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Vocabulary
꺼지다

A2 verb #3,000 most common 8 min read

꺼지다

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 꺼지다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 꺼지다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic meaning of 꺼지다: when a light or a phone goes 'off.' Imagine you are in a room and someone turns off the light. You see the result: the room is dark. You say, '불이 꺼졌어요.' (The light is off). Or, if you are playing a game on your phone and the screen suddenly turns black because the battery is at 0%, you say, '핸드폰이 꺼졌어요.' (My phone turned off). At this level, don't worry about the complicated meanings like 'sinking' or 'slang.' Just remember that if something with a battery or a light bulb stops working, it '꺼지다.' It is always used with the subject particles 이 or 가. For example, '컴퓨터가 꺼졌어요' (The computer turned off). This helps you describe common problems in daily life without needing to know who caused them. It is one of the first 'state-change' verbs you will learn.

At the A2 level, you begin to understand the relationship between 꺼지다 and its active form 끄다. You should be able to distinguish between 'I turned off the stove' (가스불을 껐어요) and 'The stove went out' (가스불이 꺼졌어요). This level introduces 'automatic' actions. For instance, many modern devices have a timer. You might say, '10분 후에 TV가 저절로 꺼져요' (The TV turns off by itself after 10 minutes). You also learn the past tense 꺼졌다 for reporting incidents. A2 learners should also be aware of the word's use with fire, like a candle (촛불) or a campfire (모닥불). If you blow on a candle and it goes out, '촛불이 꺼졌어요.' This level also introduces the basic negative form '꺼지지 않다' (to not turn off), useful for settings on your phone like '화면이 꺼지지 않게 하세요' (Make it so the screen doesn't turn off).

At the B1 level, you expand into more descriptive and slightly metaphorical uses of 꺼지다. You will encounter the meaning of 'sinking' or 'hollowing out.' A common expression is '땅이 꺼지다' (the ground sinks). This is often used in the idiom '땅이 꺼지게 한숨을 쉬다,' which describes someone sighing so deeply and sadly that it feels like the ground might cave in. You also start to see 꺼지다 used for abstract concepts like 'passion' or 'hope.' For example, '희망의 불꽃이 꺼졌다' (The flame of hope went out). B1 learners should also be comfortable with various connective endings like -어서/아서 (because) and -으니까 (since). For example, '배터리가 꺼져서 연락을 못 했어요' (I couldn't contact you because my battery died). You also learn that '꺼져!' is a very rude way to say 'Go away,' and you should know to avoid using it unless you are watching a dramatic movie scene.

At the B2 level, you focus on precision and literary nuances. You understand that 꺼지다 can describe the physical recession of parts of the body, such as '눈이 쑥 꺼지다' (eyes becoming sunken/hollow) due to extreme fatigue or illness. You also study the word in the context of news reports and formal writing. For example, '지반이 꺼지면서 건물이 붕괴되었다' (As the ground subsided, the building collapsed). B2 learners should be able to use the word in complex sentences with the -지다 auxiliary structure, recognizing that 꺼지다 itself is a combination of '끄다' and '-어지다.' You can also use it to describe the gradual process of a fire dying out using the '-아/어 가다' form: '불이 꺼져 가고 있다' (The fire is dying out). You begin to appreciate how this verb functions in prose to create atmosphere, such as describing a lonely street where the lamps have all gone out.

At the C1 level, you explore the etymology and the subtle distinctions between 꺼지다 and other verbs of disappearance like 소멸하다 (to perish/extinguish in a formal sense) or 사라지다. You analyze how 꺼지다 is used in classical and modern literature to symbolize the end of an era or the death of a soul. You might study phrases like '등불이 꺼지다' as a metaphor for a great leader passing away. C1 learners also master the use of 꺼지다 in specialized fields, such as geology (subsidence) or electronics (power cycling). You are expected to understand the nuance of the word in various registers, from the most formal scientific report to the harshest street slang. You can also discuss the grammatical evolution of the word from Middle Korean to its modern usage, noting how the passive meaning became centralized.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like intuition for 꺼지다. You can use it in highly sophisticated wordplay or deep philosophical discussions. You might discuss the concept of 'extinction' in a Buddhist context using the root of 꺼지다 to explain the cessation of desire. You are fully aware of all idiomatic expressions, including obscure ones like '배가 꺼지다' (to feel hungry again after food has been digested/stomach has 'gone down'). You can distinguish the subtle difference in feeling between '불이 꺼졌다' and '불이 나갔다' (the light 'went out' - often used for power outages). You can write poetry or high-level academic papers where 꺼지다 is used to describe the entropic cooling of the universe or the tragic end of a historical movement. Your command of the word includes perfect control over tone, ensuring that the 'rude' imperative is never used accidentally and that the 'sinking' meaning is applied with poetic precision.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

꺼지다 in 30 Seconds

꺼지다 means to be turned off or extinguished, used for lights, fire, and electronics.
It is intransitive, meaning the subject (light, phone) is the thing that turns off.
Secondary meanings include 'sinking' or 'caving in' (like ground or eyes).
In slang, the command '꺼져!' is a very rude way to say 'Get lost!'

The Korean verb 꺼지다 is a fundamental word that every learner should master, particularly at the A2 level. Primarily, it functions as the passive or intransitive counterpart to the active verb 끄다 (to turn off/extinguish). While 끄다 describes an action you perform on an object, 꺼지다 describes the state of the object itself becoming 'off' or 'extinguished,' often without emphasizing the person who did it, or implying it happened automatically.

Electronic Devices: In modern life, this is the most frequent context. Whether it is your smartphone running out of battery, your laptop entering sleep mode, or a television being shut down, you use this word. For example, '컴퓨터가 갑자기 꺼졌어요' (The computer suddenly turned off).

배터리가 없어서 핸드폰이 꺼졌어요.

Lights and Fire: This word traces back to physical flames and traditional lighting. If a candle flickers out due to wind, or a campfire dies down naturally, you use '꺼지다'. Similarly, if the streetlights go out at dawn, they '꺼지다'.

Beyond these literal meanings, 꺼지다 carries secondary meanings that are equally important. It can describe the physical act of something sinking or hollowing out, such as the ground caving in (땅이 꺼지다) or someone's chest hollowing due to a deep sigh (가슴이 꺼지다). In a very different, colloquial context, the imperative form '꺼져!' is a harsh way to say 'Get lost!' or 'Beat it!', though learners should use this with extreme caution as it is quite rude.

바람 때문에 촛불이 꺼졌어요.

Abstract States: It is used metaphorically for feelings or abstract concepts. When hope 'goes out' or enthusiasm 'dies down,' Korean speakers often utilize this verb to convey a sense of a light or fire within the soul being extinguished.

Understanding the nuances of 꺼지다 requires recognizing its relationship with the particle -이/가. Since it is an intransitive verb, the thing that is turning off is the subject of the sentence, not the object. You would never say '전등을 꺼지다' (incorrect); instead, you say '전등이 꺼지다' (the light goes out). This distinction is vital for grammatical accuracy in Korean proficiency exams like the TOPIK.

Using 꺼지다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure as an intransitive verb. Unlike 끄다, which requires an object (e.g., 'I turned off the light'), 꺼지다 focuses on the subject undergoing the change. This makes it perfect for describing accidents, automatic processes, or natural occurrences.

Sentence Structure: The typical pattern is [Subject] + 이/가 + 꺼지다. For example, '가로등이 꺼졌습니다' (The streetlights went out). Notice how the subject is the light itself.

갑자기 텔레비전이 꺼져서 놀랐어요.

In the past tense, 꺼졌다 is extremely common because we usually report that something *has already* turned off. If you are in a room and the power fails, you shout '불이 꺼졌어!' (The lights went out!). If your phone dies while you are talking, you might later explain, '배터리가 다 돼서 전화가 꺼졌어' (The phone turned off because the battery was empty).

가스레인지의 불이 저절로 꺼졌어요.

Honorifics and Formality: In formal settings, use '꺼집니다' or '꺼졌습니다'. In standard polite conversation, '꺼져요' or '꺼졌어요' is appropriate. When talking to friends, '꺼져' or '꺼졌어' is used. Note that '꺼져' as a standalone command is the rude 'Get lost' mentioned earlier.

One advanced usage involves the causative or conditional. '꺼지지 않게 조심하세요' (Be careful so it doesn't turn off). This is often used with heaters or vital equipment. You can also use it with the '-고 있다' form to describe a fire that is currently in the process of dying out: '불이 서서히 꺼지고 있어요' (The fire is slowly going out).

화면이 꺼지지 않게 설정해 주세요.

Lastly, remember the physical 'sinking' meaning. '땅이 꺼지다' is a common idiom for feeling extreme despair, as if the ground beneath you has vanished. '땅이 꺼지게 한숨을 쉬다' means to sigh so deeply that it feels like the ground could sink. This adds a layer of depth to your Korean that moves beyond simple technology-related vocabulary.

You will encounter 꺼지다 in various real-world scenarios in Korea, from daily technology struggles to high-intensity dramas. It is a word of utility and sudden change.

In the Office: Imagine a power surge in a Seoul office building. You will hear colleagues exclaiming, '어? 전기가 꺼졌나?' (Oh? Did the electricity go out?) or '모니터가 갑자기 꺼졌어요!' (My monitor suddenly turned off!). It is the standard way to report technical malfunctions.

노트북이 갑자기 꺼져서 저장하지 못한 파일이 날아갔어요.

In K-Dramas, 꺼지다 often appears in emotional climaxes. A character might say '내 안의 불꽃이 꺼졌어' (The flame inside me has gone out), signifying a loss of passion or love. Alternatively, in a heated argument, a protagonist might yell '내 눈앞에서 꺼져!' (Get out of my sight!), utilizing the aggressive imperative form to banish someone.

사랑의 불씨가 꺼지지 않도록 노력해야 해요.

Public Announcements: In subways or cinemas, you might hear instructions like '휴대폰 전원을 꺼 주시기 바랍니다' (Please turn off your phone), which uses the active '끄다'. However, if the lights in the theater are about to dim, an usher might say '곧 조명이 꺼지겠습니다' (The lights will soon be turned off/go out).

Furthermore, in news reports regarding natural disasters, you might hear about '지반 침하' (ground subsidence) where the '땅이 꺼지다' (ground sinks). This is a serious context where the word describes sinkholes or structural failures in buildings. Understanding that 꺼지다 covers both a small phone screen and a massive sinkhole is key to fluency.

폭우로 인해 도로가 꺼지는 사고가 발생했습니다.

In summary, listen for this word whenever a state of light, power, or physical elevation changes from 'present' to 'absent' or 'high' to 'low'. It is a word of transitions, often involuntary ones.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing the active verb 끄다 (to turn off) with the passive/intransitive 꺼지다 (to be turned off/go out). This is a classic Transitive vs. Intransitive struggle in Korean grammar.

Mistake 1: Wrong Particle Usage: Many students say '불을 꺼졌어요' (incorrect). Since 꺼지다 is intransitive, it cannot take an object particle (-을/를). You must use the subject particle (-이/가): '불이 꺼졌어요'. If you want to use '불을', you must use the active verb: '불을 껐어요'.

❌ 불을 꺼졌어요. (Wrong)
✅ 불이 꺼졌어요. (Correct)

Another mistake involves using 꺼지다 for people in a non-slang way. In English, we might say 'he turned off' meaning he lost interest, but in Korean, using 꺼지다 towards a person (unless using the 'get lost' slang) sounds very strange and dehumanizing. It is strictly for lights, electronics, fire, or physical surfaces.

가스불이 꺼졌는지 확인해 보세요.

Mistake 2: Confusing with '닫다' (to close): Sometimes learners confuse 'turning off' a program with 'closing' it. While you might 'turn off' a computer (컴퓨터를 끄다/꺼지다), you 'close' a window or an app (창을 닫다). However, if the whole phone dies, it '꺼지다'.

Finally, be careful with the 'sinking' meaning. Don't use 꺼지다 when you mean something is simply 'low'. It implies a hollow or a cave-in. For example, if your bank balance is low, you don't use 꺼지다; you use '낮다' or '부족하다'. Use 꺼지다 only for physical depressions or the extinguishing of light/power.

한숨을 땅이 꺼지게 쉬지 마세요.

By mastering these distinctions, you will avoid the most common pitfalls that mark a beginner's speech and move towards a more natural, native-like command of Korean verbs.

To truly understand 꺼지다, it is helpful to compare it with related verbs that describe stopping, disappearing, or being extinguished.

꺼지다 vs. 끄다: As discussed, 끄다 is active (transitive). '내가 불을 껐다' (I turned off the light). 꺼지다 is passive/state (intransitive). '불이 꺼졌다' (The light went out). This is the most crucial pairing to remember.

누가 불을 껐어요? / 아니요, 저절로 꺼졌어요.

꺼지다 vs. 사라지다: 사라지다 means 'to disappear'. While a light '꺼지다' means it stops emitting light, if the light bulb itself vanishes, it '사라지다'. Metaphorically, they can overlap, but 꺼지다 always implies an extinguishing of energy or fire.

Another similar word is 멈추다 (to stop). If a machine '꺼지다', it usually means the power is gone. If it '멈추다', it might just be paused or the gears have stopped moving. For example, a clock might '멈추다' because its hands are stuck, but a digital clock '꺼지다' because the battery died.

시계가 멈췄어요 vs. 화면이 꺼졌어요.

꺼지다 vs. 가라앉다: In the sense of 'sinking,' 가라앉다 is used for things sinking in water or dust settling. 꺼지다 is used for surfaces caving in or hollowing. You would say '배가 가라앉다' (the ship sinks) but '땅이 꺼지다' (the ground caves in).

Finally, consider 끊기다 (to be cut off). This is used for connections, like Wi-Fi or a phone call. While a phone '꺼지다' means the device is off, a call '끊기다' means the signal was lost even if the phone is still on.

인터넷이 끊겼어요 vs. 전원이 꺼졌어요.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, keeping a fire 'on' was a matter of life and death, so the word for it '꺼지다' carried a much heavier weight than just a phone battery dying today!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /k͈ʌ.d͡ʑi.da/

US /k͈ʌ.d͡ʑi.da/

Primary stress is on the first syllable '꺼' (k͈ʌ).

Rhymes With

터지다 (teojida - to burst) 빠지다 (ppajida - to fall into) 커지다 (keojida - to grow big) 적어지다 (jeogeojida - to become few) 멀어지다 (meoreojida - to move away) 없어지다 (eopseojida - to disappear) 무너지다 (muneojida - to collapse) 다쳐지다 (dachyeojida - to get hurt)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '꺼' like '코' (ko) or '커' (keo).
Failing to tense the 'kk' sound, making it sound like '거지다' (which means something else entirely).
Over-aspirating the 'kk' sound.
Pronouncing '지' like 'zi' instead of 'ji'.
Mumbling the final 'da' syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in most texts as it is a common verb.

Writing 3/5

Requires care to use the correct subject particles (-이/가) instead of object particles.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation of 'kk' can be tricky but the word is short and common.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, but must distinguish from '끄다' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

불 (light/fire) 있다 (to exist) 없다 (to not exist) 끄다 (to turn off) 켜다 (to turn on)

Learn Next

켜지다 (to be turned on) 끊기다 (to be cut off) 사라지다 (to disappear) 멈추다 (to stop) 고장나다 (to break down)

Advanced

침하 (subsidence) 소멸 (extinction) 단전 (power cut) 함몰 (depression/cave-in)

Grammar to Know

-아/어지다 (Passive/Change of state)

끄다 -> 꺼지다

Subject Particles (이/가)

불이 꺼지다 (O), 불을 꺼지다 (X)

-는 바람에 (Cause of unexpected result)

전원이 꺼지는 바람에 숙제를 못 했어요.

-지 않도록 (So that something doesn't happen)

불이 꺼지지 않도록 조심하세요.

저절로 (Adverb: by itself)

이 기계는 저절로 꺼져요.

Examples by Level

불이 꺼졌어요.

The light went out.

Subject (불) + Particle (이) + Verb (꺼졌다).

핸드폰이 꺼졌어요.

The phone turned off.

Commonly used when the battery dies.

컴퓨터가 꺼져요.

The computer turns off.

Present tense indicating a general action or habit.

텔레비전이 꺼졌습니다.

The television has turned off.

Formal polite ending -습니다.

촛불이 꺼졌어요.

The candle went out.

Used for fire/flames.

모니터가 꺼졌어?

Did the monitor turn off?

Informal question to a friend.

라디오가 갑자기 꺼졌어요.

The radio suddenly turned off.

갑자기 (suddenly) is a frequent adverb with this verb.

전등이 꺼졌어요.

The lamp went out.

전등 (electric light) is the subject.

배터리가 없어서 전화가 꺼졌어요.

The phone turned off because there was no battery.

-어서/아서 indicates cause/reason.

10분 뒤에 불이 저절로 꺼져요.

The light turns off by itself after 10 minutes.

저절로 (by itself) highlights the automatic nature.

바람이 불어서 불이 꺼졌어요.

The fire went out because the wind blew.

Natural cause for extinguishing.

가스불이 꺼졌는지 확인하세요.

Check if the gas stove is off.

-는지 확인하다 (check whether...).

노트북이 자꾸 꺼져서 불편해요.

It's inconvenient because the laptop keeps turning off.

자꾸 (repeatedly) implies a technical fault.

화면이 꺼지지 않게 설정했어요.

I set it so the screen doesn't turn off.

-지 않게 (so that it doesn't...).

전기가 꺼져서 집이 어두워요.

The house is dark because the electricity went out.

전기 (electricity) is used colloquially for lights.

난로가 꺼졌으니까 다시 켜세요.

The heater is off, so turn it on again.

-으니까 (since/because) + imperative 켜세요.

그는 땅이 꺼지게 한숨을 쉬었다.

He sighed so deeply that the ground could have sunk.

Idiomatic expression for deep despair.

폭우 때문에 도로가 꺼졌어요.

The road caved in because of the heavy rain.

Physical 'sinking' meaning.

희망의 불씨가 꺼지지 않기를 바랍니다.

I hope the spark of hope does not go out.

Metaphorical use for emotions.

밥을 먹은 지 얼마 안 돼서 배가 안 꺼졌어요.

I just ate, so my stomach hasn't 'gone down' (I'm still full).

Idiomatic use for digestion/fullness.

갑자기 전원이 꺼지는 바람에 서류를 잃어버렸어요.

I lost the document because the power suddenly went out.

-는 바람에 (as a result of an unexpected event).

열정이 꺼지기 전에 시작하세요.

Start before your passion dies out.

Metaphorical use of 'passion'.

불이 꺼진 거리를 혼자 걸었어요.

I walked alone through the streets where the lights were out.

Noun modifying form: 꺼진 (that turned off).

캠프파이어가 서서히 꺼지고 있어요.

The campfire is slowly dying out.

-고 있다 (progressive tense).

오래된 건물의 바닥이 꺼질 위험이 있습니다.

There is a risk that the floor of the old building will cave in.

Safety warning context.

피곤해서 그런지 눈이 쑥 꺼져 보여요.

Maybe because you're tired, your eyes look sunken.

Describing physical appearance (sunken eyes).

한번 꺼진 불은 다시 붙이기 어렵습니다.

Once a fire goes out, it is hard to light it again.

Proverbial or metaphorical nuance.

산소가 부족하면 촛불은 저절로 꺼지게 마련이다.

If oxygen is insufficient, a candle is bound to go out by itself.

-게 마련이다 (it is natural/bound to happen).

공사가 잘못되어 지반이 꺼지는 사고가 났다.

An accident occurred where the ground sank due to poor construction.

Formal reporting of an accident.

그녀의 눈동자에서 생기가 꺼져 가고 있었다.

The vitality was fading from her eyes.

Literary/Poetic description.

가스레인지의 불이 바람에 꺼지지 않도록 주의하세요.

Be careful so the gas stove flame doesn't go out in the wind.

-도록 주의하다 (be careful to/not to).

마을 전체의 전등이 일제히 꺼졌다.

The lights of the entire village went out all at once.

일제히 (all at once/simultaneously).

민주주의의 등불이 꺼지지 않게 수호해야 한다.

We must protect the lamp of democracy so it does not go out.

Political/Rhetorical metaphor.

지반 침하로 인해 도로 한복판이 푹 꺼졌다.

The middle of the road sank deeply due to ground subsidence.

푹 (deeply/suddenly) emphasizes the extent of sinking.

시대의 아픔을 짊어진 그의 어깨가 푹 꺼져 있었다.

His shoulders, burdened by the pain of the era, were slumped deep.

Metaphorical 'sinking' of body parts to show burden.

그의 죽음과 함께 한 시대의 불꽃이 꺼졌다.

With his death, the flame of an era was extinguished.

Eulogy/Historical context.

화면이 꺼진 뒤에도 여운이 가시지 않았다.

Even after the screen went blank, the lingering feeling did not fade.

Describing the aftermath of a powerful experience.

광산의 갱도가 꺼지면서 광부들이 고립되었다.

As the mine shaft collapsed, the miners were isolated.

Technical/Disaster context.

전쟁의 참화 속에서 인류애가 꺼져 가고 있었다.

In the devastation of war, humanity was dying out.

Abstract philosophical usage.

격렬했던 논쟁의 불길이 서서히 꺼졌다.

The flames of the fierce debate slowly died down.

Using 'fire' metaphors for social interactions.

우주의 모든 별이 꺼지는 그날까지 생명은 이어질 것인가?

Will life continue until the day all the stars in the universe go out?

Cosmological/Philosophical scale.

번뇌의 불길이 꺼진 자리에 비로소 평온이 찾아왔다.

Peace finally arrived in the place where the flames of worldly desires were extinguished.

Buddhist philosophical nuance (Nirvana/Cessation).

심장의 고동이 멈추고 생명의 불이 꺼졌다.

The heartbeat stopped and the light of life went out.

Clinical yet poetic description of death.

그의 문장은 마치 꺼져 가는 등불처럼 위태로웠다.

His sentences were as precarious as a flickering lamp about to go out.

Literary criticism/simile.

역사의 뒤안길로 사라지며 권력의 불꽃이 꺼졌다.

As they vanished into the back alleys of history, the flame of power was extinguished.

High-level historical prose.

대지의 숨결이 잦아들고 대지가 꺼지는 듯한 착각이 들었다.

The breath of the earth subsided, and I had the illusion that the earth was sinking.

Descriptive psychological prose.

인간의 욕망이 꺼지지 않는 한 갈등은 계속될 것이다.

As long as human desire is not extinguished, conflict will continue.

Sociological/Philosophical assertion.

한순간의 방심으로 공든 탑이 꺼지듯 무너졌다.

Due to a moment's carelessness, the hard-earned tower collapsed as if sinking.

Using '꺼지다' to describe a sudden, hollow collapse.

Common Collocations

불이 꺼지다

전원이 꺼지다

화면이 꺼지다

땅이 꺼지다

배가 꺼지다

눈이 꺼지다

촛불이 꺼지다

희망이 꺼지다

가스불이 꺼지다

전등이 꺼지다

Common Phrases

꺼져!

— A very rude way to say 'Get lost!' or 'Go away!'

당장 내 눈앞에서 꺼져!

배가 꺼지다

— To feel hungry again as food is digested.

점심 먹은 게 벌써 다 꺼졌네.

땅이 꺼지게 한숨을 쉬다

— To sigh very deeply out of sadness or worry.

무슨 고민이 있길래 땅이 꺼지게 한숨을 쉬니?

불 꺼진 창

— A window with lights off, often symbolizing loneliness or emptiness.

불 꺼진 창을 보니 마음이 쓸쓸하다.

전원이 꺼져 있다

— The power is currently off.

상대방의 전원이 꺼져 있어 연결할 수 없습니다.

저절로 꺼지다

— To turn off automatically.

이 난로는 일정 시간이 지나면 저절로 꺼져요.

촛불이 꺼지다

— Used metaphorically for the end of a life or movement.

위대한 인물의 삶의 촛불이 꺼졌다.

눈이 푹 꺼지다

— To have sunken eyes due to fatigue.

며칠 못 잤더니 눈이 푹 꺼졌어.

불이 꺼지기 전

— Before the lights go out / Before the fire dies.

불이 꺼지기 전에 빨리 준비하자.

갑자기 꺼지다

— To turn off unexpectedly.

컴퓨터가 갑자기 꺼져서 당황했어요.

Often Confused With

꺼지다 vs 끄다

끄다 is active (I turn off), 꺼지다 is passive (It turns off).

꺼지다 vs 끊기다

끊기다 is for connections (Wi-Fi, calls), 꺼지다 is for power/lights.

꺼지다 vs 멈추다

멈추다 is for movement/action stopping, 꺼지다 is for power/light ceasing.

Idioms & Expressions

"땅이 꺼지다"

— To feel extreme despair or sadness, as if the world is collapsing.

그 소식을 듣고 땅이 꺼지는 것 같았다.

Neutral

"배가 꺼지다"

— To have one's stomach empty after digestion.

한 시간만 걸으면 배가 금방 꺼져요.

Neutral

"눈이 쑥 꺼지다"

— To look extremely exhausted or ill.

병치레를 하더니 눈이 쑥 꺼졌구나.

Neutral

"불 꺼진 마당"

— A situation that has already ended or lost its excitement.

축제가 끝난 뒤의 불 꺼진 마당 같다.

Literary

"꺼진 불도 다시 보자"

— Even a fire that seems out should be checked again (Be cautious/thorough).

꺼진 불도 다시 보자는 마음으로 서류를 검토했다.

Proverb

"가슴이 꺼지다"

— To feel a deep sense of loss or emptiness in one's heart.

그의 거절에 가슴이 툭 꺼지는 기분이었다.

Literary

"등불이 꺼지다"

— The passing of a great leader or the end of a guiding hope.

나라의 큰 등불이 꺼졌습니다.

Formal/Honorific

"열기가 꺼지다"

— For excitement or fervor to die down.

경기장의 열기가 서서히 꺼졌다.

Journalistic

"바닥이 꺼지다"

— For the foundation of something to fail.

경제의 바닥이 꺼질까 봐 걱정이다.

Metaphorical

"숨이 꺼지다"

— To stop breathing (to die).

마지막 숨이 꺼지는 순간까지 그는 웃었다.

Literary

Easily Confused

꺼지다 vs 터지다

Sounds similar.

터지다 means to burst or explode, while 꺼지다 means to go out or sink.

풍선이 터졌어요 (The balloon burst) vs 불이 꺼졌어요 (The light went out).

꺼지다 vs 커지다

Sounds very similar (eo vs eo differences).

커지다 means to become big (from 크다). 꺼지다 means to go out.

목소리가 커졌어요 (The voice got louder) vs 불이 꺼졌어요 (The light went out).

꺼지다 vs 빠지다

Both imply a downward movement or loss.

빠지다 is to fall into something or for something to fall out. 꺼지다 is to sink/cave in.

물에 빠지다 (Fall in water) vs 땅이 꺼지다 (Ground sinks).

꺼지다 vs 닫히다

Both mean 'off' in a sense of finishing.

닫히다 is specifically for doors, windows, or programs closing. 꺼지다 is for electricity/fire.

문이 닫히다 (The door closes) vs 전원이 꺼지다 (The power turns off).

꺼지다 vs 죽다

In English, we say 'The phone died'.

While Koreans sometimes say '핸드폰이 죽었다' colloquially, '꺼졌다' is the standard, more common term.

핸드폰이 꺼졌어요 (Standard) vs 핸드폰이 죽었어요 (Slang/Casual).

Sentence Patterns

[Object]이/가 꺼졌어요.

불이 꺼졌어요.

[Reason] 때문에 [Object]이/가 꺼졌어요.

배터리 때문에 핸드폰이 꺼졌어요.

[Object]이/가 저절로 꺼져요.

가스불이 저절로 꺼져요.

[Object]이/가 꺼지지 않게 [Action].

난로가 꺼지지 않게 기름을 넣으세요.

땅이 꺼지게 [Action].

땅이 꺼지게 한숨을 쉬지 마세요.

[Object]이/가 꺼지는 바람에 [Result].

컴퓨터가 꺼지는 바람에 파일을 다 잃었어요.

[Abstract]의 불꽃이 꺼지다.

자유의 불꽃이 꺼졌습니다.

[Body Part]이/가 푹/쑥 꺼지다.

병색이 완연하여 볼이 쑥 꺼졌다.

Word Family

Nouns

꺼짐 (kkeojim - the act of turning off/sinking)

Verbs

끄다 (kkeuda - to turn off/extinguish - Active form)

꺼뜨리다 (kkeotteurida - to extinguish/put out - Emphatic active)

켜지다 (kyeojida - to be turned on)

불 (bul - fire/light)

전원 (jeonwon - power source)

배터리 (baeteori - battery)

지반 (jiban - ground/foundation)

How to Use It

frequency

Very frequent in daily life, especially regarding smartphones and electricity.

Common Mistakes

Using '불을 꺼졌어요' → 불이 꺼졌어요
꺼지다 is intransitive and doesn't take an object particle.
Confusing 꺼지다 and 커지다 → 소리가 커졌어요 (louder) / 불이 꺼졌어요 (off)
These sound similar but have opposite meanings regarding intensity.
Using 꺼지다 for 'closing' a door → 문이 닫혔어요
꺼지다 is for power/light, 닫히다 is for physical barriers.
Using 꺼지다 for 'stopping' a car normally → 차를 세웠어요
꺼지다 implies the engine died or was shut off, not just stopping at a light.
Saying '꺼져' to a teacher as a joke → Never say this to a superior.
It is extremely offensive slang.

Tips

Subject-Verb Agreement

Always pair '꺼지다' with '-이/가'. If you see '-을/를', you must use '끄다'.

Phone Battery

When your phone dies, '꺼졌어요' is the most natural thing to say.

Sinking Ground

Remember '땅이 꺼지다' for dramatic moments of sadness or actual sinkholes.

Slang Warning

Avoid saying '꺼져' unless you are 100% sure you want to be very rude.

Sound Distinction

Listen for the 'eo' sound. If it sounds like 'aw' in 'law', it's likely '꺼지다'.

Reporting Issues

Use '갑자기 꺼졌어요' to report a computer crash in a work email.

Natural Flow

Combine with '저절로' (by itself) to describe smart home devices.

Digestion

Use '배가 꺼지다' to say you are ready for your next meal.

Emotional State

'희망이 꺼지다' is a powerful way to describe losing hope in a story.

Wisdom

Use '꺼진 불도 다시 보자' to encourage a friend to double-check their work.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a candle (K-andle) that goes 'KKK' as it flickers and then 'EO' (oh!) it's gone. KKeo-jida!

Visual Association

Visualize a smartphone screen suddenly going black with a '0%' battery icon. That moment is '꺼지다'.

Word Web

불 (Fire) 전기 (Electricity) 배터리 (Battery) 화면 (Screen) 땅 (Ground) 한숨 (Sigh) 희망 (Hope) 끄다 (Turn off)

Challenge

Try to use '꺼지다' three times today: once for your phone, once for a light, and once for your hunger (배가 꺼지다).

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle Korean root '끄-' (to extinguish) combined with the auxiliary verb ending '-어지다' which denotes a change of state or a passive action.

Original meaning: To become extinguished or to go out (referring to fire).

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Never use '꺼져' (Get lost) to someone older or in a professional setting. It is highly offensive.

English speakers often say 'The power is out,' while Koreans say 'The electricity turned off' (전기가 꺼졌다).

The movie 'Oldboy' features intense dialogue where commands like '꺼져' might be used. K-Pop lyrics often use '불이 꺼진' (lights out) to set a moody or romantic atmosphere. Public safety announcements in the Seoul Metro regarding fire safety.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At home

불이 꺼졌어요.
가스불이 꺼졌어.
TV가 왜 꺼지지?
전등이 꺼졌네.

Using Electronics

배터리가 없어서 꺼졌어요.
노트북 전원이 꺼졌습니다.
화면이 갑자기 꺼져요.
핸드폰이 꺼졌어.

Feeling Hungry

벌써 배가 다 꺼졌네.
배가 꺼져서 간식 먹고 싶어.
소화가 돼서 배가 꺼졌어.
금방 배가 꺼지는 음식이야.

Feeling Sad/Tired

땅이 꺼지게 한숨을 쉬어요.
눈이 푹 꺼졌네요.
희망이 꺼진 것 같아요.
마음이 툭 꺼지는 기분이야.

Natural Disasters

도로가 꺼졌습니다.
지반이 꺼질 위험이 있어요.
땅이 꺼지는 사고가 났어.
바닥이 푹 꺼졌어요.

Conversation Starters

"어제 왜 갑자기 전화가 꺼졌어요?"

"배가 벌써 꺼졌는데 우리 뭐 먹을까요?"

"컴퓨터가 자꾸 꺼지는데 왜 그럴까요?"

"불이 꺼진 방에서 혼자 뭐 해요?"

"갑자기 정전이 돼서 불이 다 꺼졌을 때 어땠어요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내 핸드폰이 꺼졌던 순간에 대해 써 보세요.

내가 너무 슬퍼서 땅이 꺼지게 한숨을 쉬었던 적이 있나요?

배가 너무 빨리 꺼져서 당황했던 경험을 공유해 주세요.

세상의 모든 불이 꺼진다면 무엇을 할 것인가요?

열정이 꺼지지 않게 하기 위해 나는 무엇을 하나요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Only as slang ('꺼져!'), which is very rude. In a medical context, you might say someone's eyes or cheeks are '꺼지다' (sunken), but never use it to mean a person 'turned off' like a machine.

'불이 꺼졌다' is general. '불이 나갔다' (The light went out) is specifically used when the power supply fails or a fuse blows. They are often interchangeable in daily life.

Usually, yes, as it implies loss of light or power. However, '배가 꺼지다' (stomach going down) can be positive if you were uncomfortably full and now feel better.

You say '화면이 꺼졌어요.' (Hwa-myeon-i kkeo-jyeoss-eo-yo).

Yes, '시동이 꺼지다' means the car engine stalled or turned off.

It literally means 'be extinguished' or 'sink away' from my sight. It's a very blunt and aggressive command.

No. If you want someone to leave politely, say '나가 주세요' or '가 보세요'.

No, for Wi-Fi use '끊기다' (to be cut off) or '안 되다' (not working).

It's a metaphor for being careful. Even if you think a problem is solved (the fire is out), check it again to be sure.

No. '꺼지다' is related to '끄다'. '커지다' is related to '크다'. Don't mix them up!