Korean Grammar Point
~기로 되다 [giro dweda] (It's decided to)

~기로 되다 [giro dweda] (It's decided to)

Short explanation:

This is used to express 'it's decided to' or 'it's arranged to'.

Formation:

Verb Stem + 기로 되다

Examples:

회사에서 월요일에 회의하기로 되었어요.
Hoesaeseo woryoil-e hoesuihagi-ro doeeoss-eoyo.
It has been arranged to have a meeting at the company on Monday.
우리는 내일 오후 3시에 만나기로 되었어요.
Ulineun naeil ohu 3si-e mannagi-ro doeeoss-eoyo.
We've decided to meet at 3 pm tomorrow.
그녀와의 결혼은 내년에 하기로 되었어요.
Geunyeowaui gyeolhoneun naenyeon-e hagi-ro doeeoss-eoyo.
It's been decided that we will get married next year.
다음 주에 친구들과 여행 가기로 되었어요.
Da-eum ju-e chingu-deulgwa yeohaeng gagi-ro doeeoss-eoyo.
It's been decided that we will go on a trip with friends next week.

Long explanation:

'~기로 되다 [giro dweda]' structure is used when you want to express that something is decided or arranged. The main verb is changed into the verb nominalization form by attaching '~기' to the verb stem, and it is followed by the verb '되다'.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: ~기로 되다 [giro dweda] (It's decided to)

Korean Grammar Point: ~기로 되다 [giro dweda] (It's decided to)

Lesson: ~기로 되다 [giro dweda] (It's decided to)

1. Introduction

In Korean, expressing decisions, plans, or scheduled events often involves specific grammar patterns. One such pattern is ~기로 되다, which conveys that something has been decided or arranged, typically by external factors or authorities rather than by the speaker themselves.


2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

~기로 되다 is used to indicate that a particular action has been decided upon or scheduled, usually by someone else or due to external circumstances. It emphasizes that the decision is not made by the subject but has been established by others or as part of a system.

  • Meaning: "It has been decided that...", "It is planned/scheduled to...", "It turns out that..."

Structure

Formation

To form this grammar pattern:

  1. Verb Stem + -기로 되다

Components

Component Description
Verb Stem The base form of the verb without -다
-기로 Connective suffix turning the verb into a noun phrase
되다 Verb meaning "to become" or "to be decided"

Formation Diagram

[Verb Stem] + 기로 되다

Example

  • 가다 (to go) ⇒ (verb stem) + 기로 되다가기로 되다 (It has been decided to go)

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with Similar Grammar Patterns

~기로 하다 vs. ~기로 되다

  • ~기로 하다
    • Usage: Indicates that the speaker or subject actively decides to do something.
    • Example: 우리가 주말에 만나기로 했어요.
      (We decided to meet on the weekend.)
    • Note: Emphasizes the subject's intention or decision.
  • ~기로 되다
    • Usage: Indicates that something has been decided by others or external circumstances.
    • Example: 회의는 월요일에 열리기로 되었어요.
      (It has been decided that the meeting will be held on Monday.)
    • Note: Emphasizes that the decision is out of the subject's control.

4. Examples in Context

Formal Context

  1. 회의는 내일 오전 10시에 시작되기로 되었습니다.
    (It has been decided that the meeting will start at 10 AM tomorrow.)
  2. 신입 사원 교육은 다음 달에 실시되기로 되었습니다.
    (The new employee training has been scheduled for next month.)

Informal Context

  1. 이번 주말에 여행을 가기로 됐어.
    (It's been decided that we'll go on a trip this weekend.)
  2. 그 프로젝트는 취소되기로 됐어.
    (It's been decided to cancel that project.)

Written Context

  1. 이 법은 내년부터 시행되기로 되었다.
    (It has been decided that this law will be enforced starting next year.)
  2. 제품 출시일은 연기되기로 되었습니다.
    (The product launch date has been decided to be postponed.)

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Korean society, decisions are often made collectively or by those in authority rather than individually. The use of ~기로 되다 reflects this cultural aspect by highlighting that the decision comes from external sources.

Levels of Politeness and Formality

  • Formal Polite: 되었습니다, 되었습니다
  • Informal Polite: 되었어요, 돼요
  • Casual: 됐어

Idiomatic Expressions Using ~기로 되다

  • 운명대로 되기로 되었어.
    (It has been decided to let fate take its course.)

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  • Confusing with ~기로 하다: Remember that ~기로 하다 implies that the subject makes the decision, whereas ~기로 되다 implies the decision is made by others.
  • Incorrect Conjugation of 되다: Ensure 되다 is correctly conjugated to match the tense and formality level.

Learning Strategies

  • Associate 되다 with Passivity: Since 되다 often denotes a passive state, linking it with external decisions can help remember its use.
  • Practice by Converting Active Sentences: Take sentences using ~기로 하다 and convert them to ~기로 되다 to understand the difference.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • ~기로 되다 is used to express that something has been decided by others or due to external factors.
  • It highlights the subject's passivity in the decision-making process.
  • It's important to distinguish it from ~기로 하다, where the subject is the decision-maker.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. Fill in the blank: 회의는 오후 3시에 시작_______ 되었습니다.
    • Answer: 되기로
  2. True or False: ~기로 되다 is used when the speaker has made a personal decision.
    • Answer: False
  3. Convert to ~기로 되다: 우리는 그 영화 보기로 했어요.
    • Answer: 그 영화는 보기로 되었어요.
      (It has been decided that the movie will be watched.)

By understanding and utilizing ~기로 되다, you can accurately express decisions or plans that have been made by others or due to circumstances, which is a common aspect of communication in Korean.

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