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A1 verb #3,500 most common 11 min read

끓다

kkeulda Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 끓다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 끓다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 끓다 in its most basic, literal sense: water boiling on a stove. It is a verb that describes what happens to water when it gets very hot. You will most likely see it in simple recipes or kitchen settings. The most important thing to remember is that the water is the subject. You say 물이 끓어요 (The water boils). You should practice this alongside common kitchen nouns like 물 (water), 냄비 (pot), and 주전자 (kettle). You don't need to worry about the metaphorical meanings yet. Just focus on identifying the sound of the word [끌타] and knowing that it means 'boiling.' When you see bubbles in a pot, that is 끓다. It's a very useful word because making ramen, tea, and coffee all start with this action. Remember the conjugation: 끓어요 (present), 끓었어요 (past). Keep it simple and focus on the kitchen environment.

At the A2 level, you should begin to recognize 끓다 in slightly more complex cooking contexts and start to understand the difference between 끓다 (it boils) and 끓이다 (to boil something). You will encounter it in longer sentences like 물이 끓으면 불을 줄이세요 (When the water boils, turn down the heat). You might also start to see it used for stews like 김치찌개가 끓고 있어요. At this level, you should also learn the basic onomatopoeia 보글보글, which describes the sound of a boiling stew. Understanding that 끓다 is a 'state' verb (intransitive) is the key grammatical goal for A2. You should be able to look at a boiling pot and describe it without confusing the markers -이/가 and -을/를. You might also hear it in very simple health contexts, like a mother saying a child's throat sounds 'boiling' with phlegm, though you don't need to master that usage yet.

At the B1 level, you are expected to move beyond the kitchen. You should start using 끓다 to describe the weather and crowded places. For example, on a very hot day, you can say 날씨가 끓는 것 같아요 (The weather feels like it's boiling). When you see a very busy street, you can say 길에 사람이 끓어요. These are common idiomatic expressions that make your Korean sound more natural. You should also become comfortable with the noun-modifying form 끓는, as in 끓는 물 (boiling water). Grammatically, you should be aware of the aspiration in pronunciation ([끌타]) and the irregular-looking batchim. This is also the stage where you should learn the intensive form 들끓다, which is used when something is 'teeming' or 'swarming.' If you see many flies or a huge crowd, 들끓다 is the more appropriate, more descriptive choice. You are now using the word to paint pictures, not just to describe a physical fact.

At the B2 level, you should master the emotional and metaphorical uses of 끓다. This includes phrases like 속이 끓다 (to be inwardly agitated/anxious) and 피가 끓다 (to be passionate). You should be able to understand these in books, movies, and dramas. For instance, if a character is frustrated but trying to stay calm, they might say 화가 나서 속이 끓어요. You should also understand its use in social contexts, such as 여론이 끓다 (public opinion is boiling). This level requires you to distinguish between different types of 'boiling'—is it heat, is it people, or is it an emotion? You should also be able to use the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as 끓다시피 하다 (to be almost boiling). Your vocabulary should now include the health-related usage (가래가 끓다) as a standard way to describe a cough. You are moving toward a native-like understanding of how this word functions as a versatile descriptor of high-energy states.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 끓다 in literary and academic contexts. You will see it used to describe historical movements or the 'boiling' energy of a revolution. You should be able to discuss the subtle differences between 끓다 and its synonyms like 요동치다 (to fluctuate/surge) or 분출하다 (to erupt). At this level, you should also be sensitive to the register; using 끓다 for people can be slightly informal or vivid, while 인산인해를 이루다 (to form a sea of people) is the more formal idiomatic equivalent. You should be able to write essays using 끓다 to describe an 'overheated' economy or a 'simmering' social conflict. Your pronunciation should be perfect, handling the 'ㅎ' sound changes effortlessly in all conjugated forms. You are not just using the word; you are choosing it specifically for its evocative power to describe chaos, heat, and intensity in professional or artistic writing.

At the C2 level, you possess a masterly command of 끓다 and its most obscure applications. You can appreciate its use in classical Korean literature or high-level political discourse where it might describe the 'ferment' of an era. You understand the historical evolution of the word and how it relates to other verbs of heat and motion. You can use it ironically or sarcastically in sophisticated conversation. For example, describing a tiny, insignificant argument as 'boiling the whole pot' (냄비가 끓듯). You are also aware of regional dialects or archaic variations of the word that might appear in older texts. At this level, 끓다 is a tool for precise emotional and descriptive shading. You can differentiate between the 'boiling' of a summer sea and the 'boiling' of a winter stew, choosing exactly the right accompanying adverbs to create a specific atmosphere. Your understanding is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, capable of using the word across all domains from the kitchen to the national assembly.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

끓다 in 30 Seconds

끓다 is an intransitive verb meaning 'to boil' (liquid state), used with the subject marker -이/가.
It metaphorically describes intense anger, passion, or anxiety (blood or heart boiling).
It describes a crowded place teeming with people, insects, or activity.
It refers to the rattling sound of phlegm in the throat during a cough.

The Korean verb 끓다 (kkeulta) is a fundamental word that primarily describes the physical process of a liquid reaching its boiling point and producing bubbles. However, its semantic range extends far beyond the kitchen stove. In its most literal sense, it is an intransitive verb used when the subject—usually water, soup, or a liquid—undergoes a phase change due to heat. For English speakers, it is crucial to distinguish this from the transitive counterpart, 끓이다 (kkeul-ida), which means 'to boil something.' In Korean, you would say 'The water boils' (물이 끓다), not 'I boil the water' using this specific form.

Physical State: The state of a liquid bubbling and emitting steam at high temperatures. Example: 주전자가 끓고 있어요 (The kettle is boiling).
Emotional State: Describing internal turmoil, such as intense anger, passion, or anxiety. Example: 분노로 피가 끓다 (Blood boils with rage).
Crowdedness: The visual of a place teeming with people or insects, resembling the chaotic movement of boiling water. Example: 시장에 사람이 끓다 (The market is swarming with people).

Beyond the physical, Koreans use 끓다 to describe sounds and physical sensations. For instance, if someone has a heavy chest cold, the rattling sound of phlegm in the throat is described as 가래가 끓다. This evokes the image of thick liquid bubbling. Similarly, if a room is filled with a low, continuous buzz of conversation, one might use this verb to capture the atmosphere of a 'simmering' crowd. Understanding 끓다 requires a shift from seeing boiling as just a cooking instruction to seeing it as a metaphor for high energy, heat, and chaotic motion.

물이 끓기 시작하면 면을 넣으세요. (When the water starts boiling, put in the noodles.)

The word is also deeply embedded in Korean culinary culture. Because Korean cuisine features many soups (guk) and stews (jjigae), the sight and sound of something 끓다 are associated with warmth, home, and readiness to eat. The onomatopoeic word 보글보글 (bogeul-bogeul) often accompanies this verb to describe the light, rhythmic bubbling of a stew, while 부글부글 (bugeul-bugeul) describes a more violent or large-scale boiling, often used for anger as well.

찌개가 끓는 소리가 정말 좋아요. (The sound of the stew boiling is really nice.)

In literary contexts, 끓다 can describe a sweltering heatwave. When the air is so hot it feels like it's shimmering or bubbling, writers might say the earth or the air is boiling. This usage bridges the gap between the physical heat of fire and the environmental heat of summer. Furthermore, the word appears in social commentary to describe 'boiling' public sentiment or unrest, indicating that a situation has reached a critical point where it might overflow or explode.

여름에는 아스팔트가 끓는 것 같아요. (In summer, the asphalt feels like it's boiling.)

Finally, the word is used for pests or unwanted groups. If a house is 'boiling' with ants (개미가 끓다), it means there is an infestation. This negative connotation highlights the 'swarming' aspect of the verb. Whether it is the literal bubbles of a tea kettle or the metaphorical heat of a crowded subway, 끓다 captures the essence of active, high-energy states where something is moving, rising, or reacting intensely.

Using 끓다 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as an intransitive verb. This means it does not take a direct object. In English, we can say 'I boil water' (transitive) or 'The water boils' (intransitive). In Korean, 끓다 covers only the second case. For the first case, you must use 끓이다. This is the most frequent error for English speakers. Let's look at the patterns of usage across different contexts.

Standard conjugation: The stem is 끓-. Note the pronunciation of 끓다 as [끌타] and 끓어 as [끌허 -> 끌러]. The 'ㅎ' in the final consonant cluster 'ㅀ' often affects the following consonant or disappears before a vowel.

When describing food preparation, you will use 끓다 as a signal for the next step in a recipe. It indicates that the environment (the pot) has reached the necessary state. For example, 물이 끓으면 라면을 넣으세요 (When the water boils, put in the ramen). Here, the water is the subject performing the action of boiling. If you were to say 'I am boiling the water,' you would shift to 내가 물을 끓이고 있어요, using the causative verb.

냄비에서 물이 끓고 있어요. (The water is boiling in the pot.)

In metaphorical usage, the subject marker -이/가 remains essential. When describing anger, you might say 속이 끓다 (literally, 'one's inside is boiling'). This implies a deep, simmering frustration that hasn't yet exploded. If you say 피가 끓는 청춘, you are referring to 'youth with boiling blood,' a common idiom for the passion and energy of young people. Note how the verb functions as an adjective in this noun-modifying form (끓는).

그의 무례한 태도에 화가 끓어올랐다. (Anger boiled up at his rude attitude.)

Another unique usage is related to health. If you hear a Korean doctor or parent say 가래가 끓네요, they are observing the sound of your breathing. The subject here is 가래 (phlegm). This is a very common way to describe a chesty cough or congestion. You don't 'boil' the phlegm; the phlegm 'boils' on its own inside your chest. This passive observation of a state is the hallmark of 끓다.

아이의 목에서 가래 소리가 끓어요. (There is a rattling sound of phlegm in the child's throat.)

Socially, the word can describe a place. 이 카페는 손님이 끓어요 (This cafe is boiling with customers). While 많다 (to be many) is a neutral description of quantity, 끓다 adds a sense of bustling, noisy, and constant movement. It paints a more vivid picture of the scene. However, be careful as using this for people can sometimes sound slightly informal or even derogatory if used in the wrong context (like 'swarming' pests).

Common Phrasal Patterns: 1. [Liquid] + 이/가 + 끓다 (Liquid boils)
2. [Emotion] + 이/가 + 끓다 (Feeling seethes)
3. [Place] + 에 + [Noun] + 이/가 + 끓다 (Place is swarming with...)

In summary, always look for the subject marker and remember that 끓다 describes the *state* of the subject, not an action performed *upon* an object. Whether it is a kettle on the stove or a mind full of worries, the core concept is an internal agitation that manifests as external bubbling or noise.

The most common place to hear 끓다 is undoubtedly the Korean kitchen. Because stews (jjigae) and soups (guk) are served at almost every meal, the verb is used daily. You'll hear it in cooking shows, from parents preparing dinner, and in restaurants. A waiter might bring a bubbling stone pot to your table and say, 찌개가 아주 뜨겁게 끓고 있으니 조심하세요 (The stew is boiling very hot, so please be careful). In this context, the word conveys freshness and heat, essential qualities of Korean dining.

라면 물이 끓을 때까지 기다려. (Wait until the ramen water boils.)

Beyond the kitchen, you will encounter 끓다 in news broadcasts and newspapers, particularly when reporters discuss social issues. If there is a major controversy, the news anchor might say, 여론이 들끓고 있습니다 (Public opinion is seething/boiling over). This usage indicates that the public is highly agitated and vocal about a specific topic. It suggests a collective energy that is difficult to contain, much like a boiling pot that is about to overflow.

News & Media: Used to describe 'hot' public topics or social unrest. Phrases like '민심이 끓다' (the people's hearts are boiling) are common in political reporting.
Weather Reports: In extreme heatwaves, meteorologists might use descriptive language suggesting the land is 'boiling' under the sun.

In medical settings or pharmacies, as mentioned before, the word is used to describe respiratory symptoms. A pharmacist might ask, 가래가 많이 끓나요? (Do you have a lot of rattling phlegm?). This is a standard way to gauge the severity of a cough. Hearing this word in a pharmacy doesn't mean something is hot; it refers to the sound and sensation of congestion. It's a vital word for navigating basic healthcare in Korea.

날씨가 너무 더워서 바다가 끓는 것 같아요. (The weather is so hot the sea feels like it's boiling.)

You will also hear this word in casual conversation when describing crowded places. If a friend visits a popular tourist spot like Myeongdong or a famous new cafe, they might report back saying, 거기 사람이 너무 끓어서 그냥 왔어 (There were so many people 'boiling' there that I just came back). This usage is very expressive and common among younger speakers to describe a place that is 'packed' or 'swarming' to an uncomfortable degree.

Finally, in literature and song lyrics, 끓다 is a favorite for poets and songwriters to describe passion. 청춘의 피가 끓다 (The blood of youth boils) is a classic trope in Korean literature, symbolizing the heat of ambition, love, and rebellion. Whether it's the literal heat of a summer day or the metaphorical heat of a young heart, the word 끓다 is everywhere in the Korean soundscape, marking moments of intensity, noise, and transformation.

The most frequent and significant mistake learners make with 끓다 is confusing it with its causative form, 끓이다. This is a classic case of the Intransitive vs. Transitive distinction in Korean grammar. In English, we use the same word 'boil' for both 'The water boils' and 'I boil the water.' However, in Korean, these are two distinct verbs. Using 끓다 when you mean 'to boil something' is a hallmark of an A1/A2 level mistake.

Incorrect Usage: 내가 물을 끓어요 (I boil water). This is wrong because 끓다 cannot take an object marked with 을/를.
Correct Usage: 내가 물을 끓여요 (I boil water) OR 물이 끓어요 (The water boils).

Another common error involves the pronunciation of the batchim (final consonant) -ㅀ. Many learners struggle with how to pronounce this when it is followed by different particles. When 끓다 is followed by -다, the 'ㅎ' merges with 'ㄷ' to create an aspirated 'ㅌ' sound: [끌타]. When it is followed by a vowel, like in 끓어, the 'ㅎ' often becomes silent and the 'ㄹ' carries over: [끌러]. Learners often try to pronounce both the 'ㄹ' and 'ㅎ' distinctly, which sounds unnatural.

Mistake: 커피가 끓여요 (Coffee boils - Incorrect).
Correct: 커피가 끓어요 (Coffee is boiling).

Contextual confusion with the verb 삶다 (samta) is also frequent. While both involve boiling water, 삶다 specifically means 'to boil something in order to cook it,' like an egg or noodles. You wouldn't say the egg is 끓다; you would say you are 삶다 the egg. 끓다 refers to the liquid itself, whereas 삶다 refers to the food inside the liquid. If you say 'The egg is boiling' in English, you must choose the right Korean verb based on whether you mean the water is bubbling or the egg is cooking.

Lastly, learners sometimes use 끓다 for 'itching.' While there is a phrase 피가 끓다 (blood boils) for passion, the literal act of scratching an itch is 긁다 (geukda). Because the words sound somewhat similar to a non-native ear, they can be swapped by mistake. Always associate 끓다 with heat or bubbles, and 긁다 with friction. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Korean sound much more natural and precise.

Mistake: 머리가 끓어요 (My head is boiling - sounds like your brain is literally boiling).
Correct: 머리가 가려워요 (My head is itchy).

To summarize, focus on three things: 1) Use 끓다 as an intransitive verb (subject + 이/가). 2) Master the [끌타/끌러] pronunciation. 3) Distinguish it from 끓이다 (causative) and 삶다 (cooking eggs/noodles). Getting these right will place you well above the average learner in your command of Korean verbs.

In Korean, there are several words that overlap with the meaning of 끓다, each with its own nuance. Understanding these alternatives will allow you to be more descriptive and precise in your speech. The most common related words are 끓이다, 들끓다, 넘치다, and 달궈지다.

끓다 vs. 끓이다: The primary distinction is agency. 끓다 is 'to boil' (intransitive), focusing on the state of the liquid. 끓이다 is 'to boil' (transitive), focusing on the person doing the heating. Use 끓이다 when you are the one cooking.
끓다 vs. 들끓다: 들끓다 is an intensive version. The prefix '들-' adds a sense of 'wildly' or 'excessively.' While 끓다 can mean a few bubbles, 들끓다 implies a vigorous boil or a place completely overwhelmed by crowds or insects.
끓다 vs. 삶다: 삶다 specifically refers to the action of boiling solid food (like potatoes or eggs) in water. You boil (끓이다) the water, and you boil-cook (삶다) the food. 끓다 is only for the liquid's state.

If you want to describe something that is just starting to get hot, you might use 데워지다 (to be warmed up). This is much gentler than 끓다. For example, you 'warm up' milk for a baby, but you 'boil' water for tea. On the other hand, if something is so hot it's about to overflow, you would use 넘치다 (to overflow). A pot that is 끓다 too much will eventually 넘치다.

국이 끓어 넘치고 있어요! (The soup is boiling over!)

When talking about emotions, 끓다 is often compared to 타오르다 (to burn up). While 끓다 suggests a bubbling, internal agitation, 타오르다 suggests a visible, fiery passion or anger. You might say your heart is 'burning' with love (타오르다) but your stomach is 'boiling' with anxiety (속이 끓다). These subtle choices change the imagery you present to the listener.

Finally, consider 달궈지다, which means 'to be heated up' (usually for metal or a floor). This doesn't involve liquid or bubbles, but it does involve extreme heat. In the summer, you could say the ground is 달궈졌다, whereas the air is 끓다. By mastering these distinctions, you move from a basic understanding of Korean verbs to a nuanced command of the language's descriptive power.

냄비가 달궈진 후에 기름을 두르세요. (After the pot is heated up, pour in the oil.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'ㅎ' in the 'ㅀ' batchim is a remnant of an ancient sound that now primarily serves to aspirate the following consonant.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /k͈ɯl.tʰa/

US /k͈ɯl.tʰa/

The stress is on the first syllable '끓'.

Rhymes With

읊다 (eulp-ta) 훑다 (hult-ta) 옳다 (ol-ta) 싫다 (sil-ta) 앓다 (al-ta) 뚫다 (ttul-ta) 듧다 (deulp-ta) 곯다 (gol-ta)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as [kkeul-da] instead of [kkeul-ta].
Trying to pronounce the 'h' separately in the batchim.
Confusing the pronunciation with '끌다' (to pull), which is [끌다] (kkeul-da).
Mispronouncing the 'eu' (으) vowel as 'u' (우).
Failing to carry over the 'l' (ㄹ) when followed by a vowel (e.g., 끓어 should be [kkeul-lo]).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is common, but the batchim ㅀ can be tricky for beginners.

Writing 3/5

Remembering the ㅀ spelling and not confusing it with 끓이다 is the main challenge.

Speaking 3/5

The aspiration [끌타] and liaison [끌러] require practice.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognized in context, especially in the kitchen.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

물 (Water) 뜨겁다 (Hot) 불 (Fire) 냄비 (Pot) 있다 (To be/exist)

Learn Next

끓이다 (To boil something) 삶다 (To boil food) 데우다 (To warm up) 식다 (To cool down) 넘치다 (To overflow)

Advanced

비등하다 (To boil - academic) 요동치다 (To surge) 격정 (Passion) 인산인해 (Sea of people)

Grammar to Know

Intransitive vs. Transitive Verbs

물이 끓다 (Intransitive) vs. 물을 끓이다 (Transitive).

Aspiration with 'ㅎ'

끓다 [끌타], 끓고 [끌코], 끓지 [끌치].

Liaison with 'ㄹ'

끓어 [끌러], 끓으니 [끌으니].

Noun Modifying Form -는

끓는 물 (Boiling water).

Causative Suffix -이-

끓 + 이 + 다 = 끓이다 (to make something boil).

Examples by Level

물이 끓어요.

The water is boiling.

Basic present tense. '물이' is the subject.

주전자가 끓고 있어요.

The kettle is boiling.

-고 있다 expresses the progressive 'is boiling'.

냄비가 끓어요.

The pot is boiling.

Metonymy: the pot (the container) is said to boil instead of the liquid inside.

물이 끓으면 말해줘.

Tell me when the water boils.

-으면 means 'if' or 'when'.

라면 물이 끓어요.

The ramen water is boiling.

Compound subject '라면 물' (ramen water).

커피 물이 끓었어요.

The water for coffee boiled.

Past tense '끓었어요'.

우유가 끓어요.

The milk is boiling.

Subject '우유' (milk).

물이 안 끓어요.

The water is not boiling.

Negative '안' before the verb.

찌개가 보글보글 끓어요.

The stew is boiling 'bogeul-bogeul'.

Use of onomatopoeia '보글보글'.

국이 끓어서 넘쳤어요.

The soup boiled and overflowed.

-어서 indicates cause and effect.

물이 끓을 때까지 기다리세요.

Please wait until the water boils.

-을 때까지 means 'until the time when'.

냄비에서 연기가 나고 끓어요.

Steam is coming from the pot and it's boiling.

Connecting two actions with -고.

물이 끓기 시작해요.

The water is starting to boil.

-기 시작하다 means 'to start doing'.

보리차가 맛있게 끓고 있네요.

The barley tea is boiling deliciously.

-네(요) expresses surprise or realization.

너무 오래 끓지 않게 하세요.

Make sure it doesn't boil for too long.

-지 않게 하다 means 'to make it not...'

된장찌개가 끓는 냄새가 나요.

I can smell the soybean paste stew boiling.

Noun-modifying form '끓는'.

오늘 날씨가 정말 끓는 것 같아요.

The weather today really feels like it's boiling.

Metaphorical use for extreme heat.

명동에 가면 사람이 항상 끓어요.

If you go to Myeongdong, it's always boiling with people.

Describing a crowded place.

감기 때문에 목에서 가래가 끓어요.

Because of the cold, there's phlegm rattling in my throat.

Medical usage for phlegm.

집에 개미가 끓어서 걱정이에요.

I'm worried because the house is swarming with ants.

Describing an infestation.

여름철에는 바닷물도 끓는 듯해요.

In the summer, even the seawater seems to be boiling.

-는 듯하다 means 'it seems like'.

시장에 가면 상인들과 손님들로 끓어요.

When you go to the market, it's boiling with merchants and customers.

Describing a lively, busy atmosphere.

냄비가 끓기 시작하니 불을 줄여.

The pot is starting to boil, so lower the heat.

Informal imperative.

끓는 물에 화상을 입지 않도록 조심해.

Be careful not to get burned by boiling water.

-지 않도록 means 'so that... not'.

그의 말을 듣고 화가 속에서 끓어올랐다.

Anger boiled up inside after hearing his words.

Compound verb '끓어오르다' (to boil up).

피가 끓는 청춘들이 광장에 모였다.

Youths with boiling blood gathered in the square.

Idiom '피가 끓다' for passion.

불공평한 처우에 민심이 들끓고 있다.

Public sentiment is seething at the unfair treatment.

Intensive form '들끓다'.

시험 발표를 앞두고 속이 끓어서 잠이 안 와요.

My inside is boiling (with anxiety) before the exam results, so I can't sleep.

Emotional agitation usage.

새로운 정책에 대해 찬반 논란이 끓고 있어요.

Controversy for and against the new policy is boiling.

Abstract usage for controversy.

열정으로 끓는 그의 가슴을 아무도 막지 못했다.

No one could stop his heart, which was boiling with passion.

Metaphorical use for passion.

가래가 끓는 소리가 심해서 병원에 가야겠어요.

The sound of rattling phlegm is so bad I should go to the hospital.

Describing a symptom's severity.

마을 전체가 축제 준비로 들끓고 있었다.

The whole village was seething with festival preparations.

Positive use of '들끓다' for excitement.

경제 위기로 인해 사회적 불안이 끓어오르고 있다.

Social unrest is boiling up due to the economic crisis.

Academic/Journalistic register.

용암이 끓는 분화구 근처는 접근이 금지되었다.

Access near the crater where lava boils was prohibited.

Scientific/Literal usage.

그의 문장은 마치 살아 움직이며 끓는 듯한 생명력이 있다.

His sentences have a vitality as if they are alive and boiling.

Literary criticism register.

억울한 심정이 끓다 못해 결국 눈물이 터져 나왔다.

The feeling of injustice boiled so much that tears finally burst out.

-다 못해 means 'couldn't... anymore so...'

혁명의 기운이 대지 아래에서 끓고 있었다.

The spirit of revolution was boiling beneath the earth.

Historical/Metaphorical usage.

온라인 커뮤니티는 이번 사건으로 연일 들끓고 있다.

Online communities are seething daily over this incident.

Modern social media context.

끓는 가마솥처럼 뜨거운 열기가 온 도시를 덮었다.

Heat as hot as a boiling cauldron covered the entire city.

Simile using '처럼'.

그녀의 내면에는 창작에 대한 욕구가 끓고 있었다.

Inside her, the desire for creation was boiling.

Abstract internal state.

인간의 욕망이 끓는 도가니 속에서 우리는 무엇을 찾는가?

What do we seek in the crucible where human desires boil?

Philosophical inquiry.

역사의 소용돌이 속에서 민중의 외침이 끓어 넘쳤다.

The cries of the people boiled over in the vortex of history.

High literary register.

시대의 아픔이 끓고 있는 현장을 외면해서는 안 된다.

We must not turn away from the site where the pain of the era is boiling.

Ethical/Social discourse.

그의 연설은 청중의 가슴에 끓는 듯한 감동을 선사했다.

His speech gifted the audience a boiling-like emotion in their hearts.

Advanced descriptive metaphor.

무의식의 심연에서 끓어오르는 공포를 마주했다.

He faced the fear boiling up from the abyss of the unconscious.

Psychological/Literary usage.

정치적 야욕이 끓는 권력의 핵심부에서는 암투가 벌어졌다.

In the heart of power, where political ambitions boil, secret feuds took place.

Political thriller context.

대지는 생명의 기운으로 끓어오르며 봄을 알렸다.

The earth boiled up with the energy of life, announcing spring.

Poetic personification of nature.

끓는 물과 같은 격정적인 삶을 살다 간 예술가였다.

He was an artist who lived a passionate life like boiling water.

Biographical summary style.

Common Collocations

물이 끓다

피가 끓다

가래가 끓다

화가 끓다

사람이 끓다

여론이 들끓다

속이 끓다

냄비가 끓다

벌레가 끓다

열기로 끓다

Common Phrases

끓는 물

— Boiling water. Used in recipes and safety warnings.

끓는 물에 3분간 넣으세요.

속이 끓어오르다

— To have feelings (usually anger) surge up inside.

그의 무례함에 속이 끓어올랐다.

사람이 들끓는

— A place crowded with people. Very common for tourist spots.

사람이 들끓는 명동 거리.

가래 끓는 소리

— The sound of rattling phlegm. Used to describe a heavy cough.

가래 끓는 소리가 심하네요.

부글부글 끓다

— To boil violently or to be very angry.

화가 나서 속이 부글부글 끓어.

보글보글 끓다

— To simmer or boil gently (usually for food).

된장찌개가 보글보글 끓어요.

피 끓는

— Full of youthful passion or energy.

피 끓는 청년들이 나라를 지킨다.

끓는 점

— Boiling point. Used in scientific contexts.

물의 끓는 점은 100도입니다.

들끓는 여론

— Agitated public opinion.

들끓는 여론을 잠재우기 위해 노력했다.

냄비 끓듯

— Quick to boil, quick to cool (describing fickle public interest).

사람들의 관심이 냄비 끓듯 금방 식었다.

Often Confused With

끓다 vs 끓이다

The causative form. 끓다 is 'it boils', 끓이다 is 'I boil it'.

끓다 vs 삶다

Boiling food (eggs, meat) inside water. 끓다 is about the water itself.

끓다 vs 긁다

To scratch. Sounds similar but unrelated in meaning.

Idioms & Expressions

"피가 끓다"

— To be full of youthful vigor and passion.

젊은이들의 피가 끓는 도전 정신.

Literary

"속이 끓다"

— To be very anxious or angry internally.

말도 못 하고 속만 끓였다.

Informal

"가래가 끓다"

— To have a chesty, rattling cough.

감기가 심해서 가래가 끓어요.

Neutral

"들끓다"

— To be swarming or teeming with something (people, bugs, rumors).

온 마을에 소문이 들끓었다.

Neutral

"냄비 근성"

— A 'pot temperament'—getting excited quickly but losing interest just as fast.

한국 사회의 냄비 근성을 비판했다.

Slang/Social Critique

"부글부글 끓어오르다"

— To be seething with rage.

그를 보자 화가 부글부글 끓어올랐다.

Informal

"민심이 끓다"

— The heart of the people is agitated (political).

새로운 세금 정책에 민심이 끓고 있다.

Formal

"머리가 끓다"

— To have a fever or be extremely stressed (less common than 속이 끓다).

열이 나서 머리가 끓는 것 같아.

Informal

"바다가 끓다"

— Seawater being extremely hot or rough.

여름 태양 아래 바다가 끓고 있다.

Poetic

"용광로처럼 끓다"

— To boil like a furnace (extremely intense heat or passion).

현장의 열기가 용광로처럼 끓어올랐다.

Literary

Easily Confused

끓다 vs 끓이다

Both mean 'to boil' in English.

끓다 is intransitive (subject is the liquid). 끓이다 is transitive (subject is the person).

물이 끓다 vs 물을 끓이다.

끓다 vs 달구다

Both involve high heat.

달구다 is for heating solid objects like metal. 끓다 is for liquids bubbling.

프라이팬을 달구다.

끓다 vs 조리다

Both are cooking methods involving boiling.

조리다 means to boil down a liquid so it thickens and seasons the food.

생선을 조리다.

끓다 vs 데우다

Both involve raising temperature.

데우다 means to warm something up, not necessarily reaching boiling point.

식은 국을 데우다.

끓다 vs 익히다

Boiling is a way to '익히다'.

익히다 means 'to cook thoroughly' or 'to ripen', regardless of the method.

고기를 익히다.

Sentence Patterns

[Liquid] + 이/가 + 끓어요.

물이 끓어요.

[Liquid] + 이/가 + 끓으면 + [Action].

물이 끓으면 커피를 넣으세요.

[Place] + 에 + 사람이 + 끓어요.

백화점에 사람이 끓어요.

[Body Part] + 에서 + 가래가 + 끓어요.

목에서 가래가 끓어요.

화가 + [Direction] + 끓어오르다.

화가 머리끝까지 끓어올랐다.

피가 + 끓는 + [Noun].

피가 끓는 청년들.

여론이 + 들끓고 + 있다.

전국적으로 여론이 들끓고 있다.

[Abstract Noun] + 이/가 + 끓는 + 도가니.

욕망이 끓는 도가니.

Word Family

Nouns

끓음 (boiling - the state)

끓는점 (boiling point)

Verbs

끓이다 (to boil something - causative)

들끓다 (to swarm/seethe)

끓어오르다 (to boil up)

끓여대다 (to keep boiling something)

Adjectives

끓는 (boiling - modifying form)

뜨겁다 (to be hot)

거품 (bubble)

증기 (steam)

불 (fire)

열 (heat)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily life, especially regarding food and weather.

Common Mistakes

물을 끓어요. → 물이 끓어요.
끓다 is intransitive and cannot take an object. The water itself is the subject doing the boiling.
커피를 끓으세요. → 커피를 끓이세요.
When you are asking someone to boil something, you must use the causative verb 끓이다.
Pronouncing 끓다 as [끌다]. → [끌타]
The 'ㅎ' in the batchim must aspirate the 'ㄷ' into a 'ㅌ' sound.
계란이 끓어요. → 계란을 삶아요.
While the water boils, we '삶다' (boil-cook) the egg. Using 끓다 for the egg itself sounds like the egg is turning into bubbles.
머리가 끓어요 (meaning 'I'm thinking hard'). → 머리를 쓰고 있어요.
끓다 for the head usually means a literal high fever, not mental effort.

Tips

Subject Marker Only

Always pair 끓다 with -이/가. If you see an object marker -을/를, you must change the verb to 끓이다.

The Aspiration Trick

Remember that ㅀ + 다 = [타]. This aspiration is key to sounding like a native speaker. Practice saying 'Kkeul-ta' with a strong puff of air.

Cooking Distinction

Don't use 끓다 for eggs. Use 삶다 for the act of cooking them, and 끓다 only to describe the water they are in.

Internal Heat

Use '속이 끓다' when you are annoyed but can't express it. It perfectly describes that 'simmering' feeling of frustration.

Crowd Description

Use '사람이 끓다' to describe a place that feels alive and energetic, like a busy market or a popular concert.

Phlegm Check

If a doctor asks about '가래' (galae), listen for '끓다'. It's their way of asking if your cough is 'wet' or 'chesty'.

Youthful Passion

In a speech or card to a young person, '피 끓는 청춘' is a very encouraging and standard literary compliment.

Sound Words

Always try to include '보글보글' when writing about stews. It's a pairing as natural as 'bread and butter' in English.

Context Clues

If you hear 'kk' and 'l' sounds in a kitchen, it's almost certainly 끓다. Context is your best friend with batchim verbs.

Social Unrest

When reading the news, '여론이 들끓다' is a high-level phrase that will help you understand political climate reports.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'kk' (ㄲ) as two burners on a stove. The 'eu' (ㅡ) is the flat stove top. The 'l' and 'h' (ㅀ) are the bubbles and steam rising. 끓다!

Visual Association

Visualize a stone pot (ttukbaegi) of Kimchi Jjigae on a table, with red bubbles popping and steam rising. That is 끓다.

Word Web

Water Heat Bubbles Anger Crowd Soup Steam Passion

Challenge

Try to say '물이 끓어요' five times fast without losing the aspiration on the 't' sound. Then try to explain the difference between 끓다 and 끓이다 to a friend.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Korean '긇다' (keulh-ta). The 'ㅎ' in the batchim has historically been part of the root to indicate a specific type of action or state.

Original meaning: To bubble or seethe due to heat.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Be careful using 끓다 for people in formal settings, as it can imply a 'swarm' of insects or pests if the context isn't clearly about excitement or passion.

English speakers often confuse 'boil' (the process) with 'boil' (the cooking method). In Korean, 끓다 is the process, while 끓이다 or 삶다 are the methods.

The movie 'The Crucible' is translated as '도가니' in Korean, often described as a place where injustice 'boils'. Many K-pop lyrics use '피가 끓어' to describe the energy of the performance. Baek Jong-won (famous chef) frequently uses '보글보글 끓을 때' in his recipes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Kitchen / Cooking

물이 끓어요.
보글보글 끓여주세요.
끓는 물 조심하세요.
다 끓었어요.

Describing Weather

날씨가 끓는 것 같아요.
지열이 끓어올라요.
끓는 듯한 더위.
아스팔트가 끓어요.

Emotions

속이 끓는다.
화가 끓어올라요.
피가 끓는 청춘.
질투로 속이 끓다.

Crowded Places

사람이 끓어요.
관광객이 들끓다.
시장이 끓고 있다.
손님이 끓는 가게.

Health / Sickness

가래가 끓어요.
목소리가 끓네요.
가슴에서 끓는 소리.
가래 끓는 기침.

Conversation Starters

"라면 물이 끓고 있는데, 면 넣을까요? (The ramen water is boiling, shall I put the noodles in?)"

"요즘 명동에 사람이 정말 끓는다는데 가보셨어요? (I heard Myeongdong is boiling with people lately, have you been?)"

"날씨가 너무 더워서 바다가 끓는 것 같지 않아요? (The weather is so hot, doesn't the sea feel like it's boiling?)"

"감기 걸렸어요? 목에서 가래 끓는 소리가 나요. (Did you catch a cold? I hear phlegm rattling in your throat.)"

"억울한 일을 당했을 때 속이 끓는 기분을 느껴본 적 있나요? (Have you ever felt your insides boiling when you were treated unfairly?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내 마음속에서 무엇인가 끓어오른 순간이 있었나요? (Was there a moment today when something boiled up inside your heart?)

내가 가장 좋아하는 '보글보글' 끓는 음식에 대해 써보세요. (Write about your favorite 'simmering' food.)

사람이 너무 끓어서 힘들었던 장소에 대한 기억을 적어보세요. (Record a memory of a place that was so crowded it was 'boiling'.)

피가 끓는 열정을 가지고 도전하고 싶은 일이 무엇인가요? (What is something you want to challenge yourself with using 'boiling' passion?)

여름의 끓는 듯한 더위를 이겨내는 나만의 방법은? (What is your own way of overcoming the 'boiling' heat of summer?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that is incorrect. 끓다 is intransitive, meaning the water is the subject. You should say '내가 물을 끓여요' (I boil water) or '물이 끓어요' (The water boils). This is the most common mistake for learners.

Both describe boiling. '보글보글' is for a gentle, rhythmic simmer, usually a delicious stew. '부글부글' is for violent boiling or intense, seething anger. One is appetizing, the other is aggressive.

When followed by '다', it sounds like [끌타]. The 'ㅎ' combines with 'ㄷ' to make 'ㅌ'. When followed by '어', it sounds like [끌러]. The 'ㅎ' disappears and 'ㄹ' moves over.

No, it's used for any liquid (soup, milk, lava). It's also used metaphorically for people (crowds), blood (passion), and phlegm (health).

Use 들끓다 when you want to emphasize that the boiling is very intense or that a place is completely overwhelmed with people or insects. It's more emphatic than the simple 끓다.

Indirectly, yes. On a very hot day, you can say '날씨가 끓는다', but it specifically evokes the image of heatwaves or things feeling like they are bubbling under the sun.

It means you have a rattling sound in your chest or throat caused by phlegm. It's a very common way to describe a bad cold in Korean.

Usually no. It mostly refers to the positive passion, energy, and ambition of youth. However, in some contexts, it could refer to someone's blood boiling with rage.

Yes, you can say '몸이 불덩이처럼 끓어요' (My body is boiling like a ball of fire) to describe a very high fever.

Yes, '끓는점' (boiling point) is a standard scientific term. In academic writing, '비등하다' might be used for the act of boiling.