기에 달려 있다: Depends on


안녕하세요!

Ready to embark on another thrilling ride through the rollercoaster of Korean grammar? 🎢 Well, fasten your seat belts, because today, we’re diving into the exciting world of “기에 달려 있다”! 🌍

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Not another mysterious Korean phrase I’ve never heard of!” But trust me, this one’s gonna be a game-changer. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be throwing around “기에 달려 있다” like confetti at a New Year’s Eve party! 🎉

But first, a little teaser… 🤔 Did you ever feel like everything depended on just one thing? Like if that coffee machine doesn’t start, your entire day is ruined? Yep, you guessed it! It’s all “기에 달려 있다” (It all hangs in the balance of…).

So, come on! Grab your favorite coffee (or tea, or juice—no judgment here!) and let’s jump in. Because remember, the fun (and your understanding) is all “기에 달려 있다”! 🤪📚

Onwards! ⏩

Conjugation

VERB STEM + 기에 달려 있다

  1. Take a verb i.e. 가다
  2. Drop 다
  3. Add 기에 달려 있다 i.e. 가기에 달려 있다
  • 먹다 –> 먹 + 기에 달려 있다 –> 먹기에 달려 있다
  • 사다 –> 사 + 기에 달려 있다 –> 사기에 달려 있다
  • 오다 –> 오 + 기에 달려 있다 –> 오기에 달려 있다
  • 하다 –> 하 + 기에 달려 있다 –> 하기에 달려 있다

NOUN + 에 달려 있다

  • 노력 –> 노력에 달려 있다 (depends on the effort)
  • 사랑 –> 사랑에 달려 있다 (depends on love)
  • 커피 –> 커피에 달려 있다 (depend on coffee)

Understanding 기에 달려 있다

In the vast landscape of the Korean language, “기에 달려 있다” stands out as an expressive phrase that’s both poetic and practical. So, let’s unpack this evocative expression and get to know its essence!

Literal Translation:

  • : This is a nominalizing suffix. It turns verbs or adjectives into nouns.
  • : A particle often used to indicate a direction, location, or target.
  • 달려 있다: Literally translates to “to hang” or “to depend on”, indicating a state of suspension or reliance on something.

Combining these elements, the phrase “기에 달려 있다” can be translated literally to “it hangs on (something)”, but a more nuanced and apt translation would be “it depends on (something)“.

Practical Meaning:

“기에 달려 있다” is used to express that something is contingent upon or heavily reliant on a specific factor or condition. It highlights the pivotal nature of certain circumstances or decisions in determining an outcome.

For example, if someone says, “성공할지 아닐지는 노력하기에 달려 있다,” it means “Whether [I/we/you] succeed or not depends on [my/our/your] efforts.”

Cultural Context:

In Korean culture, the idea of fate, determination, and the interconnectedness of actions and consequences is deeply ingrained. The phrase “기에 달려 있다” encapsulates this sentiment, suggesting that while certain things might be predestined, individual choices and efforts also play a significant role in shaping outcomes.

Flexibility in Usage:

This phrase is versatile and can be used in various contexts, be it personal ambitions, predictions about the weather, or even the success of a planned event. The encompassing nature of “기에 달려 있다” makes it a valuable addition to any Korean language learner’s toolkit.

In conclusion, understanding “기에 달려 있다” isn’t just about grasping its literal translation. It’s about tapping into the heart of Korean thought, where outcomes hinge on pivotal moments, decisions, or factors. It’s a beautiful reminder that while some things might be out of our control, our choices and actions have the power to shape our destiny.

Contextual Usage & Nuances

Diving into the rich tapestry of Korean language nuances, “기에 달려 있다” is a phrase that encapsulates the idea of dependence or reliance on a particular factor or situation. But to truly understand its depth, we must delve into its contextual usage and the delicate shades of meaning it carries.

Personal Context:

  • Nuance: When used in personal contexts, this phrase often relates to individual efforts, choices, or circumstances.Example: “시험 합격할지는 공부하기에 달려 있다” – Whether I pass the exam or not depends on my studies.

Professional Context:

  • Nuance: In professional settings, it emphasizes the contingent nature of success on various factors like teamwork, strategy, or resources.Example: “프로젝트의 성공은 팀워크에 달려 있다” – The success of the project depends on teamwork.

Social and Cultural Context:

  • Nuance: In broader societal scenarios, the phrase can allude to collective efforts, prevailing cultural sentiments, or shared responsibilities.Example: “환경 보호는 우리 모두의 노력에 달려 있다” – Protecting the environment depends on all of our efforts.

Predictive Context:

  • Nuance: When used in speculative or predictive situations, it underlines the uncertainty of outcomes based on specific conditions.Example: “내일 비 올지는 구름 상태에 달려 있다” – Whether it will rain tomorrow depends on the cloud conditions.

Contrast & Emphasis:

  • Nuance: Sometimes, “기에 달려 있다” is employed to create a contrast or to emphasize the pivotal nature of a particular factor, especially when other factors have been deemed less important. Example: “가격이 아니라 품질에 달려 있다” – It depends on the quality, not the price.

Cautionary Context:

  • Nuance: The phrase can also be used as a word of caution, highlighting the significant repercussions of a single factor or decision.Example: “이 결정은 회사의 미래에 달려 있다” – This decision hangs in the balance of the company’s future.

In Essence:

The phrase “기에 달려 있다”, while straightforward in its construction, is rich in its layers when applied contextually. Recognizing the subtle nuances in different scenarios will not only improve one’s comprehension but also elevate their conversational skills in Korean. It’s a phrase that underscores the interconnectedness of life’s many facets, reminding us that outcomes often hinge on particular pivotal elements.

Sample sentences

  • 커피의 맛은 원두 선택하기에 달려 있어요.
    • The taste of the coffee depends on the choice of beans.
  • 우리 팀이 우승할지는 마지막 경기에 달려 있어요.
    • Whether our team wins or not depends on the last match.
  • 영화의 성공은 주연 배우의 연기에 달려 있어요.
    • The success of the movie depends on the lead actor’s performance.
  • 이번 여행이 즐거울지는 날씨에 달려 있어요.
    • Whether this trip will be enjoyable depends on the weather.
  • 어떤 책을 선택할지는 너의 취향에 달려 있어.
    • Which book you choose depends on your taste.

Activity 1

Fill in the blanks.

  1. 그 레스토랑이 성공 ___________. – The success of that restaurant depends on its location.
  2. 저의 학점은 이번 시험 ___________. – My grade depends on the score of this exam.
  3. 건강은 일상 생활 ___________. – Health depends on daily lifestyle habits.
  4. 옷의 편안함은 ___________ – The comfort of the clothing depends on the material.
  5. 진급은 ___________. – Promotion depends on your effort.

Activity 1 Answers

  1. 그 레스토랑이 성공 위치에 달려 있어요. – The success of that restaurant depends on its location.
  2. 저의 학점은 이번 시험 성적에 달려 있어요. – My grade depends on the score of this exam.
  3. 건강은 일상 생활 습관에 달려 있어요. – Health depends on daily lifestyle habits.
  4. 옷의 편안함은 재료에 달려 있어요. – The comfort of the clothing depends on the material.
  5. 진급은 노력에 달려 있어요. – Promotion depends on your effort.

Wrap up


Alright, language learners! 🌟

We’ve sailed through another ocean of Korean grammar together! 🌊🚢 Feeling the waves yet? Remember, if you ever feel like you’re drowning in Korean grammar, just grab onto “기에 달려 있다” as your lifebuoy. 🏊‍♂️

A quick tip: the more you use this structure in real-life conversations, the less likely it is to sink in the sea of forgotten grammar! And if you ever wonder if you’ll master Korean – it’s all “기에 달려 있다”… dependent on your effort and practice!

Drop a comment, share your own fun sentences, or simply tell us your favorite type of fish (why not? 🐟). Until next time, keep those Korean grammar engines revving and remember: it’s all about having fun and diving deep! 🐬📚

Hwaiting! ✨🚀

Sonia

My name is Sonia and I have been watching Kdramas and learning the Korean Language since 2009 and still haven't gotten bored of it at all! At first, I fell in love with the dramas but soon enough I fell in love with Korean language and Korean culture.

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