '키가 작다' is used.

K-Drama 'The Days are Getting Shorter' (metaphorical title). Classical poems about the 'shortening' of youth. Weather reports during the transition to winter.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the hair salon

머리가 너무 짧아졌어요.
조금만 짧아지게 해 주세요.
짧아지면 안 돼요.
많이 짧아졌나요?

Talking about weather

해가 짧아졌어요.
낮이 점점 짧아지네요.
겨울이라 해가 빨리 짧아져요.
밤이 짧아지고 있어요.

School and Homework

연필이 짧아졌어요.
쉬는 시간이 짧아졌어요.
방학이 짧아져서 슬퍼요.
글자 수가 짧아졌어요.

Fashion and Shopping

바지가 너무 짧아졌어요.
치마 길이가 짧아졌네요.
세탁했더니 옷이 짧아졌어요.
유행이 짧아졌어요.

Travel and Distance

거리가 짧아졌어요.
시간이 짧아졌어요.
지름길로 가니 짧아졌네요.
여행 기간이 짧아졌어요.

Conversation Starters

"요즘 해가 정말 많이 짧아졌지 않나요?"

"머리 스타일이 바뀌었네요! 훨씬 짧아졌어요."

"이번 방학이 왜 이렇게 짧아진 것 같죠?"

"새로 생긴 길 덕분에 출근 시간이 짧아졌어요."

"연필이 너무 짧아졌는데 하나 빌려줄 수 있어요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내 삶에서 무엇이 짧아졌나요? (예: 자유 시간, 인내심, 연필)

계절이 바뀌면서 낮의 길이가 짧아지는 것을 보면 어떤 기분이 드나요?

머리를 짧게 자르고 나서 '짧아졌다'고 느꼈던 경험에 대해 써보세요.

기술의 발달로 우리 사이의 거리가 짧아졌다고 생각하나요?

만약 하루가 20시간으로 짧아진다면 당신은 무엇을 포기하겠습니까?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, if a person gets shorter (which is rare except in old age), you would use '키가 작아지다'. '짧아지다' is for objects or time.

'짧아지다' is intransitive (something becomes short on its own or as a result), while '짧게 하다' is transitive (you actively make something short).

You can say '해가 짧아지고 있어요' or '낮이 짧아지고 있어요'.

No, for money decreasing, use '줄어들다' or '감소하다'. However, you might say '기간이 짧아지다' for a loan period.

Yes, '이야기가 짧아졌어요' means the story became shorter.

Yes, it is very common. You can say '머리가 너무 짧아졌어요' if you are surprised by the length.

The 'ㅂ' moves to the next syllable, so it sounds like [짤바지다].

The opposite is '길어지다', which means to become long.

It is not common. For a relationship ending soon, you might use '끝나가다' or '짧게 끝나다'.

Yes, it follows the standard '-아지다' conjugation rules for adjectives ending in 'ㅏ'.