TOPIK II Core Vocabulary · Relationships ②

Keeping the peace — 신뢰, 협력, 존중하다, 사과하다, 어울리다

These words describe how people keep good relationships. 신뢰 is also useful in formal writing.

01신뢰silloe🔊 [실뢰]

trust · a strong belief that you can depend on someone or something.

Pronunciation [실뢰]. The final consonant (patchim) ㄴ is said as ㄹ before ㄹ. You also see this in 권리 and 논란.

Note 신뢰하다 is more formal than 믿다. 신뢰를 쌓다 means "to build trust." 신뢰가 무너지다 means "trust breaks down."

Examples 신뢰를 얻다 (to earn trust) · 신뢰가 무너지다 (trust collapses) · 신뢰 관계 (a relationship of trust)

저는 그 사람을 신뢰해요. I trust that person.  |  신뢰하다 is stronger and more formal than 믿다.

신뢰는 쌓기는 어렵지만 무너지는 것은 한순간이다. Trust is hard to build, but it collapses in a single moment.  |  한순간 = a single moment

02협력hyeomnyeok🔊 [혐녁]

cooperation · people or groups working together toward a shared goal.

Pronunciation [혐녁]. Two changes happen at the same time. The final consonant ㅂ becomes ㅁ, and the ㄹ becomes ㄴ.

Note 협력 is the noun. The verb is 협력하다. 국제 협력 means "international cooperation."

Examples 협력이 필요하다 (cooperation is needed) · 협력을 구하다 (to seek cooperation) · 국제 협력 (international cooperation)

이 일은 여러 사람의 협력이 필요해요. This task requires the cooperation of several people.  |  여러 = several

기후 문제는 한 나라의 힘만으로는 풀 수 없어 국제 협력이 절실하다. No single country can solve climate problems alone, so international cooperation is essential.  |  절실하다 = to be urgently needed

03존중하다jonjunghada

to respect · to accept the value, rights, opinions, or differences of other people.

Note 배려하다 means thinking about another person's needs. 존중하다 means accepting their value or their differences. You can respect an opinion without agreeing with it.

Examples 의견을 존중하다 (to respect an opinion) · 서로 존중하다 (to respect each other) · 존중받다 (to be respected)

다른 사람의 생각도 존중해야 해요. You have to respect other people's ideas too.  |  -도 = as well

서로 다름을 존중할 때 비로소 대화가 시작된다. Dialogue can begin only when people respect one another's differences.  |  다름 = difference · 비로소 = only then

04사과하다sagwahada

to apologize · to admit a mistake and ask for forgiveness.

Note 사과 can also mean "apple." The context shows you which meaning it is. The person who gets the apology takes 에게, as in 친구에게 사과하다.

Examples 사과를 하다 (to apologize) · 사과를 받다 (to receive an apology) · 진심으로 사과하다 (to apologize sincerely)

먼저 사과하는 게 좋을 것 같아요. It might be best to apologize first.  |  먼저 = first

진심이 담기지 않은 사과는 오히려 갈등을 키운다. An insincere apology only makes the conflict worse.  |  진심 = sincerity · 갈등 = conflict

05어울리다eoullida

to get along with; to suit · to spend time easily with people, or to look good on someone.

Forms 어울려요 · 어울립니다 · 어울렸어요

Note With 와/과, 어울리다 means to spend time with people or get along with them, as in 사람들과 어울리다. With 이/가, it means that something suits someone, as in 옷이 어울리다.

그 옷이 정말 잘 어울려요. That outfit really suits you.  |  A common compliment about someone's clothing

낯선 환경에서 사람들과 어울리기까지는 시간이 걸린다. In an unfamiliar environment, it takes time to fit in with people.  |  낯설다 = to be unfamiliar

Quick check3 questions

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

1. __________는 쌓기는 어렵지만 무너지는 것은 한순간이다. (slow to build)
2. 서로 다름을 __________ 때 비로소 대화가 시작된다. (존중하다 + -(으)ㄹ)
3. 그 옷이 정말 잘 __________. (어울리다 · present polite)

Show answers

1. 신뢰   2. 존중할   3. 어울려요

Study tip 어울리다 has two meanings. 와/과 어울리다 means "to get along or spend time with." 이/가 어울리다 means "to suit." Look at the particle, the small word after the noun, to find the right meaning.