Suh ChangWhoon
Written by 서 창훈, a certified Korean teacher with 14+ years of experience in Japan. He previously worked as a government officer, cybersecurity consultant, and English interpreter. Today, he teaches Korean in real classrooms without complex grammar explanations — instead, he trains students’ brains to speak naturally. His unique method is now the foundation of all his Korean courses.
Table of Contents
신경을 쓰다 Meaning
The Korean phrase 신경을 쓰다 meaning in English translates to “to pay attention to” or “to care about” in English. This 신경을 쓰다 meaning in English versatile expression is used in various contexts to describe actively giving thought or attention to something, whether it’s a concern, task, or another person.
For example:
- “She pays a lot of attention to her appearance” becomes 그녀는 외모에 신경을 많이 써.
- “Don’t worry about it too much” becomes 너무 신경 쓰지 마.
신경 means “nerves” or “attention,” and 쓰다 means “to use.” Together, they convey the act of investing mental energy into something.
신경을 쓰다 Nuances and Usage
The phrase 신경을 쓰다 carries a tone of mindfulness or concern. Depending on the context, it can express:
- Careful Attention: Focusing on details or specific tasks.
- 예: 요리에 신경을 많이 썼어. (I paid a lot of attention to the cooking.)
- Worry or Concern: Feeling anxious or bothered by something.
- 예: 작은 일에도 신경을 쓰는 성격이에요. (I’m the type to worry about even small things.)
- Effort for Others: Being considerate or thoughtful.
- 예: 그녀가 내 생일 선물에 신경 써 줬어. (She put thought into my birthday gift.)
Learning to use 신경을 쓰다 meaning in English naturally in different situations will enhance your ability to convey care, effort, or worry in Korean.
신경을 쓰다 Example 1
Original Korean Sentence
너무 신경 쓰지 마.
Pronunciation Guide
너무 (neo-mu) 신경 (sin-gyeong) 쓰지 (sseu-ji) 마 (ma).
Meaning and Context
너무 (too much) 신경 (worry/concern, original meaning is nerves) 쓰 (to use) 마 (don’t; in a casual way).
Grammar
지 마: Negative command. “Don’t do [verb]”
쓰지 마: “Don’t use/pay [attention].”
English Translation
Don’t worry about it too much.
Literal Translation
Don’t use nerves too much.
This is just a small taste of my sentence breakdowns.
My “Story Style Breakdown™” method — where I teach grammar through simple, story-like sentence breakdowns—is only inside my course.
Most Korean courses stop at grammar. Mine goes beyond — with stories, breakdowns, and real practice to help you speak.
신경을 쓰다 Example 2
Original Korean Sentence
그는 사소한 일에도 신경을 써.
Pronunciation Guide
그는 (geu-neun) 사소한 (sa-so-han) 이레도 (i-re-do) 신경을 (sin-gyeong-eul) 써 (sseo).
Meaning and Context
그 (he) 는 (my topic is him) 사소한 (trivial/small) 일 (thing) 에도 (even to) 신경 (care/attention) 을 (my object is attention) 쓰 (to pay/put thought into) 어 (I’m telling you casually).
Pronunciation Patterns for Conjugations
⊳ 쓰 + 어 = 써
When rapidly pronounced, ‘쓰’ and ‘어’ naturally combine to form ‘써’.
Grammar
- 에도: 에 (to/at) + 도 (even). Means “even to/for.”
English Translation
He worries about even the smallest things.
Literal Translation
He use nerves even to small thing.
신경을 쓰다 Example 3
Original Korean Sentence
그녀는 외모에 신경을 많이 써.
Pronunciation Guide
그녀는 (geu-nyeo-neun) 외모에 (oe-mo-e) 신경을 (sin-gyeong-eul) 마니 (ma-ni) 써 (sseo).
Meaning and Context
그녀 (she) 는 (topic marker) 외모 (appearance) 에 (to/with regard to) 신경 (attention/care) 을 (object marker) 많이 (a lot) 쓰 (to pay/uses energy/thought) 어 (I’m telling you casually).
Pronunciation Patterns for Conjugations
⊳ 쓰 + 어 = 써
When rapidly pronounced, ‘쓰’ and ‘어’ naturally combine to form ‘써’.
Grammar
- 에: Indicates the direction or target
English Translation
She pays a lot of attention to her appearance.
Literal Translation
She use nevers a lot to appearance.
Conclusion: Mastering 신경을 쓰다 meaning
신경을 쓰다 meaning in English captures the act of paying attention, being thoughtful, or worrying in a variety of situations. It’s an essential expression for describing care or concern in Korean conversations.
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