Overview
The Korean word '조심스럽다' (jo-sim-seu-reop-da) is an adjective that conveys the meaning of being cautious, careful, or discreet. It describes a state of mind or an action performed with prudence and attentiveness to potential risks or sensitivities.
Etymology and Composition:
'조심스럽다' is composed of two main parts:
- 1'조심' (jo-sim): This noun means 'caution,' 'care,' or 'prudence.' It implies a state of being mindful and watchful.
- 1'-스럽다' (-seu-reop-da): This is an adjective-forming suffix that means 'to be like,' 'to have the quality of,' or 'to be worthy of.' When appended to a noun, it transforms it into an adjective, indicating that the subject possesses the characteristic described by the noun.
Therefore, '조심스럽다' literally translates to 'to be cautious-like' or 'to possess the quality of caution.'
Nuances and Usage:
'조심스럽다' can be used in various contexts, reflecting different nuances of caution:
- Physical Caution: It can describe being careful in physical movements or actions to avoid accidents or damage. For example, '조심스럽게 걷다' (jo-sim-seu-reop-ge geod-da) means 'to walk carefully.'
- Social Discretion: It often refers to being discreet, tactful, or hesitant in social interactions, especially when dealing with sensitive topics, unfamiliar situations, or people in positions of authority. This implies a consideration for others' feelings, potential misunderstandings, or social etiquette. For instance, '조심스럽게 이야기하다' (jo-sim-seu-reop-ge i-ya-gi-ha-da) means 'to speak cautiously' or 'to speak discreetly.'
- Mental Caution/Hesitation: It can also express a sense of hesitation, reluctance, or being tentative due to uncertainty, doubt, or a desire to avoid making mistakes. For example, '조심스러운 접근' (jo-sim-seu-reon jeop-geun) refers to a 'cautious approach.'
Grammatical Forms:
As an adjective, '조심스럽다' conjugates like other descriptive verbs. Some common forms include:
- Present Tense (Plain Form): 조심스럽다 (jo-sim-seu-reop-da) - (It) is cautious.
- Present Tense (Formal Polite): 조심스럽습니다 (jo-sim-seu-reop-seum-ni-da) - (It) is cautious.
- Present Tense (Informal Polite): 조심스러워요 (jo-sim-seu-reo-wo-yo) - (It) is cautious.
- Adverbial Form: 조심스럽게 (jo-sim-seu-reop-ge) - cautiously, carefully.
- Adnominal Form (modifying a noun): 조심스러운 (jo-sim-seu-reon) - cautious (e.g., 조심스러운 행동 - cautious behavior).
Related Expressions and Synonyms:
- 조심하다 (jo-sim-ha-da): This is the verb form meaning 'to be careful,' 'to take care,' or 'to beware.' While related, '조심스럽다' emphasizes the quality of being cautious, whereas '조심하다' emphasizes the act of exercising caution.
- 신중하다 (sin-jung-ha-da): This adjective also means 'to be prudent,' 'to be discreet,' or 'to be careful.' It often implies a more deliberate and thoughtful kind of caution, especially in decision-making.
- 주의하다 (ju-ui-ha-da): This verb means 'to pay attention,' 'to be careful,' or 'to watch out.' It focuses more on vigilance and attentiveness.
Examples:
- 1아이를 안을 때는 조심스러워야 합니다. (A-i-reul an-eul ttae-neun jo-sim-seu-reo-wo-ya ham-ni-da.) - You must be careful when holding a child.
- 1그는 조심스럽게 문을 열고 들어왔다. (Geu-neun jo-sim-seu-reop-ge mun-eul yeol-go deu-reo-wat-da.) - He carefully opened the door and came in.
- 1이 문제는 매우 민감해서 조심스러운 접근이 필요해요. (I mun-je-neun mae-u min-gam-hae-seo jo-sim-seu-reon jeop-geun-i pil-yo-hae-yo.) - This issue is very sensitive, so a cautious approach is needed.
- 1처음 만나는 사람에게는 항상 조심스러운 태도를 취해야 한다. (Cheo-eum man-na-neun sa-ram-e-ge-neun hang-sang jo-sim-seu-reon tae-do-reul chwi-hae-ya han-da.) - One should always adopt a cautious attitude towards someone they are meeting for the first time.
In summary, '조심스럽다' is a versatile adjective that describes a careful, cautious, or discreet manner, attitude, or action, often driven by a consideration for potential risks, sensitivities, or social norms.
例句
그는 모든 일에 조심스럽다.
General statement about someone's characterHe is cautious in all matters.
말이 조심스럽다.
Describing the manner of speaking.To speak cautiously.
조심스럽게 문을 열었다.
Describing an action performed with caution.I carefully opened the door.
그녀는 조심스러운 태도를 보였다.
Describing someone's demeanor or approach.She showed a cautious attitude.
새로운 환경에 조심스러운 것은 당연하다.
Explaining the reason for caution.It's natural to be cautious in a new environment.
常见搭配
容易混淆的词
While both relate to caution, '조심스럽다' describes a state of being cautious or careful, often implying a tentative or delicate manner. '조심하다' is a verb meaning 'to be careful' or 'to watch out,' focusing more on the act of exercising caution. '조심스럽다' is an adjective, and '조심하다' is a verb. For example, '그는 조심스럽게 문을 열었다' (He carefully opened the door) vs. '운전 조심하세요' (Please drive carefully).
Both '조심스럽다' and '신중하다' convey carefulness. However, '신중하다' often implies a more deliberate and thoughtful consideration of consequences before acting, suggesting prudence or discretion. '조심스럽다' can be more about physical carefulness or a general cautious demeanor. For example, '그는 신중하게 결정을 내렸다' (He made a careful/prudent decision) vs. '아이가 조심스럽게 계단을 내려왔다' (The child carefully came down the stairs).
语法模式
How to Use It
使用说明
'조심스럽다' is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is cautious, careful, or discreet. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a person's demeanor ('그는 말하는 것이 조심스럽다' - He is careful in his speech) or an action ('조심스럽게 문을 열었다' - I opened the door cautiously). The adverbial form, '조심스럽게' (josimseureopge), is frequently used to describe how an action is performed. While it often implies a positive quality of being thoughtful and considerate, it can also suggest hesitation or being overly timid in certain situations, depending on the context. It's often used with verbs like 말하다 (to speak), 행동하다 (to act), or 다루다 (to handle) to indicate a careful approach.
常见错误
A common mistake for learners is to overuse '조심하다' as a verb when an adjective or adverb form is more natural. While '조심하다' (to be careful, to watch out) is correct for direct commands or general warnings (e.g., '운전 조심하세요' - Drive carefully), '조심스럽다' (to be cautious/careful) describes a state or a characteristic. For example, instead of '그는 조심하게 행동해요' (He acts carefully), which is grammatically awkward, it's more natural to say '그는 조심스럽게 행동해요' (He acts cautiously) or '그는 조심스러운 사람이에요' (He is a cautious person). Another mistake is confusing it with '조용하다' (to be quiet) due to similar-sounding syllables; remember '조심' relates to caution, not sound.
Tips
Usage Tips
'조심스럽다' implies a sense of carefulness or cautiousness due to potential negative outcomes or respect for a situation. It can describe a person's demeanor, actions, or even a situation that requires delicate handling. Think of it as a nuanced 'be careful' that considers the 'why' behind the caution.
Common Pitfalls
While often translated as 'careful,' don't confuse '조심스럽다' with simply being meticulous or neat. It specifically refers to avoiding potential problems or showing deference. For example, you wouldn't typically use it to describe being careful while writing neatly, but rather being careful not to make a mistake in an important document.
Contextual Nuances
The nuance of '조심스럽다' can vary based on context. It can express politeness and consideration (e.g., '말을 조심스럽게 하다' - to speak cautiously), a hesitant or tentative approach (e.g., '조심스럽게 묻다' - to ask cautiously), or a general sense of being guarded (e.g., '조심스러운 태도' - a cautious attitude). Pay attention to the surrounding words to grasp the exact shade of meaning.
词源
The Korean word '조심스럽다' (josimseureopda) is a compound word formed from '조심' (josim) and '-스럽다' (-seureopda). 1. 조심 (josim): This part means 'caution,' 'care,' 'prudence,' or 'watchfulness.' Its etymology can be traced back to earlier forms: * 中世韓國語 (Middle Korean): In Middle Korean, it appeared as '조심〮 (cwosím)'. * 漢字 (Hanja/Chinese characters): It is derived from the Hanja '操心' (cāoxīn in Chinese, josim in Korean reading), which literally means 'to control/grasp the heart/mind.' * 操 (cho/cau): To control, to grasp, to handle. * 心 (sim): Heart, mind, spirit. The idea here is to keep one's mind in check, to be mindful, and to be careful. 2. -스럽다 (-seureopda): This is a suffix that means 'to be like,' 'to seem like,' 'to be worthy of,' or 'to have the quality of.' It is attached to nouns or certain verbs to form adjectives, indicating that the preceding noun's quality or characteristic is present. * For example, '자랑스럽다' (jarangseureopda) means 'to be proud' (from 자랑 'pride' + -스럽다). * '복스럽다' (bokseureopda) means 'to be blessed' or 'to look fortunate' (from 복 'blessing/luck' + -스럽다). Therefore, when '조심' (caution) combines with '-스럽다' (to have the quality of), '조심스럽다' literally translates to 'to have the quality of caution' or 'to be cautious/careful.' It describes a state or a person who acts with caution and prudence.
文化背景
The Korean word '조심스럽다' (josimseureopda) reflects a cultural emphasis on prudence, respect, and considering the potential impact of one's actions on others. This word is often used in situations where there's a need to be delicate, discreet, or to avoid causing offense or disturbance. In a society that values harmony and social cohesion, '조심스럽다' encapsulates the idea of navigating social interactions with care, particularly when dealing with elders, superiors, or sensitive topics. It can also be applied to tasks requiring precision and attention to detail, signifying a thorough and mindful approach. This cultural nuance highlights a preference for measured action over impulsive behavior, aligning with a broader cultural value of thoughtful consideration.
记忆技巧
Visualize a tightrope walker. They are inherently '조심스럽다' (cautious) in every step, moving '조심스럽게' (cautiously) to avoid falling. This helps connect the word to the action and the feeling of care.
常见问题
4 个问题'조심스럽다' (josimseureopda) is a Korean adjective that describes the state of being cautious, careful, or exercising prudence. It implies a deliberate and thoughtful approach to an action or situation, often to avoid potential problems, mistakes, or negative consequences. The nuance suggests a sense of attentiveness and often a gentle or reserved manner in carrying out a task or interacting with others. It can refer to physical actions, speech, or even one's general demeanor.
'조심스럽다' is commonly used to describe someone who is being careful in their actions or words. For example, you might say '그는 조심스럽게 문을 열었다' (Geuneun josimseureopge muneul yeoreotda), meaning 'He carefully opened the door.' Or, '조심스러운 태도로 말했다' (Josimseureoun taedoro marhaetda), which means 'He spoke with a cautious attitude.' It often emphasizes a gentle and deliberate approach to prevent any harm or offense.
Yes, '조심스럽다' is quite versatile. It can describe a physical action, like carefully placing something fragile, or a more abstract concept, such as being cautious with one's words in a sensitive situation. It can also refer to a general personality trait, where someone is inherently prudent and thoughtful. The context often clarifies the specific type of caution being expressed, whether it's out of politeness, fear of making a mistake, or simply a meticulous nature.
While '조심스럽다' itself is quite specific, related terms might include '신중하다' (sinjunghada), which also means cautious or prudent, often with a focus on careful consideration. '주의하다' (juuihada) means to be careful or pay attention, implying a warning. '조심하다' (josimhada) is the verb form of 'to be careful.' The nuance with '조심스럽다' specifically often includes a sense of gentleness or hesitance along with the carefulness.
自我测试
길이 미끄러우니 _______ 운전하세요.
그는 ______ 자신의 의견을 말했다.
새로운 환경에 _______ 적응해야 한다.
得分: /3
Usage Tips
'조심스럽다' implies a sense of carefulness or cautiousness due to potential negative outcomes or respect for a situation. It can describe a person's demeanor, actions, or even a situation that requires delicate handling. Think of it as a nuanced 'be careful' that considers the 'why' behind the caution.
Common Pitfalls
While often translated as 'careful,' don't confuse '조심스럽다' with simply being meticulous or neat. It specifically refers to avoiding potential problems or showing deference. For example, you wouldn't typically use it to describe being careful while writing neatly, but rather being careful not to make a mistake in an important document.
Contextual Nuances
The nuance of '조심스럽다' can vary based on context. It can express politeness and consideration (e.g., '말을 조심스럽게 하다' - to speak cautiously), a hesitant or tentative approach (e.g., '조심스럽게 묻다' - to ask cautiously), or a general sense of being guarded (e.g., '조심스러운 태도' - a cautious attitude). Pay attention to the surrounding words to grasp the exact shade of meaning.
例句
5 / 5그는 모든 일에 조심스럽다.
He is cautious in all matters.
말이 조심스럽다.
To speak cautiously.
조심스럽게 문을 열었다.
I carefully opened the door.
그녀는 조심스러운 태도를 보였다.
She showed a cautious attitude.
새로운 환경에 조심스러운 것은 당연하다.
It's natural to be cautious in a new environment.
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