When you hear 고생하다 (gosaenghada), think about having a tough time or going through something difficult. It's a verb, so it describes an action.
You can use it when someone has worked very hard, like studying for a big exam, or when they've been through a challenging situation, such as dealing with a difficult task at work. It shows that they put in a lot of effort or endured some hardship.
For example, if you say "수고하셨습니다" to someone who has just finished a long day of work, you're essentially acknowledging that they 고생했어요 (gosaenghaesseoyo)—they've worked hard and gone through some difficulty.
When you hear 고생하다 (gosaenghada), think about going through something tough. It means to suffer hardship or difficulty, or to have a hard time.
You can use it when someone has worked very hard, faced many challenges, or experienced difficulties. For instance, if a student studied all night for an exam, you could say they 고생했어요 (gosaenghaesseoyo).
It's a very common and useful expression in Korean to acknowledge someone's struggles or efforts. Often, people say 수고했어요 (sugohaesseoyo) or 고생했어요 (gosaenghaesseoyo) to colleagues or friends who have completed a difficult task.
So, remember 고생하다 for those moments when you want to express empathy or recognition for someone's hard work or struggles.
When you hear someone say “고생했어요!” (Go-saeng-haess-eo-yo!) at the end of a long day, it’s a way of acknowledging that they’ve been through some difficulty or hard work. It’s a very common phrase to show empathy and understanding for someone’s efforts.
You can use this verb, 고생하다, to talk about experiencing difficulties yourself or to describe someone else’s struggles. For instance, if you had a tough exam, you might say “시험 때문에 고생했어요” (Si-heom ttae-mun-e go-saeng-haess-eo-yo), meaning “I suffered because of the exam.”
It’s important to note that 고생하다 doesn’t always imply extreme suffering; it can also refer to enduring any kind of effort or minor inconvenience. Think of it as a way to express that someone has put in a lot of effort or gone through something challenging, big or small.
Often, it’s used in situations where people are working hard or facing challenges, and it's a way to express appreciation for their perseverance. So next time you see someone working hard, you can say “고생하시네요!” (Go-saeng-ha-si-ne-yo!), meaning “You’re working hard!” or “You’re going through a lot!”
When you want to express that someone is experiencing or has experienced significant difficulty, hard work, or suffering, the verb 고생하다 (go-saeng-ha-da) is the word to use. It literally translates to "to suffer hardship" or "to go through trouble."
You'll often hear it in phrases like 수고하셨습니다 (su-go-ha-syeot-seup-ni-da), which is a polite way to say "You've worked hard" or "You've been through a lot of trouble," acknowledging someone's efforts.
It can also describe a situation where someone is enduring physical or mental hardship, such as 고생이 많다 (go-saeng-i man-ta), meaning "to have a lot of difficulties."
Understanding 고생하다 helps you empathize with others' struggles and appreciate their efforts in Korean.
고생하다 in 30 Seconds
- 고생하다 means to suffer or struggle with something difficult.
- You use it when someone is having a hard time, physically or mentally.
- It's a common way to express empathy or acknowledge someone's efforts.
§ What 고생하다 means
The Korean verb 고생하다 (gosaenghada) is a really useful one to know. At its core, it means 'to suffer hardship or difficulty.' You'll hear Koreans use this word a lot in daily conversation, and it carries a lot of nuance depending on the situation. It's not always about extreme suffering; sometimes it just refers to putting in a lot of effort or going through a tough time. Think of it as experiencing something challenging, whether it's physical, mental, or even just a difficult process.
- DEFINITION
- To suffer hardship or difficulty; to struggle; to have a hard time; to toil.
The verb 고생하다 is composed of two parts: 고생 (gosaeng), which means 'hardship' or 'trouble,' and 하다 (hada), which is the general verb 'to do.' So, literally, it means 'to do hardship' or 'to experience hardship.' This direct meaning helps you understand why it's used in so many different contexts where someone is enduring something difficult.
§ When do people use 고생하다?
Koreans use 고생하다 in a variety of situations. It can be used when someone has gone through a physically demanding task, like moving furniture or working a long shift. It's also used for mental or emotional struggles, such as studying for a difficult exam, dealing with a challenging project at work, or overcoming personal problems. It's a versatile verb that expresses empathy and acknowledges someone's effort or struggle.
- To acknowledge someone's hard work: This is one of the most common uses. When you see someone who has been working hard, you might say '고생했어요!' (gosaenghaesseoyo!), which is a polite way to say 'You've worked hard!' or 'You've been through a lot of trouble!' It's a way to show appreciation for their effort.
- To describe a difficult experience: If you've had a tough time, you can use 고생하다 to describe your experience. For example, if you traveled a long distance or dealt with bad weather, you might say '비행기 안에서 좀 고생했어요.' (bihaenggi aneseo jom gosaenghaesseoyo. - I had a bit of a hard time on the plane.)
- To express sympathy: When someone tells you about a difficult situation they are facing, you can use 고생하다 to show your sympathy. '많이 고생하셨네요.' (mani gosaenghasyeonne-yo. - You must have gone through a lot.)
- To talk about a general period of difficulty: You can also use it to refer to a longer period of struggle or a difficult phase in life. For instance, '학생 때는 돈이 없어서 많이 고생했어요.' (haksaeng ttaeneun doni eopseoseo mani gosaenghaesseoyo. - When I was a student, I struggled a lot because I didn't have money.)
§ Examples of 고생하다 in action
어제 이사하느라 정말 많이 고생했어요.
(Eoje isahaneura jeongmal mani gosaenghaesseoyo.)
(Yesterday, I really struggled a lot with moving.)
시험 준비 때문에 요즘 잠을 잘 못 자서 고생하고 있어요.
(Siheom junbi ttaemune yojeum jameul jal mot jaseo gosaenghago isseoyo.)
(Because of exam preparation, I haven't been able to sleep well lately, so I'm having a hard time.)
혼자서 아이를 키우느라 많이 고생하셨어요.
(Honjaseo aireul kiuneura mani gosaenghasyeosseoyo.)
(You struggled a lot raising a child by yourself.)
더운 날씨에 야외에서 일하는 사람들은 정말 고생이 많아요.
(Deoun nalssie yawoeeseo ilhaneun saramdeureun jeongmal gosaengi manayo.)
(People who work outdoors in hot weather really have a lot of hardship.)
Understanding 고생하다 will greatly improve your ability to express empathy and acknowledge effort in Korean. It's a word that truly reflects the cultural value of hard work and perseverance. Start listening for it in dramas and conversations, and you'll quickly get a feel for its natural usage.
Alright, let's talk about some common slip-ups when using 고생하다. This word is super useful, but because its English translations like 'suffer' or 'have a hard time' can be a bit broad, learners often use it in ways that sound a little off to native speakers. Don't worry, we'll clear things up.
§ Mistake 1: Using 고생하다 for short-term, minor inconveniences
One common mistake is using 고생하다 for something that's just a small annoyance, like waiting for a bus for five minutes or a light drizzle. 고생하다 implies a more significant, prolonged, or impactful hardship. It's about 'suffering' in a more meaningful sense.
- Wrong
- 버스 기다리느라 고생했어요. (I suffered waiting for the bus.)
Unless you waited for hours in a blizzard, this sounds a bit dramatic. A better way to say you had a bit of a wait would be:
- Right
- 버스 기다리느라 좀 힘들었어요. (Waiting for the bus was a bit hard.)
시험 공부하느라 정말 많이 고생했어요. (I really suffered/had a hard time studying for the exam.)
This is good because studying for an exam usually involves significant effort and stress over a period.
§ Mistake 2: Using 고생하다 for pain or physical injury
고생하다 is about enduring difficulties, not directly experiencing physical pain. While physical pain can certainly be a hardship, 고생하다 isn't the verb you use to describe the act of feeling pain itself.
- Wrong
- 다리가 아파서 고생했어요. (My leg hurt, so I suffered.)
Here, '아프다' (to hurt) is the correct verb for the pain. You could use 고생하다 to describe the overall difficulty caused by the injury, but not the sensation of pain itself.
- Right
- 다리가 아파서 걷는 데 고생했어요. (My leg hurt, so I had a hard time walking.)
그 병 때문에 몇 년 동안 고생했어요. (I suffered/had a hard time for several years due to that illness.)
This works because the illness itself brings a prolonged period of hardship and difficulty.
§ Mistake 3: Overusing it as a direct translation of 'suffer from'
While 'suffer from' can be a translation, it's not always a one-to-one swap. For specific conditions or afflictions, other verbs might be more natural.
- Wrong
- 저는 알레르기로 고생해요. (I suffer from allergies.)
While understandable, a more natural way to express having allergies is using '있다' (to have) or describing the symptoms.
- Better
- 저는 알레르기가 있어요. (I have allergies.)
However, if the allergies cause significant ongoing hardship, then 고생하다 could be used to describe the difficulty resulting from them:
심한 알레르기 때문에 매년 봄에 고생해요. (I have a hard time/suffer every spring because of severe allergies.)
By understanding these nuances, you'll be able to use 고생하다 much more naturally and effectively. Keep practicing, and you'll get there!
Fun Fact
This word doesn't always imply extreme suffering. It's often used to acknowledge someone's hard work or effort, even in less severe situations. It's a way of saying, 'You've worked hard' or 'You've been through a lot.'
Pronunciation Guide
- Mispronouncing the 'ㅐ' as 'ay' instead of 'eh'.
Difficulty Rating
The word is relatively short and uses common Korean characters.
The spelling is straightforward and follows basic phonetic rules.
The pronunciation is standard and doesn't involve complex sounds for English speakers.
When spoken, the word is clear and distinct, making it easy to identify in conversation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
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Advanced
Grammar to Know
Can be used with ~아/어/여서 to indicate cause or reason. 고생해서 돈을 벌었어요 (I earned money through hardship).
고생해서 돈을 벌었어요.
Can be used with ~느라(고) to indicate that an action is the reason for hardship. 시험 공부하느라 고생했어요 (I had a hard time studying for the exam).
시험 공부하느라 고생했어요.
Can be used with ~다가 to indicate a change of state or action during hardship. 고생하다가 드디어 성공했어요 (After struggling, I finally succeeded).
고생하다가 드디어 성공했어요.
Can be used with ~지만 to express a contrasting idea about the hardship. 고생했지만 보람 있었어요 (It was difficult, but it was worthwhile).
고생했지만 보람 있었어요.
Can be used with ~은/는 덕분에 to express gratitude for someone's hardship. 선생님 덕분에 고생하지 않았어요 (Thanks to the teacher, I didn't suffer).
선생님 덕분에 고생하지 않았어요.
Examples by Level
고생했어요.
You've worked hard / You've been through a lot.
A common phrase used to acknowledge someone's effort or difficulty.
많이 고생했어요.
I suffered a lot.
많이 (mani) means 'a lot' or 'much'.
그 일 때문에 고생했어요.
I had a hard time because of that work.
때문에 (ttaemune) means 'because of'.
고생하지 마세요.
Don't suffer / Don't have a hard time.
지 마세요 (ji maseyo) is a common way to say 'please don't' or 'do not'.
학생들이 시험 때문에 고생하고 있어요.
The students are having a hard time because of the exam.
고생하고 있어요 (gosaenghago isseoyo) indicates an ongoing action (present continuous).
저는 어제 숙제 때문에 고생했어요.
I had a hard time yesterday because of my homework.
어제 (eoje) means 'yesterday'.
우리 엄마가 고생했어요.
My mom suffered.
우리 (uri) can mean 'our' but also commonly used for 'my' in a collective or familiar sense.
너무 고생하지 마세요.
Don't suffer too much.
너무 (neomu) means 'too' or 'too much'.
고생했어요?
Did you have a hard time?
Past tense, polite informal.
많이 고생했어요.
I suffered a lot.
Past tense, polite informal. '많이' means 'a lot'.
우리 엄마가 항상 고생해요.
My mom always suffers.
Present tense, polite informal. '항상' means 'always'.
혼자 고생하지 마세요.
Don't suffer alone.
Imperative, polite informal. '혼자' means 'alone'.
시험 때문에 고생했어요.
I had a hard time because of the exam.
Past tense, polite informal. '때문에' means 'because of'.
일이 많아서 고생해요.
I suffer because there's a lot of work.
Present tense, polite informal. '일이 많아서' means 'because there is a lot of work'.
아이가 감기에 걸려서 고생했어요.
My child had a hard time because they caught a cold.
Past tense, polite informal. '감기에 걸려서' means 'because they caught a cold'.
그 사람은 고생을 많이 했어요.
That person suffered a lot.
Past tense, polite informal. '고생을 하다' is a common way to say 'to suffer hardship'.
한국에서 유학하면서 문화 차이 때문에 많이 고생했어요.
While studying abroad in Korea, I suffered a lot due to cultural differences.
A common way to express 'because of' or 'due to' is using ~때문에.
그 프로젝트를 완성하기 위해 밤샘 작업을 하며 고생했습니다.
I worked overnight and suffered to complete that project.
A ~하며 ending can indicate simultaneous actions or continuous effort.
시험 기간 동안 잠도 못 자고 공부하느라 고생이 많았어요.
During the exam period, I couldn't sleep and suffered a lot from studying.
고생이 많았어요 is a common way to say 'I suffered a lot' or 'I had many difficulties'.
갑작스러운 사고로 가족들이 많은 고생을 겪었어요.
Due to the sudden accident, the family went through a lot of suffering.
고생을 겪다 is another common collocation meaning 'to experience hardship'.
새로운 직장에 적응하는 데 처음에는 좀 고생했지만, 지금은 괜찮아요.
I suffered a bit at first adapting to the new job, but now it's okay.
적응하다 means 'to adapt' or 'to adjust'.
혼자 아이를 키우느라 정말 많이 고생하셨겠어요.
You must have suffered a lot raising a child by yourself.
~셨겠어요 is used to express polite conjecture or empathy about someone else's past experience.
그는 가난한 환경에서 자라면서 많은 고생을 했지만, 결국 성공했습니다.
He suffered a lot growing up in a poor environment, but ultimately succeeded.
~면서 can mean 'while doing something' or 'as something happens'.
물가가 너무 올라서 서민들이 생활고로 고생하고 있습니다.
Prices have risen so much that ordinary people are suffering from financial difficulties.
생활고 is a specific term for 'financial hardship' or 'difficulty in living'.
Grammar Patterns
Idioms & Expressions
"고생 끝에 낙이 온다"
Joy comes after suffering. (Every cloud has a silver lining.)
너무 힘들지만, 고생 끝에 낙이 온다고 생각해요. (It's really hard, but I think joy will come after this suffering.)
neutral"고생 많으셨습니다"
You've worked hard and suffered a lot. (Used to acknowledge someone's hard work and effort.)
프로젝트 마무리하시느라 고생 많으셨습니다. (You suffered a lot finishing the project.)
formal"고생 좀 하다"
To go through a bit of hardship.
새로운 직장에서 처음에는 고생 좀 했어요. (I went through a bit of hardship at my new job at first.)
neutral"남의 고생은 몰라"
You don't know other people's suffering. (You don't know what others are going through.)
그 사람은 남의 고생은 몰라요. (That person doesn't know other people's suffering.)
neutral"고생길이 훤하다"
A path of hardship is clear. (Used to describe a future that looks difficult.)
지금부터 고생길이 훤하네. (From now on, the path of hardship is clear.)
neutral"괜히 고생하다"
To suffer for nothing, to suffer unnecessarily.
그렇게 하면 괜히 고생만 할 거예요. (If you do it that way, you'll just suffer for nothing.)
neutral"몸 고생하다"
To suffer physically, to do hard physical labor.
시골에서 농사 지으면서 몸 고생 많이 했어요. (I suffered a lot physically farming in the countryside.)
neutral"마음 고생하다"
To suffer emotionally, to have a hard time mentally.
시험 때문에 마음 고생이 심했어요. (I suffered a lot emotionally because of the exam.)
neutral"고생하다 죽겠다"
I'm suffering so much I could die. (An exaggerated expression of suffering.)
이사 준비하느라 고생하다 죽겠어요. (I'm suffering so much I could die preparing for the move.)
informal"고생 사서 하다"
To deliberately choose to suffer, to go looking for trouble.
편하게 할 수 있는데 왜 고생 사서 해요? (You can do it easily, why are you going looking for trouble?)
informalSentence Patterns
SUBJECT이/가 고생하다.
저는 고생했어요. (I suffered.)
NOUN 때문에 고생하다.
날씨 때문에 고생했어요. (I suffered because of the weather.)
VERB-느라 고생하다.
일하느라 고생했어요. (I suffered while working.)
OBJECT을/를 위해 고생하다.
가족을 위해 고생했어요. (I suffered for my family.)
시간 동안 고생하다.
오랫동안 고생했어요. (I suffered for a long time.)
NOUN으로 고생하다.
감기로 고생했어요. (I suffered from a cold.)
NOUN이/가 고생이 많다.
어머니가 고생이 많으세요. (My mother suffers a lot. - Emphasizes the amount of suffering)
VERB-아서/어서 고생하다.
길을 잃어서 고생했어요. (I suffered because I got lost.)
Word Family
Nouns
Word Origin
Sino-Korean (고생; 苦生) + 하다 (to do)
Original meaning: 苦 (go): 'pain, difficulty, suffering'; 生 (saeng): 'life, living'. Combined with '하다', it means 'to do suffering' or 'to live a difficult life'.
Korean, with Chinese roots for the noun part.Cultural Context
In Korean culture, acknowledging someone's '고생' (suffering/hardship) is a common way to show empathy and appreciation for their efforts. It's frequently used in greetings or farewells, especially after a long day or a difficult task. This reflects a cultural emphasis on hard work and perseverance, and the importance of recognizing the struggles of others.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions고생하다 (go-saeng-ha-da) basically means to suffer hardship, go through difficulties, or have a tough time. It’s used when someone experiences something physically or mentally demanding.
You can use it just like a regular verb. For example, '시험 공부하느라 고생했어요' (I had a hard time studying for the exam). Or, '일하느라 고생이 많았어요' (You went through a lot of hardship working).
It's a neutral verb. You can use it in both polite and informal contexts. The politeness comes from the ending you attach to it, like 고생했어요 (polite past tense) or 고생했어 (informal past tense).
Yes, absolutely! It's very common to use it to acknowledge someone else's effort or difficulty. For instance, '우리 엄마가 우리를 위해 정말 고생하셨어요' (My mom really went through a lot for us).
They are similar! 힘들다 (him-deul-da) means 'to be hard' or 'to be difficult,' often describing the situation itself. 고생하다 emphasizes the act of enduring or suffering through that difficulty. So, '일이 힘들었어요' (The work was hard) and '일하느라 고생했어요' (I had a hard time working) are close in meaning, but 고생하다 has a bit more of an 'enduring' nuance.
수고했어요 (su-go-hae-sseo-yo) is more like 'You worked hard' or 'Good job.' It's a general acknowledgement of effort. 고생했어요 implies that the effort involved some degree of difficulty or hardship. You could say 수고했어요 for someone finishing a regular task, but 고생했어요 if they had a particularly tough time doing it.
Not directly positive, but it's often used with an empathetic or appreciative nuance. When you say '고생했어요' to someone, it's usually to acknowledge their hard work and effort, showing sympathy or gratitude. So, while the act of 'suffering hardship' isn't positive, the sentiment behind acknowledging it can be.
The noun form is 고생 (go-saeng), which means 'hardship,' 'difficulty,' or 'trouble.' You can say '고생 끝에 낙이 온다' (After hardship comes joy) as a common idiom.
Yes, a very common one is '고생 많으셨어요' (go-saeng man-eu-shyeo-sseo-yo), which means 'You went through a lot of hardship' or 'You worked really hard.' It's a very polite and appreciative phrase often used to colleagues or people older than you after they've finished a difficult task.
While it leans more towards hardship and difficulty, it can implicitly cover physical strain. If someone is working a physically demanding job, you could definitely say they are 고생하다. However, for direct physical pain like a headache, you'd use a different verb like 아프다 (a-peu-da - to be sick/hurt).
Test Yourself 120 questions
저는 어제 많이 ___.
The sentence means 'I suffered a lot yesterday.' '고생했어요' (suffered hardship) fits the context of difficulty.
한국어 배우는 것이 조금 ___.
The sentence implies that learning Korean is a bit difficult or challenging, suggesting '고생해요' (suffers hardship) as a natural fit.
시험 때문에 많이 ___.
Preparing for exams often involves hardship, so '고생했어요' (suffered hardship) is the most appropriate word to describe the experience.
그는 돈 때문에 ___.
Financial difficulties lead to hardship, making '고생했어요' (suffered hardship) the correct choice.
새로운 직장에서 처음에는 많이 ___.
Starting a new job can be challenging, so '고생했어요' (suffered hardship) reflects the initial difficulties.
몸이 아파서 ___.
Being sick usually involves hardship or suffering, so '고생했어요' (suffered hardship) fits the situation.
Which of these means 'to suffer hardship'?
고생하다 specifically means to suffer hardship or difficulty.
You want to say someone worked hard and suffered a bit. Which verb is best?
고생하다 is used when someone has gone through a difficult time or worked hard.
After a long, tough journey, you might say, '정말 많이 ____어요.' (You really ____ a lot.)
고생했어요 is the past tense of 고생하다, meaning 'had a hard time' or 'suffered'.
고생하다 means 'to be happy'.
고생하다 means 'to suffer hardship or difficulty', not 'to be happy'.
If someone worked hard on a difficult task, you can say '고생했어요'.
Yes, '고생했어요' is a common way to acknowledge someone's hard work and the difficulties they faced.
고생하다 is usually used in positive situations.
고생하다 is used to describe negative or challenging situations where someone experiences hardship or difficulty.
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네
Focus: Ne
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아니요
Focus: A-ni-yo
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Write a short sentence about a time someone had a hard time using '고생하다'.
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Sample answer
친구는 아르바이트 때문에 고생했어요. (My friend had a hard time because of a part-time job.)
Imagine you worked hard on a project. How would you say 'I worked hard' or 'I had a hard time' using '고생하다'?
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Sample answer
프로젝트 때문에 고생했어요. (I had a hard time because of the project.)
Complete the sentence: '어머니는 우리를 위해 ___.' (Mother ___ for us.)
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Sample answer
어머니는 우리를 위해 고생하셨어요. (Mother had a hard time for us.)
What makes learning Korean difficult for the speaker?
Read this passage:
저는 한국어를 배우는 것이 재미있지만, 가끔 어려울 때도 있어요. 특히 문법이 고생하게 만들어요. 하지만 포기하지 않을 거예요.
What makes learning Korean difficult for the speaker?
The passage says '특히 문법이 고생하게 만들어요' which means 'especially grammar makes it difficult' or 'causes hardship'.
The passage says '특히 문법이 고생하게 만들어요' which means 'especially grammar makes it difficult' or 'causes hardship'.
What sometimes causes difficulty for Mr. Kim?
Read this passage:
김 선생님은 학생들을 가르치기 위해 매일 열심히 일해요. 때로는 학생들이 숙제를 안 해서 고생하시지만, 항상 웃으면서 가르쳐요.
What sometimes causes difficulty for Mr. Kim?
The passage states '때로는 학생들이 숙제를 안 해서 고생하시지만' which translates to 'sometimes students don't do their homework, so he has a hard time'.
The passage states '때로는 학생들이 숙제를 안 해서 고생하시지만' which translates to 'sometimes students don't do their homework, so he has a hard time'.
Why did the grandfather have a hard time in the past?
Read this passage:
우리 할아버지는 옛날에 전쟁 때문에 많이 고생하셨어요. 하지만 지금은 평화로운 삶을 살고 계세요.
Why did the grandfather have a hard time in the past?
The sentence '옛날에 전쟁 때문에 많이 고생하셨어요' clearly states that he suffered a lot because of the war.
The sentence '옛날에 전쟁 때문에 많이 고생하셨어요' clearly states that he suffered a lot because of the war.
This sentence means 'I suffered a lot.' '나는' (I), '많이' (a lot), '고생했어요' (suffered).
This sentence means 'He suffers because of work.' '그는' (He), '일' (work), '때문에' (because of), '고생해요' (suffers).
This sentence means 'Mother always suffered.' '어머니는' (Mother), '항상' (always), '고생하셨어요' (suffered).
저는 어제 숙제를 하느라 밤늦게까지 ___.
The sentence describes something that happened 'yesterday' (어제), so the past tense '고생했어요' (suffered) is correct.
시험공부 때문에 많이 ___.
This is an informal past tense, suitable for talking to a close friend about having 'suffered' due to studying for an exam. '고생했어' means 'I suffered/you suffered'.
이사하느라 정말 ___.
The phrase '고생이 많았어요' means 'there was a lot of hardship' or 'it was very difficult', referring to the past action of moving (이사하느라).
이번 프로젝트 때문에 직원들이 다 ___.
The present continuous tense '고생하고 있어요' (are suffering) fits best to describe employees currently suffering due to the project.
추운 날씨에 밖에서 일하느라 많이 ___.
When expressing sympathy for someone who likely suffered, '고생하셨겠어요' (you must have suffered) is a polite and common expression.
시험 기간이라 학생들이 밤새 ___.
This describes a general situation during exam periods, so the present tense '고생해요' (suffer) is appropriate.
He struggled because of the exam.
I had a lot of difficulty last week.
The students are struggling with their homework.
Read this aloud:
고생 많으셨어요.
Focus: 고생 (go-saeng), 많으셨어요 (man-eu-syeo-sseo-yo)
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일 때문에 고생했어요.
Focus: 일 (il), 때문에 (ttae-mu-ne), 고생했어요 (go-saeng-haess-eoyo)
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여행 중에 고생한 적이 있어요?
Focus: 여행 (yeo-haeng), 중에 (jung-e), 고생한 (go-saeng-han), 적이 (jeog-i), 있어요 (iss-eoyo)
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This sentence means 'You really suffered a lot.' '정말' (really) modifies '많이' (a lot), and '고생했어요' is the past tense of '고생하다'.
This means 'If you don't suffer, you can't succeed.' '고생하면' is 'if you suffer', and '성공할 수 없어요' is 'can't succeed'.
This sentence translates to 'I hope you don't suffer any more.' '더 이상' means 'any more', '고생하지 않기를' means 'not to suffer', and '바랍니다' means 'I hope'.
시험 공부하느라 많이 ___.
The context implies a past action of suffering due to studying for an exam. '고생했어' (you suffered/worked hard) is the appropriate past tense form for an informal conversational tone.
이번 프로젝트 때문에 다들 밤샘 작업을 ___.
This sentence describes a past event where everyone suffered due to an all-night project. '고생했다' (they suffered/worked hard) is the correct past tense for this context.
돈을 벌기 위해 타지에서 ___.
This sentence describes a past action of suffering in a foreign land to earn money. '고생했다' (he/she/they suffered) is the correct past tense.
처음 한국에 왔을 때 언어 때문에 많이 ___.
The sentence describes a past experience of suffering from language difficulties when first coming to Korea. '고생했어요' (I suffered/worked hard) is the appropriate past tense, polite form.
어려운 상황에서도 그는 ___.
The sentence implies a contrast: 'even though he suffered in a difficult situation, ...'. '고생했지만' (although he suffered) is the correct connective ending.
이번 일로 인해 제가 많이 ___.
This sentence expresses that the speaker ended up suffering due to the recent event. '고생하게 되었습니다' (I ended up suffering) is the correct and polite expression.
다음 문장에서 '고생하다'가 가장 자연스럽게 사용된 것은 무엇입니까?
'고생하다'는 보통 어떤 어려움이나 힘든 일을 겪을 때 사용합니다. 시험 때문에 힘든 시간을 보냈다는 문장이 가장 적절합니다.
친구가 힘든 일을 겪고 있을 때 어떤 위로의 말을 해줄 수 있을까요?
누군가 힘든 일을 겪었을 때 '고생 많이 했네'라고 말하는 것은 그 사람의 노고를 인정하고 위로하는 표현입니다.
다음 중 '고생하다'와 반대되는 의미를 가진 단어는 무엇입니까?
'고생하다'는 어려움을 겪는다는 의미이므로, 그 반대 의미는 즐겁게 시간을 보낸다는 '즐기다'입니다.
몸이 아파서 병원에 입원하는 것은 '고생하다'라고 표현할 수 있습니다.
몸이 아파서 병원에 입원하는 것은 육체적 또는 정신적으로 힘든 상황이므로 '고생하다'라고 표현할 수 있습니다.
쉬운 숙제를 빨리 끝내는 것을 '고생하다'라고 표현할 수 있습니다.
'고생하다'는 어려움이나 힘든 일을 겪을 때 사용합니다. 쉬운 숙제를 빨리 끝내는 것은 고생이라고 보기 어렵습니다.
밤새도록 일하는 것은 '고생하다'라고 말할 수 있습니다.
밤새도록 일하는 것은 육체적으로 힘든 일이므로 '고생하다'라고 표현할 수 있습니다.
The speaker is talking about studying abroad in Korea.
The speaker is reflecting on their family's past.
The speaker is describing the challenges of starting a new business.
Read this aloud:
프로젝트 때문에 밤새 고생했어요.
Focus: 고생했어요
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부모님은 저를 키우시느라 많이 고생하셨어요.
Focus: 키우시느라 고생하셨어요
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시험 준비 때문에 고생했지만, 좋은 결과를 얻었어요.
Focus: 고생했지만, 좋은 결과를
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이번 여행은 계획대로 되지 않아 모두가 _________.
The sentence indicates that the trip didn't go as planned, implying a difficult experience. '고생했다' (suffered hardship) fits this context best.
그는 어린 시절부터 혼자 힘으로 _________ 많은 어려움을 겪었다.
The phrase '많은 어려움을 겪었다' (experienced many difficulties) suggests a period of hardship. '고생하며' (suffering hardship) aligns with this meaning.
새로운 직장에 적응하느라 한동안 많이 _________.
Adjusting to a new job can be challenging, leading to difficulties. '고생했다' (had a hard time) accurately reflects this.
농부들은 가뭄 때문에 작년 내내 _________.
A drought causes significant hardship for farmers, making '고생했다' (suffered hardship) the appropriate choice.
오랜 시간 동안 시험 공부를 한 후, 그는 드디어 _________ 끝에 합격했다.
Studying for a long time, especially for an exam, involves hardship. '고생' (hardship) fits the context of overcoming difficulties to pass.
그 프로젝트는 예상보다 복잡해서 팀원들 모두가 밤낮으로 _________.
A complex project requiring working day and night implies significant hardship for the team. '고생했다' (suffered hardship) is the correct fit.
Choose the sentence where '고생하다' is used correctly to express enduring a tough situation.
'고생하다' means to suffer hardship. Studying for an exam can be a hardship, making this the correct usage. The other options describe enjoyable or neutral activities.
Which of the following best describes a situation where someone would '고생하다'?
'고생하다' implies experiencing difficulty or hardship. Cramming for an exam is typically a stressful and difficult experience. The other options are positive or neutral.
In which sentence does '고생하다' imply a physical or mental struggle?
Raising a child alone for a long time involves significant physical and mental struggle, making '고생하다' an appropriate verb. The other sentences describe leisure or simple activities.
You would use '고생하다' to describe the difficulty of finding a good job.
Finding a good job can be a challenging and difficult process, so '고생하다' is an appropriate verb to describe this experience.
If you are having a fun and easy time on vacation, you would say you are '고생하고 있어요'.
'고생하다' means to suffer hardship or difficulty. A fun and easy vacation is the opposite of hardship, so this statement is false.
Someone who has overcome many obstacles in life could be said to have '고생' (suffered hardship).
'고생' refers to hardship or difficulty. Overcoming many obstacles directly implies having endured such hardships.
This sentence describes someone suffering due to exam preparation. '그는' (he) is the subject, '시험 준비로' (due to exam preparation) is the reason, and '고생하고 있다' (is suffering) is the verb phrase.
This sentence expresses remembering a friend who suffered through difficult times together. '어려운 시기를' (difficult times) is the object, '함께 고생했던' (who suffered together) modifies '친구가' (friend), and '생각난다' (comes to mind/I remember) is the verb.
This sentence means 'I suffered a bit while adapting to the new environment.' '새로운 환경에' (to the new environment) is the place, '적응하느라' (while adapting) indicates the reason for suffering, and '좀 고생했어요' (suffered a bit) is the verb phrase.
Choose the most natural way to express enduring a lot of hardship for success.
'고생하다' means to suffer hardship. The sentence '성공하기 위해 많은 고생을 했어요' directly translates to 'I suffered a lot of hardship for success,' which is a common and natural expression.
Which sentence correctly uses '고생하다' to describe someone having a difficult time with a new job?
The phrase '새 직장에서 고생하고 있어요' means 'I am having a difficult time at my new job,' which accurately reflects the meaning of '고생하다' in a work context.
Select the sentence that implies someone is trying very hard despite difficulties.
This sentence means 'He is suffering hardship to achieve his goal, but he will not give up,' which perfectly illustrates perseverance through difficulties.
If someone '고생하다' during a trip, it means they had an easy and comfortable journey.
'고생하다' implies suffering hardship or difficulty. Therefore, '고생하다' during a trip would mean the journey was difficult or uncomfortable, not easy.
You can use '고생하다' to express that someone is struggling financially.
'고생하다' is frequently used to describe financial hardship or struggling to make ends meet, as it encompasses various forms of difficulty.
The phrase '고생 끝에 낙이 온다' means that after hardship comes joy.
'고생 끝에 낙이 온다' is a common Korean proverb meaning 'Joy comes after hardship,' accurately reflecting the definition of '고생하다' and its eventual positive outcome.
Imagine you're writing a letter to a friend about a difficult experience you recently overcame. Use '고생하다' to describe the hardship you endured and how you felt during that time. Focus on the emotional aspect and the eventual triumph.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
최근에 정말 큰 프로젝트를 맡아서 많이 고생했어. 밤샘 작업도 많았고, 스트레스도 엄청났지. 중간에 포기하고 싶다는 생각도 들었지만, 결국 성공적으로 마무리했을 때의 성취감은 이루 말할 수 없어. 지금 생각해도 그때의 어려움은 나를 더 강하게 만든 것 같아.
You are a journalist reporting on a social issue. Write a short paragraph discussing how a specific group of people (e.g., small business owners, students) might be '고생하다' due to current economic conditions or policy changes. Describe the nature of their struggles.
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Sample answer
최근 급격한 물가 상승으로 인해 소상공인들이 많은 고생을 하고 있습니다. 원자재 가격은 오르고 소비는 위축되어 이중고를 겪고 있는 상황입니다. 특히 임대료 부담까지 더해져 폐업 위기에 처한 가게들이 늘고 있어 정부의 실질적인 지원책 마련이 시급해 보입니다.
Describe a historical event or a famous figure's life story, highlighting how they '고생하다' to achieve their goals or bring about change. Focus on the challenges they faced and their perseverance.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
세종대왕은 한글 창제를 위해 수많은 고생을 했습니다. 당시 지배층의 반대와 백성들의 무관심 속에서도 훈민정음 반포를 위해 연구에 매진했고, 결국 백성들이 쉽게 글을 읽고 쓸 수 있는 길을 열었습니다. 그의 고난과 노력이 없었다면 지금의 한글은 존재하지 않았을 것입니다.
김민준 씨가 해외 근무 중 가장 힘들어했던 점은 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
김민준 씨는 오랜 해외 근무로 인해 가족과 떨어져 지내면서 많은 고생을 했다. 특히 어린 자녀들이 아플 때 곁에 있어주지 못하는 것이 가장 마음 아팠다고 한다. 하지만 가족의 더 나은 미래를 위해 묵묵히 자신의 역할을 다하며 결국 성공적으로 귀국할 수 있었다.
김민준 씨가 해외 근무 중 가장 힘들어했던 점은 무엇입니까?
지문에서 '특히 어린 자녀들이 아플 때 곁에 있어주지 못하는 것이 가장 마음 아팠다고 한다'라고 언급되어 있습니다.
지문에서 '특히 어린 자녀들이 아플 때 곁에 있어주지 못하는 것이 가장 마음 아팠다고 한다'라고 언급되어 있습니다.
환경 보호 활동가들이 고생을 하면서도 활동을 멈추지 않는 이유는 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
환경 보호 활동에 참여하는 사람들은 때로는 정부나 대기업의 반대에 부딪히며 많은 고생을 한다. 하지만 그들은 미래 세대를 위해 환경을 지키는 것이 가장 중요하다고 믿기 때문에 어떠한 어려움 속에서도 자신의 신념을 굽히지 않는다. 이러한 헌신적인 노력이 더 나은 세상을 만들고 있다.
환경 보호 활동가들이 고생을 하면서도 활동을 멈추지 않는 이유는 무엇입니까?
지문에서 '그들은 미래 세대를 위해 환경을 지키는 것이 가장 중요하다고 믿기 때문에 어떠한 어려움 속에서도 자신의 신념을 굽히지 않는다'라고 설명하고 있습니다.
지문에서 '그들은 미래 세대를 위해 환경을 지키는 것이 가장 중요하다고 믿기 때문에 어떠한 어려움 속에서도 자신의 신념을 굽히지 않는다'라고 설명하고 있습니다.
화자가 취업 준비 기간 동안 겪었던 고생으로 언급되지 않은 것은 무엇입니까?
Read this passage:
오랜 시간 동안 취업 준비를 하면서 그는 정신적으로나 육체적으로 많은 고생을 했다. 불확실한 미래에 대한 불안감과 반복되는 실패에 좌절하기도 했다. 하지만 포기하지 않고 끊임없이 노력한 결과, 마침내 꿈에 그리던 회사에 합격할 수 있었다. 그의 고생은 값진 결실로 이어졌다.
화자가 취업 준비 기간 동안 겪었던 고생으로 언급되지 않은 것은 무엇입니까?
지문에는 '정신적으로나 육체적으로 많은 고생을 했다', '불확실한 미래에 대한 불안감과 반복되는 실패에 좌절하기도 했다'라고 언급되어 있지만, 취업 사기에 대한 내용은 없습니다.
지문에는 '정신적으로나 육체적으로 많은 고생을 했다', '불확실한 미래에 대한 불안감과 반복되는 실패에 좌절하기도 했다'라고 언급되어 있지만, 취업 사기에 대한 내용은 없습니다.
This sentence means, 'You can understand the true meaning of life only after experiencing hardship.' The word order emphasizes that experiencing hardship is a prerequisite for understanding life's true meaning.
This sentence means, 'Succeeding through effort without easily suffering hardship is more valuable.' The structure highlights the value of earned success.
This sentence means, 'We should not forget the times we suffered hardship and should not lose our original intentions.' It emphasizes remembering past struggles to maintain one's initial resolve.
그는 어린 나이에 가장이 되어 가족을 위해 많은 것을 ___.
문맥상 어린 나이에 가족을 위해 힘들게 살았다는 의미가 되어야 하므로 '고생했습니다'가 적절합니다.
이번 프로젝트를 성공시키기 위해 모두가 밤낮으로 ___.
프로젝트 성공을 위해 힘들게 노력했다는 내용이므로 '고생했어'가 올바른 표현입니다.
그녀는 어려운 환경 속에서도 굴하지 않고 묵묵히 ___.
어려운 환경에서 굴하지 않고 이겨냈다는 의미가 되어야 하므로 '고생하며 이겨냈다'가 적절합니다.
오랜 시간 동안 홀로 병간호를 하느라 많이 ___.
오랜 병간호는 힘들기 때문에 '고생했어요'가 적절한 표현입니다.
그들은 척박한 땅을 개척하며 많은 어려움을 ___.
척박한 땅을 개척하는 것은 힘든 일이므로 '고생했다'가 가장 자연스럽습니다. '극복했다'도 가능하지만, 문제에서 요구하는 '고생하다'를 활용해야 합니다.
이번 시험 준비로 밤샘을 많이 해서 정말 ___.
밤샘 시험 준비는 힘든 일이기 때문에 '고생했어요'가 적절한 표현입니다.
Imagine you are an elderly person reflecting on your life. Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) about a time you had to 고생하다 (suffer hardship or difficulty) to achieve something important, and what you learned from it. Use descriptive language.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
젊었을 때, 저는 가족을 먹여 살리기 위해 정말 많이 고생했습니다. 새벽부터 밤늦게까지 일하며 몸이 부서져라 노력했죠. 그때는 힘들었지만, 덕분에 지금의 제가 있고, 어떤 어려움도 이겨낼 수 있다는 것을 배웠습니다. 그 고생 덕분에 제가 더 강해진 것 같아요.
You are writing a letter to a friend who is facing a difficult situation. Offer words of encouragement, acknowledging their hardship and suggesting ways to cope. Include the word '고생하다' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
사랑하는 친구에게, 요즘 많이 힘들다는 소식 들었어. 너 혼자 고생하는 것 같아 마음이 아프다. 괜찮다면 언제든지 나한테 이야기해 줘. 혼자 끙끙 앓지 말고, 내가 옆에서 도울 수 있는 일은 뭐든지 이야기해 줘. 분명 이 어려운 시간도 잘 이겨낼 수 있을 거야.
Describe a historical event or a social issue in Korea where many people had to 고생하다. Explain the reasons for their hardship and the impact it had on society. (3-4 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
한국전쟁 당시, 수많은 사람들이 가족과 떨어져 피난길에 오르며 엄청난 고생을 했습니다. 전쟁으로 모든 것이 파괴되었고, 사람들은 기본적인 의식주조차 해결하기 어려웠습니다. 이러한 고생은 한국 사회에 깊은 상처를 남겼지만, 동시에 전후 복구와 경제 발전을 위한 강력한 원동력이 되기도 했습니다. 그들의 고생이 지금의 대한민국을 만들었다고 해도 과언이 아닙니다.
위 글의 내용으로 보아, 젊은 세대가 겪는 고통의 주요 원인으로 언급되지 않은 것은 무엇인가요?
Read this passage:
최근 한 연구에 따르면, 젊은 세대들은 과거 세대보다 훨씬 더 많은 정신적 고통을 고생하고 있다고 한다. 학업, 취업, 주거 문제 등 다양한 사회적 압박이 복합적으로 작용하면서 스트레스 수치가 높아진 것이다. 이러한 현상은 사회 전체의 건강에 심각한 영향을 미칠 수 있으므로, 적극적인 해결책 모색이 시급하다. 개인의 노력뿐만 아니라 사회적 차원의 관심과 지원이 절실하다.
위 글의 내용으로 보아, 젊은 세대가 겪는 고통의 주요 원인으로 언급되지 않은 것은 무엇인가요?
지문에 학업, 취업, 주거 문제는 언급되었으나 가족 갈등은 언급되지 않았습니다.
지문에 학업, 취업, 주거 문제는 언급되었으나 가족 갈등은 언급되지 않았습니다.
CEO의 발언에서 젊은 시절의 고생이 가져다준 긍정적인 영향으로 볼 수 없는 것은 무엇인가요?
Read this passage:
한 기업의 CEO는 인터뷰에서 '저는 젊은 시절 누구보다도 고생하며 밑바닥부터 시작했습니다. 그 경험이 저를 더 단단하게 만들었고, 지금의 성공을 이룰 수 있는 발판이 되었다고 생각합니다. 어려움을 피하지 않고 정면으로 부딪히는 용기가 중요합니다.'라고 말했다. 이 발언은 많은 젊은이들에게 큰 울림을 주었다.
CEO의 발언에서 젊은 시절의 고생이 가져다준 긍정적인 영향으로 볼 수 없는 것은 무엇인가요?
지문에서 젊은 시절의 고생이 성공의 발판이 되고, 단단해지며, 용기를 얻었다고 했지만, 경제적으로 큰 부를 축적했다는 내용은 직접적으로 언급되지 않았습니다.
지문에서 젊은 시절의 고생이 성공의 발판이 되고, 단단해지며, 용기를 얻었다고 했지만, 경제적으로 큰 부를 축적했다는 내용은 직접적으로 언급되지 않았습니다.
조선 시대 백성들이 고생한 주요 원인 중 하나로 언급된 것은 무엇인가요?
Read this passage:
조선 시대, 많은 백성들은 가뭄과 홍수 같은 자연재해로 인해 고생했습니다. 특히 흉년이 들면 식량이 부족하여 굶주림에 시달렸고, 이는 사회 불안으로 이어지기도 했습니다. 이러한 어려움 속에서도 백성들은 서로 돕고 의지하며 삶을 이어갔습니다. 그들의 고생은 오늘날 우리에게 많은 교훈을 줍니다.
조선 시대 백성들이 고생한 주요 원인 중 하나로 언급된 것은 무엇인가요?
지문에서 가뭄과 홍수 같은 자연재해로 인해 고생했다고 명시되어 있습니다.
지문에서 가뭄과 홍수 같은 자연재해로 인해 고생했다고 명시되어 있습니다.
This sentence means 'Life is sometimes a series of hardships.'
This sentence means 'Although they went through a lot of hardships, they eventually succeeded.'
This sentence means 'He didn't shy away from hardship since his youth.'
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Summary
고생하다 is a useful verb to describe experiencing hardship or difficulty in various situations.
- 고생하다 means to suffer or struggle with something difficult.
- You use it when someone is having a hard time, physically or mentally.
- It's a common way to express empathy or acknowledge someone's efforts.
Example
시험 준비하느라 많이 고생했어요.
Related Content
More emotions words
받아들이다
A2To accept, to embrace, to take in.
아파하다
A2To feel pain or sorrow.
감탄스럽다
A2To be admirable or wonderful; to inspire awe.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2To admire or to marvel; to express wonder.
기특하다
B1Admirable for a good deed or thought; commendable.
충고
B1Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action; advice.
애정
B1Affection; a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
애틋하다
B2To be tender, fond, or wistful.
살갑다
B2To be warm, friendly, affectionate.
