고장나다 (go-jang-na-da, gojangnada) · 멈추다 (meom-chu-da, meomchuda)
고장나다 means a machine or device has broken down and is unusable, while 멈추다 means a machine has stopped working temporarily or permanently.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
When a machine or device breaks down and becomes unusable.
When to use
machine breakdown, electronic malfunction, unusable state for devices, not for people
The nuance
Use 고장나다 when a physical machine or electronic device loses function due to internal problems. It is not used for people or abstract situations.
When a machine or person stops movement or operation, temporarily or permanently.
When to use
machine operation stop, temporary halt, person stops moving
The nuance
멈추다 is used when machines, people, or situations stop moving or operating, either temporarily or permanently. Unlike 고장나다, it does not necessarily imply malfunction.
자동차가 고장났어요.
ja-dong-cha-ga go-jang-nass-eo-yo., ja dong cha ga go jang nass eo yo.
Use 고장나다 when a car is broken due to internal problems.
자동차가 멈췄어요.
ja-dong-cha-ga meom-chwoss-eo-yo., ja dong cha ga meom chwoss eo yo.
Use 멈추다 when a car has stopped moving; it can be temporary or permanent.
컴퓨터가 고장났어요.
keom-pyu-teo-ga go-jang-nass-eo-yo., keom pyu teo ga go jang nass eo yo.
Use 고장나다 when a computer is malfunctioning due to internal issues.
사람이 고장났어요.
sa-ram-i go-jang-nass-eo-yo., sa ram i go jang nass eo yo.
고장나다 is not used for people; use other expressions for human problems.
기계가 멈췄어요.
gi-gye-ga meom-chwoss-eo-yo., gi gye ga meom chwoss eo yo.
Use 멈추다 when a machine stops operating.
기계가 고장났어요.
gi-gye-ga go-jang-nass-eo-yo., gi gye ga go jang nass eo yo.
Use 고장나다 when a machine has broken down.
기계가 갑자기 고장 멈췄어요.
gi-gye-ga gap-ja-gi go-jang meom-chwoss-eo-yo., gi gye ga gap ja gi go jang meom chwoss eo yo.
You cannot combine 고장나다 and 멈추다 directly; this is grammatically wrong.
Which expression is correct when a computer suddenly stops working?
What is the correct expression when a car is not working due to internal problems?
Which word do you use when a person suddenly stops moving?
