부르다 (bu-reu-da, bureuda) · 이르다 (i-reu-da, ireuda)
‘부르다’ means to call someone out loud, while ‘이르다’ means to arrive early or on time at a place or time.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
The act of calling someone by name or sound to get their attention or summon them
When to use
Calling someone by name, Calling an animal aloud, Singing a song, Summoning someone
The nuance
Used when calling a person or animal by name, nickname, or sound.
Arriving or reaching a time or place without being late
When to use
Arriving before appointment time, Being early for work, Arriving before event starts
The nuance
Used when arriving at a time or place earlier than or on schedule.
나는 친구를 부른다.
na-neun chin-gu-reul bu-reun-da., na neun chin gu reul bu reun da.
Calling a friend by name aloud is an appropriate use of 부르다.
나는 친구를 이른다.
na-neun chin-gu-reul i-reun-da., na neun chin gu reul i reun da.
‘이르다’ refers to arriving early, not calling someone; use ‘부르다’ instead.
버스가 약속 시간보다 이르다.
beo-seu-ga yak-sok si-gan-bo-da i-reu-da., beo seu ga yak sok si gan bo da i reu da.
The bus arrived earlier than the appointment time, so ‘이르다’ is correct.
나는 노래를 이른다.
na-neun no-rae-reul i-reun-da., na neun no rae reul i reun da.
When singing a song, use ‘부르다’; ‘이르다’ is incorrect here.
엄마가 나를 부른다.
eom-ma-ga na-reul bu-reun-da., eom ma ga na reul bu reun da.
Mom calling me aloud is an appropriate situation for ‘부르다’.
나는 약속 시간에 이른다.
na-neun yak-sok si-gan-e i-reun-da., na neun yak sok si gan e i reun da.
Arriving on or before appointment time means ‘이르다’ is correct.
나는 친구를 일찍 부른다.
na-neun chin-gu-reul il-jjik bu-reun-da., na neun chin gu reul il jjik bu reun da.
‘일찍’ (early) is a time adverb that does not collocate naturally with ‘부르다’; it relates to ‘이르다’.
나는 행사 시작 전에 이른다.
na-neun haeng-sa si-jak jeon-e i-reun-da., na neun haeng sa si jak jeon e i reun da.
Arriving before an event starts is a proper use of ‘이르다’.
Which word is correct when calling a friend aloud?
Which word is used when arriving earlier than the appointment time?
Which word is used when singing a song?
