TOPIK · Level 91
15 words
Korean word
조금씩
Pronunciation
Romanizationchogeumssik
Meaning
- adverblittle by little
Example
우리는 조금씩 준비하고 있어요.u ri neun cho geum ssik chun bi ha go i sseo yo
We are getting ready little by little.
More examples
한 달 동안 조금씩 저축했더니 비상금이 생겼어요.han tal tong an cho geum ssik cheo chu kaet tteo ni pi sang geu mi saeng gyeo sseo yo
After saving little by little for a month, I had an emergency fund.
Core concept
A small amount or change builds up step by step instead of happening all at once.
Common phrases
조금씩 모이다cho geum ssik mo i da
gather little by little
조금씩 쌓이다cho geum ssik ssa i da
build up little by little
조금씩 아끼다cho geum ssik a kki da
save little by little
Similar words
점점cheomjeom: A condition keeps getting better or worse as time passes.
서서히seoseohi: A change happens in a slow, steady way.
차츰chacheum: A situation gradually shifts toward a new state as time goes by.
천천히cheoncheonhi: An action or movement happens at a low speed.
Definition in Korean
행동이나 상태가 한 번에 크게 바뀌지 않고, 아주 적은 양이나 변화가 차례로 쌓여서 진행되거나 달라짐을 나타내는 부사.haeng dong i na sang tae ga han peo ne keu ge pa kkwi ji an ko a ju cheo geun yang i na pyeon hwa ga cha rye ro ssa yeo seo chin haeng doe geo na tal la ji meul na ta nae neun pu sa
Word origin
The word combines 조금 (jogeum, "a little") with 씩 (ssik, "each or at a time"), giving the idea of small amounts recurring over time.
Usage tips
- It fits progress that is easy to miss at first, such as learning, saving, or getting ready.
Opposites
- 한번에hanbeoneall at onceadverb
Related words
- 조금chogeuma littlenoun