놓다 (noh-da, nohda) · 두다 (du-da, duda)
Both 놓다 and 두다 mean 'to put an object somewhere,' but 놓다 focuses on the action of placing, while 두다 emphasizes the state of leaving something or habitual placement.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Focuses on the action of placing an object at a specific location.
When to use
Physically putting down an object, Temporarily placing something, Emphasizing the action
The nuance
놓다 indicates the act of physically moving and placing an object; the action’s start and finish are clear.
Emphasizes the state of an object staying in a place or habitual placement.
When to use
Object remains in place, Habitual placement, Emphasizing state or result
The nuance
두다 is used when emphasizing that the object remains placed or is habitually put somewhere; focus is on the state rather than the action.
책을 탁자 위에 놓았다.
chaek-eul tak-ja wi-e noh-ass-da., chaek eul tak ja wi e noh ass da.
'놓다' is appropriate to express the action of physically putting the book down.
책을 탁자 위에 두었다.
chaek-eul tak-ja wi-e du-eoss-da., chaek eul tak ja wi e du eoss da.
'두다' naturally expresses that the book remains on the table.
열쇠를 서랍에 놓아 두었다.
yeol-soe-reul seo-rap-e noh-a du-eoss-da., yeol soe reul seo rap e noh a du eoss da.
'놓아 두다' expresses both the action of putting down and maintaining that state.
열쇠를 서랍에 두었다.
yeol-soe-reul seo-rap-e du-eoss-da., yeol soe reul seo rap e du eoss da.
Appropriate when emphasizing that the key remains in the drawer.
가방을 의자에 두었다가 바로 들고 갔다.
ga-bang-eul ui-ja-e du-eoss-da-ga ba-ro deul-go gass-da., ga bang eul ui ja e du eoss da ga ba ro deul go gass da.
'두다' is natural for temporarily leaving the bag on the chair before taking it.
가방을 의자에 놓았다가 바로 들고 갔다.
ga-bang-eul ui-ja-e noh-ass-da-ga ba-ro deul-go gass-da., ga bang eul ui ja e noh ass da ga ba ro deul go gass da.
'놓다' is correct to emphasize the act of putting the bag down.
음식을 냉장고에 놓아 두었다.
eum-sik-eul naeng-jang-go-e noh-a du-eoss-da., eum sik eul naeng jang go e noh a du eoss da.
'놓아 두다' is usually for room temperature or accessible places; '두다' fits better for storage like a fridge.
음식을 냉장고에 두었다.
eum-sik-eul naeng-jang-go-e du-eoss-da., eum sik eul naeng jang go e du eoss da.
'두다' is appropriate when expressing storing food in the fridge.
If you want to emphasize the action of putting a book on the desk, which do you use?
Which is appropriate when an object always stays in the same place? (놓다/두다)
Which expression to use when temporarily putting a bag on a chair before taking it again?
