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A1 verb #1,500 mais comum 10 min de leitura

커지다

keojida Top 1,500

At the A1 level, the verb 커지다 is introduced as a fundamental building block for describing changes in the physical world. Beginners learn this word primarily to talk about tangible objects becoming larger in size. The concept is simple and highly visual. For example, a learner might use it to describe a balloon inflating (풍선이 커져요) or a child growing taller (아이가 커졌어요). It is taught alongside its root adjective 크다 (to be big) and its direct opposite 작아지다 (to become small). At this stage, the focus is heavily on mastering the basic conjugation in the present (커져요) and past (커졌어요) tenses. Learners are instructed to always use the subject particles 이 or 가 with this verb, as it describes a state change happening to the subject, not an action being performed on an object. The vocabulary is kept to everyday items: clothes, shoes, bags, and simple physical phenomena. Teachers often use visual aids, like drawing a small circle and then a larger circle, to clearly demonstrate the meaning of the word. Understanding this verb at the A1 level provides a crucial foundation for grasping the -아/어지다 grammar pattern, which is essential for expressing any change of state in Korean. It is a highly practical word that empowers beginners to move beyond static descriptions (It is big) to dynamic observations (It became big), significantly expanding their expressive capabilities in basic daily conversations.

As learners progress to the A2 level, the usage of 커지다 expands beyond mere physical size to include volume and simple abstract concepts. A key new application introduced at this stage is using the verb to describe sound. Learners are taught that in Korean, sounds do not become 'high' or 'loud' in a separate vocabulary sense; rather, the 'size' of the sound increases. Therefore, phrases like 목소리가 커졌어요 (The voice got louder) or 음악 소리가 커져요 (The music is getting louder) become standard expressions in their repertoire. Additionally, A2 learners begin to apply the verb to basic abstract nouns related to daily life and emotions. For instance, they might learn to say 걱정이 커져요 (My worries are growing) or 문제가 커졌어요 (The problem got bigger). This marks an important cognitive shift, allowing learners to use physical metaphors for intangible experiences. The grammar focus also broadens to include future tense and suppositions, such as 커질 거예요 (It will get bigger) or 커지겠네요 (I guess it will get bigger). Adverbs of degree and frequency, such as 점점 (gradually), 갑자기 (suddenly), and 많이 (a lot), are frequently paired with the verb to add nuance and detail to their descriptions. This level solidifies the verb as a versatile tool for everyday communication, bridging the gap between literal physical descriptions and basic emotional or situational expressions.

At the B1 level, the application of 커지다 becomes significantly more sophisticated, moving deeply into abstract and societal contexts. Learners are expected to use the verb fluidly in discussions about news, business, and complex situations. The vocabulary paired with the verb becomes more advanced. Instead of just talking about balloons or voices, B1 learners discuss the expansion of markets (시장이 커지다), the growth of expectations (기대감이 커지다), or the escalation of conflicts (갈등이 커지다). The verb is frequently used to describe the worsening or magnifying of a situation, often in a negative context, such as a minor mistake turning into a major disaster (일이 커지다). Grammatically, learners at this stage combine the verb with more complex sentence structures. They use patterns like -아/어질수록 (the more... the more...) to express proportional relationships, such as 시간이 지날수록 문제가 커져요 (The more time passes, the bigger the problem gets). They also use it in conjunction with causative verbs to contrast states, understanding the difference between 커지다 (to become big autonomously) and 키우다 (to make something big intentionally). The ability to use this verb metaphorically to describe the scale, scope, or severity of intangible concepts is a hallmark of B1 proficiency, demonstrating a solid grasp of how Korean utilizes spatial concepts to articulate complex abstract ideas in intermediate-level discourse.

Reaching the B2 level, learners are expected to wield 커지다 with near-native intuition, applying it to a wide array of complex, abstract, and formal contexts. At this stage, the verb is frequently encountered in journalistic, economic, and academic materials. Learners use it to discuss macroeconomic trends, such as the widening of the wealth gap (빈부격차가 커지다), the expansion of a company's influence (영향력이 커지다), or the increasing scale of a national deficit (적자 폭이 커지다). The nuance of the verb is fully understood; it is not just about physical growth, but about the magnification of significance, severity, or scope. B2 learners are also adept at distinguishing 커지다 from its formal Sino-Korean synonyms like 증가하다 (to increase), 확대되다 (to expand), and 성장하다 (to grow). They know when to use the native Korean verb for a more natural, conversational tone, even in serious discussions, and when to switch to the Sino-Korean equivalents for formal writing or presentations. Furthermore, they are comfortable with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms that utilize the verb, such as 판이 커지다 (the stakes get higher / the scale of the event grows). Mastery at this level means the learner can effortlessly integrate the verb into complex, multi-clause sentences, using advanced grammar patterns to articulate nuanced arguments and detailed observations about societal, economic, and personal developments.

At the C1 level, the usage of 커지다 is characterized by highly nuanced, metaphorical, and idiomatic applications. Learners possess a deep understanding of the subtle shades of meaning the verb can convey depending on the context and the specific nouns it modifies. They use it effortlessly in high-level debates, literary analysis, and professional discourse. At this stage, the verb is often used to describe profound psychological or sociological shifts. For example, one might discuss how a sense of alienation is growing in modern society (소외감이 커지다) or how the psychological burden of a responsibility is expanding (부담감이 커지다). C1 learners are acutely aware of the rhythmic and rhetorical impact of using native Korean verbs like 커지다 in contrast to heavier Sino-Korean vocabulary, deliberately choosing it to make their speech more accessible, impactful, or emotionally resonant. They seamlessly incorporate it into complex syntactic structures, such as concessive clauses or hypothetical scenarios. Moreover, they are familiar with highly specific collocations and idiomatic phrases where the verb is deeply embedded in the cultural lexicon. Their use of the verb is indistinguishable from an educated native speaker, demonstrating not just grammatical accuracy, but a profound cultural and linguistic fluency that allows them to manipulate the language for persuasive, poetic, or highly analytical purposes.

At the C2 level, the mastery of 커지다 is absolute, reflecting a comprehensive and intuitive command of the Korean language. The verb is utilized not merely for communication, but for stylistic elegance, rhetorical power, and precise articulation of highly complex, abstract thought. C2 speakers can deploy the verb in literary contexts, philosophical discussions, and advanced academic writing with perfect appropriateness. They understand the historical and etymological weight of the word and can play with its spatial metaphors to create vivid, compelling imagery in their speech and writing. They might use it to describe the expanding scope of a philosophical argument, the swelling tension in a dramatic narrative, or the growing resonance of a cultural movement. At this pinnacle of proficiency, the distinction between literal and figurative meaning dissolves; the speaker intuitively grasps how the concept of 'becoming big' maps onto any conceivable domain of human experience in the Korean worldview. They can flawlessly navigate the most obscure idiomatic usages and can even invent novel, poetic metaphors using the verb that sound entirely natural and profound to native ears. The use of 커지다 at the C2 level is a testament to the speaker's ability to utilize the foundational elements of the language to construct the most intricate and sophisticated linguistic architectures.

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

커지다 em 30 segundos

Means 'to become big' or 'to grow'.
Used for physical size, sound volume, and abstract problems.
Combines 크다 (big) + 아/어지다 (to become).
Intransitive verb: use with 이/가, not 을/를.

The Korean verb 커지다 is a fundamental vocabulary word that every learner encounters early in their language journey. At its core, it means to become big, to grow, to expand, or to increase in size, volume, or magnitude. Morphologically, it is a compound formed by the adjective 크다, which means big or large, and the auxiliary verb -아/어지다, which indicates a change of state, translating to to become or to get. When these two elements combine, the vowel 으 in 크다 is dropped due to the irregular conjugation rules of 으-verbs when followed by a vowel, resulting in the form 커지다. This word is incredibly versatile and is not limited to physical size. It can describe a wide array of phenomena, from a child growing taller to a problem becoming more severe, a sound getting louder, or a business expanding its operations. Understanding the multifaceted nature of 커지다 is crucial for achieving fluency, as it bridges the gap between simple descriptions and dynamic changes in state. The concept of growth and expansion is deeply embedded in human experience, and in Korean, this single verb elegantly captures both tangible and intangible transformations. For instance, when you inflate a balloon, the balloon 커져요. When you turn up the volume on your television, the sound 커져요. When a minor disagreement escalates into a major conflict, the problem 커져요. This broad semantic range makes it an indispensable tool in daily communication.

Physical Growth: Refers to the tangible increase in size of an object, person, or living organism. This is the most literal and common usage of the word, often seen in contexts involving children growing up, plants expanding, or objects being inflated or stretched.

아이가 밥을 많이 먹고 키가 훌쩍 커졌다.

Volume and Sound: Describes an increase in auditory intensity. In Korean, you do not say the sound becomes high; you say the sound becomes big. This applies to voices, music, ambient noise, and any other auditory stimuli.

음악 소리가 갑자기 너무 커져서 깜짝 놀랐다.

Abstract Expansion: Used metaphorically to indicate that a situation, problem, expectation, or scale of an event has increased in severity, importance, or magnitude. This is a highly frequent usage in news, business, and serious conversations.

초기 대응을 잘못해서 문제가 걷잡을 수 없이 커졌다.

풍선을 계속 불었더니 점점 커지다가 터져버렸다.

두 회사가 합병하면서 기업의 규모가 엄청나게 커질 전망이다.

The beauty of this word lies in its simplicity and profound reach across different contexts. Whether you are describing a physical phenomenon, an auditory experience, or a complex abstract situation, this single verb provides a concise and natural way to express the concept of growth and expansion in the Korean language. Mastering its nuances will significantly enhance your ability to describe changes in the world around you.

Using 커지다 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical properties, particularly its status as an intransitive verb and its conjugation patterns. Because it describes a change of state happening to a subject, it is almost always preceded by the subject particles 이 or 가, or the topic particles 은 or 는. You will never use the object particles 을 or 를 directly with this verb, which is a common mistake for English speakers who might think of making something big. If you want to say to make something big, you must use the causative form 크게 하다 or 키우다. The conjugation of 커지다 follows standard regular verb patterns because the irregular 으 dropping has already occurred in its formation. In the present tense, it becomes 커져요 in polite speech and 커진다 in plain form. In the past tense, it is 커졌어요 or 커졌다. For the future tense or to express an assumption, you use 커질 거예요 or 커지겠다. This verb is frequently paired with specific adverbs that describe the rate or manner of the change. For example, 점점 means gradually or increasingly, and is a perfect match: 점점 커져요 (It is gradually getting bigger). 갑자기 means suddenly: 갑자기 커졌어요 (It suddenly got bigger). 많이 means a lot: 많이 커졌네! (It has grown a lot!). Understanding these collocations is key to sounding natural.

Conjugation Basics: The verb stem is 커지-. Add -어/아/여 to form the present tense, resulting in 커져. Add -었- for the past tense, resulting in 커졌어. Add -ㄹ 거- for the future, resulting in 커질 거야.

비가 오더니 강물이 눈에 띄게 커졌다.

Adverbial Pairings: To add nuance, use adverbs. 점점 (gradually), 확 (suddenly/drastically), 무척 (very much), and 눈덩이처럼 (like a snowball) are highly common when describing expansion.

소문이 꼬리에 꼬리를 물고 점점 커지고 있습니다.

Sentence Structure: The standard structure is [Noun]이/가 [Adverb] 커지다. For example: 목소리가 너무 커져요. (The voice is getting too loud.)

기대감이 커질수록 실망도 큰 법이다.

이 옷은 세탁기에 돌리면 사이즈가 확 커질 수 있어요.

화면이 커져서 영화 보기가 훨씬 좋아졌어요.

By mastering these structural rules and common adverbial pairings, you will be able to use this verb fluidly in a wide variety of contexts. It is a highly productive verb that forms the backbone of many descriptive sentences in Korean, allowing you to articulate dynamic changes with precision and native-like naturalness.

You will encounter the verb 커지다 in almost every facet of Korean life, from the most intimate family conversations to formal national news broadcasts. Because the concept of growth and expansion is universal, the applications of this word are virtually limitless. In a domestic setting, parents frequently use it to marvel at their children's growth. You might hear a grandmother say, 우리 강아지, 언제 이렇게 커졌어? (My little puppy, when did you get so big?). In this context, it is an expression of affection and surprise at the passage of time and physical development. In the realm of technology and consumer goods, it is used to describe the evolution of products. A salesperson might explain that a new smartphone model has a screen that is much larger: 이번 모델은 화면이 훨씬 커졌습니다. When discussing media or entertainment, it is the standard verb for volume. If you are at a concert or watching a movie, someone might say 소리가 너무 커져서 귀가 아파요 (The sound got so loud my ears hurt). Moving to more formal contexts, such as business and economics, it is indispensable for discussing market trends, company growth, and financial expansion. News anchors frequently report on the economy using this verb.

Family and Daily Life: Used constantly to describe children growing up, pets getting bigger, or even clothes stretching out. It is a staple of everyday observational language.

작년에 산 신발인데, 발이 커져서 이제 안 맞아요.

News and Economy: A critical vocabulary word for journalists reporting on expanding markets, growing deficits, increasing risks, or the scaling up of corporate operations.

수출 감소로 인해 무역 적자 폭이 더욱 커지고 있습니다.

Conflict and Problems: When a small argument turns into a big fight, or a minor issue becomes a major crisis, this verb is used to describe the escalation.

사소한 오해로 시작된 다툼이 결국 큰 싸움으로 커졌다.

불길이 바람을 타고 순식간에 커졌습니다.

새로운 기술의 도입으로 시장의 파이가 커질 것으로 기대됩니다.

Whether you are listening to a K-pop idol talk about their growing fanbase, a news anchor discussing the expanding economy, or a friend complaining about a swelling mosquito bite, this verb is ubiquitous. Its ability to convey both literal and figurative growth makes it a highly versatile and essential component of the Korean lexicon, deeply woven into the fabric of everyday communication.

While 커지다 is a relatively straightforward verb, learners often make a few specific errors due to interference from their native languages or misunderstandings of Korean grammar. The most frequent mistake is confusing it with the verb 많아지다. In English, we might say the problem got bigger or the number of problems got bigger. In Korean, if the physical size or abstract magnitude increases, you use 커지다. However, if the quantity or number of something increases, you must use 많아지다 (to become many/more). For example, saying 사람들이 커졌어요 means the people physically grew into giants, whereas 사람들이 많아졌어요 correctly means the number of people increased (it became crowded). Another major pitfall is using object particles (을/를) instead of subject particles (이/가). Because English speakers often think of the phrase to make something big, they might accidentally say 소리를 커지세요 instead of the correct causative form 소리를 키워주세요 (Please turn up the volume) or the correct intransitive form 소리가 커졌어요 (The volume got louder). Understanding that 커지다 describes an autonomous change of state happening to the subject is crucial for grammatical accuracy.

Size vs. Quantity: Never use this verb to describe an increase in numbers or amounts. Use 많아지다 for quantity. Use 커지다 strictly for size, volume, scale, or magnitude.

학생 수가 커졌다 (X) -> 학생 수가 많아졌다 (O).

Particle Errors: Do not use 을/를. It is an intransitive verb. The entity that is growing must be marked with 이/가 or 은/는.

구멍을 커졌어요 (X) -> 구멍이 커졌어요 (O).

Causative Confusion: If you are the agent actively making something bigger, you cannot use this verb. You must use the causative verb 키우다 or the phrase 크게 하다.

사진을 커지게 해 주세요 (Awkward) -> 사진을 키워 주세요 (Natural).

걱정을 커졌어요 (X) -> 걱정이 커졌어요 (O).

돈이 커졌어요 (Unnatural for wealth) -> 돈이 많아졌어요 (Natural).

By paying close attention to these common errors, particularly the distinction between size and quantity and the correct use of particles, you can significantly improve the accuracy and naturalness of your Korean. Remember that this verb is about a state changing on its own or as a result of a process, not about an action being done to an object by a direct agent.

The Korean language is rich in vocabulary related to growth, expansion, and increase. While 커지다 is the most general and widely used term, there are several other verbs that share similar meanings but carry specific nuances or are used in different registers. Understanding these synonyms will elevate your vocabulary from basic to advanced. 늘어나다 means to stretch, increase, or multiply. It is often used for things that have elasticity (like a rubber band) or for quantities and numbers (like population or debt). 증가하다 is a Sino-Korean word meaning to increase or rise. It is highly formal and is predominantly used in news, academic papers, and statistical reports regarding numbers, rates, or amounts. 확대되다 means to be expanded or magnified. It is often used in the context of policies, business operations, or physical spaces being deliberately made larger. 성장하다 means to grow or develop, specifically referring to living organisms (like plants or children) or abstract entities like economies or companies undergoing maturation and development. While 커지다 can often substitute for these words in casual conversation, using the precise synonym in the right context demonstrates a high level of linguistic proficiency.

늘어나다 (To stretch/increase): Focuses on elongation or an increase in quantity/length. Use it for rubber bands, lifespans, or debt. Unlike 커지다, it strongly implies an increase in amount or length rather than overall volume.

고무줄이 길게 늘어났다. (The rubber band stretched long.)

증가하다 (To increase): A formal Sino-Korean word used for statistics, numbers, and rates. It is the direct formal counterpart to 많아지다 or 늘어나다, and is rarely used for physical size.

올해 수출액이 10% 증가했습니다. (Exports increased by 10% this year.)

성장하다 (To grow/develop): Implies maturation and positive development along with physical or economic growth. Used for children, plants, companies, and economies.

그 회사는 글로벌 기업으로 성장했다. (The company grew into a global enterprise.)

사업 규모가 점차 확대되고 있다. (The scale of the business is gradually expanding.)

인구가 급격히 팽창하고 있다. (The population is rapidly expanding.)

Choosing the right word depends heavily on the context and the level of formality required. For everyday conversations about size and volume, 커지다 is your best friend. For academic writing, news reporting, or professional business environments, familiarizing yourself with words like 증가하다, 확대되다, and 성장하다 will allow you to communicate with much greater precision and sophistication.

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Exemplos por nível

풍선이 점점 커져요.

The balloon is gradually getting bigger.

점점 (gradually) is a common adverb used with verbs of change.

아이가 많이 커졌어요.

The child has grown a lot.

많이 (a lot) modifies the degree of the change.

옷이 너무 커졌어요.

The clothes have become too big.

너무 (too much) indicates an excessive change.

구멍이 커졌어요.

The hole got bigger.

Subject particle 이 is used with 구멍 (hole).

발이 커져서 신발이 작아요.

My feet got bigger, so the shoes are small.

-아/어서 is used to show cause and effect.

눈이 동그랗게 커졌어요.

Eyes became round and big (in surprise).

동그랗게 (roundly) describes how the eyes became big.

빵이 오븐에서 커져요.

The bread gets bigger in the oven.

에서 indicates the location where the action happens.

달이 점점 커질 거예요.

The moon will gradually get bigger.

-ㄹ 거예요 is the future tense conjugation.

음악 소리가 갑자기 커졌어요.

The music sound suddenly got louder.

갑자기 (suddenly) shows an abrupt change.

목소리가 왜 이렇게 커졌어요?

Why did your voice get so loud?

왜 이렇게 (why like this) expresses surprise or annoyance.

비가 오더니 강물이 커졌어요.

It rained, and then the river got bigger (swelled).

-더니 indicates a past observation leading to a current result.

걱정이 점점 커지고 있어요.

My worries are gradually growing.

-고 있다 indicates an ongoing progressive change.

작은 문제가 크게 커졌어요.

A small problem became very big.

크게 (bigly/greatly) emphasizes the extent of the change.

화면이 커져서 보기 좋아요.

The screen got bigger, so it's good to watch.

-아/어서 links the cause (bigger screen) to the positive result.

바람 소리가 점점 커지네요.

The sound of the wind is getting louder, I see.

-네요 expresses realization or mild surprise.

불이 커지기 전에 끄세요.

Put out the fire before it gets bigger.

-기 전에 means 'before doing/happening'.

소문이 꼬리를 물고 점점 커졌다.

The rumor spread and gradually grew bigger.

꼬리를 물다 is an idiom meaning 'to follow one after another'.

기대감이 커질수록 실망도 큰 법이다.

The bigger the expectations, the bigger the disappointment.

-ㄹ수록 means 'the more... the more...'.

두 회사가 합병하면 규모가 엄청나게 커질 것이다.

If the two companies merge, the scale will become enormously big.

엄청나게 (enormously) is a strong adverb of degree.

초기 대응을 잘못해서 일이 걷잡을 수 없이 커졌다.

Because the initial response was wrong, the situation grew out of control.

걷잡을 수 없이 means 'uncontrollably'.

나이가 들면서 책임감이 점점 커지는 것을 느낀다.

As I get older, I feel my sense of responsibility gradually growing.

-면서 indicates simultaneous actions or states.

시장의 파이가 커져야 모두가 이익을 볼 수 있다.

The market pie must get bigger for everyone to benefit.

-아/어야 means 'must' or 'only if'.

논란이 커지자 그는 결국 사과문을 발표했다.

As the controversy grew, he eventually released an apology.

-자 means 'as soon as' or 'when' (triggering a subsequent action).

스트레스가 커지면 건강에 해롭습니다.

If stress grows, it is harmful to your health.

-면 is the conditional 'if'.

빈부격차가 갈수록 커지고 있어 사회적 문제가 되고 있다.

The wealth gap is growing over time, becoming a social problem.

갈수록 means 'as time goes by' or 'increasingly'.

글로벌 경제의 불확실성이 커지면서 투자 심리가 위축되었다.

As the uncertainty of the global economy grew, investment sentiment shrank.

불확실성 (uncertainty) is a common abstract noun paired with this verb.

사건의 파장이 예상보다 훨씬 커질 것으로 전망됩니다.

The repercussions of the incident are expected to grow much larger than anticipated.

파장 (repercussions/impact) is frequently used in news contexts.

적자 폭이 눈덩이처럼 커져서 기업의 존립이 위태롭다.

The deficit margin has grown like a snowball, endangering the company's survival.

눈덩이처럼 (like a snowball) is a powerful simile for rapid, compounding growth.

국제 사회에서 한국의 영향력이 과거에 비해 크게 커졌다.

South Korea's influence in the international community has grown significantly compared to the past.

-에 비해 means 'compared to'.

의혹이 눈덩이처럼 커지자 검찰이 본격적인 수사에 착수했다.

As suspicions grew like a snowball, the prosecution launched a full-scale investigation.

의혹 (suspicion) is a key term in legal and political reporting.

기후 변화로 인해 자연재해의 규모와 빈도가 점차 커지고 있다.

Due to climate change, the scale and frequency of natural disasters are gradually increasing.

규모 (scale) and 빈도 (frequency) are formal nouns.

온라인 시장이 커짐에 따라 오프라인 매장들은 큰 타격을 입었다.

As the online market grew, offline stores took a big hit.

-ㅁ/음에 따라 means 'as' or 'in accordance with'.

대중의 정치적 무관심이 커지는 현상은 민주주의의 위기를 초래할 수 있다.

The phenomenon of growing political apathy among the public can bring about a crisis of democracy.

무관심 (apathy/indifference) paired with 커지다 describes a societal trend.

양극화가 심화되면서 계층 간의 갈등의 골이 걷잡을 수 없이 커지고 있다.

As polarization deepens, the valley of conflict between social classes is growing uncontrollably.

갈등의 골 (the valley/depth of conflict) is a sophisticated metaphorical phrase.

정보의 비대칭성이 커질수록 시장의 실패 확률은 높아지기 마련이다.

The greater the information asymmetry grows, the higher the probability of market failure is bound to be.

-기 마련이다 means 'it is bound to' or 'it is natural that'.

사태의 심각성이 커지자 정부는 부랴부랴 진화에 나섰지만 이미 때가 늦었다.

As the severity of the situation grew, the government hurriedly stepped in to extinguish it, but it was already too late.

진화에 나서다 is an idiom meaning 'to step in to resolve a crisis (extinguish a fire)'.

개인의 자유에 대한 갈망이 커지는 것은 시대적 흐름이자 거스를 수 없는 대세이다.

The growing thirst for individual freedom is a trend of the times and an irresistible mainstream.

갈망 (thirst/craving) is an advanced abstract noun.

플랫폼 기업들의 독점력이 커지면서 공정 경쟁을 저해한다는 비판의 목소리가 높다.

As the monopoly power of platform companies grows, voices of criticism that it hinders fair competition are loud.

독점력 (monopoly power) is specific to advanced economic discourse.

사이버 범죄의 수법이 교묘해지고 그 피해 규모가 기하급수적으로 커지고 있다.

The methods of cybercrime are becoming sophisticated, and the scale of damage is growing exponentially.

기하급수적으로 (exponentially) is a high-level adverb for rapid growth.

인공지능 기술의 발달로 인해 인간의 윤리적 책임에 대한 고민이 더욱 커질 수밖에 없다.

Due to the development of AI technology, contemplation on human ethical responsibility is bound to grow even more.

-ㄹ 수밖에 없다 means 'there is no choice but to' or 'it is inevitable'.

인간 소외 현상이 커지는 현대 사회의 병폐를 문학적으로 예리하게 파헤친 작품이다.

It is a work that sharply dissects in a literary manner the ills of modern society where the phenomenon of human alienation is growing.

병폐 (ills/malady) and 파헤치다 (to dissect/dig into) are highly advanced literary terms.

우주의 팽창과 함께 무질서도, 즉 엔트로피가 끝없이 커진다는 열역학 제2법칙은 철학적 사유를 제공한다.

The second law of thermodynamics, that along with the expansion of the universe, disorder, namely entropy, grows endlessly, provides philosophical contemplation.

엔트로피 (entropy) and 철학적 사유 (philosophical contemplation) demonstrate C2 academic register.

권력의 비대화는 필연적으로 부패의 가능성이 커지는 결과를 잉태하기 마련이다.

The hypertrophy of power inevitably conceals the result of the possibility of corruption growing.

비대화 (hypertrophy/bloating) and 잉태하다 (to conceive/harbor) are extremely formal and literary.

담론의 장이 커질수록 오히려 진실은 파편화되고 군중은 확증 편향의 늪에 빠져든다.

As the arena of discourse grows, the truth rather becomes fragmented, and the crowd falls into the swamp of confirmation bias.

담론의 장 (arena of discourse) and 확증 편향 (confirmation bias) are advanced sociological concepts.

존재론적 불안감이 커지는 심연 속에서 그는 비로소 자아의 본질과 직면하게 되었다.

In the abyss where ontological anxiety was growing, he finally came face to face with the essence of his ego.

존재론적 (ontological) and 심연 (abyss) are hallmarks of philosophical literature.

자본의 논리가 모든 가치를 압도하면서 인간 존엄성에 대한 위협이 걷잡을 수 없이 커지고 있다.

As the logic of capital overwhelms all values, the threat to human dignity is growing uncontrollably.

자본의 논리 (logic of capital) and 인간 존엄성 (human dignity) are common in critical essays.

기억의 왜곡이 커지는 시간의 지층 속에서 진실을 발굴해내는 것은 역사가의 숙명이다.

It is the destiny of a historian to excavate the truth from the strata of time where the distortion of memory grows.

시간의 지층 (strata of time) is a poetic, metaphorical phrase.

문명의 이기가 가져다준 편리함 이면에는 생태계 파괴라는 재앙적 결과가 눈덩이처럼 커지고 있었다.

Behind the convenience brought by the conveniences of civilization, the disastrous result of ecosystem destruction was growing like a snowball.

문명의 이기 (conveniences of civilization) is a highly formal, critical term.

Colocações comuns

문제가 커지다

소리가 커지다

규모가 커지다

기대감이 커지다

점점 커지다

눈덩이처럼 커지다

격차가 커지다

불안감이 커지다

파이가 커지다

일이 커지다

Frases Comuns

일이 커졌어요. (The situation got out of hand.)

점점 커지고 있어요. (It is gradually getting bigger.)

눈덩이처럼 커지다 (To snowball / grow rapidly)

소리 좀 키워주세요. (Please turn up the volume. - Causative form)

간이 커지다 (To become bold/audacious - Idiom)

키가 커지다 (To grow taller)

목소리가 커지다 (To raise one's voice / become influential)

스케일이 커지다 (The scale becomes large)

판이 커지다 (The stakes get higher)

부담이 커지다 (The burden grows)

Frequentemente confundido com

커지다 vs 많아지다 (To become many/increase in quantity. Use 커지다 for size/volume, 많아지다 for numbers.)

커지다 vs 키우다 (To make big/raise. 키우다 is transitive and requires an object; 커지다 is intransitive.)

커지다 vs 길어지다 (To become long. Use 커지다 for overall size, 길어지다 for length.)

Expressões idiomáticas

Fácil de confundir

커지다 vs

Padrões de frases

Como usar

nuance

Implies a natural or progressive change of state rather than an instant, forced action.

formality

Highly versatile. Acceptable in both casual chat and formal news.

colloquialisms

'일 커졌다' is a very common exclamation when something goes wrong and becomes a big hassle.

Erros comuns

Using 을/를 instead of 이/가 (e.g., 소리를 커졌어요 -> 소리가 커졌어요).
Using 커지다 for an increase in quantity instead of 많아지다 (e.g., 돈이 커졌어요 -> 돈이 많아졌어요).
Using 커지다 to mean 'getting older' (e.g., 나이가 커졌어요 -> 나이가 들었어요).
Using 커지다 when trying to say 'I made it bigger' (e.g., 사진을 커졌어요 -> 사진을 키웠어요).
Mispronouncing the first vowel as 'o' instead of 'eo' (코지다 instead of 커지다).

Dicas

Never use 을/를

Remember that 커지다 is an intransitive verb. It describes a state changing, not an action being done to an object. Always use 이/가. For example, '소리를 커지다' is wrong; '소리가 커지다' is correct.

Size vs. Quantity

If you are talking about numbers, amounts, or how many of something there are, use 많아지다. Only use 커지다 when talking about physical size, volume, or the abstract scale of a single issue.

Volume is Size

When asking someone to speak up, you can say '목소리 좀 크게 해 주세요' (Please make your voice big) or note that '목소리가 커졌어요' (The voice got big). Sound is always described in terms of size in Korean.

일이 커지다

Memorize the phrase '일이 커지다'. It literally means 'the work gets big', but it translates to 'the situation escalated' or 'things got out of hand'. It's used when a small mistake turns into a big problem.

Clear Vowels

Make sure to pronounce the 'ㅓ' (eo) in 커 clearly. If you pronounce it like 'ㅗ' (o), it sounds like 코지다, which is not a word and will confuse the listener.

Using with -아/어서

A very common pattern is '[Noun]이/가 커져서...'. This means 'Because [Noun] got bigger...'. For example, '발이 커져서 신발을 새로 샀어요' (Because my feet got bigger, I bought new shoes).

Adverbs of Growth

Pair 커지다 with adverbs to sound more native. Use '점점' (gradually) for slow growth, '갑자기' (suddenly) for unexpected growth, and '눈덩이처럼' (like a snowball) for compounding growth.

Formal Alternatives

If you are writing an essay or giving a formal presentation, consider swapping 커지다 for 증가하다 (increase) or 확대되다 (expand) when appropriate. It elevates the register of your Korean.

Abstract Expansion

Don't limit yourself to physical objects. Use 커지다 with words like 기대 (expectation), 불안 (anxiety), and 불만 (dissatisfaction) to express growing emotions.

Not for Age

Never use 커지다 to say someone is getting older. While a child physically grows (커지다), their age 'enters' (나이가 들다). Mixing this up sounds very unnatural.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine a 'COZY' (커지) sweater that magically stretches and 'becomes bigger' to fit anyone. COZY -> 커지 -> to become big.

Associação visual

Picture a small balloon inflating rapidly until it pops.

Origem da palavra

Native Korean

Contexto cultural

Telling someone their child has '많이 커졌다' (grown a lot) is a standard, polite compliment to parents.

Used across all formality levels. In highly formal settings (news, academic), Sino-Korean synonyms like 증가하다 or 확대되다 are often preferred for abstract concepts, but 커지다 remains perfectly acceptable and widely used.

Standard across all dialects, though pronunciation of the vowels may slightly vary in deep regional accents.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Iniciadores de conversa

"어릴 때 입던 옷이 아직 맞아요? 아니면 커져서 못 입어요? (Do the clothes you wore when you were young still fit? Or did you get bigger so you can't wear them?)"

"최근에 물가가 많이 올랐는데, 생활비 부담이 커졌나요? (Prices have gone up a lot recently, has the burden of living expenses grown?)"

"스트레스가 커질 때 어떻게 풀어요? (How do you relieve it when your stress grows?)"

"스마트폰 화면이 점점 커지는 것에 대해 어떻게 생각해요? (What do you think about smartphone screens gradually getting bigger?)"

"한국어 실력이 예전보다 많이 커진 것 같아요? (Do you think your Korean skills have grown a lot compared to before?)"

Temas para diário

내가 어렸을 때보다 가장 많이 커진 것은 무엇인가요? (What has grown the most compared to when I was young?)

최근에 내 삶에서 가장 비중이 커진 문제는 무엇인가요? (What is the problem that has grown to have the biggest weight in my life recently?)

나의 꿈은 시간이 지날수록 커지고 있나요, 아니면 작아지고 있나요? (Are my dreams getting bigger as time passes, or getting smaller?)

음악 소리가 갑자기 커져서 깜짝 놀랐던 경험을 써보세요. (Write about an experience where you were startled because the music suddenly got loud.)

나의 한국어 어휘력이 눈덩이처럼 커지기를 바라는 마음을 글로 표현해보세요. (Express in writing your hope that your Korean vocabulary will grow like a snowball.)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, you cannot use 커지다 to say someone is getting older. In Korean, you say '나이가 들다' (age enters) or '나이를 먹다' (eat age). Using 커지다 for age sounds like the person is physically mutating into a giant.

커지다 means the physical size, volume, or magnitude of a single entity is increasing (e.g., a balloon getting bigger, a problem getting worse). 많아지다 means the quantity or number of items is increasing (e.g., more people arriving, getting more money). Do not mix them up!

It is simply a difference in linguistic mapping. In English, sound is mapped to height (high/low volume). In Korean, sound is mapped to physical size (big/small sound). Therefore, '소리가 커지다' is the perfectly natural way to say the volume increased.

It is an intransitive verb. This means it does not take a direct object. The thing that is changing state is the subject of the sentence. Therefore, you must use the subject particles 이/가 or topic particles 은/는, never the object particles 을/를.

Because 커지다 is intransitive (it became bigger on its own), you cannot use it to say you made something bigger. Instead, you must use the causative verb '키우다' (to raise/make big) or the phrase '크게 하다' (to do it bigly). For example, '사진을 키웠어요' (I enlarged the photo).

Yes, absolutely! This is a very common and natural usage. You can say '스트레스가 커져요' (My stress is growing) or '걱정이 커졌어요' (My worries got bigger). It effectively conveys that the emotional burden has increased in magnitude.

Literally, it means 'the liver gets bigger'. In traditional Korean culture, the liver is associated with courage and audacity. So, if someone's liver gets bigger, it means they have become very bold, fearless, or sometimes recklessly audacious.

To say 'it will get bigger', you use the standard future tense conjugation: 커질 거예요 (polite) or 커질 것이다 (formal/written). For example, '문제가 더 커질 거예요' (The problem will get bigger).

The direct opposite is '작아지다', which means 'to become small' or 'to shrink'. It is formed in the exact same way, by combining 작다 (small) with -아/어지다 (to become).

Yes. You can say '회사가 커졌어요' (The company got bigger). However, in formal business contexts, it is also very common to use Sino-Korean words like '성장하다' (to grow/develop) or '확대되다' (to expand) for a more professional tone.

Teste-se 130 perguntas

writing

Translate: 'The balloon got bigger.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

풍선 (balloon) + 이 (subject particle) + 커졌어요 (past tense of to become big).