만들다(man-deul-da, mandeulda)
General act of making or creating something new
When to use
making food, manufacturing objects, planning
The nuance
Used for making all kinds of objects, food, works, etc. Applicable to both abstract and concrete items.
만들다 vs 짓다: Differences in the Act of Making
만들다 (man-deul-da, mandeulda) · 짓다 (jis-da, jisda)
만들다 refers to general making or creating, while 짓다 specifically means building or constructing, especially houses.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
짓다(jis-da, jisda)
Act of building or constructing, mainly buildings or houses
When to use
house construction, building erection, assembling structures
The nuance
Restricted to construction-related acts; used only for building houses, buildings, or structures.
Real-world examples
엄마가 맛있는 김치를 만들었어요.
eom-ma-ga mas-iss-neun gim-chi-reul man-deul-eoss-eo-yo., eom ma ga mas iss neun gim chi reul man deul eoss eo yo.
Making food is a general making act, so '만들다' is appropriate.
엄마가 맛있는 김치를 지었어요.
eom-ma-ga mas-iss-neun gim-chi-reul ji-eoss-eo-yo., eom ma ga mas iss neun gim chi reul ji eoss eo yo.
'짓다' is used for construction, not food; use '만들다' instead.
그는 새 집을 지었어요.
geu-neun sae jip-eul ji-eoss-eo-yo., geu neun sae jip eul ji eoss eo yo.
Building a house is construction, so '짓다' is correct.
그는 새 집을 만들었어요.
geu-neun sae jip-eul man-deul-eoss-eo-yo., geu neun sae jip eul man deul eoss eo yo.
For building houses, use '짓다'; '만들다' is inappropriate here.
선생님이 수업 계획을 만들었어요.
seon-saeng-nim-i su-eop gye-hoek-eul man-deul-eoss-eo-yo., seon saeng nim i su eop gye hoek eul man deul eoss eo yo.
Making a plan is a general creation act, so '만들다' fits.
선생님이 수업 계획을 지었어요.
seon-saeng-nim-i su-eop gye-hoek-eul ji-eoss-eo-yo., seon saeng nim i su eop gye hoek eul ji eoss eo yo.
'짓다' is limited to construction and cannot be used for plans.
그는 큰 공장을 지었어요.
geu-neun keun gong-jang-eul ji-eoss-eo-yo., geu neun keun gong jang eul ji eoss eo yo.
A factory is a building, so '짓다' is appropriate.
그는 큰 공장을 만들었어요.
geu-neun keun gong-jang-eul man-deul-eoss-eo-yo., geu neun keun gong jang eul man deul eoss eo yo.
For factory construction, use '짓다'; '만들다' is inappropriate.
Quick quiz
Which verb is appropriate when making food?
음식을 만들 때 적절한 동사는?(eum-sik-eulman-deulttaejeok-jeol-handong-sa-neun?, eumsikeulmandeulttaejeokjeolhandongsaneun?)Which is correct when building a new house?
새 집을 ___ 때 올바른 표현은?(saejip-eul___ttaeol-ba-reunpyo-hyeon-eun?, saejipeul___ttaeolbareunpyohyeoneun?)Which verb fits when making a plan?
계획을 세울 때 적합한 동사는?(gye-hoek-eulse-ulttaejeok-hap-handong-sa-neun?, gyehoekeulseulttaejeokhaphandongsaneun?)
What does it mean?
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