고갈되다
To be completely used up or exhausted, so that nothing remains. Often used for natural resources, funds, or human energy.
Examples
3 of 5오랜 가뭄으로 저수지의 물이 고갈되었다.
The reservoir's water has been depleted due to the long drought.
천연자원의 고갈은 인류가 해결해야 할 큰 과제이다.
The depletion of natural resources is a major challenge for humanity to solve.
예산이 고갈되어 프로젝트를 중단할 수밖에 없었다.
The budget was exhausted, so the project had to be stopped.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Go' (wither) and 'Gal' (thirsty). A withered plant that is thirsty has no water left.
Quick Quiz
천연가스가 점차 ____ 있으니 에너지 절약이 필요하다.
Correct!
The correct answer is: 고갈되고
Examples
오랜 가뭄으로 저수지의 물이 고갈되었다.
everydayThe reservoir's water has been depleted due to the long drought.
천연자원의 고갈은 인류가 해결해야 할 큰 과제이다.
academicThe depletion of natural resources is a major challenge for humanity to solve.
예산이 고갈되어 프로젝트를 중단할 수밖에 없었다.
businessThe budget was exhausted, so the project had to be stopped.
과도한 업무로 인해 직원들의 창의성이 고갈되고 있습니다.
formalEmployees' creativity is being depleted due to excessive workload.
하루 종일 일했더니 체력이 완전히 고갈됐어.
informalI worked all day, so my physical strength is completely drained.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
완전히 고갈되다
to be completely depleted
영감이 고갈되다
to run out of inspiration
고갈을 막다
to prevent depletion
Often Confused With
'소비되다' means to be consumed/used, whereas '고갈되다' means to be completely run out of.
Usage Notes
Essential for environmental and economic discussion in IELTS Reading/Writing.
Common Mistakes
It is an intransitive verb (passive feel in English); don't use it with an object directly (use '고갈시키다' for transitive).
Memory Tip
Think of 'Go' (wither) and 'Gal' (thirsty). A withered plant that is thirsty has no water left.
Word Origin
From Sino-Korean 枯渴 (wither + thirsty).
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
천연가스가 점차 ____ 있으니 에너지 절약이 필요하다.
Correct!
The correct answer is: 고갈되고
Related Vocabulary
More environment words
일회성
B1The quality of occurring only once or being disposable after one use. Often used in environmental contexts regarding waste or in social contexts regarding temporary events.
지속가능성
B1The quality of being able to continue over a long period of time, especially without depleting natural resources.
지속가능하다
B1Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level, especially without depleting natural resources or damaging the environment.
기후변화
B2A long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth's local, regional, and global climates.
조성하다
B2To create or foster an atmosphere, environment, or physical space. It can refer to building a physical park or creating a certain social mood.
분리하다
B1To separate or divide things that were together or combined.
보호하다
B1To keep safe from harm, injury, or loss; to guard or defend.
재활용
B1The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects; recycling.
생태계
B1A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
지속되다
B1To last or continue for a certain period of time without stopping or changing significantly.
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