칭찬하다(ching-chan-ha-da, chingchanhada)
To recognize and verbally express someone's good or well-done points
When to use
After success, For good results, Recognizing ability
The nuance
Use 칭찬하다 when directly praising someone's achievement or behavior.
칭찬하다 vs 격려하다: The Difference Between Praise and Encouragement
칭찬하다 (ching-chan-ha-da, chingchanhada) · 격려하다 (gyeok-ryeo-ha-da, gyeokryeohada)
칭찬하다 means to praise someone's achievement, while 격려하다 means to encourage someone to keep going despite difficulties.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
격려하다(gyeok-ryeo-ha-da, gyeokryeohada)
To cheer someone on and boost their spirit during difficulties or tough situations
When to use
After failure, When struggling, During a challenge
The nuance
Use 격려하다 when encouraging someone to keep going despite failure or hardship.
Real-world examples
시험에서 100점을 맞아서 선생님께 칭찬을 받았어요.
si-heom-e-seo 100jeom-eul maj-a-seo seon-saeng-nim-kke ching-chan-eul bat-ass-eo-yo., si heom e seo 100jeom eul maj a seo seon saeng nim kke ching chan eul bat ass eo yo.
Praising for good exam results fits 칭찬하다.
시험에서 떨어졌는데 친구가 격려해 줬어요.
si-heom-e-seo tteol-eo-jyeoss-neun-de chin-gu-ga gyeok-ryeo-hae jwoss-eo-yo., si heom e seo tteol eo jyeoss neun de chin gu ga gyeok ryeo hae jwoss eo yo.
Encouragement after failure fits 격려하다.
운동을 잘한다고 격려했어요.
un-dong-eul jal-han-da-go gyeok-ryeo-haess-eo-yo., un dong eul jal han da go gyeok ryeo haess eo yo.
Being good at sports is for 칭찬하다, not 격려하다.
힘든 상황에서도 포기하지 말라고 칭찬했어요.
him-deun sang-hwang-e-seo-do po-gi-ha-ji mal-ra-go ching-chan-haess-eo-yo., him deun sang hwang e seo do po gi ha ji mal ra go ching chan haess eo yo.
Telling someone not to give up is 격려하다, not 칭찬하다.
프로젝트를 잘 마쳐서 상사에게 칭찬을 받았어요.
peu-ro-jek-teu-reul jal ma-chyeo-seo sang-sa-e-ge ching-chan-eul bat-ass-eo-yo., peu ro jek teu reul jal ma chyeo seo sang sa e ge ching chan eul bat ass eo yo.
Successful project completion fits 칭찬하다.
실패했지만 계속 도전하라고 격려했어요.
sil-pae-haess-ji-man gye-sok do-jeon-ha-ra-go gyeok-ryeo-haess-eo-yo., sil pae haess ji man gye sok do jeon ha ra go gyeok ryeo haess eo yo.
Encouraging continued effort after failure fits 격려하다.
친구가 좋은 아이디어를 냈다고 격려했어요.
chin-gu-ga joh-eun a-i-di-eo-reul naess-da-go gyeok-ryeo-haess-eo-yo., chin gu ga joh eun a i di eo reul naess da go gyeok ryeo haess eo yo.
Good ideas are praised, not encouraged.
운동회에서 열심히 뛰었다고 칭찬했어요.
un-dong-hoe-e-seo yeol-sim-hi ttwi-eoss-da-go ching-chan-haess-eo-yo., un dong hoe e seo yeol sim hi ttwi eoss da go ching chan haess eo yo.
Recognizing effort and achievement fits 칭찬하다.
Quick quiz
What do you say after getting a good exam score?
시험에서 좋은 점수를 받았을 때 어떤 말을 하나요?(si-heom-e-seojoh-eunjeom-su-reulbat-ass-eulttaeeo-tteonmal-eulha-na-yo?, siheomeseojoheunjeomsureulbatasseulttaeeotteonmaleulhanayo?)What should you say when a friend is going through a hard time?
친구가 어려운 일을 겪고 있을 때 어떤 말을 해야 할까요?(chin-gu-gaeo-ryeo-unil-eulgyeokk-goiss-eulttaeeo-tteonmal-eulhae-yahal-kka-yo?, chingugaeoryeounileulgyeokkgoisseulttaeeotteonmaleulhaeyahalkkayo?)Which expression fits when you hear someone's good idea?
누군가의 좋은 아이디어를 들었을 때 어떤 표현이 적절한가요?(nu-gun-ga-uijoh-euna-i-di-eo-reuldeul-eoss-eulttaeeo-tteonpyo-hyeon-ijeok-jeol-han-ga-yo?, nugungauijoheunaidieoreuldeuleosseulttaeeotteonpyohyeonijeokjeolhangayo?)Which word do you use when telling someone to keep trying after failure?
실패 후에 계속 노력하라고 말할 때 어떤 단어를 쓰나요?(sil-paehu-egye-sokno-ryeok-ha-ra-gomal-halttaeeo-tteondan-eo-reulsseu-na-yo?, silpaehuegyesoknoryeokharagomalhalttaeeotteondaneoreulsseunayo?)
More comparisons to explore
- 격려하다 vs 칭찬하다: The Difference in Words That Empower
- 숨기다 vs 감추다: The Nuance of Concealment
- 드러내다 vs 밝히다: Two Ways to Reveal Hidden Things
- 사과하다 vs 용서하다: Apologizing vs Forgiving
- 싸우다 vs 다투다: Nuance Differences in Fighting
- 참석하다 vs 출석하다: Participation vs Attendance
- 초대하다 vs 불러주다: Subtle Differences Between Invitation and Calling
- 방문하다 vs 찾아가다: Nuance Differences in Visiting