생각하다(saeng-gak-ha-da, saenggakhada)
to intentionally think about or consider something
When to use
intentional thinking, making judgments, planning
The nuance
Used when the subject actively thinks or considers something.
생각하다 vs 생각나다: Subject and Occurrence of Thoughts
생각하다 (saeng-gak-ha-da, saenggakhada) · 생각나다 (saeng-gak-na-da, saenggaknada)
생각하다 is used when the subject intentionally thinks about something, while 생각나다 is used when a memory or idea suddenly comes to mind.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
생각나다(saeng-gak-na-da, saenggaknada)
to suddenly recall or have an idea come to mind
When to use
sudden recall, idea emergence, remembering forgotten info
The nuance
Used when a memory or idea suddenly comes to the subject's mind.
Real-world examples
나는 내일 여행 계획을 생각한다.
na-neun nae-il yeo-haeng gye-hoek-eul saeng-gak-han-da., na neun nae il yeo haeng gye hoek eul saeng gak han da.
The subject intentionally thinks about the plan, so 생각하다 is correct.
나는 갑자기 어렸을 때 일이 생각났다.
na-neun gap-ja-gi eo-ryeoss-eul ttae il-i saeng-gak-nass-da., na neun gap ja gi eo ryeoss eul ttae il i saeng gak nass da.
A memory suddenly came to mind, so 생각나다 is correct.
생각나서 그 사람에게 전화했다.
saeng-gak-na-seo geu sa-ram-e-ge jeon-hwa-haess-da., saeng gak na seo geu sa ram e ge jeon hwa haess da.
The action was triggered by sudden recall, so 생각나다 is used.
나는 내일 할 일을 생각났다.
na-neun nae-il hal il-eul saeng-gak-nass-da., na neun nae il hal il eul saeng gak nass da.
생각나다 is for sudden recall; here, intentional thinking requires 생각하다.
회의에서 좋은 아이디어를 생각했다.
hoe-ui-e-seo joh-eun a-i-di-eo-reul saeng-gak-haess-da., hoe ui e seo joh eun a i di eo reul saeng gak haess da.
The subject actively thought of an idea, so 생각하다 is correct.
어제 친구가 생각났다.
eo-je chin-gu-ga saeng-gak-nass-da., eo je chin gu ga saeng gak nass da.
The friend suddenly came to mind, so 생각나다 is correct.
나는 그 문제에 대해 생각났다.
na-neun geu mun-je-e dae-hae saeng-gak-nass-da., na neun geu mun je e dae hae saeng gak nass da.
When intentionally thinking about a problem, 생각하다 should be used.
갑자기 좋은 생각이 생각났다.
gap-ja-gi joh-eun saeng-gak-i saeng-gak-nass-da., gap ja gi joh eun saeng gak i saeng gak nass da.
When a good idea suddenly comes to mind, only 생각나다 is natural; using both is redundant.
Quick quiz
Which word do you use when a past event suddenly comes to mind?
갑자기 지난 일이 떠올랐을 때 어떤 단어를 쓰나요?(gap-ja-giji-nanil-itteo-ol-rass-eulttaeeo-tteondan-eo-reulsseu-na-yo?, gapjagijinanilitteoolrasseulttaeeotteondaneoreulsseunayo?)What is correct when intentionally thinking about a problem?
의도적으로 문제를 고민할 때 올바른 표현은?(ui-do-jeok-eu-romun-je-reulgo-min-halttaeol-ba-reunpyo-hyeon-eun?, uidojeokeuromunjereulgominhalttaeolbareunpyohyeoneun?)Fill in the blank: "Yesterday, I suddenly thought of a friend."
"어제 친구가 ___" 빈칸에 들어갈 말은?("eo-jechin-gu-ga___"bin-kan-edeul-eo-galmal-eun?, "eojechinguga___"binkanedeuleogalmaleun?)Which is correct: "Think about tomorrow's plan"?
"내일 계획을 ___" 올바른 표현은?("nae-ilgye-hoek-eul___"ol-ba-reunpyo-hyeon-eun?, "naeilgyehoekeul___"olbareunpyohyeoneun?)
More comparisons to explore
- 나가다 vs 나오다: Difference Between Going Out and Coming Out
- 올라가다 vs 올라오다: Direction and Reference Point Differences
- 가다 vs 오다: Understanding Directional Differences
- 알다 vs 모르다: Knowing vs Not Knowing
- 기억하다 vs 잊다: Remembering vs Forgetting
- 느끼다 vs 느껴지다: Active vs Passive Sensation in Korean
- 있다 vs 없다: Presence vs Absence Explained
- 만들다 vs 짓다: Differences in the Act of Making