겨우 30秒了解
- Emphasizes difficulty or narrow success.
- Means barely, narrowly, or with great effort.
- Used when an achievement was almost not possible.
- Common in stories of struggle and relief.
The Korean adverb '겨우' (gyeou) is a versatile word that expresses the idea of 'barely,' 'narrowly,' or 'only just.' It signifies that something was achieved or happened with great difficulty, under challenging circumstances, or by a very small margin. It often implies a sense of relief or a feeling that success was almost not achieved.
- Core Meaning
- Achieved or happened with great difficulty, by a narrow margin, or with minimal resources.
- Usage Contexts
- Commonly used when discussing survival, overcoming obstacles, meeting deadlines, or obtaining something with limited means.
When you say you '겨우' did something, you're highlighting the struggle involved. It's not just that you did it, but that it was a close call or a significant effort was required. This can apply to physical feats, academic achievements, financial situations, or even simple everyday tasks that proved unexpectedly challenging.
저는 겨우 기차를 탔어요. (I barely caught the train.)
In this example, the speaker implies they were very close to missing the train and had to rush or overcome some difficulty to board it. It conveys a sense of near-failure and subsequent relief.
- Nuance of Scarcity
- Often implies a lack of something – time, money, strength, or luck – which made the achievement more difficult.
- Emotional Connotation
- Carries a feeling of relief, exhaustion, or surprise that something was accomplished.
Consider a situation where someone is trying to save money. They might say, '저는 겨우 한 달 생활비를 모았어요' (I barely saved enough for a month's living expenses). This suggests that saving the money was a struggle, perhaps due to unexpected expenses or a low income.
그는 겨우 시험에 합격했어요. (He barely passed the exam.)
This implies the passing score was very close, or the student had to work extremely hard with little room for error. It's the opposite of passing with flying colors.
The word '겨우' is frequently used in narratives about overcoming adversity, making it a common feature in stories, news reports about challenging events, and personal anecdotes. It helps paint a picture of a struggle against odds.
우리는 겨우 살아남았어요. (We barely survived.)
This sentence carries a heavy emotional weight, emphasizing the extreme danger and the slim chance of survival. The '겨우' here underscores the life-or-death struggle.
- Key Feeling
- The feeling that something was achieved by the smallest possible margin or with tremendous effort against significant odds.
'겨우' is an adverb, meaning it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It typically precedes the word it modifies, emphasizing the difficulty or narrowness of the action or state.
- Placement
- Usually placed before the verb or adjective it modifies.
Let's look at how '겨우' functions in various sentence structures.
겨우 100원밖에 없어요. (I only have barely 100 won.)
Here, '겨우' modifies '100원밖에 없어요' (only have 100 won), emphasizing the extreme scarcity of money. It's not just that they have little money, but that the amount is pitifully small.
- Modifying Quantity
- Used to emphasize a small or insufficient quantity.
Another common use is with verbs indicating achievement or completion, highlighting the struggle involved.
그는 겨우 2시간 만에 보고서를 끝냈어요. (He barely finished the report in just 2 hours.)
This suggests that finishing the report in such a short time was a significant challenge, perhaps requiring immense effort or sacrificing other activities. The '겨우' implies it was almost impossible.
- Modifying Time
- Used to highlight a short or insufficient amount of time.
'겨우' can also be used with verbs related to survival or escape.
우리는 겨우 그 위기에서 벗어날 수 있었어요. (We were barely able to escape that crisis.)
This emphasizes that escaping the crisis was a very close call, and survival was uncertain until the last moment. The '겨우' highlights the narrow margin of success.
- Modifying Achievement
- Used to emphasize a difficult or narrowly achieved success.
In academic contexts, it can indicate a minimal level of success.
그 학생은 겨우 평균 점수를 받았어요. (That student barely got an average score.)
This implies the student was close to failing or achieving below average, and only managed to scrape by. The '겨우' highlights the minimal achievement.
- Modifying Performance
- Used to describe a performance that just met the required standard.
'겨우' can also modify adjectives, emphasizing the limited degree to which something is true.
그는 겨우 살아남을 만큼만 먹었어요. (He ate just enough to barely survive.)
This implies a very meager amount of food, just enough to sustain life, highlighting extreme hunger or lack of resources. The '겨우' emphasizes the minimal sufficiency.
Consider when expressing a difficult journey or arrival.
우리는 겨우 목적지에 도착했어요. (We barely arrived at our destination.)
This implies the journey was arduous, perhaps fraught with delays, difficulties, or exhaustion, and reaching the destination was a hard-won achievement.
- Modifying Location/State
- Used to indicate reaching a state or place with great difficulty.
You'll encounter '겨우' (gyeou) in a wide range of everyday conversations and media in Korean, especially when people are recounting challenges, expressing relief after a close call, or describing situations where resources were scarce.
친구가 늦어서 겨우 영화를 봤어요. (My friend was late, so we barely saw the movie.)
In this common scenario, the speaker implies they were almost too late to see the movie, perhaps missing the beginning or having to rush to get their tickets. The '겨우' emphasizes the narrow window of opportunity.
- Everyday Anecdotes
- Used when recounting personal experiences where things were almost not achieved: missing transportation, barely passing a test, or completing a task at the last minute.
News reports often use '겨우' to describe situations of survival or overcoming disaster.
그들은 겨우 산에서 구조되었습니다. (They were barely rescued from the mountain.)
This implies the rescue was difficult and perhaps came just in time, highlighting the danger and the slim chance of survival. The '겨우' underscores the precariousness of their situation.
- News and Disaster Reports
- Common in stories about survival, rescue operations, or overcoming natural disasters where success was not guaranteed.
In dramas and movies, '겨우' is frequently used to build tension and emphasize a character's struggle.
주인공은 겨우 악당을 물리쳤어요. (The protagonist barely defeated the villain.)
This implies the fight was extremely difficult, and the protagonist was close to losing. The '겨우' amplifies the drama and the protagonist's resilience.
- Dramas and Fictional Narratives
- Used to heighten the sense of struggle, near-failure, and eventual, hard-won success for characters.
Conversations about finances often involve '겨우'.
이번 달에는 겨우 월세를 낼 수 있었어요. (This month, I could barely pay the rent.)
This conveys a sense of financial hardship, suggesting that paying the rent required careful budgeting, cutting back on other expenses, or perhaps even borrowing money. The '겨우' highlights the struggle to meet basic financial obligations.
- Financial Discussions
- Used when talking about making ends meet, covering essential costs, or achieving financial goals with limited income.
In educational settings, especially when discussing exam results or project completion, '겨우' is common.
그는 겨우 합격선에 들었어요. (He barely made it into the passing range.)
This implies that the person's performance was very close to failing, and they only just managed to achieve the minimum required score. The '겨우' emphasizes the minimal success.
Even in casual conversations about everyday tasks, '겨우' can be used.
오늘 겨우 일어났어요. (I barely woke up today.)
This might mean they woke up just in time for something important, or perhaps they had extreme difficulty getting out of bed due to tiredness or illness. The '겨우' implies a struggle against sleepiness or inertia.
- Everyday Struggles
- Used to describe minor daily challenges that were overcome with effort, like waking up, getting to an appointment, or completing a chore.
Learners of Korean sometimes misuse '겨우' (gyeou) by using it when a simpler expression of 'only' or 'just' would suffice, or by misunderstanding the nuance of difficulty it conveys. It's important to grasp the specific context in which '겨우' is appropriate.
- Mistake 1: Overuse for Simple 'Only'
- Using '겨우' when the intended meaning is simply 'only' or 'just' without any implication of difficulty or scarcity. For example, saying '저는 겨우 한 잔 마셨어요' (I only drank one cup) when you simply mean you drank one cup and there was no difficulty involved.
The correct usage for simply 'only' would often be '밖에' (with a negative verb) or '뿐' (alone).
Incorrect: 저는 겨우 한 잔 마셨어요. (Implies difficulty drinking only one cup)
Correct: 저는 한 잔밖에 마시지 않았어요. (I only drank one cup.)
Correct: 저는 한 잔만 마셨어요. (I drank just one cup.)
- Mistake 2: Ignoring the Difficulty Nuance
- Using '겨우' in situations where success was easy or straightforward. For example, saying '저는 겨우 시험에 합격했어요' (I barely passed the exam) when the exam was very easy and you passed with a high score.
'겨우' specifically highlights a struggle or a narrow margin. If the success was effortless, '겨우' would be inappropriate and misleading.
Incorrect: 저는 겨우 시험에 합격했어요. (If the exam was easy)
Correct: 저는 시험에 쉽게 합격했어요. (I passed the exam easily.)
Correct: 저는 시험에 합격했어요. (I passed the exam.)
- Mistake 3: Confusing with Simple Past Tense
- Assuming '겨우' is just a general past tense marker. It's an adverb that adds a specific nuance, not a grammatical tense itself.
'겨우' can be used with various verb endings, but its core meaning of difficulty remains. It's not a substitute for grammatical tense markers.
Incorrect: 그는 겨우 먹었다. (This sounds awkward and doesn't convey a clear meaning of difficulty)
Correct: 그는 겨우 밥을 먹을 수 있었다. (He could barely eat.)
Correct: 그는 밥을 먹었어요. (He ate.)
- Mistake 4: Incorrect Placement
- Placing '겨우' after the verb or in a position where it doesn't clearly modify the intended word, leading to awkward or unclear sentences.
As an adverb, '겨우' typically comes before the verb or adjective it modifies to emphasize its meaning.
Incorrect: 그는 합격했어요 겨우. (Awkward and unclear)
Correct: 그는 겨우 합격했어요. (He barely passed.)
- Mistake 5: Literal Translation from English
- Trying to directly translate English phrases like 'just in time' or 'only just' without considering the Korean nuance. While '겨우' can sometimes align, it's not always a direct equivalent.
For example, 'just in time' might sometimes be '아슬아슬하게' (precariously, narrowly) or simply implied by context, rather than always '겨우'.
English: I just made it.
Korean (emphasizing narrowness): 저는 겨우 도착했어요. (I barely arrived.)
Korean (emphasizing timing): 저는 시간에 맞춰 아슬아슬하게 도착했어요. (I arrived just in the nick of time, precariously.)
While '겨우' (gyeou) is unique in its specific nuance of 'barely' or 'with difficulty,' several other words and phrases can convey related meanings, often with subtle differences in emphasis or formality.
- 1. 아슬아슬하게 (aseulaseulhage)
- This adverb means 'precariously,' 'narrowly,' or 'by a whisker.' It strongly emphasizes the very slim margin by which something was achieved or avoided. It's often used for situations that were extremely close to failure or disaster.
Comparison with 겨우: While both convey a narrow margin, '아슬아슬하게' often focuses more on the tension and the risk involved, the feeling of being on the verge of something bad happening. '겨우' can encompass a broader range of difficulties, including effort and limited resources, not just a precarious situation.
겨우 기차를 탔어요. (I barely caught the train - implies effort/rush)
아슬아슬하게 기차를 탔어요. (I narrowly caught the train - implies it was very close to missing it, high tension)
- 2. 힘들게 (himdeulge)
- This adverb means 'with difficulty,' 'hard,' or 'laboriously.' It directly states that an action required significant effort or was challenging.
Comparison with 겨우: '힘들게' focuses on the effort and exertion involved. '겨우' often implies that the effort was so great that success was almost not achieved, or that the success was minimal due to the difficulty. '힘들게' is more about the process of working hard, while '겨우' is about the outcome being achieved by a slim margin or with great struggle.
겨우 100원밖에 없어요. (I only have barely 100 won - emphasizes scarcity)
힘들게 돈을 모았어요. (I saved money with difficulty/hard work - emphasizes the effort)
- 3. 겨우겨우 (gyeougyeou)
- This is a reduplication of '겨우,' intensifying the meaning. It means 'with great, great difficulty,' 'barely managing,' or 'just barely.' It emphasizes an even more extreme level of struggle than '겨우' alone.
Comparison with 겨우: '겨우겨우' is simply a stronger version of '겨우.' If '겨우' implies a struggle, '겨우겨우' implies an even more arduous and prolonged struggle, where success was almost impossible.
겨우 합격했어요. (I barely passed.)
겨우겨우 합격했어요. (I managed to pass with extreme difficulty, it was a real struggle.)
- 4. 간신히 (gansinhhi)
- This adverb means 'barely,' 'just,' 'with great effort,' or 'narrowly.' It's very similar to '겨우' and often interchangeable in many contexts, especially when referring to achieving something by a narrow margin or with significant effort.
Comparison with 겨우: '간신히' and '겨우' are often considered synonyms. Both convey the sense of achieving something with difficulty or by a narrow margin. Sometimes, '간신히' might feel slightly more formal or literary than '겨우,' but in everyday speech, they are largely interchangeable.
겨우 살아남았어요. (We barely survived.)
간신히 살아남았어요. (We barely survived.)
- 5. 겨우 (gyeou) vs. 밖에 (bakke) with negative verb
- '밖에' when used with a negative verb ending (e.g., -지 않다, -없다) means 'only' or 'nothing but.' It emphasizes a lack or limitation.
Comparison with 겨우: '밖에' focuses on the quantity or scope being limited, without necessarily implying difficulty. '겨우' implies that the limited quantity or achievement was attained with great effort or by a narrow margin.
겨우 100원밖에 없어요. (I barely have 100 won - implies difficulty in having even this small amount)
100원밖에 없어요. (I only have 100 won - simply states the fact of having only that amount, no emphasis on difficulty)
How Formal Is It?
趣味小知识
The word '겨우' is often used in conjunction with negative constructions or words indicating limitation, such as '밖에' (only) followed by a negative verb ending, to further emphasize the scarcity or difficulty. For example, '겨우 100원밖에 없어요' (I barely have only 100 won).
发音指南
- Pronouncing 'ㄱ' too strongly as 'k' or 'g' without the Korean nuance.
- Mispronouncing the 'ㅕ' vowel sound.
- Adding unnecessary diphthongs or changing the vowel quality.
难度评级
Recognizing '겨우' in reading requires understanding the context of difficulty or narrow success. It's not a complex word grammatically but its nuance can be missed if the surrounding sentences don't clearly indicate a struggle.
Applying '겨우' correctly in writing means accurately identifying situations where it fits the nuance of difficulty or narrow achievement. Overuse or misuse for simple 'only' is a common pitfall.
Using '겨우' spontaneously in speech requires quick contextual assessment to convey the intended meaning of struggle or narrow success. It's important to avoid sounding like you're complaining unless that is the intent.
Understanding '겨우' in spoken Korean relies heavily on the speaker's tone and the surrounding narrative. A slight pause or a sigh can indicate the weight of the word.
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前置知识
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需要掌握的语法
Adverbial placement
'겨우' is an adverb and typically precedes the verb or adjective it modifies. e.g., '겨우 일어났다' (barely woke up), not '일어났다 겨우'.
Use of '밖에' with negative verb endings
'겨우' often combines with '밖에' + '-지 않다' or '-없다' to emphasize extreme scarcity. e.g., '겨우 100원밖에 없어요' (I barely have only 100 won).
Verb endings indicating possibility (-ㄹ/을 수 있다)
'겨우 ~ㄹ/을 수 있었다' is used to express narrowly achieving an ability or outcome. e.g., '겨우 합격할 수 있었다' (could barely pass).
Emphasis through reduplication
The form '겨우겨우' intensifies the meaning of difficulty. e.g., '겨우겨우 걸었다' (walked with great, great difficulty).
Nuance of 'barely' vs. 'only'
Distinguish '겨우' (barely, with difficulty) from simple 'only' (e.g., '만', '뿐', or '밖에' without '겨우'). '겨우' adds the element of struggle.
按水平分级的例句
겨우 빵 하나 샀어요.
I barely bought one bread.
'빵 하나' (one bread) is the object, '샀어요' (bought) is the verb. '겨우' modifies the action of buying, emphasizing the difficulty or limited means.
겨우 집에 도착했어요.
I barely arrived home.
'집에' (to home) indicates the destination, '도착했어요' (arrived) is the verb. '겨우' highlights the difficulty of the journey.
겨우 100원 있어요.
I barely have 100 won.
'100원' (100 won) is the amount, '있어요' (have) is the verb. '겨우' emphasizes the scarcity of the money.
겨우 일어났어요.
I barely woke up.
'일어났어요' (woke up) is the verb. '겨우' emphasizes the difficulty of waking up.
겨우 밥 먹었어요.
I barely ate.
'밥' (meal/rice) is the object, '먹었어요' (ate) is the verb. '겨우' implies a struggle to eat or a very small amount eaten.
겨우 탔어요.
I barely got on/rode.
'탔어요' (got on/rode) is the verb. '겨우' emphasizes the narrow escape of getting on.
겨우 봤어요.
I barely saw it.
'봤어요' (saw) is the verb. '겨우' implies seeing something for a very short time or with difficulty.
겨우 끝났어요.
It barely ended.
'끝났어요' (ended) is the verb. '겨우' implies it ended just in time or with great effort to finish.
저는 겨우 기차를 놓치지 않았어요.
I barely didn't miss the train.
The double negative '놓치지 않았어요' (did not miss) with '겨우' emphasizes a very narrow escape from missing the train.
그는 겨우 시험에 합격했어요.
He barely passed the exam.
'시험에 합격했어요' (passed the exam) is the main clause. '겨우' emphasizes that the passing score was very close to failing.
우리는 겨우 2시간 만에 도착했어요.
We barely arrived in just 2 hours.
'2시간 만에' (in 2 hours) indicates the time frame. '겨우' implies that completing the journey in such a short time was challenging or required significant effort.
그녀는 겨우 10달러를 가지고 있었어요.
She barely had 10 dollars.
'10달러를 가지고 있었어요' (had 10 dollars) is the state. '겨우' emphasizes the insufficiency or scarcity of the money.
이것으로 겨우 살아남을 수 있어요.
We can barely survive with this.
'살아남을 수 있어요' (can survive) is the verb phrase. '겨우' emphasizes that the survival is precarious and dependent on minimal resources.
겨우 그 말을 이해했어요.
I barely understood that word/sentence.
'그 말을 이해했어요' (understood that word/sentence) is the clause. '겨우' emphasizes the difficulty in comprehension.
겨우 5분밖에 안 남았어요.
There are barely only 5 minutes left.
'5분밖에 안 남았어요' (only 5 minutes are left) uses '밖에' with a negative, emphasizing a small remaining amount. '겨우' intensifies this, highlighting the critical nature of the remaining time.
그는 겨우 버스를 탈 수 있었어요.
He barely managed to get on the bus.
'버스를 탈 수 있었어요' (could get on the bus) is the verb phrase. '겨우' emphasizes the narrow success in boarding the bus.
프로젝트 마감일을 겨우 맞출 수 있었어요.
We barely managed to meet the project deadline.
'마감일을 맞출 수 있었어요' (could meet the deadline) is the verb phrase. '겨우' highlights the extreme difficulty and the very narrow margin by which the deadline was met.
그 사고에서 겨우 살아남았다니 믿기지가 않아요.
I can't believe they barely survived that accident.
'살아남았다니 믿기지가 않아요' (can't believe they survived) is the main idea. '겨우' emphasizes the extremely slim chance of survival and the miraculous nature of their escape.
그는 겨우 하루에 500칼로리만 섭취하며 살고 있어요.
He is barely living, consuming only 500 calories a day.
'500칼로리만 섭취하며 살고 있어요' (living while consuming only 500 calories) describes the condition. '겨우' emphasizes the minimal sustenance and the struggle for survival.
저는 겨우 3시간밖에 못 잤어요.
I barely slept for only 3 hours.
'3시간밖에 못 잤어요' (could only sleep for 3 hours) uses '밖에' with a negative. '겨우' intensifies this, emphasizing the severe lack of sleep and its impact.
그는 겨우 20살인데 벌써 사업가예요.
He is barely 20 years old, yet he is already a businessman.
'20살인데 벌써 사업가예요' (is 20 years old, yet already a businessman) presents a contrast. '겨우' here emphasizes the young age, implying that achieving such success at such a young age is remarkable and almost unexpected.
그녀는 겨우 마음을 돌렸어요.
She barely changed her mind.
'마음을 돌렸어요' (changed her mind) is the action. '겨우' emphasizes that changing her mind was a difficult process, perhaps requiring much persuasion.
우리는 겨우 마지막 기차를 탈 수 있었다.
We barely managed to catch the last train.
'마지막 기차를 탈 수 있었다' (could catch the last train) is the main clause. '겨우' highlights the extreme difficulty and the narrow escape of catching the final train.
그는 겨우 살기 위해 일하고 있어요.
He is barely working to live.
'살기 위해 일하고 있어요' (working to live) describes the purpose. '겨우' emphasizes that the work is only sufficient for basic survival, implying hardship.
그는 겨우 자신의 의견을 관철시킬 수 있었다.
He barely managed to push through his opinion.
'자신의 의견을 관철시킬 수 있었다' (could push through his opinion) is the verb phrase. '겨우' emphasizes that it was a significant struggle to get his opinion accepted, suggesting strong opposition.
그녀는 겨우 몇 마디 말로 상황을 수습했어요.
She barely resolved the situation with a few words.
'몇 마디 말로 상황을 수습했어요' (resolved the situation with a few words) is the action. '겨우' implies that despite the minimal effort (few words), it was a difficult task to bring the situation under control.
우리는 겨우 마지막 순간에 진실을 밝혀낼 수 있었다.
We barely managed to uncover the truth at the last moment.
'마지막 순간에 진실을 밝혀낼 수 있었다' (could uncover the truth at the last moment) is the main clause. '겨우' emphasizes the extreme difficulty and the narrow window of opportunity to discover the truth.
그는 겨우 자신의 감정을 억누를 수 있었다.
He barely managed to suppress his emotions.
'자신의 감정을 억누를 수 있었다' (could suppress his emotions) is the verb phrase. '겨우' highlights the immense internal struggle required to control his feelings.
그녀는 겨우 최소한의 생계를 유지하고 있다.
She is barely maintaining a minimal livelihood.
'최소한의 생계를 유지하고 있다' (maintaining a minimal livelihood) describes her situation. '겨우' emphasizes the precariousness and difficulty of her financial state.
그들은 겨우 며칠간의 식량만 가지고 있었다.
They had barely only a few days' worth of food.
'며칠간의 식량만 가지고 있었다' (had only a few days' worth of food) uses '만' (only) to indicate limitation. '겨우' intensifies this, suggesting that this small amount was hard to obtain or is critically insufficient.
그는 겨우 실신 직전까지 갔다가 정신을 차렸다.
He barely came to his senses after almost fainting.
'실신 직전까지 갔다가 정신을 차렸다' (went to the point of fainting and then came to his senses) describes the sequence. '겨우' emphasizes the extremely narrow margin between fainting and regaining consciousness.
우리는 겨우 협상을 타결할 수 있었다.
We barely managed to conclude the negotiations.
'협상을 타결할 수 있었다' (could conclude the negotiations) is the verb phrase. '겨우' highlights the immense difficulty and the very close call in reaching an agreement.
그는 겨우 자신의 신념을 지킬 수 있었다.
He barely managed to uphold his beliefs.
'자신의 신념을 지킬 수 있었다' (could uphold his beliefs) is the verb phrase. '겨우' emphasizes the immense struggle and the very narrow margin by which he succeeded in maintaining his principles against pressure.
그녀는 겨우 그가 떠나기 전날 밤 떠날 결심을 굳혔다.
She barely solidified her decision to leave the night before he left.
'떠날 결심을 굳혔다' (solidified the decision to leave) is the action. '겨우' emphasizes the extreme difficulty and the very late timing of her making this crucial decision.
우리는 겨우 붕괴 직전에 탈출할 수 있었다.
We barely managed to escape just before the collapse.
'붕괴 직전에 탈출할 수 있었다' (could escape just before the collapse) is the verb phrase. '겨우' highlights the extreme danger and the incredibly narrow margin of their escape.
그는 겨우 자신의 명성을 회복할 수 있었다.
He barely managed to recover his reputation.
'자신의 명성을 회복할 수 있었다' (could recover his reputation) is the verb phrase. '겨우' emphasizes the immense difficulty and the significant struggle involved in regaining lost respect.
그녀는 겨우 몇 시간의 휴식으로 다음 단계를 준비했다.
She barely prepared for the next stage with only a few hours of rest.
'몇 시간의 휴식으로 다음 단계를 준비했다' (prepared for the next stage with a few hours of rest) describes the preparation. '겨우' emphasizes the severe lack of rest and the difficulty of preparing under such conditions.
그들은 겨우 마지막 희망의 끈을 놓지 않았다.
They barely did not let go of the last thread of hope.
'마지막 희망의 끈을 놓지 않았다' (did not let go of the last thread of hope) is the main clause. '겨우' emphasizes the extreme difficulty in maintaining hope against overwhelming odds.
그는 겨우 자신의 과거를 극복하고 앞으로 나아갔다.
He barely managed to overcome his past and move forward.
'자신의 과거를 극복하고 앞으로 나아갔다' (overcame his past and moved forward) is the sequence of actions. '겨우' emphasizes the immense psychological struggle and effort required to move past their past traumas or mistakes.
그들은 겨우 붕괴 직전의 건물에서 빠져나올 수 있었다.
They barely managed to get out of the building just before its collapse.
'붕괴 직전의 건물에서 빠져나올 수 있었다' (could get out of the building just before its collapse) is the verb phrase. '겨우' highlights the extreme danger and the incredibly narrow margin of their escape.
그는 겨우 자신의 양심에 따라 행동할 용기를 낼 수 있었다.
He barely managed to muster the courage to act according to his conscience.
'자신의 양심에 따라 행동할 용기를 낼 수 있었다' (could muster the courage to act according to his conscience) is the verb phrase. '겨우' emphasizes the immense internal conflict and the extreme difficulty in finding the moral fortitude to do what was right.
그녀는 겨우 마지막 순간에 자신을 희생함으로써 모두를 구할 수 있었다.
She barely managed to save everyone by sacrificing herself at the last moment.
'자신을 희생함으로써 모두를 구할 수 있었다' (could save everyone by sacrificing herself) is the action. '겨우' emphasizes the extreme, almost impossible, nature of her sacrifice and the narrow window in which it could be made to be effective.
우리는 겨우 문명의 붕괴를 막아낼 수 있었다.
We barely managed to prevent the collapse of civilization.
'문명의 붕괴를 막아낼 수 있었다' (could prevent the collapse of civilization) is the verb phrase. '겨우' emphasizes the monumental scale of the threat and the incredibly slim chance of success in averting it.
그는 겨우 자신의 죄책감을 떨쳐내고 새로운 삶을 시작할 수 있었다.
He barely managed to shake off his guilt and start a new life.
'자신의 죄책감을 떨쳐내고 새로운 삶을 시작할 수 있었다' (shook off his guilt and started a new life) is the sequence of actions. '겨우' emphasizes the profound and agonizing psychological struggle required to overcome deep-seated guilt and begin anew.
그녀는 겨우 찰나의 순간에 진실을 간파했다.
She barely perceived the truth in a fleeting moment.
'찰나의 순간에 진실을 간파했다' (perceived the truth in a fleeting moment) is the action. '겨우' emphasizes the extreme brevity of the moment and the profound insight gained within that impossibly short timeframe.
그들은 겨우 멸종 직전에서 종을 보존할 수 있었다.
They barely managed to preserve the species just before extinction.
'멸종 직전에서 종을 보존할 수 있었다' (could preserve the species just before extinction) is the verb phrase. '겨우' highlights the critical state of the species and the immense effort and narrow window available to save it.
그는 겨우 자신의 이성을 유지하며 혼돈 속에서 길을 찾았다.
He barely managed to maintain his sanity and find his way amidst chaos.
'자신의 이성을 유지하며 혼돈 속에서 길을 찾았다' (maintained his sanity and found his way amidst chaos) is the sequence of actions. '겨우' emphasizes the extreme difficulty in preserving mental clarity and finding direction under overwhelming circumstances.
우리는 겨우 인류의 존속을 위한 마지막 희망을 지켜낼 수 있었다.
We barely managed to preserve the last hope for humanity's survival.
'인류의 존속을 위한 마지막 희망을 지켜낼 수 있었다' (could preserve the last hope for humanity's survival) is the verb phrase. '겨우' emphasizes the extreme fragility of this hope and the monumental effort required to prevent its loss.
常见搭配
常用短语
— I barely survived. (Implies a very dangerous situation where survival was uncertain.)
그 사고에서 겨우 살았어요.
— I barely arrived. (Implies arriving just in time or with great difficulty.)
기차에 겨우 도착했어요.
— I barely finished. (Implies finishing at the last moment or with great effort.)
마감 시간에 겨우 끝냈어요.
— I only have barely... (Emphasizes extreme scarcity.)
지금 겨우 1000원밖에 없어요.
— I only did barely... (Implies a minimal action or achievement.)
겨우 밥만 먹었어요.
— I could barely... (Indicates a limited ability to do something.)
그는 겨우 그 말을 이해할 수 있었어요.
— I barely passed. (Implies passing by a very slim margin.)
시험에 겨우 합격했어요.
— Barely a few days. (Emphasizes a very short duration.)
겨우 며칠밖에 안 남았어요.
容易混淆的词
'간신히' is a very close synonym for '겨우', both meaning 'barely' or 'narrowly'. The choice often comes down to slight nuance or personal preference. '간신히' can sometimes feel a bit more formal or emphasize the tension of a close call more directly.
'밖에' + negative verb means 'only' and emphasizes limitation. '겨우' + '밖에' + negative verb intensifies this, adding the nuance of difficulty in having even that small amount. For example, '100원밖에 없어요' (I only have 100 won) vs. '겨우 100원밖에 없어요' (I barely have only 100 won).
'힘들게' means 'with difficulty' or 'hard'. While related, '겨우' specifically implies that the difficulty led to a narrow success or a near failure. '힘들게' focuses more on the effort itself.
习语与表达
— To barely survive, to live in extreme poverty with just enough to keep oneself alive.
그는 겨우 숨만 쉬고 살고 있다.
Informal— To narrowly survive a dangerous situation.
그들은 폭풍 속에서 간신히 살아남았다.
Neutral— To barely pass an exam or test, to pass by the slimmest of margins.
그녀는 턱걸이로 합격했다.
Informal— A precarious balancing act, a situation that is very close to failure or disaster.
그 회사는 아슬아슬한 줄타기를 하고 있다.
Figurative— To finally be able to relax after a difficult period; to catch one's breath after a struggle. Often follows a '겨우' situation.
겨우 임무를 마치고 한숨 돌렸다.
Common expression容易混淆
Both words convey the meaning of 'barely' or 'narrowly' and are often used interchangeably.
'겨우' can encompass a broader range of difficulties, including effort and limited resources, while '간신히' often emphasizes the tension of a situation that was very close to failure or disaster. '간신히' might feel slightly more formal in some contexts.
<strong>겨우</strong> 기차를 탔어요. (I barely caught the train - implies effort/rush) vs. <strong>간신히</strong> 기차를 탔어요. (I narrowly caught the train - implies it was very close to missing it, high tension).
Both describe situations where success was achieved by a very slim margin.
'아슬아슬하게' specifically highlights the precariousness and tension of being on the verge of failure, often involving risk. '겨우' can refer to difficulty due to effort, lack of resources, or a narrow margin, not necessarily involving high tension or risk.
<strong>겨우</strong> 마감일을 맞췄어요. (I barely met the deadline - implies difficulty/effort) vs. <strong>아슬아슬하게</strong> 마감일을 맞췄어요. (I narrowly met the deadline - implies it was a very tense situation, close to missing it).
Both words relate to difficulty.
'힘들게' focuses on the effort and labor involved in an action. '겨우' emphasizes that the difficulty resulted in a minimal achievement or a near failure. '겨우' implies the outcome was almost not achieved due to the difficulty.
<strong>힘들게</strong> 공부했어요. (I studied hard.) vs. <strong>겨우</strong> 시험에 합격했어요. (I barely passed the exam - implying that despite studying hard, it was a struggle to pass).
Both can indicate a small quantity or limited achievement.
'고작' often carries a sense of complaint or dissatisfaction with the smallness of the amount or achievement. '겨우' emphasizes the difficulty or narrowness in obtaining or achieving it. '고작' can be dismissive, while '겨우' is more descriptive of the struggle.
<strong>겨우</strong> 100원밖에 없어요. (I barely have only 100 won - emphasizes scarcity and difficulty in having even this much) vs. <strong>고작</strong> 100원이라고? (Only 100 won? - implies dissatisfaction with the small amount).
Both are used to express limitation or 'only'.
'밖에' + negative verb simply states a limitation ('only'). '겨우' + '밖에' + negative verb adds the nuance that this limited amount was achieved with difficulty or is barely sufficient.
100원밖에 없어요. (I only have 100 won.) vs. <strong>겨우</strong> 100원밖에 없어요. (I barely have only 100 won - implies that having even 100 won was a struggle or is critically insufficient).
句型
Subject + 겨우 + Verb.
나는 <strong>겨우</strong> 일어났다.
Subject + 겨우 + Number + Noun + 밖에 + Negative Verb.
나는 <strong>겨우</strong> 100원밖에 없었다.
Subject + 겨우 + Verb + -았/었/였어요.
그는 <strong>겨우</strong> 도착했어요.
Subject + 겨우 + Noun + 을/를 + Verb + -ㄹ/을 수 있었다.
우리는 <strong>겨우</strong> 기차를 탈 수 있었다.
Subject + 겨우 + Time + 만에 + Verb.
그녀는 <strong>겨우</strong> 2시간 만에 끝냈다.
Subject + 겨우 + Verb Phrase + -ㄹ/을 수 있었다.
그는 <strong>겨우</strong> 자신의 의견을 관철시킬 수 있었다.
Subject + 겨우 + Verb + -았/었다 (more emphasis on struggle).
그는 <strong>겨우</strong> 살았다.
Subject + 겨우 + ~ 직전에 + Verb.
우리는 <strong>겨우</strong> 붕괴 직전에 탈출했다.
词族
相关
如何使用
High
-
Using '겨우' when something was achieved easily.
→
Using a word like '쉽게' (easily) or no adverb at all.
'겨우' specifically implies difficulty or a narrow margin. Using it for an easy task would be inaccurate and misleading.
-
Confusing '겨우' with a simple 'only'.
→
Using '겨우' only when there's an implication of difficulty or scarcity. For simple 'only', use '만', '뿐', or '밖에' (with negative).
'겨우' adds the nuance of struggle or near-failure to the idea of limitation, which simple 'only' adverbs do not convey.
-
Incorrect word order.
→
Placing '겨우' before the verb or adjective it modifies.
As an adverb, '겨우' typically precedes the word it modifies to emphasize its meaning. Placing it after can sound awkward or change the emphasis.
-
Overusing '겨우' when '간신히' or '아슬아슬하게' might be more precise.
→
Choosing the adverb that best fits the specific nuance: '간신히' for narrow escapes, '아슬아슬하게' for tense, precarious situations, and '겨우' for general difficulty or scarcity.
While similar, these words have slightly different connotations. Understanding these differences allows for more precise expression.
-
Translating 'just' directly without considering the context.
→
Analyzing the context to see if 'just' implies difficulty, a narrow margin, or simple limitation, then choosing the appropriate Korean word ('겨우', '간신히', '단지', '만', etc.).
English 'just' is highly context-dependent. A direct translation to '겨우' might be incorrect if the situation was not difficult or a narrow escape.
小贴士
Focus on the Struggle
Remember that '겨우' is all about emphasizing the difficulty, the narrow margin, or the scarcity involved in achieving something. If an action was easy or abundant, '겨우' is likely not the right word.
Master the Vowel
Pay close attention to the 'ㅕ' (yeo) sound. It's a glide followed by 'uh'. Practicing words with this vowel, like '여자' (woman) and '열쇠' (key), will help you pronounce '겨우' more accurately.
Visual Mnemonic
Imagine a tightrope walker 'barely' (겨우) making it across a dangerous gap. The visual of a precarious, difficult journey can help you remember the meaning.
Listen for Relief
When listening to Korean, try to identify '겨우' in narratives where characters express relief after overcoming a challenge. This context will reinforce its meaning.
Pair with Limitation
Notice how often '겨우' is used with phrases that indicate limitation, like '밖에 없어요' (only have) or time limits. This combination strongly emphasizes scarcity and difficulty.
Compare with '간신히'
Practice using '겨우' and '간신히' in similar sentences. Notice the subtle differences in emphasis – '겨우' might focus more on general difficulty, while '간신히' can highlight the tension of a close call.
Describe Your Own Challenges
Write short paragraphs about times you've faced difficulties. Try to incorporate '겨우' to accurately describe the situation and your narrow success.
Beyond 'Only'
Don't confuse '겨우' with a simple 'only'. It's 'only' achieved *with difficulty* or *by a narrow margin*. The element of struggle is crucial.
Practice the Glide
The 'ㅕ' sound has a slight glide from 'y' to 'uh'. Practice saying 'yeo' smoothly, like in 'year' but with an 'uh' sound at the end.
Resilience Theme
Understand that '겨우' fits well into Korean cultural narratives that value perseverance and overcoming hardship. It’s a word that acknowledges the struggle inherent in life's achievements.
记住它
记忆技巧
Imagine a tightrope walker (a 'narrow' walk) who is 'barely' (겨우) making it across. Or, think of someone 'barely' (겨우) holding onto a rope to avoid falling.
视觉联想
Picture someone struggling to lift a very heavy object, only managing to move it a tiny bit, or a clock showing the last second before a deadline. The effort and the narrowness of success are key.
Word Web
挑战
Try to describe three situations from your own life where you '겨우' succeeded at something. Focus on detailing the difficulty and the relief you felt.
词源
The origin of '겨우' is not definitively clear from modern Korean linguistic records, but it is believed to have evolved from older Korean forms expressing limitation or scarcity. Its usage has been consistent in conveying a sense of 'barely' or 'with difficulty' for a long time.
原始含义： Likely related to concepts of 'small amount,' 'limited,' or 'difficult to achieve.'
Koreanic文化背景
While '겨우' highlights difficulty, it's generally not used to belittle someone's achievement. Instead, it often evokes sympathy or admiration for the effort involved. However, using it inappropriately for something that was actually easy could sound insincere.
In English, we might use phrases like 'barely made it,' 'just managed to,' 'by the skin of my teeth,' or 'with great difficulty.' These convey a similar sense of struggle and narrow success.
在生活中练习
真实语境
Talking about overcoming a difficult task or challenge.
- 겨우 끝냈어요.
- 겨우 해냈어요.
- 겨우 이겨냈어요.
Describing a narrow escape or a close call.
- 겨우 살았어요.
- 겨우 도착했어요.
- 겨우 피했어요.
Expressing scarcity of resources (time, money, food).
- 겨우 100원밖에 없어요.
- 겨우 2시간밖에 안 남았어요.
- 겨우 며칠치 식량만 있어요.
Discussing minimal achievements or passing grades.
- 겨우 합격했어요.
- 겨우 평균 점수 받았어요.
- 겨우 통과했어요.
Describing a struggle to perform an action.
- 겨우 일어났어요.
- 겨우 말했어요.
- 겨우 이해했어요.
对话开场白
"오늘 아침에 겨우 일어났어요. 무슨 일이 있었을까요?"
"제가 겨우 시험에 합격했는데, 비결이 뭘까요?"
"어제 겨우 기차를 탔는데, 정말 아찔했어요. 여러분도 그런 경험 있나요?"
"지금 겨우 1000원밖에 없는데, 뭘 할 수 있을까요?"
"이번 프로젝트를 겨우 끝냈어요. 정말 힘들었어요."
日记主题
최근에 당신이 '겨우' 해낸 일이 있다면 무엇인가요? 그 과정에서 겪었던 어려움과 느꼈던 감정을 자세히 써보세요.
만약 당신이 '겨우' 살아남을 수밖에 없는 상황에 처한다면, 당신의 최우선적인 생각은 무엇일까요?
당신이 '겨우' 얻었던 작은 성공 경험을 떠올려 보세요. 그 성공이 당신에게 어떤 의미였나요?
시간이나 돈이 '겨우' 부족했던 경험이 있나요? 그럴 때 어떻게 대처했는지, 그리고 그 경험을 통해 무엇을 배웠는지 기록해 보세요.
다른 사람이 '겨우' 무언가를 해냈을 때, 당신은 어떤 감정을 느끼나요? 그 감정에 대해 깊이 생각해 보세요.
常见问题
10 个问题'겨우' and '간신히' are often interchangeable and both mean 'barely' or 'narrowly'. However, '겨우' can sometimes imply a broader sense of difficulty due to effort or scarcity, while '간신히' might lean more towards the tension of a narrow escape or a precarious situation. In many everyday contexts, either word will be understood correctly. For example, '겨우 기차를 탔어요' and '간신히 기차를 탔어요' both convey that you almost missed the train.
'힘들게' means 'with difficulty' or 'hard' and focuses on the effort or labor involved in an action. '겨우' implies that the difficulty led to a minimal achievement or a near failure. It emphasizes that the outcome was almost not achieved due to the hardship. For instance, '힘들게 공부했어요' (I studied hard) describes the effort, whereas '겨우 시험에 합격했어요' (I barely passed the exam) describes the outcome of that effort being a narrow success.
Yes, '겨우' can be used with positive verbs, but it always adds the nuance of difficulty or narrowness. For example, '겨우 살았어요' (I barely survived) uses a positive verb '살다' (to live/survive), but the '겨우' highlights the struggle and the uncertainty of survival. Similarly, '겨우 끝냈어요' (I barely finished) uses a positive verb '끝내다' (to finish), but implies it was a difficult task to complete.
'겨우' emphasizes the difficulty or narrow margin by which something was achieved or obtained. '고작' means 'merely' or 'only' and often carries a tone of complaint, disappointment, or dismissal about the smallness of the quantity or achievement. For example, '겨우 100원밖에 없어요' emphasizes the struggle to have even that much money, while '고작 100원이라고?' expresses dissatisfaction with having only 100 won.
While '겨우' is widely used across registers, '간신히' and '가까스로' can sometimes feel more formal or literary. '가까스로' is particularly common in written or more formal spoken contexts when describing a narrow escape or achievement.
This phrase means 'I barely have only 100 won.' The '겨우' emphasizes that having even this small amount of money was difficult to achieve or is critically insufficient. The '밖에' combined with the implied negative (or '없어요') means 'only'. So, it conveys a strong sense of scarcity and difficulty.
Yes, sometimes '겨우' can be used to emphasize the young age of someone achieving something remarkable, implying that it's surprising they could do it at such a young age. For example, '그는 겨우 20살인데 이미 성공했어요.' (He is barely 20 years old, yet he is already successful.) Here, '겨우' highlights the youth relative to the achievement.
No, '겨우' is not always negative in its implication. While it describes difficulty or a narrow margin, the ultimate outcome is often a success (e.g., '겨우 합격했어요' - I barely passed). The word itself focuses on the struggle, but the overall context can be positive due to the achieved success. It evokes relief and sometimes admiration for the effort.
The best way to practice is to create sentences describing situations where you or someone else faced a challenge and achieved something by a narrow margin. Try using it with verbs like '살다' (to live/survive), '도착하다' (to arrive), '끝내다' (to finish), '합격하다' (to pass), and with phrases indicating scarcity like '밖에 없어요'. Compare its usage with synonyms like '간신히' and '힘들게' to understand the nuances.
In storytelling, '겨우' is a powerful tool to build tension, emphasize a character's struggle, and make their eventual success more impactful. It creates a sense of drama by highlighting the near-failure or the immense effort required, making the reader or listener feel the relief and triumph more keenly.
自我测试 10 个问题
/ 10 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use '겨우' to express that something was achieved with significant difficulty, by a very narrow margin, or with minimal resources, highlighting the struggle involved and the relief of success.
- Emphasizes difficulty or narrow success.
- Means barely, narrowly, or with great effort.
- Used when an achievement was almost not possible.
- Common in stories of struggle and relief.
Focus on the Struggle
Remember that '겨우' is all about emphasizing the difficulty, the narrow margin, or the scarcity involved in achieving something. If an action was easy or abundant, '겨우' is likely not the right word.
Master the Vowel
Pay close attention to the 'ㅕ' (yeo) sound. It's a glide followed by 'uh'. Practicing words with this vowel, like '여자' (woman) and '열쇠' (key), will help you pronounce '겨우' more accurately.
Visual Mnemonic
Imagine a tightrope walker 'barely' (겨우) making it across a dangerous gap. The visual of a precarious, difficult journey can help you remember the meaning.
Listen for Relief
When listening to Korean, try to identify '겨우' in narratives where characters express relief after overcoming a challenge. This context will reinforce its meaning.
例句
시험에 겨우 합격해서 다행이다.
相关内容
更多health词汇
비정상적이다
B1偏离正常或通常的状态；非正常的。
비정상이다
A2异常，不正常。描述偏离标准、健康或预期状态的情况。
에 대해서
A2表示话题或主题；关于、有关。用于说明谈话、思考或研究的对象。
누적되다
B1To be accumulated or added up over a period of time. It is frequently used to describe the buildup of fatigue, debt, or environmental damage.
몸살
A2因过度劳累或感冒引起的全身酸痛和疲劳。
몸살나다
A2To suffer from body aches and fatigue, often due to a cold.
쑤시다
B1（身体）刺痛，疼。常用于形容下雨前关节疼或感冒时的全身酸痛。
에취
A2韩语中打喷嚏的声音。相当于中文的“阿嚏！”。
급성적이다
A2以快速而剧烈的发作（onset）为特征，通常用于医学语境，描述疾病或症状突然出现。 (例如：急性疾病)。
급성이다
A2发病急剧且病程短；急性（疾病）。
