Meaning and Usage
"성장" primarily means "growth" or "development" and is used in various contexts such as personal growth, economic growth, or company growth. It often refers to a positive increase or improvement over time.
Common Contexts
- Personal or mental growth: talking about how a person matures or develops emotionally or intellectually.
- Economic or business growth: describing increases in sales, profits, or market size.
- Biological growth: referring to physical development, especially in children or living things.
Collocations and Patterns
- 성장 과정 (growth process): used to describe the stages or experiences during growth.
- 성장하다 (to grow): verb form often used with people, companies, or economies.
- 꾸준한 성장 (steady growth): emphasizes continuous and stable increase.
Usage Notes
"성장" is a noun and often appears in formal or neutral contexts. When combined with verbs like "하다," it becomes an action phrase meaning "to grow." Learners should not confuse "성장" with "발전," which also means development but often implies improvement in quality or technology rather than size or quantity.
Common Mistake
Avoid using "성장" when referring to improvement in skills or abilities without physical or measurable increase; in such cases, "발전" might be more appropriate.