Level 6

유지하다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '유지하다' means 'to maintain' or 'to preserve.' It is commonly used in formal and neutral contexts to describe keeping a certain state, condition, or quality over time.

Common Contexts

You will often see '유지하다' used with abstract nouns like 건강 (health), 품질 (quality), 상태 (condition), or 감정 (emotion). It implies an active effort or process to keep something stable or unchanged.

Collocations and Patterns

  • '건강을 유지하다': to maintain health, often used in advice about lifestyle.
  • '품질을 유지하다': to maintain quality, common in business or manufacturing.
  • '평정을 유지하다': to maintain composure or calmness, often in emotional contexts.

Register and Politeness

'유지하다' is a standard verb suitable for both written and spoken Korean, especially in formal or academic settings. It is not casual slang.

Common Learner Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse '유지하다' with '계속하다' (to continue). While both imply continuation, '유지하다' focuses on preserving a state, whereas '계속하다' emphasizes the ongoing action itself. For example, '건강을 유지하다' means to keep health stable, not just to keep doing something continuously.

Example Sentences

건강을 유지하려면 규칙적으로 운동해야 해요.

Geongangeul yujiharyeomyeon gyuchikjeogeuro undonghaeya haeyo.

To maintain health, you need to exercise regularly.

이 회사는 고객 만족도를 높이기 위해 품질을 유지하고 있습니다.

I hoesa neun gogaeg manjokdoreul nopigi wihae pumjireul yujihago itsseumnida.

This company maintains quality to increase customer satisfaction.

그는 항상 침착함을 유지하려고 노력해요.

Geuneun hangsang chimchakham eul yujiharyeogo noryeokhaeyo.

He always tries to maintain calmness.