Meaning and Usage
The adjective '구체적' means 'concrete' or 'specific.' It is used to describe something that is clear, detailed, and well-defined rather than vague or abstract. It often appears in formal or academic contexts but is also common in everyday conversation when emphasizing clarity.
Common Collocations
- 구체적인 계획 (concrete plan): used when discussing detailed plans.
- 구체적으로 설명하다 (explain concretely): used when asking for or giving detailed explanations.
- 구체적인 예 (concrete example): used to clarify or illustrate a point.
Usage Notes
When using '구체적,' it is often followed by the particle '으로' to form an adverbial phrase (구체적으로) meaning 'concretely' or 'specifically.' This helps to modify verbs like 설명하다 (to explain) or 말하다 (to speak).
A common learner mistake is confusing '구체적' with '구체적이다' (to be concrete). Remember that '구체적' is an adjective and needs to be conjugated properly depending on the sentence structure.
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'구체적' is neutral to formal in tone and is appropriate in academic, professional, and polite everyday conversations.