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자라나다

A2 verb 10 min read

자라나다

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 자라나다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 자라나다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 자라나다 as a word for 'growing.' Imagine a small seed in a pot. When it becomes a little plant, it is '자라나다.' When you see a baby and then see them again when they are five years old, they have '자라났다' (grown up). At this stage, just focus on the basic idea of things getting bigger. You will mostly see this word in simple stories about nature or families. For example, '나무가 자라나요' (The tree grows). It is an easy way to describe the life you see around you. Remember that it's something that happens by itself—you don't '자라나다' a book, but a puppy '자라나다' into a big dog. You might also hear it when people talk about where they are from, like '서울에서 자라났어요' (I grew up in Seoul), which is a very useful sentence for beginners to learn when introducing themselves.

At the A2 level, you should start to notice the difference between 자라나다 and other words like '크다.' While '크다' usually means 'to be big' (an adjective), '자라나다' is a verb that describes the *action* of growing over time. You can use it to talk about your childhood or your hobbies like gardening. You will also see it used with adverbs that describe how something grows. For example, '쑥쑥 자라나다' is a very common expression meaning 'to grow rapidly' or 'to grow by leaps and bounds.' You can also use it to describe feelings in a simple way, like '사랑이 자라나요' (Love is growing). At this level, you should be comfortable using the past tense '자라났어요' and the present progressive '자라나고 있어요' to describe things you observe in the world around you, like plants in a park or children in your family.

At the B1 level, you can use 자라나다 in more abstract and metaphorical ways. It's not just for plants and children anymore; it's for dreams, hopes, and even problems. For instance, you might say '마음속에 불안이 자라났다' (Anxiety grew in my heart). You should also begin to distinguish between '자라나다' and the more formal '성장하다.' While '성장하다' is used for the economy or a company's success, '자라나다' is used for more personal and organic development. You will encounter this word in literature, song lyrics, and news reports about social issues. It often carries a warm, emotional tone. You can also use it to discuss upbringing and the influence of environment, such as '어려운 환경에서 자라났지만...' (Even though I grew up in a difficult environment...). This allows you to tell more complex stories about yourself and others.

At the B2 level, you should appreciate the poetic nuance that the '-나다' suffix adds to the verb. It suggests an 'emergence' or a 'coming forth.' You will see 자라나다 used in sophisticated essays and speeches to describe the burgeoning of a new culture or a collective spirit. For example, '민주주의의 씨앗이 자라나다' (The seeds of democracy are growing). You should be able to use it in various grammatical structures, such as '자라남에 따라' (as [one] grows) or '자라나게 되다' (to come to grow). At this level, you can also use it to describe the development of complex entities like a 'traditional market's vitality' or a 'community's sense of belonging.' You will notice that '자라나다' is often chosen over '성장하다' when the writer wants to emphasize the natural, unforced, and vital nature of the growth being described.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 자라나다 should include its role in historical and cultural narratives. It is used to describe the long-term development of national identity or artistic movements. You will find it in academic texts discussing human development (발달) where the author wants to use a more evocative, native Korean term. You should be able to analyze why an author chose '자라나다' over '성장하다' or '증대하다'—usually to evoke a sense of life, organic unity, and natural progression. For instance, in a critique of a novel, you might discuss how the protagonist's self-awareness '자라난다' throughout the story, emphasizing the internal, psychological unfolding of the character. You should also be familiar with its use in classical poetry or older literature where the word might take on even more archaic or stylized forms.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 자라나다, including its most subtle connotations and its place within the broader spectrum of Korean vocabulary. You can use it to discuss philosophical concepts like the 'growth of the soul' or the 'emergence of consciousness' with the precision of a native speaker. You understand the historical etymology of the word and how it has evolved from Middle Korean to its modern usage. In high-level creative writing, you can use '자라나다' to create vivid imagery, perhaps personifying inanimate forces or describing the slow, inexorable growth of a historical trend. You are also aware of how the word contrasts with similar terms in other languages, recognizing that '자라나다' carries a specific cultural weight related to the Korean concept of 'jeong' (affection) and the collective nurturing of life.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

자라나다 in 30 Seconds

자라나다 means to grow up or develop naturally over time, primarily used for living things like plants and children.
It is a compound verb from '자라다' (grow) and '나다' (emerge), emphasizing the visible process of growth appearing.
It is an intransitive verb, meaning the subject grows itself (e.g., the child grows) rather than being grown by someone.
Metaphorically, it describes the development of abstract concepts like dreams, hope, love, or social movements.

The Korean verb 자라나다 is a beautiful, multifaceted word that translates most directly to 'to grow' or 'to grow up' in English. It is a compound verb formed by merging the root '자라다' (to grow) with '나다' (to come out, emerge, or happen). This combination gives the word a sense of movement and emergence, suggesting that growth is not just a static increase in size but a dynamic process of coming forth into the world. It is primarily used for biological growth, such as children getting taller, plants sprouting from the ground, or hair lengthening. However, its usage extends far beyond the physical realm into the emotional and metaphorical.

Biological Development: This is the most common usage. When you see a child after a year and they have grown taller, or when you notice the seeds you planted in the garden are now visible stems, you use 자라나다. It captures the essence of life progressing through its natural cycles.

우리 아이들이 참 빨리 자라나네요. (Our children are growing up so quickly.)

Abstract Expansion: In literature and daily conversation, 자라나다 is frequently applied to feelings, thoughts, and dreams. For instance, 'hope grows in the heart' or 'a dream grows within a young person.' Here, the 'emergence' aspect of the word is key; the dream was small or hidden, and now it is becoming something substantial.

When people use this word, they are often expressing a sense of wonder or observation about the passage of time. It is a very positive word, usually associated with health, vitality, and progress. You will hear it in schools, in gardens, and in family gatherings where elders comment on the younger generation. It is also a staple in children's songs and stories, where the growth of a small sprout into a giant tree serves as a metaphor for a child's journey into adulthood. Understanding 자라나다 requires recognizing that it is an intransitive verb; the subject is the thing that is growing, and no direct object is needed to complete the action.

화분의 꽃이 예쁘게 자라나고 있어요. (The flowers in the pot are growing beautifully.)

Furthermore, 자라나다 is used to describe the environment in which one was raised. For example, saying 'I grew up in the countryside' uses this verb to establish the background of one's upbringing. This nuances the word to mean 'to be raised' or 'to spend one's formative years.' In this context, it implies that the environment provided the necessary conditions for the person to develop into who they are today. It is a word that connects the past (the small beginning) to the present (the current state of growth).

Metaphorical Use in Society: Social movements or collective sentiments can also '자라나다.' If a spirit of democracy or a sense of community is becoming stronger among a group of people, this verb captures that burgeoning energy. It suggests a bottom-up, organic development rather than something forced or artificial.

마음속에 희망이 자라나기 시작했습니다. (Hope began to grow in the heart.)

Using 자라나다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as an intransitive verb and its various conjugations. Because it is intransitive, it never takes an object marked with '을/를.' Instead, the person or thing that is growing is the subject, marked with '이/가' or '은/는.' For example, in the sentence '아이들이 자라난다' (Children grow), '아이들' (children) is the subject performing the action of growing.

Tense and Conjugation: In the present tense, it becomes '자라나요' (polite) or '자라난다' (plain). In the past tense, it is '자라났어요' (grew). For ongoing growth, use the progressive form '-고 있다,' resulting in '자라나고 있어요.' This is particularly common when observing a plant or a child in the moment.

나무가 쑥쑥 자라났어요. (The tree grew rapidly.)

When describing the location or environment where growth occurs, you use the particle '에서.' For example, '시골에서 자라나다' means 'to grow up in the countryside.' If you want to describe the manner in which someone grows, you can use adverbs like '건강하게' (healthily), '바르게' (uprightly/properly), or '빠르게' (quickly). These adverbs provide more detail about the quality of the development process.

Describing the Environment: To say where you grew up, use: [Location] + 에서 + 자라나다. This structure is essential for introductions or sharing life stories. It implies not just physical presence, but the influence that the environment had on your development.

저는 따뜻한 가정에서 자라났습니다. (I grew up in a warm family.)

In more complex sentences, 자라나다 can be used with connective endings like '-아서/어서' to show cause and effect, or '-면서' to show simultaneous actions. For instance, '아이들은 사랑을 먹고 자라난다' is a common metaphorical expression meaning 'Children grow up eating (receiving) love.' This highlights the poetic flexibility of the word. It is also frequently used in the relative clause form '자라나는,' as in '자라나는 청소년' (growing adolescents/youth), which is a standard way to refer to the younger generation in educational or social contexts.

자라나는 아이들에게는 꿈이 필요합니다. (Growing children need dreams.)

Combining with Adjectives: You can use the '게' form of adjectives to describe the manner of growth. Common pairings include '크게 자라나다' (to grow big) and '훌륭하게 자라나다' (to grow up to be great/wonderful).

The word 자라나다 is ubiquitous in Korean life, appearing in both mundane conversations and high-level discourse. One of the most common places you will hear it is in family settings. Parents and grandparents often use it when discussing their children's progress. It carries a sense of pride and affection. In this context, it isn't just about height; it's about the child's overall maturation into a person. You might hear a grandmother say, '언제 이렇게 자라났니?' (When did you grow up like this?) while patting a grandchild's head.

Nature Documentaries and Gardening: In media that focuses on the natural world, 자라나다 is the standard term for the life cycle of flora and fauna. Narrators use it to describe a seedling breaking through the soil or a cub maturing into a predator. It conveys the relentless and beautiful force of nature.

척박한 땅에서도 꽃은 자라납니다. (Even in barren land, flowers grow.)

In the realm of education and social policy, the term '자라나는 세대' (the growing generation) is frequently used. Politicians and educators use this phrase to emphasize the importance of investing in the future. It frames children and youth as a developing resource that needs careful tending. You will see this in news headlines about school lunches, educational reforms, or environmental protection, often with the implication that we must protect the world for those who are currently '자라나고 있는' (growing).

K-Pop and Literature: Korean lyrics often use 자라나다 to describe the burgeoning of love or the development of a person's inner strength. A song might describe a feeling of love 'growing like a sprout' (새싹처럼 자라나는 사랑). This metaphorical usage adds a layer of vulnerability and organic beauty to the lyrics.

내 안에 작은 꿈이 자라나고 있어요. (A small dream is growing inside of me.)

Finally, you will encounter this word in news reports about the economy or society, though '성장하다' is more common for technical economic growth. However, when the reporter wants to give a more 'human' or 'organic' feel to the growth of a local community or a cultural movement, they might choose 자라나다. It suggests that the growth is coming from the people themselves, like a plant growing from its own roots.

전통 시장의 활기가 다시 자라나고 있습니다. (The vitality of the traditional market is growing again.)

One of the most frequent errors learners make with 자라나다 is confusing it with its transitive counterparts, 키우다 or 기르다. As mentioned earlier, 자라나다 is an intransitive verb, meaning it describes an action the subject does to itself. You cannot '자라나다' something else. For example, if you want to say 'I grow tomatoes,' you must use '나는 토마토를 키워요.' Saying '나는 토마토를 자라나요' is grammatically incorrect and sounds like you are the one turning into a tomato.

Mistake 1: Transitive Misuse: Incorrect: 아이를 자라났어요. (I grew the child.)
Correct: 아이가 자라났어요. (The child grew.) OR 아이를 키웠어요. (I raised/grew the child.)

Another common mistake is using 자라나다 for inanimate objects that increase in size through human construction. For example, you wouldn't say a building '자라나다' as it's being built. Instead, you would use '지어지다' (to be built) or '올라가다' (to go up). 자라나다 is strictly reserved for things that have a 'life force' or are metaphorical extensions of life, like dreams or emotions.

빌딩이 ~~자라나요~~ (Building grows - WRONG) -> 빌딩이 올라가요 (Building goes up - RIGHT).

Mistake 2: Confusing with '크다': While '크다' can mean 'to grow' (as in '키가 크다' - to be tall or to grow tall), it is often an adjective meaning 'to be big.' 자라나다 is specifically a verb focusing on the *process* of growth. Using '크다' for the process is possible in casual speech, but 자라나다 is more precise for the developmental journey.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the distinction between 자라나다 and 성장하다. While both mean 'to grow,' 성장하다 is a Sino-Korean word (漢字語) that sounds more formal and academic. It is used for economic growth, professional development, or psychological maturation in a clinical sense. 자라나다 is more 'pure Korean' (고유어) and feels warmer, more natural, and more biological. Using 성장하다 to describe a houseplant might sound a bit too scientific or stiff in a casual setting.

Mistake 3: Over-formalizing with '성장하다': In a conversation with a friend about their puppy, use '자라나다' or '자라다.' Using '성장하다' might make you sound like you're reading from a biology textbook.

When exploring the concept of growth in Korean, several words share a semantic field with 자라나다. Understanding the subtle differences between them will help you choose the right word for every context. The most direct alternative is 자라다. In most cases, these two are interchangeable. However, 자라나다 has a more 'dynamic' feel due to the '-나다' suffix, suggesting the growth is visibly emerging or progressing toward a certain state.

자라나다 vs. 자라다: 자라다: General act of growing (height, age, size).
자라나다: Emphasizes the process of emerging or developing into a new state. Often used in literary or emotive contexts.

머리카락이 자라다 (Hair grows) vs. 꿈이 자라나다 (A dream grows/emerges).

Another important word is 성장하다 (成長--). This is the Sino-Korean equivalent. It is the preferred term for abstract or high-level growth, such as economic growth (경제 성장), personal development (자기 성장), or the growth of a company. It is more formal than 자라나다. You would use 성장하다 in a business presentation, while you would use 자라나다 when talking about your children at home.

성장하다 (Sino-Korean): Used for: Economics, Corporate expansion, Formal psychological development, National progress.

For the specific act of 'being raised' by someone, you might encounter 성육하다 or 발육하다, though these are quite technical and often used in medical or agricultural contexts. 발달하다 (發達--) means 'to develop' and is used for skills, technologies, or specific body parts (like muscle development). While 자라나다 is about general size and maturity, 발달하다 is about complexity and function.

발달하다 (To Develop): Focuses on: Functionality, skill, or system complexity. For example, 'IT 산업이 발달하다' (The IT industry is developing).

Lastly, 커지다 (to become big) is a very simple alternative. It is the 'get bigger' version of '크다.' While 자라나다 implies a natural, living process, 커지다 can be used for anything that increases in size, such as a fire, a sound, or a pile of laundry. It lacks the biological and developmental nuance of 자라나다.

목소리가 커지다 (Voice gets louder/bigger) - You wouldn't use 자라나다 here.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The suffix '-나다' is used in many Korean verbs to indicate that an action results in something becoming visible or appearing, such as '태어나다' (to be born) or '피어나다' (to bloom).

Pronunciation Guide

UK t͡ɕa.ɾa.na.da

US t͡ɕa.ɾa.na.da

Stress is typically even across all syllables in Korean, but a slight emphasis may fall on the first syllable '자'.

Rhymes With

태어나다 (to be born) 드러나다 (to be revealed) 살아나다 (to come to life) 깨어나다 (to wake up) 피어나다 (to bloom) 솟아나다 (to soar/spring up) 벗어나다 (to escape) 떠나다 (to leave)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '라' like an English 'L' or heavy 'R'.
Aspirating the 'ㅈ' in '자' too much (it should not sound like 'cha').
Making the '다' sound too much like a 'T' (it should be a soft 'D').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize as it's a common word in children's books and basic texts.

Writing 3/5

Requires understanding that it is intransitive and knowing proper conjugations.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, and it's useful for self-introductions.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation and distinct sound from other common verbs.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

자라다 나다 아이 나무 크다

Learn Next

성장하다 키우다 기르다 발달하다 변화하다

Advanced

성숙하다 (to mature) 배양하다 (to culture/cultivate) 함양하다 (to foster/cultivate virtues)

Grammar to Know

Intransitive Verbs (자동사)

나무가 자라난다. (The tree grows. No object needed.)

Compound Verbs with -나다

태어나다, 피어나다, 나타나다.

Present Progressive -고 있다

아이가 자라나고 있어요. (The child is growing up.)

Noun Modifier Form -(으)ㄴ/는

자라나는 청소년 (Growing youth), 시골에서 자라난 소년 (Boy who grew up in the country).

Adverbial ending -게

건강하게 자라나다. (To grow up healthily.)

Examples by Level

꽃이 정원에서 자라나요.

The flower grows in the garden.

Present tense polite form: 자라나다 + 아요 = 자라나요.

우리 아기가 매일 자라나요.

Our baby grows every day.

Subject: 우리 아기 (Our baby).

나무가 산에서 자라요.

The tree grows in the mountain.

Using the simpler '자라다' for comparison.

강아지가 정말 빨리 자라났어요.

The puppy grew up really fast.

Past tense: 자라났다 (grew).

저는 한국에서 자라났어요.

I grew up in Korea.

Location particle: -에서 (in/at).

풀이 마당에 자라나고 있어요.

Grass is growing in the yard.

Progressive form: -고 있다 (is growing).

키가 쑥쑥 자라나요.

Height is growing by leaps and bounds.

Adverb: 쑥쑥 (rapidly/healthily).

동생이 건강하게 자라나고 있습니다.

My younger sibling is growing up healthily.

Formal progressive: -고 있습니다.

시골 마을에서 자라난 소년은 꿈이 많았어요.

The boy who grew up in a country village had many dreams.

Relative clause: 자라난 (who grew up).

화분에 물을 주면 식물이 잘 자라나요.

If you water the pot, the plant grows well.

Conditional: -면 (if).

아이들은 부모님의 사랑을 받고 자라납니다.

Children grow up receiving their parents' love.

Connecting form: -고 (and/then).

머리카락이 벌써 이만큼 자라났네!

Your hair has already grown this much!

Exclamatory ending: -네!

작은 씨앗에서 큰 나무가 자라나요.

A big tree grows from a small seed.

Source particle: -에서 (from).

추운 겨울이 지나면 새싹이 자라납니다.

After the cold winter passes, new sprouts grow.

Time clause: -면 (when/after).

우리는 같은 동네에서 함께 자라났어요.

We grew up together in the same neighborhood.

Adverb: 함께 (together).

아이들이 바르게 자라나길 바랍니다.

I hope the children grow up properly.

Noun form + -길 바라다 (to hope that...).

그의 마음속에는 복수심이 자라나기 시작했다.

A desire for revenge began to grow in his heart.

Noun form: 자라나기 (growing).

자라나는 청소년들에게는 다양한 경험이 필요하다.

Growing adolescents need diverse experiences.

Present participle: 자라나는 (growing).

고난을 겪으면서 용기가 자라났습니다.

Courage grew while going through hardships.

Simultaneous action: -면서 (while).

이 도시는 숲이 자라나기 좋은 환경입니다.

This city is a good environment for forests to grow.

Adjective modifying noun: 자라나기 좋은 (good to grow).

어릴 때부터 음악을 들으며 자라났어요.

I grew up listening to music since I was young.

Time expression: -부터 (from/since).

작은 관심이 모여 큰 희망으로 자라납니다.

Small interests gather and grow into big hope.

Result particle: -으로 (into).

그녀는 예술가 집안에서 자라나 감수성이 풍부하다.

She grew up in an artist family, so she is very sensitive.

Reason/Cause: -아/어 (so/because).

버려진 땅에 다시 생명이 자라나고 있습니다.

Life is growing again on the abandoned land.

Repetition: 다시 (again).

민주주의는 시민들의 참여 속에서 자라난다.

Democracy grows within the participation of citizens.

Abstract subject: 민주주의 (Democracy).

아이들이 꿈을 마음껏 펼치며 자라날 수 있는 세상을 만들자.

Let's make a world where children can grow up spreading their dreams to their heart's content.

Ability: -ㄹ 수 있다 (can).

전쟁의 폐허 속에서도 희망의 꽃은 자라났다.

Even in the ruins of war, the flower of hope grew.

Contrast: -아/어도 (even though/in spite of).

새로운 문화가 젊은이들 사이에서 자라나고 있다.

A new culture is growing among young people.

Location: -사이에서 (among).

부모의 과잉보호 아래 자라난 아이들은 자립심이 부족할 수 있다.

Children who grew up under parental overprotection may lack independence.

Under influence: -아래 (under).

전통의 토대 위에 현대적인 감각이 자라나고 있습니다.

Modern sensibilities are growing on the foundation of tradition.

Foundation: -토대 위에 (on the foundation of).

불신이 자라나지 않도록 서로 소통해야 합니다.

We must communicate with each other so that distrust does not grow.

Purpose/Prevention: -지 않도록 (so that... not).

그의 재능은 혹독한 훈련을 통해 자라났다.

His talent grew through rigorous training.

Method: -를 통해 (through).

언어는 그 사회의 문화적 토양에서 자라나는 유기체와 같다.

Language is like an organism that grows in the cultural soil of that society.

Simile: -와 같다 (is like).

비판적인 시각이 자라날 때 비로소 사회는 진보한다.

Only when a critical perspective grows does society progress.

Emphasis: 비로소 (finally/only then).

이 작품은 작가의 고뇌 속에서 자라난 예술적 결실이다.

This work is the artistic fruit that grew out of the author's anguish.

Metaphorical growth: 자라난 결실 (fruit that grew).

자생적으로 자라난 공동체 의식이 마을을 변화시켰다.

The sense of community that grew spontaneously changed the village.

Adverb: 자생적으로 (spontaneously/self-generated).

권위주의적인 분위기 속에서는 창의성이 자라나기 어렵다.

It is difficult for creativity to grow in an authoritarian atmosphere.

Difficulty: -기 어렵다 (is difficult to).

역사의 소용돌이 속에서 자라난 민족의 저력을 보여주자.

Let's show the potential of the nation that grew in the whirlpool of history.

Noun: 저력 (potential/inner strength).

어린 시절의 결핍이 오히려 성장의 동력으로 자라났다.

The deprivation of childhood rather grew into a driving force for growth.

Contrast: 오히려 (rather/on the contrary).

인간의 존엄성에 대한 인식이 점진적으로 자라나고 있다.

Awareness of human dignity is growing gradually.

Adverb: 점진적으로 (gradually).

무의식의 심연에서 자라난 공포가 그의 이성을 잠식했다.

The fear that grew from the abyss of the unconscious eroded his reason.

Advanced vocabulary: 심연 (abyss), 잠식하다 (to erode/encroach).

시대의 아픔을 먹고 자라난 문학은 시대를 비추는 거울이 된다.

Literature that grows by feeding on the pain of the times becomes a mirror reflecting the era.

Metaphor: -을 먹고 자라나다 (to grow by eating/consuming...).

고독이라는 비옥한 대지 위에서 예술적 영감이 자라난다.

Artistic inspiration grows upon the fertile land called solitude.

Apposition: -이라는 (called/known as).

개인의 욕망이 집단의 광기로 자라나지 않도록 경계해야 한다.

We must be vigilant so that individual desires do not grow into collective madness.

Vigilance: 경계해야 한다 (must be vigilant).

철학적 사유의 나무는 의문의 토양에서 비로소 자라난다.

The tree of philosophical thought finally grows in the soil of doubt.

Academic tone: 사유 (thought/speculation).

기존 체제의 균열 사이로 새로운 질서가 자라나기 시작했다.

A new order began to grow through the cracks of the existing system.

Spatial metaphor: 균열 사이로 (through the cracks).

인간애라는 숭고한 가치 위에서 평화의 싹이 자라난다.

The sprout of peace grows upon the noble value of humanity.

Abstract noun: 숭고한 가치 (noble value).

침묵 속에서 자라난 오해는 결국 관계의 파국을 불러온다.

Misunderstandings that grow in silence eventually bring about the catastrophe of a relationship.

Result: 파국을 불러오다 (to bring about a catastrophe).

Common Collocations

쑥쑥 자라나다

건강하게 자라나다

꿈이 자라나다

희망이 자라나다

새싹이 자라나다

나무가 자라나다

바르게 자라나다

함께 자라나다

사랑을 먹고 자라나다

훌륭하게 자라나다

Common Phrases

자라나는 새싹

— Literally 'growing sprouts,' but used to refer to children as the future of the nation.

자라나는 새싹들을 잘 보호해야 합니다.

자라나는 세대

— The growing generation; the youth.

자라나는 세대에게 환경의 소중함을 가르칩니다.

쑥쑥 자라다

— To grow very quickly and healthily.

밥을 잘 먹어야 키가 쑥쑥 자라지.

몰라보게 자라나다

— To grow so much that one is unrecognizable.

조카가 몰라보게 자라났네요.

사랑 속에서 자라나다

— To grow up in a loving environment.

그는 따뜻한 사랑 속에서 자라난 사람이다.

꿈을 먹고 자라나다

— To grow up fueled by one's dreams.

우리는 꿈을 먹고 자라나는 청춘입니다.

어려움 속에서 자라나다

— To grow up or develop amidst hardships.

그의 강인함은 어려움 속에서 자라났다.

자연 속에서 자라나다

— To grow up in nature.

아이들은 자연 속에서 자라나야 합니다.

예쁘게 자라나다

— To grow up beautifully.

딸아이가 참 예쁘게 자라났구나.

바람직하게 자라나다

— To grow up in a desirable or proper way.

청소년들이 바람직하게 자라날 수 있는 환경이 필요합니다.

Often Confused With

자라나다 vs 자라다

Almost identical, but 자라나다 feels more descriptive and process-oriented.

자라나다 vs 키우다

Transitive (to raise). You can't '자라나다' a pet, you '키우다' a pet.

자라나다 vs 성장하다

Formal/Sino-Korean. Used for economy or formal development.

Idioms & Expressions

"사랑을 먹고 자라다"

— To grow up well thanks to receiving a lot of love and affection.

부모님의 사랑을 먹고 자란 아이는 밝습니다.

Common

"꿈나무"

— Literally 'dream tree,' referring to a talented child with a bright future.

그는 한국 축구의 꿈나무입니다.

Common

"싹이 노랗다"

— Literally 'the sprout is yellow,' used to say someone shows no promise or prospect of success from the start.

그 친구는 벌써부터 공부를 안 하니 싹이 노랗다.

Informal

"뿌리가 깊다"

— To have deep roots, meaning something is firmly established or has a long history.

이 전통은 뿌리가 깊습니다.

Neutral

"꽃을 피우다"

— To bring something to fruition or to reach a peak of success (the result of growth).

그의 노력이 드디어 결실의 꽃을 피웠다.

Literary

"가지가 많다"

— To have many branches, often referring to a person with many children or a complex situation.

가지 많은 나무에 바람 잘 날 없다 (A tree with many branches has no quiet days).

Proverb

"열매를 맺다"

— To bear fruit; to achieve a successful result.

오랜 연구가 드디어 열매를 맺었습니다.

Neutral

"흙을 밟고 자라다"

— To grow up playing outdoors/in nature (literally stepping on soil).

아이들은 흙을 밟고 자라야 건강합니다.

Common

"비 온 뒤에 땅이 굳어진다"

— The ground hardens after the rain (hardships make one stronger). Related to the process of growth after trial.

어려운 일을 겪었지만 비 온 뒤에 땅이 굳어지듯 더 강해질 거야.

Proverb

"될성부른 나무는 떡잎부터 알아본다"

— A tree that will grow well can be recognized by its cotyledon (Genius shows itself from childhood).

그 아이는 벌써부터 똑똑한 걸 보니 될성부른 나무는 떡잎부터 알아보는 법이야.

Proverb

Easily Confused

자라나다 vs 기르다

Both mean to grow/raise.

기르다 is transitive (you raise something). 자라나다 is intransitive (something grows by itself).

강아지를 길러요 (I raise a puppy) vs 강아지가 자라나요 (The puppy grows).

자라나다 vs 나타나다

Both end in -나다.

나타나다 means to appear suddenly. 자라나다 is a slow process of growth.

귀신이 나타났다 (A ghost appeared) vs 나무가 자라났다 (A tree grew).

자라나다 vs 태어나다

Both relate to life cycles.

태어나다 is 'to be born' (the start). 자라나다 is 'to grow up' (the continuation).

아이가 태어났어요 (The baby was born) vs 아이가 자라나요 (The baby is growing).

자라나다 vs 늘어나다

Both mean to increase.

늘어나다 is for quantity, length, or numbers (like a crowd or a rubber band). 자라나다 is for biological/maturity growth.

인구가 늘어났다 (Population increased) vs 키가 자라났다 (Height grew).

자라나다 vs 커지다

Both mean 'to get big'.

커지다 is a simple change in size for any object. 자라나다 implies natural development.

소리가 커지다 (Sound gets louder) vs 꿈이 자라나다 (A dream develops).

Sentence Patterns

[Subject]이/가 자라나요.

꽃이 자라나요.

[Place]에서 자라났어요.

미국에서 자라났어요.

[Adverb]하게 자라나다.

훌륭하게 자라나다.

마음속에 [Noun]이/가 자라나다.

마음속에 사랑이 자라나요.

[Noun]을/를 통해 자라나다.

경험을 통해 자라나다.

[Noun]의 토양에서 자라나다.

문화의 토양에서 자라나다.

[Noun]에 따라 자라나다.

시간에 따라 자라나다.

[Noun]을/를 먹고 자라나다.

고통을 먹고 자라나다.

Word Family

Nouns

자람 (growth - gerund)

성장 (growth - Sino-Korean)

발육 (physical development)

Verbs

자라다 (to grow)

키우다 (to raise/grow - transitive)

기르다 (to raise/cultivate - transitive)

성장시키다 (to make something grow)

어린이 (child)

나무 (tree)

새싹 (sprout)

꿈 (dream)

희망 (hope)

How to Use It

frequency

High in daily life, literature, and educational contexts.

Common Mistakes

꽃을 자라나요. → 꽃이 자라나요.
자라나다 is intransitive. It cannot take the object marker '을'.
저는 서울을 자라났어요. → 저는 서울에서 자라났어요.
Use the location particle '에서' to say where you grew up.
경제가 자라나요. → 경제가 성장해요.
For economic growth, the Sino-Korean word '성장하다' is the standard term.
빌딩이 자라나고 있어요. → 빌딩이 올라가고 있어요.
자라나다 is for living things. For construction, use '올라가다' or '지어지다'.
아이를 자라나게 했어요. → 아이를 키웠어요.
While '자라나게 하다' is grammatically possible (causative), '키우다' (to raise) is much more natural.

Tips

Intransitive Only

Never use an object with 자라나다. The subject is the one doing the growing.

Nature Connection

Think of plants when you use this word; it helps you remember the 'emerging' nuance of -나다.

Positive Nuance

It usually implies healthy, good growth. It's a very positive word to use about children.

Literary Use

Use 자라나다 in poems or stories to make the growth of feelings feel more alive.

Adverb Pairings

Always try to pair it with '건강하게' or '쑥쑥' to sound more natural.

Context Clues

If you hear '에서 자라났다', the speaker is talking about their background or hometown.

Relative Clauses

Use '자라나는' to describe the youth generation: '자라나는 아이들'.

Break it down

Remember 자라 (grow) + 나 (emerge) = grow out.

vs 성장하다

Use 자라나다 for people/plants, 성장하다 for companies/economy.

Hair and Nails

You can use it for hair and nails growing, but '자라다' is slightly more common for these.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jara' (자라) as 'Jar' and 'Nada' (나다) as 'Now'. Imagine a plant in a *Jar* that is *Now* emerging and growing out of it.

Visual Association

Picture a time-lapse video of a seed sprouting from the earth and reaching for the sun. That 'reaching out' motion is '자라나다'.

Word Web

Seed Sprout Sunlight Water Child Height Maturity Dream

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house or neighborhood that are currently '자라나고 있어요' (growing) and describe them in Korean.

Word Origin

자라나다 is a native Korean compound verb. It is formed from the verb '자라다' (to grow) and the auxiliary verb '-나다' (to emerge/happen).

Original meaning: The original meaning was 'to grow and emerge' or 'to grow out into the world.'

Koreanic (Native Korean vocabulary).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, as it is a positive and natural word.

While English uses 'grow' for both transitive (I grow tomatoes) and intransitive (Tomatoes grow), Korean strictly separates them. English speakers must be careful not to use 자라나다 as a transitive verb.

Children's song: '새싹들이다' (We are the sprouts) - describes children growing like sprouts. Poem: '풀' (Grass) by Kim Su-young - though it uses '일어서다' (stand up), it captures the resilient growth of the people. Drama trope: The 'coming-of-age' story where protagonists '자라나다' through trials.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family and Childhood

어디에서 자라났어요?
아이들이 참 빨리 자라나요.
건강하게만 자라다오.
부모님의 사랑 속에서 자라났습니다.

Gardening and Nature

식물이 자라나기 좋은 날씨예요.
새싹이 자라나고 있어요.
나무가 쑥쑥 자라났네요.
꽃이 정원에서 자라납니다.

Personal Growth and Dreams

내 안의 꿈이 자라나고 있다.
희망이 다시 자라나기 시작했습니다.
시련을 통해 용기가 자라났다.
자신감이 자라나는 것을 느껴요.

Education and Society

자라나는 세대를 위한 교육.
공동체 의식이 자라나야 합니다.
새로운 문화가 자라나는 곳.
민주주의가 자라나는 토양.

Physical Changes

머리카락이 많이 자라났어요.
손톱이 금방 자라나네요.
키가 자라나는 시기입니다.
근육이 자라나서 힘이 세졌어요.

Conversation Starters

"어릴 때 어디에서 자라나셨어요?"

"요즘 정원에 무엇이 자라나고 있나요?"

"아이들이 자라나는 모습을 보면 어떤 기분이 드세요?"

"자신의 꿈이 어떻게 자라났는지 이야기해 주시겠어요?"

"한국 사회에서 가장 빠르게 자라나고 있는 변화는 무엇이라고 생각하세요?"

Journal Prompts

내가 자라난 환경이 지금의 나에게 어떤 영향을 주었는지 써 보세요.

요즘 내 마음속에 자라나고 있는 새로운 생각이나 감정은 무엇인가요?

10년 후의 나는 어떤 모습으로 자라나 있을까요?

내가 키우는 식물이나 반려동물이 자라나는 과정을 관찰해 보세요.

어려운 상황 속에서도 어떻게 희망이 자라날 수 있는지에 대해 적어 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is better to use '성장하다' or '확장하다' for businesses. 자라나다 is usually for living things or organic metaphors. Using it for a business sounds a bit too poetic or childlike.

They are mostly the same. However, 자라나다 (grow + emerge) emphasizes the visual appearing of growth. For example, '새싹이 자라나다' sounds more vivid than '새싹이 자라다'.

It is neutral. It can be used in polite conversation (자라나요) or in formal speeches (자라납니다). For very technical or academic contexts, '성장하다' or '발육하다' is preferred.

No. You should say '머리를 길렀어요' (I grew/raised my hair). If you say '머리가 자라났어요', it means 'My hair grew (by itself)'.

You say '런던에서 자라났어요' or '런던에서 자랐어요'.

Yes! It is very common to say '사랑이 자라나다' (love grows) or '미움이 자라나다' (hatred grows).

It is an onomatopoeic adverb describing something growing rapidly and healthily, like a sprout popping out of the ground.

No, buildings don't have life. Use '지어지다' (be built) or '올라가다' (go up).

Yes, it is perfectly fine for puppies, kittens, and other animals growing up.

Depending on context, it could be '시들다' (wither) for plants or '쇠퇴하다' (decline) for abstract things.