TOPIK II Core Vocabulary · Education & Careers ③

Slow and steady — 능력, 훈련, 성장하다, 노력하다, 꾸준히

This is the last set of education words. They follow the order 노력 → 훈련 → 성장.

01능력neungnyeok🔊 [능녁]

ability · the power to get something done.

Pronunciation [능녁]. After the final consonant (patchim) ㅇ, ㄹ changes to ㄴ.

Note The syllable 력 means ability or power. You also see it in 면역력, 경쟁력, and 집중력. 능력을 기르다 means to develop an ability.

Examples 능력이 있다 (to be capable) · 능력을 기르다 (to build ability) · 업무 능력 (job skills)

그 사람은 능력이 정말 좋아요. That person is really capable.  |  능력 is marked with 이/가

개인의 능력만으로는 해결하기 어려운 과제가 늘고 있다. An increasing number of problems cannot be solved by one person alone.  |  개인 = an individual

02훈련hullyeon🔊 [훌련]

training · planned practice that helps you build a skill.

Pronunciation [훌련]. When ㄴ meets ㄹ, both are said as ㄹ.

Note 연습 can be informal practice you do alone. 훈련 is usually planned and organized. You see it with athletes, soldiers, or new workers. Job training is 직업 훈련.

Examples 훈련을 받다 (to get training) · 훈련을 하다 (to train) · 직업 훈련 (job training)

두 달 동안 훈련을 받았어요. I trained for two months.  |  동안 = for the duration of

글쓰기 능력은 타고나는 것이 아니라 훈련으로 길러진다. Writing ability is not inborn; it is developed through training.  |  타고나다 = to be born with

03성장하다seongjanghada

to grow · to become bigger, stronger, or more developed.

Note 성장하다 can describe children, companies, and economies. For people, it covers both body growth and personal growth.

Examples 크게 성장하다 (to grow greatly) · 성장 과정 (the growing-up years) · 경제가 성장하다 (the economy grows)

아이가 정말 많이 성장했어요. The child has grown so much.  |  아이 = a child

사람은 편안한 자리보다 어려운 자리에서 더 성장한다. People grow more in difficult situations than in comfortable ones.  |  자리 = a position or situation

04노력하다noryeokada🔊 [노려카다]

to make an effort · to work hard toward a goal.

Pronunciation [노려카다]. The final consonant ㄱ moves to the next syllable. Then it joins with ㅎ and becomes ㅋ.

Note Use -려고 to show what someone is trying to do. 잘하려고 노력하다 means to try to do well. 노력 often means effort that continues toward a goal.

Examples -려고 노력하다 (to try hard to ~) · 열심히 노력하다 (to work hard at it) · 노력이 필요하다 (to take effort)

더 잘하려고 노력하고 있어요. I'm working hard to improve.  |  -(으)려고 marks the aim

노력한 만큼 결과가 나오지 않을 때도 있지만 그 시간이 헛되지는 않다. Sometimes the results do not match the effort, but that time is not wasted.  |  헛되다 = to be in vain

05꾸준히kkujunhi

steadily, consistently · without stopping and with regular effort.

Note 꾸준히 is a native Korean adverb. It comes from 꾸준하다. 열심히 means doing something with all your effort. 꾸준히 means keeping it up for a long time.

Examples 꾸준히 공부하다 (to study steadily) · 꾸준히 늘다 (to rise steadily) · 꾸준한 노력 (steady effort)

조금씩이라도 꾸준히 하는 게 중요해요. What matters is keeping at it, even a little at a time.  |  조금씩 = bit by bit

하루에 삼십 분이라도 꾸준히 쌓으면 일 년 뒤에는 큰 차이가 난다. Even thirty minutes a day can make a real difference over a year if you keep it up.  |  쌓다 = to build up

Quick check3 questions

Fill in each blank in Korean. Every answer appears above.

1. 글쓰기 능력은 타고나는 것이 아니라 __________으로 길러진다. (structured practice)
2. 사람은 편안한 자리보다 어려운 자리에서 더 __________. (성장하다 · plain present)
3. 하루에 삼십 분이라도 __________ 쌓으면 일 년 뒤에는 큰 차이가 난다. (the adverb)

Show answers

1. 훈련   2. 성장한다   3. 꾸준히

Study tip 열심히 means putting in a lot of effort. 꾸준히 means going on regularly over time. When you learn a language, studying 꾸준히, or steadily, is especially important.