켜다(kyeo-da, kyeoda)
Verb meaning to turn on or activate machines or lights
When to use
device activation, turning on lights, turning on radio
The nuance
켜다 is used when starting the operation of electronic devices, lights, radios, etc.
켜다 vs 끄다: Basics of Turning On and Off Devices
켜다 (kyeo-da, kyeoda) · 끄다 (kkeu-da, kkeuda)
켜다 means to turn on or activate devices or lights, while 끄다 means to turn off or deactivate them.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
끄다(kkeu-da, kkeuda)
Verb meaning to turn off or deactivate machines or lights
When to use
device deactivation, turning off lights, turning off radio
The nuance
끄다 is used when stopping the operation of electronic devices, lights, radios, etc.
Real-world examples
불을 켜 주세요.
bul-eul kyeo ju-se-yo., bul eul kyeo ju se yo.
Correct to use '켜다' when activating lights.
불을 끄 주세요.
bul-eul kkeu ju-se-yo., bul eul kkeu ju se yo.
Incorrect because the polite command form is '꺼 주세요', not '끄 주세요'.
텔레비전을 켜고 뉴스를 봤어요.
tel-re-bi-jeon-eul kyeo-go nyu-seu-reul bwass-eo-yo., tel re bi jeon eul kyeo go nyu seu reul bwass eo yo.
Correct to use '켜다' when turning on the TV.
텔레비전을 끄고 잤어요.
tel-re-bi-jeon-eul kkeu-go jass-eo-yo., tel re bi jeon eul kkeu go jass eo yo.
Correct to use '끄다' when turning off the TV.
컴퓨터를 켜 주세요.
keom-pyu-teo-reul kyeo ju-se-yo., keom pyu teo reul kyeo ju se yo.
Appropriate expression when turning on a computer.
컴퓨터를 끄 주세요.
keom-pyu-teo-reul kkeu ju-se-yo., keom pyu teo reul kkeu ju se yo.
Polite command form should be '꺼 주세요', not '끄 주세요'.
라디오를 켜고 음악을 들었어요.
ra-di-o-reul kyeo-go eum-ak-eul deul-eoss-eo-yo., ra di o reul kyeo go eum ak eul deul eoss eo yo.
Correct use of '켜다' for turning on the radio.
라디오를 끄고 음악을 들었어요.
ra-di-o-reul kkeu-go eum-ak-eul deul-eoss-eo-yo., ra di o reul kkeu go eum ak eul deul eoss eo yo.
Incorrect because you cannot listen to music if the radio is off.
Quick quiz
Which verb is correct when turning on a light?
불을 켤 때 알맞은 동사는?(bul-eulkyeolttaeal-maj-eundong-sa-neun?, buleulkyeolttaealmajeundongsaneun?)Which verb is used when turning off a computer?
컴퓨터를 멈출 때 쓰는 동사는?(keom-pyu-teo-reulmeom-chulttaesseu-neundong-sa-neun?, keompyuteoreulmeomchulttaesseuneundongsaneun?)Which is correct: '꺼 주세요' or '끄 주세요'?
'꺼 주세요'와 '끄 주세요' 중 맞는 표현은?('kkeoju-se-yo'wa'kkeuju-se-yo'jungmaj-neunpyo-hyeon-eun?, 'kkeojuseyo'wa'kkeujuseyo'jungmajneunpyohyeoneun?)
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