Meaning and Usage
The verb '여전하다' means 'to remain unchanged' or 'to be the same as before.' It is often used to describe situations, attitudes, conditions, or appearances that have not changed over time.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear '여전하다' when talking about someone's behavior, feelings, or skills that have not changed despite the passage of time. It can also describe physical states or environments that remain constant.
Collocations and Patterns
- 여전하다 + noun (e.g., 태도, 실력): to say that a particular quality or state remains unchanged.
- 여전히 + 여전하다: emphasizing that something is still the same.
- 시간이 흘러도 여전하다: used to express that something remains unchanged even as time passes.
Register and Politeness
'여전하다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is common in written and spoken Korean.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '여전하다' with '여전히' (adverb meaning 'still'). Remember that '여전하다' is a verb meaning 'to be unchanged,' while '여전히' is an adverb modifying verbs or adjectives to mean 'still.' For example, '그는 여전히 열심히 공부한다' (He still studies hard) vs. '그의 실력은 여전하다' (His skill remains unchanged).