Meaning and Usage
The verb '성장하다' primarily means 'to grow' or 'to develop,' and it is used both for living beings and abstract entities like companies or skills. It often implies a positive progression or improvement over time.
Common Contexts
- For people, it refers to physical, emotional, or intellectual growth.
- For organizations or businesses, it indicates expansion or increased success.
- For skills or abilities, it means improvement through practice or experience.
Collocations and Patterns
- 성장하다 + 건강하게/빠르게: to grow healthily/rapidly
- 경험을 통해 성장하다: to grow through experience
- 경제/시장/회사 + 성장하다: economy/market/company grows
Register and Usage Notes
'성장하다' is a neutral and formal verb suitable for written and spoken Korean. It is often used in news, reports, and educational contexts. Avoid confusing it with '크다' which simply means 'to be big' without the nuance of development or progress.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes use '성장하다' only for physical growth, but it is also widely used for abstract growth like skills or business development. Remember to use it flexibly depending on context.