🌱

Becoming and Getting to: -아/어지다

Keywords
-아/어지다
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Grammar
🌱
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🌱 -아/어지다 [-a/eo-ji-da] means to become / to get a certain way.
  • 🎨 It usually attaches to a 형용사 = descriptive verb / adjective: 좋다 [jo-ta] = to be good → 좋아지다 [jo-a-ji-da] = to get better.
  • 🧩 Use the same 아/어 shape you already know, then attach 지다: 깨끗하다 [kkae-kkeut-ha-da] = to be clean → 깨끗해지다 [kkae-kkeu-tae-ji-da] = to become clean.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and type any Korean word or sentence from this lesson to hear it read aloud. Listen especially for the smooth middle sound in 좋아져요 [jo-a-jyeo-yo], 예뻐져요 [ye-ppeo-jyeo-yo], and 깨끗해져요 [kkae-kkeu-tae-jyeo-yo]. 🎧
 

🌈 The Big Picture

Use -아/어지다 [-a/eo-ji-da] when something changes into a state. It is the Korean “gets / becomes” engine: the weather gets colder, a room gets cleaner, studying gets easier, or a situation gets better. 🌱
 
Compare:
  • 날씨가 추워요. [nal-ssi-ga chu-wo-yo] = The weather is cold. ❄️
  • 날씨가 추워져요. [nal-ssi-ga chu-wo-jyeo-yo] = The weather gets cold / is getting colder. ❄️➡️❄️
 
Tiny map: 날씨가 [nal-ssi-ga] = the weather as the subject, 추워져요 [chu-wo-jyeo-yo] = gets cold. The meaning is not just “is cold”; it points to a change.
 

🎨 The Core Change-of-State Family

Main pattern
  • 형용사 = descriptive verb / adjective + -아/어지다 [-a/eo-ji-da] = become / get that way 🌱
 
How to choose 아 or 어
  • Many stems with ㅏ or ㅗ use -아지다:
    • 좋다 [jo-ta] = to be good 👍 → 좋아지다 [jo-a-ji-da] = to get better
    • 많다 [man-ta] = to be many / much 📚 → 많아지다 [ma-na-ji-da] = to become many / increase
    • 작다 [jak-tta] = to be small 🐜 → 작아지다 [ja-ga-ji-da] = to get smaller
  • Most other stems use -어지다:
    • 적다 [jeok-tta] = to be few / little 🫧 → 적어지다 [jeo-geo-ji-da] = to become fewer / decrease
    • 크다 [keu-da] = to be big 🌳 → 커지다 [keo-ji-da] = to get bigger
    • 예쁘다 [ye-ppeu-da] = to be pretty 🌸 → 예뻐지다 [ye-ppeo-ji-da] = to get prettier
  • 하다 [ha-da] descriptive verbs become 해지다 [hae-ji-da]:
    • 깨끗하다 [kkae-kkeut-ha-da] = to be clean ✨ → 깨끗해지다 [kkae-kkeu-tae-ji-da] = to become clean
    • 조용하다 [jo-yong-ha-da] = to be quiet 🤫 → 조용해지다 [jo-yong-hae-ji-da] = to become quiet
 
Useful time words
  • 요즘 [yo-jeum] = these days
  • 점점 [jeom-jeom] = gradually / more and more
  • 많이 [ma-ni] = a lot / much
 
These often appear with -아/어지다 because change usually happens over time: 요즘 날씨가 점점 추워져요. [yo-jeum nal-ssi-ga jeom-jeom chu-wo-jyeo-yo] = These days, the weather is gradually getting colder. ❄️
 

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

1. Weather changing
  • 날씨가 더워졌어요. [nal-ssi-ga deo-wo-jyeo-sseo-yo] = The weather got hotter. ☀️
      • 날씨가 [nal-ssi-ga] = the weather as the subject, 더워졌어요 [deo-wo-jyeo-sseo-yo] = got hotter.
 
2. A room changing
  • 방이 깨끗해졌어요. [bang-i kkae-kkeu-tae-jyeo-sseo-yo] = The room became clean. ✨
      • 방이 [bang-i] = the room as the subject, 깨끗해졌어요 [kkae-kkeu-tae-jyeo-sseo-yo] = became clean.
 
3. A skill or situation changing
  • 한국어가 쉬워졌어요. [han-gu-geo-ga swi-wo-jyeo-sseo-yo] = Korean became easier. 🇰🇷
      • 한국어가 [han-gu-geo-ga] = Korean as the subject, 쉬워졌어요 [swi-wo-jyeo-sseo-yo] = became easier.
 

🚨 Exception Rule(s)

Most forms follow regular 아/어 shape rules, but these common shapes deserve special attention:
  • 크다 → 커지다 [keu-da → keo-ji-da] = to get bigger 🌳
  • 예쁘다 → 예뻐지다 [ye-ppeu-da → ye-ppeo-ji-da] = to get prettier 🌸
  • 나쁘다 → 나빠지다 [na-ppeu-da → na-ppa-ji-da] = to get worse ⚠️
  • 춥다 → 추워지다 [chup-tta → chu-wo-ji-da] = to get cold ❄️
  • 덥다 → 더워지다 [deop-tta → deo-wo-ji-da] = to get hot ☀️
  • 쉽다 → 쉬워지다 [swip-tta → swi-wo-ji-da] = to get easy 🪶
  • 어렵다 → 어려워지다 [eo-ryeop-tta → eo-ryeo-wo-ji-da] = to get difficult 🧩
 
Spacing note ✍️
Although 지다 can be described as a helper verb, this -아/어지다 construction is normally written attached: 좋아지다, 깨끗해지다, 추워지다. Do not write it as 좋아 지다 in normal lesson examples.
 

📚 Cross-check note

This lesson’s -아/어지다 change-of-state use was cross-checked with 국립국어원 / korean.go.kr, including the explanation that 지다 after a descriptive verb in the -어지다 construction means “to become the state expressed by the previous word.” ✅
 

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -아/어지다 [-a/eo-ji-da] = becomes / gets that way. Focuses on the change in state. 🌱
  • -게 되다 [-ge doe-da] = comes to / ends up doing or becoming. Often focuses more on the result or circumstance. This lesson focuses on -아/어지다; keep -게 되다 in your “later comparison” pocket. 🧥
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 좋다지다 [jo-ta-ji-da] → ✅ 좋아지다 [jo-a-ji-da] — do not attach 지다 directly to dictionary form.
  • ❌ 깨끗하지다 [kkae-kkeut-ha-ji-da] → ✅ 깨끗해지다 [kkae-kkeu-tae-ji-da] — 하다 changes to 해.
  • ❌ 춥어지다 [chu-beo-ji-da] → ✅ 추워지다 [chu-wo-ji-da] — 춥다 changes to 추워.
  • ❌ Translating 날씨가 추워요 and 날씨가 추워져요 the same way → ✅ the first means “is cold,” the second means “gets/is getting cold.”
  • ❌ Treating this beginner lesson as passive voice → ✅ here, -아/어지다 means become/get with descriptive verbs. Passive action-verb uses are a separate topic.
 
🎉 With -아/어지다 [-a/eo-ji-da], your Korean can show change: weather shifts, rooms sparkle, skills improve, and tiny grammar seedlings become full sentences. 🌱✨
 

Try this exercise

Instructions
Complete each sentence with the correct -아/어지다 change form. Read the Korean sentence aloud, notice the change meaning, then open the Answer toggle. 🌱
1. 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The weather got better. 👍
Answer
좋아 [jo-a] — 좋다 [jo-ta] becomes 좋아지다 [jo-a-ji-da].
2. 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The weather got worse. ⚠️
Answer
나빠 [na-ppa] — 나쁘다 [na-ppeu-da] becomes 나빠지다 [na-ppa-ji-da].
3. 방이 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The room became clean. ✨
Answer
깨끗해 [kkae-kkeu-tae] — 깨끗하다 [kkae-kkeut-ha-da] becomes 깨끗해지다 [kkae-kkeu-tae-ji-da].
4. 방이 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The room became quiet. 🤫
Answer
조용해 [jo-yong-hae] — 조용하다 [jo-yong-ha-da] becomes 조용해지다 [jo-yong-hae-ji-da].
5. 한국어가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[han-gu-geo-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
Korean became easier. 🇰🇷
Answer
쉬워 [swi-wo] — 쉽다 [swip-tta] becomes 쉬워지다 [swi-wo-ji-da].
6. 문제가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[mun-je-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The problem became difficult. 🧩
Answer
어려워 [eo-ryeo-wo] — 어렵다 [eo-ryeop-tta] becomes 어려워지다 [eo-ryeo-wo-ji-da].
7. 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The weather got colder. ❄️
Answer
추워 [chu-wo] — 춥다 [chup-tta] becomes 추워지다 [chu-wo-ji-da].
8. 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The weather got hotter. ☀️
Answer
더워 [deo-wo] — 덥다 [deop-tta] becomes 더워지다 [deo-wo-ji-da].
9. 나무가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[na-mu-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The tree got bigger. 🌳
Answer
커 [keo] — 크다 [keu-da] becomes 커지다 [keo-ji-da].
10. 가방이 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[ga-bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The bag got smaller. 👜
Answer
작아 [ja-ga] — 작다 [jak-tta] becomes 작아지다 [ja-ga-ji-da].
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 날씨 [nal-ssi] → weather
  • 방 [bang] → room
  • 한국어 [han-gu-geo] → Korean language
  • 문제 [mun-je] → problem / question
  • 나무 [na-mu] → tree
  • 가방 [ga-bang] → bag
  • 좋다 [jo-ta] → to be good
  • 나쁘다 [na-ppeu-da] → to be bad
  • 깨끗하다 [kkae-kkeut-ha-da] → to be clean
  • 조용하다 [jo-yong-ha-da] → to be quiet
  • 쉽다 [swip-tta] → to be easy
  • 어렵다 [eo-ryeop-tta] → to be difficult
  • 춥다 [chup-tta] → to be cold
  • 덥다 [deop-tta] → to be hot
  • 크다 [keu-da] → to be big
  • 작다 [jak-tta] → to be small
Tip 💡 The blank is the 아/어 shape before 졌어요.
🚀
Want more reps? Keep scrolling to the Practice Hub when you’re ready!
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Becoming and Getting to: -아/어지다
 
Welcome to the Practice Hub for -아/어지다 [-a/eo-ji-da]. Here, you’ll practice showing change: things get better, colder, cleaner, easier, bigger, smaller, and sometimes unfortunately worse. Grammar is basically a tiny weather station today. 🌱🌦️
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence before checking the answer.
 
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank with the correct change-of-state form. Say the full sentence aloud, notice whether it means “is” or “gets/becomes,” then open the Answer toggle.
 

Exercise 1 — Everyday Changes 🌱

A. 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The weather got better. 👍
Answer
좋아 [jo-a] — 좋다 → 좋아지다 [jo-ta → jo-a-ji-da].
B. 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The weather got worse. ⚠️
Answer
나빠 [na-ppa] — 나쁘다 → 나빠지다 [na-ppeu-da → na-ppa-ji-da].
C. 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The weather got colder. ❄️
Answer
추워 [chu-wo] — 춥다 → 추워지다 [chup-tta → chu-wo-ji-da].
D. 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The weather got hotter. ☀️
Answer
더워 [deo-wo] — 덥다 → 더워지다 [deop-tta → deo-wo-ji-da].
E. 방이 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The room became clean. ✨
Answer
깨끗해 [kkae-kkeu-tae] — 깨끗하다 → 깨끗해지다 [kkae-kkeut-ha-da → kkae-kkeu-tae-ji-da].
F. 방이 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The room became quiet. 🤫
Answer
조용해 [jo-yong-hae] — 조용하다 → 조용해지다 [jo-yong-ha-da → jo-yong-hae-ji-da].
G. 한국어가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[han-gu-geo-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
Korean became easier. 🇰🇷
Answer
쉬워 [swi-wo] — 쉽다 → 쉬워지다 [swip-tta → swi-wo-ji-da].
H. 문제가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[mun-je-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The problem became difficult. 🧩
Answer
어려워 [eo-ryeo-wo] — 어렵다 → 어려워지다 [eo-ryeop-tta → eo-ryeo-wo-ji-da].
I. 나무가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[na-mu-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The tree got bigger. 🌳
Answer
커 [keo] — 크다 → 커지다 [keu-da → keo-ji-da].
J. 가방이 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[ga-bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The bag got smaller. 👜
Answer
작아 [ja-ga] — 작다 → 작아지다 [jak-tta → ja-ga-ji-da].
🌱
Vocabulary Box
  • 날씨 [nal-ssi] → weather
  • 방 [bang] → room
  • 한국어 [han-gu-geo] → Korean language
  • 문제 [mun-je] → problem / question
  • 나무 [na-mu] → tree
  • 가방 [ga-bang] → bag
  • 좋다 [jo-ta] → to be good
  • 나쁘다 [na-ppeu-da] → to be bad
  • 춥다 [chup-tta] → to be cold
  • 덥다 [deop-tta] → to be hot
  • 깨끗하다 [kkae-kkeut-ha-da] → to be clean
  • 조용하다 [jo-yong-ha-da] → to be quiet
  • 쉽다 [swip-tta] → to be easy
  • 어렵다 [eo-ryeop-tta] → to be difficult
  • 크다 [keu-da] → to be big
  • 작다 [jak-tta] → to be small
Tip 💡 -아/어지다 turns “is” into “gets/becomes.”
 

Exercise 2 — Gradual Change with 점점 📈

A. 요즘 날씨가 점점 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[yo-jeum nal-ssi-ga jeom-jeom ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
These days, the weather is gradually getting better. 👍
Answer
좋아 [jo-a] — 점점 highlights gradual change.
B. 요즘 날씨가 점점 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[yo-jeum nal-ssi-ga jeom-jeom ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
These days, the weather is gradually getting worse. ⚠️
Answer
나빠 [na-ppa] — 나빠져요 = gets worse.
C. 요즘 날씨가 점점 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[yo-jeum nal-ssi-ga jeom-jeom ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
These days, the weather is gradually getting colder. ❄️
Answer
추워 [chu-wo] — 추워져요 = gets colder.
D. 요즘 날씨가 점점 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[yo-jeum nal-ssi-ga jeom-jeom ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
These days, the weather is gradually getting hotter. ☀️
Answer
더워 [deo-wo] — 더워져요 = gets hotter.
E. 요즘 방이 점점 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[yo-jeum bang-i jeom-jeom ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
These days, the room is gradually becoming clean. ✨
Answer
깨끗해 [kkae-kkeu-tae] — 깨끗해져요 = becomes clean.
F. 요즘 방이 점점 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[yo-jeum bang-i jeom-jeom ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
These days, the room is gradually becoming quiet. 🤫
Answer
조용해 [jo-yong-hae] — 조용해져요 = becomes quiet.
G. 요즘 한국어가 점점 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[yo-jeum han-gu-geo-ga jeom-jeom ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
These days, Korean is gradually becoming easier. 🇰🇷
Answer
쉬워 [swi-wo] — 쉬워져요 = becomes easier.
H. 요즘 문제가 점점 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[yo-jeum mun-je-ga jeom-jeom ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
These days, the problem is gradually becoming difficult. 🧩
Answer
어려워 [eo-ryeo-wo] — 어려워져요 = becomes difficult.
I. 요즘 나무가 점점 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[yo-jeum na-mu-ga jeom-jeom ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
These days, the tree is gradually getting bigger. 🌳
Answer
커 [keo] — 커져요 = gets bigger.
J. 요즘 가방이 점점 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[yo-jeum ga-bang-i jeom-jeom ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
These days, the bag is gradually getting smaller. 👜
Answer
작아 [ja-ga] — 작아져요 = gets smaller.
📈
Vocabulary Box
  • 요즘 [yo-jeum] → these days
  • 점점 [jeom-jeom] → gradually / more and more
  • 날씨 [nal-ssi] → weather
  • 방 [bang] → room
  • 한국어 [han-gu-geo] → Korean language
  • 문제 [mun-je] → problem / question
  • 나무 [na-mu] → tree
  • 가방 [ga-bang] → bag
  • 좋다 [jo-ta] → to be good
  • 나쁘다 [na-ppeu-da] → to be bad
  • 춥다 [chup-tta] → to be cold
  • 덥다 [deop-tta] → to be hot
  • 깨끗하다 [kkae-kkeut-ha-da] → to be clean
  • 조용하다 [jo-yong-ha-da] → to be quiet
  • 쉽다 [swip-tta] → to be easy
  • 어렵다 [eo-ryeop-tta] → to be difficult
  • 크다 [keu-da] → to be big
  • 작다 [jak-tta] → to be small
Tip 💡 점점 pairs naturally with change verbs.
 

Exercise 3 — Special Shapes 🧩

A. 크다 → 나무가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[keu-da → na-mu-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The tree gets bigger. 🌳
Answer
커 [keo] — 크다 changes to 커 before 지다.
B. 예쁘다 → 꽃이 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[ye-ppeu-da → kko-chi ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The flower gets prettier. 🌸
Answer
예뻐 [ye-ppeo] — 예쁘다 → 예뻐지다.
C. 나쁘다 → 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[na-ppeu-da → nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The weather gets worse. ⚠️
Answer
나빠 [na-ppa] — 나쁘다 → 나빠지다.
D. 춥다 → 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[chup-tta → nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The weather gets colder. ❄️
Answer
추워 [chu-wo] — 춥다 → 추워지다.
E. 덥다 → 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[deop-tta → nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The weather gets hotter. ☀️
Answer
더워 [deo-wo] — 덥다 → 더워지다.
F. 쉽다 → 한국어가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[swip-tta → han-gu-geo-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
Korean gets easier. 🇰🇷
Answer
쉬워 [swi-wo] — 쉽다 → 쉬워지다.
G. 어렵다 → 문제가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[eo-ryeop-tta → mun-je-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The problem gets difficult. 🧩
Answer
어려워 [eo-ryeo-wo] — 어렵다 → 어려워지다.
H. 깨끗하다 → 방이 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[kkae-kkeut-ha-da → bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The room becomes clean. ✨
Answer
깨끗해 [kkae-kkeu-tae] — 하다 becomes 해.
I. 조용하다 → 방이 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[jo-yong-ha-da → bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The room becomes quiet. 🤫
Answer
조용해 [jo-yong-hae] — 조용하다 → 조용해지다.
J. 편하다 → 의자가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[pyeon-ha-da → ui-ja-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The chair becomes comfortable. 🪑
Answer
편해 [pyeon-hae] — 편하다 → 편해지다.
🧩
Vocabulary Box
  • 나무 [na-mu] → tree
  • 꽃 [kkot] → flower
  • 날씨 [nal-ssi] → weather
  • 한국어 [han-gu-geo] → Korean language
  • 문제 [mun-je] → problem / question
  • 방 [bang] → room
  • 의자 [ui-ja] → chair
  • 크다 [keu-da] → to be big
  • 예쁘다 [ye-ppeu-da] → to be pretty
  • 나쁘다 [na-ppeu-da] → to be bad
  • 춥다 [chup-tta] → to be cold
  • 덥다 [deop-tta] → to be hot
  • 쉽다 [swip-tta] → to be easy
  • 어렵다 [eo-ryeop-tta] → to be difficult
  • 깨끗하다 [kkae-kkeut-ha-da] → to be clean
  • 조용하다 [jo-yong-ha-da] → to be quiet
  • 편하다 [pyeon-ha-da] → to be comfortable
Tip 💡 Memorize the changed middle shape before 지다.
 

Exercise 4 — “Is” vs “Becomes” 🔄

A. 날씨가 좋아요. → 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[nal-ssi-ga jo-a-yo → nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The weather gets better. 👍
Answer
좋아 [jo-a] — 좋아요 = is good; 좋아져요 = gets better.
B. 날씨가 나빠요. → 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[nal-ssi-ga na-ppa-yo → nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The weather gets worse. ⚠️
Answer
나빠 [na-ppa] — 나빠져요 shows change.
C. 방이 깨끗해요. → 방이 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[bang-i kkae-kkeu-tae-yo → bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The room becomes clean. ✨
Answer
깨끗해 [kkae-kkeu-tae] — Same 해 shape, plus 져요.
D. 방이 조용해요. → 방이 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[bang-i jo-yong-hae-yo → bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The room becomes quiet. 🤫
Answer
조용해 [jo-yong-hae] — 조용해져요 = becomes quiet.
E. 한국어가 쉬워요. → 한국어가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[han-gu-geo-ga swi-wo-yo → han-gu-geo-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
Korean becomes easier. 🇰🇷
Answer
쉬워 [swi-wo] — 쉬워져요 = becomes easier.
F. 문제가 어려워요. → 문제가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[mun-je-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo → mun-je-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The problem becomes difficult. 🧩
Answer
어려워 [eo-ryeo-wo] — 어려워져요 = becomes difficult.
G. 날씨가 추워요. → 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[nal-ssi-ga chu-wo-yo → nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The weather gets colder. ❄️
Answer
추워 [chu-wo] — 추워요 = is cold; 추워져요 = gets colder.
H. 날씨가 더워요. → 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[nal-ssi-ga deo-wo-yo → nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The weather gets hotter. ☀️
Answer
더워 [deo-wo] — 더워져요 = gets hotter.
I. 나무가 커요. → 나무가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[na-mu-ga keo-yo → na-mu-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The tree gets bigger. 🌳
Answer
커 [keo] — 커요 = is big; 커져요 = gets bigger.
J. 가방이 작아요. → 가방이 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[ga-bang-i ja-ga-yo → ga-bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The bag gets smaller. 👜
Answer
작아 [ja-ga] — 작아져요 = gets smaller.
🔄
Vocabulary Box
  • 좋아요 [jo-a-yo] → is good
  • 나빠요 [na-ppa-yo] → is bad
  • 깨끗해요 [kkae-kkeu-tae-yo] → is clean
  • 조용해요 [jo-yong-hae-yo] → is quiet
  • 쉬워요 [swi-wo-yo] → is easy
  • 어려워요 [eo-ryeo-wo-yo] → is difficult
  • 추워요 [chu-wo-yo] → is cold
  • 더워요 [deo-wo-yo] → is hot
  • 커요 [keo-yo] → is big
  • 작아요 [ja-ga-yo] → is small
Tip 💡 -요 describes a state; -져요 shows becoming/getting.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 날씨가 좋다졌어요. → ✅ 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The weather got better. 👍
Answer
좋아 [jo-a] — Do not attach 지다 directly to dictionary form.
B. ❌ 방이 깨끗하지다. → ✅ 방이 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The room becomes clean. ✨
Answer
깨끗해 [kkae-kkeu-tae] — 깨끗하다 changes to 깨끗해.
C. ❌ 날씨가 춥어져요. → ✅ 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The weather gets colder. ❄️
Answer
추워 [chu-wo] — 춥다 becomes 추워, not 춥어.
D. ❌ 한국어가 쉽어져요. → ✅ 한국어가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[han-gu-geo-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
Korean becomes easier. 🇰🇷
Answer
쉬워 [swi-wo] — 쉽다 becomes 쉬워.
E. ❌ 문제가 어렵어져요. → ✅ 문제가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[mun-je-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The problem becomes difficult. 🧩
Answer
어려워 [eo-ryeo-wo] — 어렵다 becomes 어려워.
F. ❌ 날씨가 덥어져요. → ✅ 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The weather gets hotter. ☀️
Answer
더워 [deo-wo] — 덥다 becomes 더워.
G. ❌ 나무가 크어져요. → ✅ 나무가 ＿＿＿＿져요.
[na-mu-ga ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-yo]
The tree gets bigger. 🌳
Answer
커 [keo] — 크다 becomes 커.
H. 가방이 ＿＿＿＿졌어요.
[ga-bang-i ＿＿＿＿ jyeo-sseo-yo]
The bag got smaller. 👜
Answer
작아 [ja-ga] — 작다 → 작아지다.
I. Which sentence means “The weather is cold,” not “gets cold”? 날씨가 추워요. / 날씨가 추워져요.
[nal-ssi-ga chu-wo-yo / nal-ssi-ga chu-wo-jyeo-yo]
Choose the “is cold” sentence. ❄️
Answer
날씨가 추워요. [nal-ssi-ga chu-wo-yo] — no 지다, so it describes the state.
J. Which sentence means “The weather gets cold”? 날씨가 추워요. / 날씨가 추워져요.
[nal-ssi-ga chu-wo-yo / nal-ssi-ga chu-wo-jyeo-yo]
Choose the “gets cold” sentence. ❄️
Answer
날씨가 추워져요. [nal-ssi-ga chu-wo-jyeo-yo] — -아/어지다 shows the change.
🛡️
Vocabulary Box
  • 날씨 [nal-ssi] → weather
  • 방 [bang] → room
  • 한국어 [han-gu-geo] → Korean language
  • 문제 [mun-je] → problem / question
  • 나무 [na-mu] → tree
  • 가방 [ga-bang] → bag
  • 좋다 [jo-ta] → to be good
  • 깨끗하다 [kkae-kkeut-ha-da] → to be clean
  • 춥다 [chup-tta] → to be cold
  • 쉽다 [swip-tta] → to be easy
  • 어렵다 [eo-ryeop-tta] → to be difficult
  • 덥다 [deop-tta] → to be hot
  • 크다 [keu-da] → to be big
  • 작다 [jak-tta] → to be small
Tip 💡 Final check: no dictionary form before 지다, and do not confuse “is” with “gets.”
 
🎉
Great work! You practiced change forms, gradual changes with 점점, special shapes, state-vs-change contrasts, and pitfall patrol. Your Korean can now show things becoming better, cleaner, colder, easier, and bigger — tiny grammar glow-up unlocked. 🌱✨