버리다 (beo-ri-da, beorida) · 버려지다 (beo-ryeo-ji-da, beoryeojida)
버리다 expresses the active act of discarding or getting rid of something by the subject, while 버려지다 describes the passive state of something being discarded by someone else.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Active act of discarding or getting rid of something directly
When to use
Garbage disposal, Expressing emotions, Giving up opportunities, Acknowledging mistakes
The nuance
Used when the subject actively performs the action to discard or get rid of an object or situation.
Passive state of something being discarded by someone else
When to use
Abandoned animals, Discarded items, Neglect by people, Environmental destruction
The nuance
Used to describe situations where the object is discarded by someone else, not the subject.
나는 오래된 책을 버렸다.
na-neun o-rae-doen chaek-eul beo-ryeoss-da., na neun o rae doen chaek eul beo ryeoss da.
The subject actively disposed of the book, so 버리다 is correct.
오래된 책이 버려졌다.
o-rae-doen chaek-i beo-ryeo-jyeoss-da., o rae doen chaek i beo ryeo jyeoss da.
The book is described as being discarded by someone else, so 버려지다 is correct.
나는 쓰레기가 버려졌다.
na-neun sseu-re-gi-ga beo-ryeo-jyeoss-da., na neun sseu re gi ga beo ryeo jyeoss da.
The subject did not act actively; thus, 버리다 should be used instead of 버려지다.
고양이가 버려졌다.
go-yang-i-ga beo-ryeo-jyeoss-da., go yang i ga beo ryeo jyeoss da.
The cat is in a state of being abandoned by someone, so 버려지다 is correct.
나는 내 감정을 버렸다.
na-neun nae gam-jeong-eul beo-ryeoss-da., na neun nae gam jeong eul beo ryeoss da.
The subject actively discarded their emotions, so 버리다 is correct.
감정이 버려졌다.
gam-jeong-i beo-ryeo-jyeoss-da., gam jeong i beo ryeo jyeoss da.
Emotions don't have a subject, so passive form 버려지다 is inappropriate.
기회가 버려졌다.
gi-hoe-ga beo-ryeo-jyeoss-da., gi hoe ga beo ryeo jyeoss da.
The opportunity is described as being given up or discarded by someone else, so 버려지다 is correct.
나는 기회를 버려졌다.
na-neun gi-hoe-reul beo-ryeo-jyeoss-da., na neun gi hoe reul beo ryeo jyeoss da.
When the subject acts directly, active verb 버리다 is correct; 버려지다 is wrong here.
Which is correct when the subject acts directly?
Which expression shows an object discarded by someone else?
Fill in the blank: "나는 오래된 옷을 ___"
