집중하다
jipjunghada[t͡ɕip̚t͡ɕ͈uŋɦa̠da̠]
To pay attention in Korean is to say 집중하다 (jipjunghada).
The phrase is used to describe the act of focusing one's mind or concentration on a particular task or piece of information. Note that 집중하다 refers specifically to mental focus. It is different from expressions used to mean being cautious or mindful of one's surroundings, such as 주의를 기울이다.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 집중하다 is formed by combining the noun 집중, which means 'concentration' or 'focus', with the verb 하다, meaning 'to do'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 집중하고 있어요 is the continuous present tense, used to indicate that someone is currently in the act of paying attention or concentrating. If you want to suggest that someone needs to provide extra focus, you can use the colloquial phrase 좀 더 집중해 봐.
How do you pronounce it?
jipjunghada
Did you know?
- In a classroom setting, a teacher might not say 집중해 to get attention, but instead use the command 박수 세 번 시작 meaning 'Start three claps', to rhythmically refocus the students.
- The word 집중 is also used in urban planning and economics to describe the 'concentration' of population or wealth in a specific city like Seoul.
- In high-pressure environments like exams, Koreans might talk about 'concentration power' using the term 집중력, treating focus as a tangible resource that can be 'exhausted' or 'lost'.
Examples in context
- 주의를 기울여 주세요. 이 부분은 매우 중요합니다.Please pay attention. This part is very important.
- 시험 중이니까 집중해야 돼.You need to concentrate as you are taking the exam.
- 좀 더 집중해 봐. 말하는 중이야.Pay more attention. I'm speaking.
- 너무나도 주의를 기울여 주세요Please focus your attention really (very) well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 집중하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
