TOPIK II Core Vocabulary · Relationships ①

Between people — 관계, 소통하다, 오해, 배려하다, 친하다

These words describe relationships between people. A lack of 소통 can lead to 오해.

01관계gwangye

relationship · a connection between two people, groups, or things.

Note 관계를 맺다 means "to form a relationship." You also see this verb in 계약을 맺다, "to sign a contract." 인간관계 means "human relationships."

Examples 관계가 좋다 (to be on good terms) · 관계를 맺다 (to form a relationship) · 인간관계 (human relationships)

두 사람은 관계가 아주 좋아요. Those two are on excellent terms.  |  관계가 나빠지다 means for a relationship to worsen

좋은 관계는 한 번에 만들어지지 않고 오랜 시간 쌓인다. A good relationship is not made all at once; it builds up over a long time.  |  쌓이다 = to build up over time

02소통하다sotonghada

to communicate · to share thoughts or information with other people.

Note 말하다 can describe one person speaking. 소통하다 points to communication in both directions. Two common phrases are 소통이 부족하다, communication is lacking, and 원활한 소통, communication that flows easily.

Examples 소통이 되다 (to communicate well) · 소통이 부족하다 (communication falls short) · 원활한 소통 (smooth communication)

서로 소통이 잘 안 되는 것 같아요. I do not think we are communicating well.  |  -는 것 같다 = it seems

조직의 문제는 대부분 소통의 부재에서 비롯된다. Most problems in organizations begin with a lack of communication.  |  부재 = absence · 비롯되다 = to originate

03오해ohae

misunderstanding · getting the meaning wrong.

Note 이해 means correct understanding. 오해 means wrong understanding. 오해를 풀다 means "to clear up a misunderstanding."

Examples 오해가 생기다 (a misunderstanding arises) · 오해를 풀다 (to clear it up) · 오해하다 (to misunderstand)

제 말을 오해하신 것 같아요. I think you have misunderstood what I said.  |  -시- shows respect to the listener here

작은 오해가 쌓이면 관계 자체가 흔들릴 수 있다. If small misunderstandings build up, the relationship can become unstable.  |  흔들리다 = to become unstable

04배려하다baeryeohada

to be considerate · to think about another person's needs or situation, and to act with care.

Note 도와주다 means to give direct help. 배려하다 means to think about another person's situation or needs. You often do this before they ask. 배려심 means "consideration" or "thoughtfulness."

Examples 서로 배려하다 (to be considerate of each other) · 배려가 필요하다 (consideration is needed) · 배려심 (thoughtfulness)

배려해 주셔서 정말 감사해요. Thank you so much for being so thoughtful.  |  -아/어 주다 = to do for someone

약자를 배려하는 정도가 그 사회의 수준을 보여 준다. How far a society shows consideration for the vulnerable reveals the level of that society.  |  약자 = vulnerable people · 수준 = level

05친하다chinhada

to be close · to know someone well and feel relaxed with them.

Note The person you are close to takes 와/과. In speech, people often use 하고 instead. "To grow close" is 친해지다. It uses -아/어지다, an ending that shows a change of state.

Examples 친한 친구 (a close friend) · 친하게 지내다 (to be on friendly terms) · 친해지다 (to grow close)

우리는 어릴 때부터 친했어요. We've been close since we were little.  |  -부터 = since

친할수록 예의를 지켜야 관계가 오래간다. The closer people are, the more they must observe good manners if the relationship is to last.  |  예의 = manners, courtesy

Quick check3 questions

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

1. 조직의 문제는 대부분 __________의 부재에서 비롯된다. (an absence of ______)
2. 작은 __________가 쌓이면 관계 자체가 흔들릴 수 있다. (small ______s)
3. 약자를 __________ 정도가 그 사회의 수준을 보여 준다. (배려하다 · before a noun)

Show answers

1. 소통   2. 오해   3. 배려하는

Study tip Compare these three words: 이해 means correct understanding, 오해 means incorrect understanding, and 해결 means solving a problem.