붙이다 vs 떼다: The Difference Between Attaching and Detaching

붙이다 (but-i-da, butida) · 떼다 (tte-da, tteda)

붙이다 means to attach or stick something onto another, while 떼다 means to separate or detach something that is attached.

Comparison of Korean verbs 붙이다 and 떼다 for attaching and detaching

Word-by-word breakdown

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.

붙이다(but-i-da, butida)

To stick or attach something firmly to another thing.

When to use

Putting up posters, Attaching labels, Sticking stickers

The nuance

붙이다 is used exclusively for the action of attaching or sticking something onto another object, emphasizing adhesion or close contact.

떼다(tte-da, tteda)

To separate or remove something that is attached or stuck.

When to use

Removing stickers, Taking down posters, Removing labels

The nuance

떼다 describes the action of separating or removing something that is attached or stuck, used only for detaching or taking off.

Real-world examples

  • 포스터를 벽에 붙였다.

    po-seu-teo-reul byeok-e but-yeoss-da., po seu teo reul byeok e but yeoss da.

    Attaching a poster onto the wall is an act of sticking, so 붙이다 is correct.

  • 포스터를 벽에서 떼었다.

    po-seu-teo-reul byeok-e-seo tte-eoss-da., po seu teo reul byeok e seo tte eoss da.

    Removing a poster from the wall involves detaching, so 떼다 is correct.

  • 라벨을 책에 떼었다.

    ra-bel-eul chaek-e tte-eoss-da., ra bel eul chaek e tte eoss da.

    Attaching a label to a book requires 붙이다; 떼다 is only for detaching something already attached.

  • 라벨을 책에서 떼었다.

    ra-bel-eul chaek-e-seo tte-eoss-da., ra bel eul chaek e seo tte eoss da.

    Removing a label that was attached to a book is detaching, so 떼다 is correct.

  • 스티커를 유리창에 떼었다.

    seu-ti-keo-reul yu-ri-chang-e tte-eoss-da., seu ti keo reul yu ri chang e tte eoss da.

    Sticking a sticker on glass requires 붙이다; 떼다 is for removal only.

  • 스티커를 유리창에서 떼었다.

    seu-ti-keo-reul yu-ri-chang-e-seo tte-eoss-da., seu ti keo reul yu ri chang e seo tte eoss da.

    Removing a sticker from glass is detaching, so 떼다 is correct.

  • 포스터를 벽에서 붙였다.

    po-seu-teo-reul byeok-e-seo but-yeoss-da., po seu teo reul byeok e seo but yeoss da.

    붙이다 only means attaching, so '붙였다 on the wall' is incorrect when implying detachment.

  • 포스터를 벽에 떼었다.

    po-seu-teo-reul byeok-e tte-eoss-da., po seu teo reul byeok e tte eoss da.

    Attaching a poster to a wall requires 붙이다; 떼다 is only for removal.

Quick quiz

  1. Which sentence correctly uses '붙이다'?

    다음 중 '붙이다'를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung'but-i-da'reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'butida'reulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  2. Which sentence correctly uses '떼다'?

    다음 중 '떼다'를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung'tte-da'reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'tteda'reulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  3. Which word fits in '스티커를 유리창에 ___'?

    '스티커를 유리창에 ___'에 들어갈 말은?('seu-ti-keo-reulyu-ri-chang-e___'edeul-eo-galmal-eun?, 'seutikeoreulyurichange___'edeuleogalmaleun?)

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