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두꺼워지다

A1 verb #5,500 most common 8 min read

두꺼워지다

dukkeowojida Top 5,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 두꺼워지다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 두꺼워지다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn '두꺼워지다' to describe simple, everyday changes. The most common context is the weather and clothes. When it gets cold, your clothes get 'thick.' You will use this word to talk about winter coats, blankets, and socks. It is a 'change' word. You take '두껍다' (thick) and add '-어지다' (to become). At this stage, just focus on the basic meaning: something was thin, now it is thick. For example, 'The book is thick' (책이 두꺼워요) becomes 'The book became thick' (책이 두꺼워졌어요) because you added more pages. It is a very useful word for basic daily life and describing the physical world around you. You don't need to worry about metaphors yet, just focus on physical objects you can touch like paper, clothing, and ice.

At the A2 level, you start to use '두꺼워지다' in more varied sentences. You will learn to use it with adverbs like '점점' (gradually) or '더' (more). You will also begin to see the difference between '두꺼워지다' and '굵어지다'. A2 learners should practice using this word for natural changes, like ice on a river in winter or layers of dust on a shelf. You will also use it in shopping contexts, like asking if a jacket will become 'thicker' or more padded. You should also be comfortable with the past tense '두꺼워졌다' and the future tense '두꺼워질 거예요'. This level is about expanding the types of objects you describe, moving from just 'clothes' to things like 'makeup' or 'walls'.

At the B1 level, you use '두꺼워지다' to describe more complex processes and start exploring metaphorical meanings. You might use it in a discussion about the environment, describing how glaciers or ice layers are changing. You will also learn the common idiom '낯가죽이 두꺼워지다' (to become thick-skinned/shameless). At this level, you should be able to explain *why* something is becoming thicker using grammar like '-어서/아서' or '-(으)니까'. For example, 'Because it's winter, the ice became thicker' (겨울이라서 얼음이 두꺼워졌어요). You are now expected to distinguish between '두꺼워지다' and other similar words like '진해지다' (to become dark/intense) or '걸쭉해지다' (to become viscous) in specific contexts like cooking or art.

At the B2 level, you can use '두꺼워지다' fluently in academic or professional contexts. You might use it in a report about construction, discussing the 'thickening' of insulation for better energy efficiency. You will understand the nuance of using this word in literature to describe a character's emotional shielding or the 'thickening' of a plot (though other words are more common for plots, the concept of layers applies). Your grammar usage becomes more sophisticated, using forms like '두꺼워짐에 따라' (as it becomes thicker...). You can also discuss the social implications of people becoming 'thicker-skinned' in modern society. Your vocabulary is now precise enough to avoid using '두꺼워지다' for things like rain or ropes, where '굵어지다' is required.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word's semantic range. You can use '두꺼워지다' to describe abstract concepts like 'the wall of prejudice' (편견의 벽) becoming thicker over time. You appreciate the subtle difference between a physical increase in thickness and a figurative accumulation of history or experience. You can use the word in high-level discussions about sociology, science, or philosophy. For example, discussing how 'social layers' (사회적 계층) become thicker or more rigid. You are also proficient in using the nominalized form '두꺼워짐' in formal writing and can use the word in complex conditional or hypothetical sentences. You recognize the word in classical literature or advanced news editorials where it might be used to describe the 'thickening' of a political divide.

At the C2 level, '두꺼워지다' is a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it with perfect precision in any context, from a scientific dissertation on geological layering to a poetic description of the 'thickening' of the night or the 'thickening' of one's resolve. You understand the historical development of the word and can identify its use in various Korean dialects or older texts. You can play with the word's meaning in creative writing, using it to describe the 'thickening' of a silence or the 'thickening' of an atmosphere in a room. You are a master of the ㅂ-irregular conjugation and can apply it instinctively. At this level, you can also teach others the subtle differences between this word and its synonyms, providing rich, context-specific examples that go beyond standard dictionary definitions.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

두꺼워지다 in 30 Seconds

A verb meaning 'to become thick', used for flat objects like books and clothes.
Formed from the adjective '두껍다' and the change-of-state suffix '-어지다'.
Follows the ㅂ-irregular conjugation rule, becoming '두꺼워-' before vowels.
Commonly used for seasonal changes (winter clothes) and metaphorical 'thick skin' (shamelessness).

The Korean verb 두꺼워지다 is an essential inchoative verb that describes the process of an object increasing in thickness. In linguistic terms, it is a combination of the descriptive adjective 두껍다 (to be thick) and the auxiliary verb construction -어지다, which signifies a change in state or a transition over time. For English speakers, this is most accurately translated as 'to become thick,' 'to get thicker,' or 'to thicken.' Unlike English, which might use 'thicken' for both physical objects and liquids (like soup), Korean specifically uses 두꺼워지다 for physical dimensions of solid objects like books, clothing, walls, or ice.

Dimension Focus: This word specifically refers to the distance between two opposite surfaces of a flat or layered object. If you are describing a book getting more pages, a winter coat having more padding, or ice forming on a lake, this is the correct term.

날씨가 추워지면서 사람들의 옷차림이 두꺼워지다.

Beyond physical objects, 두꺼워지다 can also be used metaphorically. One common idiomatic usage refers to one's 'face' or 'skin' getting thicker, which implies becoming more brazen, shameless, or thick-skinned in the face of criticism. This mirrors the English concept of having 'thick skin,' though in Korean, it often carries a slightly more negative nuance of losing one's sense of shame.

Usage in Nature: Environmental scientists use this word to describe the accumulation of dust, the growth of tree bark (though 굵어지다 is often used for the trunk itself), and the freezing of river surfaces. It implies a gradual, measurable increase in physical depth.

강물이 얼어붙어 얼음판이 점점 두꺼워지다.

In daily life, you'll encounter this word in fashion blogs discussing winter trends, in construction when discussing insulation, or in the kitchen when talking about the crust of a pizza or the layers of a cake. It is a versatile, high-frequency word that bridges the gap between simple description and dynamic change. Understanding this word helps you describe the world around you as it evolves, rather than just as it is at a single moment in time.

Using 두꺼워지다 correctly requires an understanding of both its conjugation and its semantic boundaries. As a verb derived from a ㅂ-irregular adjective, the most critical step is mastering the transition from 'ㅂ' to '우'. When you want to say something 'became thick,' you use the past tense form 두꺼워졌다. For a continuous process, you might use 두꺼워지고 있다.

Tense Variations: Past: 두꺼워졌어요 (It became thick). Present: 두꺼워져요 (It is becoming thick/It becomes thick). Future: 두꺼워질 거예요 (It will become thick).

화장이 평소보다 두꺼워졌다.

In the sentence above, 'The makeup became thicker than usual,' the word describes an increase in the layers of cosmetics applied to the face. This is a very common way to use the word in beauty and fashion contexts. Notice how the subject '화장' (makeup) is paired with the particle '이/가'. Another important aspect is the distinction between 두꺼워지다 and 굵어지다. While both can translate to 'become thick' in English, 두꺼워지다 is for flat surfaces (books, walls, layers), whereas 굵어지다 is for cylindrical or long objects (fingers, ropes, legs, rain drops). Using the wrong one is a common mistake for beginners.

Comparison Example: Correct: 책이 두꺼워지다 (The book gets thicker). Incorrect: 책이 굵어지다. Correct: 팔뚝이 굵어지다 (The forearm gets thicker/muscular). Incorrect: 팔뚝이 두꺼워지다.

겨울이 오면 동물의 털이 두꺼워진다.

This sentence describes a biological change: 'When winter comes, animals' fur becomes thicker.' Here, the verb acts as a natural process. In more formal or academic writing, you might see the form 두꺼워짐 used as a nominalized noun to describe the phenomenon of thickening in a report or scientific paper. Mastering these variations allows you to transition from simple observations to complex descriptions of change.

You will encounter 두꺼워지다 in a variety of real-world scenarios in Korea, ranging from casual conversations to professional environments. One of the most frequent places is at a clothing store or during seasonal transitions. Koreans are very sensitive to the 'thickness' of their clothing due to the distinct four seasons. You might hear a shop assistant say, '날씨가 추워져서 코트가 많이 두꺼워졌어요' (The coats have become much thicker because the weather got cold).

Daily Life & Shopping: When buying blankets, socks, or winter leggings, customers often ask if the material will 'become thicker' after washing or if a specific product is 'thickening' the insulation layers.

이 패딩은 입을수록 공기가 들어가서 더 두꺼워져요.

In the realm of literature and education, teachers often use this word when discussing textbooks. As students move to higher grades, their books naturally 'become thicker' (책이 두꺼워지다). This is often used as a metaphor for the increasing difficulty or volume of study. You might hear a student complain, '학년이 올라갈수록 교과서가 너무 두꺼워져요' (As I go up in grades, the textbooks become too thick). Furthermore, in the beauty industry, makeup artists frequently use this term. When applying multiple layers of foundation or concealer, they might warn, '화장이 너무 두꺼워지지 않게 조심하세요' (Be careful so that the makeup doesn't become too thick/heavy). This highlights the word's application to layers on a surface.

Construction & DIY: If you are watching a home renovation show, the host might mention that adding insulation makes the walls '두꺼워지다', which helps in keeping the heat inside during the harsh Korean winters.

벽지가 두꺼워지면 방음 효과가 더 좋아집니다.

Lastly, in social contexts, the idiom about 'thick skin' (낯가죽이 두꺼워지다) is often heard in dramas or variety shows when a character acts shamelessly or asks for favors without hesitation. Hearing this word in such a diverse set of contexts—from the weather to social behavior—shows how deeply it is integrated into the Korean conceptualization of physical and social boundaries.

For many learners, the most frequent mistake when using 두꺼워지다 is confusing it with its close relative 굵어지다. In English, both can be translated as 'to get thicker,' but in Korean, the distinction is based on the shape and nature of the object. 두꺼워지다 is strictly for flat objects or layers (books, coats, ice, walls). 굵어지다 is for long, cylindrical objects where the diameter increases (fingers, arms, ropes, noodles, rain drops).

The 'Flat vs. Round' Rule: Think of '두꺼워지다' as adding layers on top of each other, and '굵어지다' as expanding outwards from a center point like a cylinder.

잘못된 표현: 손가락이 두꺼워졌어요. (X) -> 올바른 표현: 손가락이 굵어졌어요. (O)

Another common error involves the conjugation of the ㅂ-irregular stem. Beginners often forget to change the 'ㅂ' to '우' and try to conjugate it as '두껍어지다'. This is grammatically incorrect and sounds very unnatural to native speakers. Always remember: 두껍 + 어지다 → 두꺼워지다. Learners also sometimes use 두꺼워지다 when they should use 걸쭉해지다. This happens when describing liquids like soup or sauce. In English, we say 'the soup thickened,' but in Korean, if a liquid becomes viscous, the correct word is 걸쭉해지다. Using 두꺼워지다 for soup would imply the soup literally grew a thick solid layer or increased in physical height like a block of wood.

Liquid vs. Solid: Use '걸쭉해지다' for liquids (soup, sauce, blood). Use '두꺼워지다' for solids (paper, blankets, ice).

잘못된 표현: 수프가 두꺼워지다. (X) -> 올바른 표현: 수프가 걸쭉해지다. (O)

Lastly, be careful with the word 진해지다. While 두꺼워지다 can be used for makeup (meaning many layers), 진해지다 refers to the intensity of color or concentration. If you want to say the makeup became 'darker' or 'bolder' in color, use 진해지다. If you mean 'heavier' or 'more layered,' use 두꺼워지다. Distinguishing these nuances will make your Korean sound much more sophisticated and accurate.

To truly master 두꺼워지다, it is helpful to compare it with similar words that describe growth, thickening, or intensification. The most important comparison is with 굵어지다. As mentioned previously, 굵어지다 is used for the diameter of cylindrical objects. This includes parts of the body (thighs, wrists), natural phenomena (rain drops, pillars of smoke), and long items (cables, noodles).

두꺼워지다 vs. 굵어지다: Book (Flat) -> 두꺼워지다. Rope (Round) -> 굵어지다. Wall (Flat) -> 두꺼워지다. Finger (Round) -> 굵어지다.

비줄기가 점점 굵어지다.

Another alternative is 짙어지다 or 진해지다. These are used for concentration, color intensity, or density of things like fog or shadows. While a 'thick fog' in English uses the word 'thick,' in Korean, you would use 짙어지다 (안개가 짙어지다). Using 두꺼워지다 for fog would be a literal translation error from English. For liquids, as discussed, 걸쭉해지다 is the primary choice. This is specific to the viscosity of fluids like porridge, stew, or paint. If you are cooking and the sauce reduces and becomes thick, you say '소스가 걸쭉해졌어요.'

Specialized Alternatives: 1. 부풀다: To swell or puff up (like bread or a bruised eye). 2. 쌓이다: To be piled up (describing the result of becoming thicker via accumulation). 3. 강화되다: To be reinforced (often used for walls or rules getting 'thicker' in a metaphorical sense).

먼지가 두껍게 쌓이다.

In this final example, you see the adverbial form 두껍게 combined with 쌓이다 (to be piled up). This is a common way to describe the process of something becoming thicker through the accumulation of external material. Understanding these subtle differences ensures that you choose the most natural word for the specific physical property you are describing, moving beyond the limitations of a one-to-one English translation.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'ㅂ' in '두껍다' is a historical remnant of a 'p' sound that changes to 'w' (우) in modern Korean when followed by a vowel, a classic example of the ㅂ-irregular conjugation.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /du.k͈ʌ.wʌ.dʑi.da/

US /du.k͈ʌ.wʌ.dʑi.da/

In Korean, stress is generally even, but a slight emphasis may fall on the first syllable of the root '두'.

Rhymes With

가까워지다 (to get closer) 더워지다 (to get hotter) 추워지다 (to get colder) 부드러워지다 (to get softer) 어려워지다 (to get harder) 쉬워지다 (to get easier) 무거워지다 (to get heavier) 가벼워지다 (to get lighter)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'duk-eop-ji-da' (forgetting the ㅂ-irregular change).
Using a soft 'k' instead of the tensed 'kk' (두거워지다).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the root '두껍다'.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering the ㅂ-irregular conjugation.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of the tensed 'kk' and the 'w' sound requires practice.

Listening 2/5

Common in weather and daily life contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

두껍다 (to be thick) 얇다 (to be thin) -어지다 (to become) 옷 (clothes) 얼음 (ice)

Learn Next

굵어지다 (to become thick - cylindrical) 진해지다 (to become intense) 걸쭉해지다 (to become viscous) 깊어지다 (to become deep) 넓어지다 (to become wide)

Advanced

고착되다 (to become fixed) 강화되다 (to be reinforced) 심화되다 (to intensify)

Grammar to Know

ㅂ-irregular conjugation

두껍다 + 어요 -> 두꺼워요 / 두껍다 + 어지다 -> 두꺼워지다

-어지다 (Change of state)

예쁘다 -> 예뻐지다 (To become pretty)

-ㄹ수록 (The more... the more)

두꺼워질수록 무거워져요. (The thicker it gets, the heavier it becomes.)

-아/어서 (Reason)

두꺼워져서 따뜻해요. (It's warm because it got thick.)

-기 시작하다 (Start doing)

얼음이 두꺼워지기 시작했어요. (The ice started thickening.)

Examples by Level

날씨가 추워서 옷이 두꺼워졌어요.

The weather is cold, so the clothes became thick.

-어지다 is added to the adjective 두껍다 to show change.

책이 점점 두꺼워져요.

The book is gradually getting thicker.

점점 (gradually) is often used with -어지다.

얼음이 두꺼워졌어요.

The ice became thick.

Past tense: -어졌다.

종이가 더 두꺼워지면 좋겠어요.

I wish the paper would become thicker.

-면 좋겠다 expresses a wish.

담요가 두꺼워져서 따뜻해요.

The blanket became thick, so it is warm.

-어서 (reason) + adjective.

이 양말은 세탁하면 두꺼워져요?

Does this sock get thicker if you wash it?

Question form of -어지다.

화장이 너무 두꺼워졌어요.

The makeup became too thick.

너무 (too much) + verb.

겨울에는 양말이 두꺼워집니다.

In winter, socks become thick.

Formal ending -ㅂ니다.

겨울이 되니까 얼음판이 아주 두꺼워졌네요.

Since it became winter, the ice sheet has become very thick.

-니까 (reason) and -네요 (exclamation).

화장이 두꺼워지지 않게 조심하세요.

Please be careful so the makeup doesn't become thick.

-지 않게 (so that... not) + 조심하다.

새로 산 이불이 생각보다 더 두꺼워졌어요.

The new blanket I bought became thicker than I thought.

생각보다 (than thought) + 더 (more).

벽이 두꺼워지면 소리가 잘 안 들려요.

If the wall becomes thicker, the sound is not heard well.

-면 (if) + result.

눈이 계속 내려서 층이 두꺼워졌어요.

It kept snowing, so the layer became thick.

계속 (continuously) + -어서 (reason).

책에 자료를 더 넣었더니 책이 두꺼워졌네요.

I put more materials in the book, so it got thicker.

-었더니 (observed result).

바닥에 먼지가 두꺼워지기 전에 청소하세요.

Clean up before the dust on the floor becomes thick.

-기 전에 (before).

겨울 코트의 안감이 더 두꺼워질 거예요.

The lining of the winter coat will become thicker.

Future tense -을 거예요.

강추위로 인해 강물의 얼음이 부쩍 두꺼워졌다.

Due to the severe cold, the ice on the river has thickened remarkably.

-로 인해 (due to) + 부쩍 (remarkably).

나이가 들수록 낯가죽이 두꺼워지는 것 같아요.

I feel like I'm becoming more thick-skinned as I get older.

-ㄹ수록 (the more... the more) + 낯가죽이 두꺼워지다 (idiom).

단열재를 추가하면 벽이 두꺼워져서 에너지를 아낄 수 있어요.

If you add insulation, the walls get thicker, so you can save energy.

-ㄹ 수 있다 (can).

화장이 너무 두꺼워지면 피부가 숨을 쉬기 힘들어요.

If makeup becomes too thick, it's hard for the skin to breathe.

-기 힘들다 (to be hard to do).

기록이 쌓이면서 책의 두께가 점점 두꺼워지고 있습니다.

As records accumulate, the thickness of the book is gradually increasing.

-면서 (while/as) + -고 있다 (progressive).

이 소재는 물에 젖으면 약간 두꺼워지는 성질이 있어요.

This material has a property of becoming slightly thicker when wet.

-는 성질이 있다 (to have a property of).

겨울잠을 자기 위해 동물의 지방층이 두꺼워집니다.

In order to hibernate, the fat layer of animals becomes thicker.

-기 위해 (in order to).

그의 거짓말이 반복될수록 의심의 벽은 두꺼워졌다.

As his lies were repeated, the wall of suspicion became thicker.

의심의 벽 (wall of suspicion - metaphorical).

대기 오염으로 인해 구름의 층이 점점 두꺼워지고 있습니다.

Due to air pollution, the layer of clouds is gradually becoming thicker.

Academic context of environmental change.

그는 비판에도 아랑곳하지 않고 낯가죽이 점점 두꺼워졌다.

He became increasingly thick-skinned, indifferent to criticism.

-에도 아랑곳하지 않고 (regardless of).

빙하의 두께가 두꺼워져야 해수면 상승을 막을 수 있다.

The thickness of the glacier must become thicker to stop the sea level rise.

-어야 (must... to).

화장품의 제형이 개선되면서 발림성은 좋아지고 두꺼워지지는 않아요.

As cosmetic formulas improve, application is better and it doesn't get thick.

-지는 않다 (contrastive negation).

역사가 깊어질수록 민족의 정체성이라는 층이 두꺼워집니다.

As history deepens, the layer called national identity becomes thicker.

Metaphorical use in sociology.

보안 프로그램이 업데이트될수록 방화벽이 두꺼워지는 느낌입니다.

As the security program updates, it feels like the firewall is getting thicker.

-는 느낌이다 (it feels like).

이 요리는 소스가 졸아들면서 두꺼워지는 것이 아니라 걸쭉해지는 것입니다.

This dish doesn't become 'thick' (in dimension) as the sauce boils down, but rather becomes viscous.

Distinguishing 두꺼워지다 vs 걸쭉해지다.

철판이 두꺼워질수록 제품의 내구성은 향상되지만 무게는 늘어납니다.

As the steel plate becomes thicker, the product's durability improves but the weight increases.

-ㄹ수록... -지만 (the more... the but...).

도시의 소음 공해를 차단하기 위해 방음벽이 점차 두꺼워지는 추세이다.

There is a trend of soundproof walls gradually becoming thicker to block urban noise pollution.

-는 추세이다 (to be a trend).

권력의 횡포에 맞서 시민들의 저항 의식은 더욱 두꺼워졌다.

Against the tyranny of power, the citizens' sense of resistance became even thicker (stronger).

Abstract use for 'resolve' or 'consciousness'.

지질학적 관점에서 볼 때, 퇴적층이 두꺼워지는 과정은 수만 년이 걸린다.

From a geological perspective, the process of sedimentary layers thickening takes tens of thousands of years.

Technical/Scientific register.

사회적 불평등이 심화되면서 계층 간의 벽이 두꺼워지고 있다는 우려가 크다.

There is great concern that the wall between classes is becoming thicker as social inequality intensifies.

-는 우려가 크다 (there is great concern that...).

그 작가의 문체는 시간이 흐를수록 수식어가 많아지며 두꺼워지는 경향이 있다.

The author's prose tends to become thicker with more modifiers as time passes.

Metaphorical use for writing style.

피부의 각질층이 두꺼워지면 수분 흡수가 방해받을 수 있습니다.

If the stratum corneum (dead skin layer) becomes thicker, moisture absorption can be hindered.

Medical/Dermatological terminology.

전통의 무게가 두꺼워질수록 현대적 변용은 더욱 어려워지기 마련이다.

As the weight of tradition becomes thicker, modern transformation is bound to become more difficult.

-기 마련이다 (is bound to).

정보의 홍수 속에서 진실을 가리는 안개는 더욱 두꺼워졌다.

In the flood of information, the fog obscuring the truth has become even thicker.

Highly metaphorical/Literary.

인간 소외 현상이 심화됨에 따라 개인주의의 벽은 더욱 견고하고 두꺼워졌다.

As the phenomenon of human alienation intensifies, the wall of individualism has become more solid and thick.

-함에 따라 (according to/as).

빙하기의 도래와 함께 대륙을 뒤덮은 얼음의 갑옷은 수 킬로미터에 이를 정도로 두꺼워졌다.

With the arrival of the Ice Age, the armor of ice covering the continent became thick enough to reach several kilometers.

Poetic/Epic register.

정치적 양극화가 극에 달하며 양 진영 사이의 불신의 벽은 도저히 넘을 수 없을 만큼 두꺼워졌다.

As political polarization reached its peak, the wall of distrust between the two camps became so thick it was impossible to overcome.

-ㄹ 만큼 (to the extent that).

세월의 풍파를 견뎌낸 노인의 손등에는 굳은살이 두꺼워져 삶의 궤적을 증명하고 있었다.

On the back of the elderly person's hand, who had endured the hardships of time, calluses had thickened, testifying to the trajectory of their life.

Literary description of physical aging.

우주 공간에서 성간 먼지가 두꺼워지는 영역은 새로운 별이 탄생하는 요람이 된다.

Regions where interstellar dust thickens in space become cradles where new stars are born.

Astrophysical context.

법망이 두꺼워질수록 범죄의 수법 또한 교묘해지는 모순적 상황이 발생한다.

A paradoxical situation occurs where as the net of the law becomes thicker, the methods of crime also become more ingenious.

Metaphorical use for 'law' (법망).

문화적 융합이 일어나는 경계면에서 창의성의 층위는 더욱 두꺼워지며 새로운 가치를 창출한다.

At the interface where cultural fusion occurs, the layers of creativity become thicker and create new values.

Abstract philosophical/cultural analysis.

침묵의 시간이 두꺼워질수록 두 사람 사이의 거리감은 좁히기 힘든 심연으로 변해갔다.

As the time of silence became thicker, the distance between the two people turned into an abyss that was hard to bridge.

Highly evocative literary use.

Common Collocations

옷이 두꺼워지다

얼음이 두꺼워지다

화장이 두꺼워지다

책이 두꺼워지다

벽이 두꺼워지다

낯가죽이 두꺼워지다

지방층이 두꺼워지다

먼지가 두꺼워지다

구름이 두꺼워지다

입술이 두꺼워지다

Common Phrases

점점 두꺼워지다

— To gradually become thicker. Used for slow processes like ice forming.

강물의 얼음이 점점 두꺼워지고 있습니다.

부쩍 두꺼워지다

— To become remarkably thicker in a short time. Often used for winter clothing.

추위 때문에 사람들의 옷차림이 부쩍 두꺼워졌다.

너무 두꺼워지다

— To become too thick. Often used as a warning for makeup or layers.

화장이 너무 두꺼워지지 않게 하세요.

두꺼워지기 시작하다

— To start becoming thick.

겨울이 되자 얼음이 두꺼워지기 시작했다.

하나도 안 두꺼워지다

— To not become thick at all.

세탁을 했는데도 담요가 하나도 안 두꺼워졌어요.

더욱 두꺼워지다

— To become even thicker.

눈이 쌓여서 층이 더욱 두꺼워졌다.

두꺼워질 대로 두꺼워지다

— To become as thick as it can possibly get.

그의 낯가죽은 두꺼워질 대로 두꺼워졌다.

두꺼워지면 안 되다

— Must not become thick.

이 종이는 두꺼워지면 인쇄하기 힘들어요.

두꺼워지는 추세이다

— To be a trend of getting thicker.

최근 전자기기의 배터리가 두꺼워지는 추세이다.

두꺼워지는 과정

— The process of becoming thick.

얼음이 두꺼워지는 과정을 관찰했다.

Often Confused With

두꺼워지다 vs 굵어지다

Used for diameter (ropes, fingers). 두꺼워지다 is for flat surfaces.

두꺼워지다 vs 진해지다

Used for color or concentration (fog, sauce).

두꺼워지다 vs 깊어지다

Used for depth (water, thoughts, night).

Idioms & Expressions

"낯가죽이 두꺼워지다"

— To become shameless or brazen (literally: the skin of the face gets thick).

그는 잘못을 하고도 사과하지 않으니 낯가죽이 참 두꺼워졌다.

Informal

"얼굴이 두꺼워지다"

— Same as 낯가죽이 두꺼워지다; to be thick-skinned.

사회생활을 하다 보면 얼굴이 두꺼워지기 마련이다.

Neutral

"철판을 깔다"

— To act shamelessly (literally: to lay a steel plate on one's face). Related to the concept of thickness.

그는 얼굴에 철판을 깔았는지 뻔뻔하게 행동한다.

Slang

"벽이 두꺼워지다"

— Metaphorically, for a barrier or misunderstanding between people to grow.

오해가 쌓여 두 사람 사이의 벽이 두꺼워졌다.

Literary

"층이 두꺼워지다"

— Metaphorically, for a certain group or class of people to increase in number/strength.

중산층의 층이 두꺼워져야 경제가 안정된다.

Academic

"입술이 두껍다"

— While not 'becoming', having thick lips is often a descriptive trait.

그는 입술이 두꺼워서 인상이 좋아 보인다.

Neutral

"두껍게 입다"

— To dress warmly in many layers.

오늘은 날씨가 추우니 두껍게 입고 나가세요.

Daily Life

"두꺼운 지갑"

— A 'thick wallet', meaning having a lot of money.

보너스를 받으니 지갑이 두꺼워졌다.

Informal

"두꺼운 팬층"

— A 'thick fan base', meaning a large and loyal following.

그 가수는 두꺼운 팬층을 보유하고 있다.

Journalistic

"두꺼운 신뢰"

— 'Thick trust', meaning deep and strong trust.

두 사람 사이에는 두꺼운 신뢰가 형성되어 있다.

Literary

Easily Confused

두꺼워지다 vs 굵어지다

Both mean 'to get thicker' in English.

굵어지다 is for 3D cylinders (diameter); 두꺼워지다 is for 2D planes (layers).

손가락이 굵어지다 (O), 손가락이 두꺼워지다 (X).

두꺼워지다 vs 걸쭉해지다

Both describe a state of being 'thick'.

걸쭉해지다 is for liquid viscosity; 두꺼워지다 is for solid dimension.

수프가 걸쭉해지다 (O), 수프가 두꺼워지다 (X).

두꺼워지다 vs 짙어지다

Used for 'thick' fog or 'thick' shadows in English.

짙어지다 is for visual density/intensity; 두꺼워지다 is for physical measurement.

안개가 짙어지다 (O), 안개가 두꺼워지다 (X).

두꺼워지다 vs 부풀다

Both involve increasing in size.

부풀다 is swelling from air/moisture (like bread); 두꺼워지다 is adding layers.

반죽이 부풀다 (O), 반죽이 두꺼워지다 (Possible but different meaning).

두꺼워지다 vs 단단해지다

Thick things are often hard.

단단해지다 is about hardness/solidity; 두꺼워지다 is about size.

얼음이 단단해지다 vs 얼음이 두꺼워지다.

Sentence Patterns

[Noun]이/가 두꺼워졌어요.

옷이 두꺼워졌어요.

[Noun]이/가 점점 두꺼워져요.

얼음이 점점 두꺼워져요.

[Noun]이/가 두꺼워져서 [Result].

벽이 두꺼워져서 조용해요.

[Noun]이/가 두꺼워지기 시작해요.

눈이 두꺼워지기 시작해요.

[Noun]이/가 두꺼워질수록 [Result].

책이 두꺼워질수록 무거워요.

[Noun]이/가 두꺼워지지 않게 [Action].

화장이 두꺼워지지 않게 발라요.

[Noun]이/가 두꺼워지는 추세이다.

방음벽이 두꺼워지는 추세이다.

[Noun]이/가 심화됨에 따라 [Noun]이/가 두꺼워지다.

갈등이 심화됨에 따라 불신의 벽이 두꺼워졌다.

Word Family

Nouns

두께 (thickness)

두꺼움 (the state of being thick)

Verbs

두껍다 (to be thick - adjective root)

두꺼워지다 (to become thick)

Adjectives

두툼하다 (to be comfortably thick/bulky)

두꺼운 (thick - modifying form)

굵다 (to be thick/bold)

얇다 (to be thin)

깊다 (to be deep)

진하다 (to be thick/dark/intense)

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in winter or when discussing books/makeup.

Common Mistakes

두껍어지다 → 두꺼워지다
The adjective '두껍다' is ㅂ-irregular. The 'ㅂ' changes to '우' before '-어지다'.
손가락이 두꺼워지다 → 손가락이 굵어지다
'두꺼워지다' is for flat objects. Cylindrical objects like fingers use '굵어지다'.
수프가 두꺼워지다 → 수프가 걸쭉해지다
'두꺼워지다' refers to physical dimension, not liquid viscosity. Use '걸쭉해지다' for soup.
안개가 두꺼워지다 → 안개가 짙어지다
Fog doesn't have a 'thickness' in the dimension sense; it has density. Use '짙어지다' or '진해지다'.
비가 두꺼워지다 → 비가 굵어지다
Raindrops are considered cylindrical/round, so '굵어지다' is the correct term for heavy rain.

Tips

Master the Irregular

Always remember the ㅂ-irregular rule. Whenever '두껍-' meets a suffix starting with a vowel like '-어지다', it becomes '두꺼워-'. This is the most common mistake for learners.

Think Seasonal

The best way to practice this word is during the change of seasons. Comment on how your blanket, socks, and coats are '두꺼워졌어요'.

Flat vs. Round

Visualize the object. If it's a flat surface (book, paper), use '두꺼워지다'. If it's a round object (rope, finger), use '굵어지다'.

Social Nuance

Learn the idiom '낯가죽이 두꺼워지다'. It will help you understand Korean social dynamics regarding shame and reputation (Chemyeon).

Avoid for Liquids

Don't use this word in the kitchen for sauces or soups. Use '걸쭉해지다' to describe the texture of a good gravy or stew.

Pair with Adverbs

Use adverbs like '점점' (gradually), '부쩍' (remarkably), or '상당히' (considerably) to make your descriptions more vivid.

Nominalization

In formal reports, use '두꺼워짐' to talk about the phenomenon of thickening (e.g., '얼음의 두꺼워짐').

Listen for 'Woo'

In fast speech, '두꺼워' might sound like '두꺼'. Focus on the 'w' sound to distinguish it from the base adjective '두껍다'.

Contextualize

When practicing, always use a subject. Instead of just saying '두꺼워졌어요', say '책이 두꺼워졌어요' to build muscle memory for common pairings.

Ice Safety

In Korea, you'll hear '얼음이 두꺼워지다' in news reports about winter festivals. It's a key phrase for knowing if it's safe to walk on ice.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'DO-it-yourself COVER' (두-꺼워). When you add a DIY cover to a book, it 'becomes thick'.

Visual Association

Imagine a thin sheet of ice on a lake. As snow falls and the temperature drops, you see more layers stacking on top, making the ice '두꺼워지다'.

Word Web

두껍다 (base) 옷 (clothes) 책 (book) 얼음 (ice) 벽 (wall) 화장 (makeup) 낯가죽 (shamelessness) 두께 (thickness)

Challenge

Try to describe three things in your room that would be better if they '두꺼워졌다' (e.g., your blanket, your curtains, or your notebook).

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle Korean adjective '두겁다' (to be thick). The root '두껍-' is combined with the auxiliary verb '-어지다' which denotes a change in state.

Original meaning: To increase in physical depth or thickness.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

The idiom '낯가죽이 두꺼워지다' is an insult. Do not use it to describe someone you respect unless you are joking in a very close relationship.

English speakers often confuse 'thick' (dimension) with 'thick' (viscosity). Remember that '두꺼워지다' is only for dimension.

The idiom '낯가죽이 두껍다' is frequently used in Korean historical dramas (Sageuk) to criticize corrupt officials. Weather reports in Korea during winter always use '얼음이 두꺼워지다' to warn about safety on frozen ponds.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather/Seasons

날씨가 추워져서 옷이 두꺼워졌어요.
얼음이 두꺼워져서 낚시를 할 수 있어요.
눈이 와서 층이 두꺼워졌네요.

Shopping/Fashion

이 코트는 안감이 두꺼워질 수 있나요?
화장이 너무 두꺼워지지 않게 해주세요.
겨울이라 양말이 두꺼워지는 게 좋아요.

Education/Books

공부할 게 많아서 책이 두꺼워졌어요.
노트가 점점 두꺼워지고 있어요.
교과서가 두꺼워지니까 가방이 무거워요.

Construction/DIY

벽이 두꺼워지면 방음이 잘 돼요.
단열재 때문에 벽이 좀 두꺼워졌어요.
철판이 두꺼워져서 더 튼튼해요.

Social/Idiomatic

그 사람은 낯가죽이 참 두꺼워졌어.
우리 사이의 벽이 더 두꺼워진 것 같아.
팬층이 두꺼워져서 기뻐요.

Conversation Starters

"겨울이 되니까 옷차림이 많이 두꺼워졌죠? (Clothes have gotten thicker since it's winter, right?)"

"이 책은 왜 이렇게 두꺼워졌을까요? (Why did this book get so thick?)"

"화장이 평소보다 좀 두꺼워진 것 같아요? (Does my makeup look thicker than usual?)"

"강물의 얼음이 얼마나 두꺼워졌을까요? (How thick do you think the river ice has become?)"

"요즘 사람들 낯가죽이 너무 두꺼워진 것 같지 않아요? (Don't you think people have become too thick-skinned these days?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 날씨가 추워져서 내 옷이 어떻게 두꺼워졌는지 써보세요. (Write about how your clothes got thicker today because it got cold.)

내가 읽고 있는 책이 왜 점점 두꺼워지는지 설명해 보세요. (Explain why the book you are reading is getting thicker.)

누군가 낯가죽이 두꺼워졌다고 느낀 적이 있나요? (Have you ever felt someone became thick-skinned?)

겨울 산의 눈 층이 두꺼워지는 모습을 묘사해 보세요. (Describe the layers of snow thickening on a winter mountain.)

내 지갑이 두꺼워진다면 무엇을 하고 싶은지 써보세요. (Write what you want to do if your wallet gets thick.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for body parts like legs or arms, you should use '굵어지다' because they are cylindrical. However, you can use '두꺼워지다' for the fat layer (지방층) on your legs.

No, '두껍어지다' is always incorrect because '두껍다' is a ㅂ-irregular adjective. The 'ㅂ' must change to '우'.

You should use '걸쭉해지다' (viscous) or '졸아들다' (boiled down). '두꺼워지다' is not used for liquids.

If you mean individual strands of hair getting thicker, use '굵어지다'. If you mean the overall volume of hair on someone's head getting thicker/denser, you might use '숱이 많아지다'.

The direct opposite is '얇아지다' (to become thin).

No, it is a negative idiom meaning someone has become shameless or brazen.

Yes, '벽이 두꺼워지다' is perfectly correct and commonly used in construction.

Use '두꺼워질 거예요' (polite) or '두꺼워질 것이다' (plain/written).

Metaphorically, yes. You can say a 'firewall' (방화벽) or 'security layer' (보안층) is '두꺼워지다'.

Yes, scientists might say '대기층이 두꺼워지다' (the atmospheric layer becomes thicker).