Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential Korean way to say 'to praise' or 'to compliment' someone for their efforts or traits.
- Means: To actively express admiration or approval to someone directly.
- Used in: Work reviews, parenting, social gatherings, and encouraging friends.
- Don't confuse: With '자랑하다' (to brag), which is about yourself, not others.
适合你水平的解释：
意思
To express admiration or approval for someone's qualities or actions.
文化背景
The concept of 'Cheon-man-eyo' (You're welcome/Don't mention it) is often replaced by 'Anieyo' (No) when receiving praise. This is a sign of 'Gyeom-son' (modesty). Praise from a superior is a major motivator and is often done publicly to set an example, whereas criticism is ideally done privately to save 'Che-myeon' (face). Teachers use '칭찬 스티커' (praise stickers) to reward children. This has made the word '칭찬' very familiar to all Koreans from a young age. On platforms like KakaoTalk, using '칭찬해' stickers or emojis is a common way to show support for friends' small daily wins.
Be Specific
Instead of just saying '칭찬해요', say *what* you are praising: '웃는 모습이 예뻐서 칭찬하고 싶어요.'
Avoid Sarcasm
Sarcastic praise is hard to pull off in Korean and can easily lead to misunderstandings.
Be Specific
Instead of just saying '칭찬해요', say *what* you are praising: '웃는 모습이 예뻐서 칭찬하고 싶어요.'
Avoid Sarcasm
Sarcastic praise is hard to pull off in Korean and can easily lead to misunderstandings.
Use '주다'
Always try to use '칭찬해 주다' when talking to friends; it sounds much more caring.
The Modesty Rule
If someone praises you, don't just say 'Thank you'. A little 'No, I'm not that good' goes a long way in building rapport.
自我测试
Fill in the blank with the correct particle and verb form.
선생님이 제 숙제를 보고 ______ (praise + past tense).
The past tense of '하다' is '했다', and the object particle '을' is required.
Which response is the most culturally appropriate for a B1 learner?
A: 한국말을 정말 잘하시네요! 칭찬을 안 할 수가 없어요. B: ________________
In Korean culture, responding to praise with modesty ('I am still lacking') is the most natural and polite response.
Match the phrase variation to the correct situation.
1. 칭찬을 아끼지 않다 2. 비행기 태우다 3. 칭찬을 받다
'칭찬을 아끼지 않다' means to give plenty of praise. '비행기 태우다' is an idiom for over-flattering. '칭찬을 받다' is the passive form.
Complete the dialogue in a workplace setting.
상사: 이번 보고서 아주 훌륭해요. 직원: 감사합니다. 부장님께서 ______ 주셔서 더 힘이 납니다.
The correct form is '칭찬해 주셔서' (because you praised me).
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Praising vs. Bragging
练习题库
5 练习선생님이 제 숙제를 보고 ______ (praise + past tense).
The past tense of '하다' is '했다', and the object particle '을' is required.
A: 한국말을 정말 잘하시네요! 칭찬을 안 할 수가 없어요. B: ________________
In Korean culture, responding to praise with modesty ('I am still lacking') is the most natural and polite response.
1. 칭찬을 아끼지 않다 2. 비행기 태우다 3. 칭찬을 받다
'칭찬을 아끼지 않다' means to give plenty of praise. '비행기 태우다' is an idiom for over-flattering. '칭찬을 받다' is the passive form.
상사: 이번 보고서 아주 훌륭해요. 직원: 감사합니다. 부장님께서 ______ 주셔서 더 힘이 납니다.
The correct form is '칭찬해 주셔서' (because you praised me).
🎉 得分： /5
常见问题
10 个问题It's risky. It can sound like you are evaluating them. Use '존경하다' or '대단하세요' instead.
칭찬 is everyday praise; 찬사 is a high-level 'tribute' or 'acclaim' used in formal contexts.
Use the passive form: '칭찬을 받았어요'.
In very casual slang, yes! It means 'I approve' or 'Good job'.
It's a cultural value called modesty (겸손). They aren't disagreeing with you; they are being polite.
No, you praise people or their actions. For objects, use '좋다' (good) or '훌륭하다' (excellent).
It's a famous book title/proverb meaning 'Praise makes even whales dance'—praise motivates everyone.
Yes, '칭송' (veneration) or '찬사' (tribute), but they are very formal.
Yes! You can 칭찬 your dog for doing a trick.
It means 'excessive praise'. Use it when someone compliments you: '과찬이십니다' (You flatter me).
相关表达
칭찬을 아끼지 않다
builds onTo not spare any praise
비행기 태우다
similarTo over-praise/flatter
칭찬을 받다
contrastTo be praised
극찬하다
specialized formTo praise highly/rave
칭찬해 주다
similarTo give praise (as a favor)
在哪里用
At the Office
Manager: 김 대리, 이번 프로젝트 정말 잘 끝냈어요. 칭찬하고 싶네요.
Employee: 아닙니다, 부장님. 팀원들이 도와준 덕분입니다.
With Friends
Friend A: 와, 너 오늘 옷 진짜 예쁘다!
Friend B: 진짜? 칭찬해줘서 고마워!
Parenting
Parent: 우리 아들, 스스로 숙제도 다 하고 정말 칭찬해!
Child: 헤헤, 내일도 잘할게요!
Language Exchange
Partner: 한국어 발음이 정말 좋으시네요!
Learner: 과찬이십니다. 아직 많이 부족해요.
Social Media
User 1: (Posts a photo of a painting)
User 2: 와, 실력이 대단해요! 칭찬을 안 할 수가 없네요.
Job Interview
Interviewer: 이전 직장에서 상사에게 칭찬을 받았던 경험이 있나요?
Applicant: 네, 성실함에 대해 칭찬을 받은 적이 있습니다.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of 'Ching-Chan' as 'Cheering Champion'. When you praise someone, you treat them like a Champion with a Cheer!
视觉联想
Imagine a giant scale (from the Hanja {稱}) where you place a gold medal on one side and a 'speech bubble' on the other. The speech bubble balances the medal's weight.
Rhyme
칭찬을 하면 (Ching-chan-eul ha-myeon) / 기분이 좋아 (Gi-bun-i jo-a) - When you praise, the mood is great!
Story
A small whale was sad because it couldn't jump high. A trainer came and gave it a small 'Ching-chan' (praise). Suddenly, the whale felt so happy it started dancing. This is why Koreans say 'Praise makes even whales dance!'
In Other Languages
In Japanese, 'Homeru' (褒める) is almost identical in usage. In English, 'to give a compliment' is the closest functional equivalent, though 'praise' is often used for more significant achievements.
Word Web
挑战
Today, find one person (a friend, colleague, or family member) and give them a '칭찬' in Korean. Use the pattern: '[Name] 씨, [Action/Trait] 정말 대단해요!'
Review this phrase on day 1, 3, 7, and 14. Focus on the difference between '칭찬하다' and '칭찬받다'.
发音
The 'ng' sound in '칭' is a soft nasal, and '찬' has a clear 'n' ending.
正式程度
선생님께서 학생을 칭찬하셨습니다. (School setting)
선생님이 학생을 칭찬했어요. (School setting)
선생님이 학생을 칭찬했어. (School setting)
쌤이 학생 칭찬함. (School setting)
Derived from the Sino-Korean word {稱讚|칭찬}. {稱} (ching) means to weigh or name, and {讚} (chan) means to assist or speak well of.
趣味小知识
The character {稱} is also used in the word for 'weight scale' ({稱|저울}), implying that true praise is a balanced measurement of someone's worth.
文化笔记
The concept of 'Cheon-man-eyo' (You're welcome/Don't mention it) is often replaced by 'Anieyo' (No) when receiving praise. This is a sign of 'Gyeom-son' (modesty).
“A: 정말 똑똑하시네요! B: 아니에요, 별말씀을요.”
Praise from a superior is a major motivator and is often done publicly to set an example, whereas criticism is ideally done privately to save 'Che-myeon' (face).
“회의 시간에 부장님이 이 대리를 칭찬했다.”
Teachers use '칭찬 스티커' (praise stickers) to reward children. This has made the word '칭찬' very familiar to all Koreans from a young age.
“착한 일을 해서 칭찬 스티커를 받았어요.”
On platforms like KakaoTalk, using '칭찬해' stickers or emojis is a common way to show support for friends' small daily wins.
“오늘 운동 완료! (Friend replies with a '칭찬해' sticker)”
对话开场白
최근에 누구에게 칭찬을 했나요? 왜 했나요?
한국에서는 칭찬을 받았을 때 어떻게 대답하는 것이 좋을까요?
칭찬이 사람의 행동을 어떻게 변화시킬 수 있다고 생각하세요?
직장에서 상사가 부하 직원을 칭찬하는 것이 왜 중요할까요?
常见错误
나는 나를 칭찬했다.
나는 내 자신이 뿌듯했다.
L1 Interference
선생님을 칭찬했어요.
선생님께 감사 인사를 드렸어요 / 선생님이 대단하시다고 생각했어요.
L1 Interference
칭찬이 했어요.
칭찬을 했어요.
L1 Interference
칭찬을 만들다.
칭찬을 하다.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
To praise / To compliment
Korean requires modesty in response; English allows a simple 'Thank you'.
褒める (Homeru)
Japanese uses a single verb (褒める), while Korean uses a noun+verb (칭찬을 하다).
表扬 (Biǎoyáng) / 夸奖 (Kuājiǎng)
Chinese has multiple common verbs for praise depending on the level of formality.
Elogiar / Dar un cumplido
Spanish compliments can be much more expressive and frequent than Korean ones.
Complimenter / Louer
French social etiquette around compliments is more direct than Korean.
Loben
German culture may use praise more sparingly than modern Korean culture.
مدح (Madaha)
Arabic praise is often tied to religious expressions of gratitude.
Elogiar
Like Spanish, Portuguese allows for more direct acceptance of praise.
Spotted in the Real World
“칭찬은 고래도 춤추게 한다잖아.”
Bok-joo is encouraging her friend by mentioning the famous saying about praise.
“이제 그만 보고 시험 공부 해 / 네 부모님과 부장님 날 미워해... (중략) ...칭찬해줘.”
The lyrics playfully ask the fans to be praised despite distracting them from studies.
“직원들 칭찬 좀 해줘요. 다들 열심히 하잖아요.”
Yi-seo advises Saeroyi to praise his staff to improve morale.
容易混淆
Both involve saying good things, but '자랑하다' is about yourself or your own belongings.
Use '칭찬하다' for others, '자랑하다' for yourself (bragging).
Learners sometimes confuse 'praise' with 'recommend' because both are positive.
Praise is about the person/quality; recommendation is about a choice or action.
常见问题 (10)
It's risky. It can sound like you are evaluating them. Use '존경하다' or '대단하세요' instead.
usage contexts칭찬 is everyday praise; 찬사 is a high-level 'tribute' or 'acclaim' used in formal contexts.
basic understandingUse the passive form: '칭찬을 받았어요'.
grammar mechanicsIn very casual slang, yes! It means 'I approve' or 'Good job'.
practical tipsIt's a cultural value called modesty (겸손). They aren't disagreeing with you; they are being polite.
cultural usageNo, you praise people or their actions. For objects, use '좋다' (good) or '훌륭하다' (excellent).
usage contextsIt's a famous book title/proverb meaning 'Praise makes even whales dance'—praise motivates everyone.
cultural usageYes, '칭송' (veneration) or '찬사' (tribute), but they are very formal.
comparisonsYes! You can 칭찬 your dog for doing a trick.
usage contextsIt means 'excessive praise'. Use it when someone compliments you: '과찬이십니다' (You flatter me).
practical tips
