보내다 (bo-nae-da, bonaeda) · 받다 (bat-da, batda)
보내다 means to send or dispatch something, while 받다 means to receive or get something that arrives; they represent opposite directions of an exchange.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
To send or dispatch something to someone or somewhere
When to use
Sending letters, Email transmission, Sending gifts, Moving people (sending someone)
The nuance
Use 보내다 when the subject initiates sending an object or message to another party or place.
To receive or get something that arrives from someone or somewhere
When to use
Receiving gifts, Receiving emails, Receiving letters, Obtaining information
The nuance
Use 받다 when the subject receives or obtains an object or message coming from another party or place.
나는 친구에게 편지를 보냈다.
na-neun chin-gu-e-ge pyeon-ji-reul bo-naess-da., na neun chin gu e ge pyeon ji reul bo naess da.
Correct use of 보내다 to express the subject sending a letter.
나는 친구에게 편지를 받았다.
na-neun chin-gu-e-ge pyeon-ji-reul bat-ass-da., na neun chin gu e ge pyeon ji reul bat ass da.
Incorrect because ‘친구에게’ indicates the recipient, not the sender; should be ‘친구에게서’.
그는 나에게 선물을 보냈다.
geu-neun na-e-ge seon-mul-eul bo-naess-da., geu neun na e ge seon mul eul bo naess da.
Natural use of 보내다 for sending a gift.
그는 나에게 선물을 받았다.
geu-neun na-e-ge seon-mul-eul bat-ass-da., geu neun na e ge seon mul eul bat ass da.
Incorrect because 받다 requires the receiver as the subject, not the sender indicated by ‘나에게’.
나는 이메일을 보냈다.
na-neun i-me-il-eul bo-naess-da., na neun i me il eul bo naess da.
Correct use of 보내다 to indicate sending an email.
나는 이메일을 받았다.
na-neun i-me-il-eul bat-ass-da., na neun i me il eul bat ass da.
Correct use of 받다 to indicate receiving an email.
그녀는 나에게서 편지를 받았다.
geu-nyeo-neun na-e-ge-seo pyeon-ji-reul bat-ass-da., geu nyeo neun na e ge seo pyeon ji reul bat ass da.
Correct use of 받다 with ‘~에게서’ to express receiving a letter.
그녀는 나에게서 편지를 보냈다.
geu-nyeo-neun na-e-ge-seo pyeon-ji-reul bo-naess-da., geu nyeo neun na e ge seo pyeon ji reul bo naess da.
Incorrect because ‘~에게서’ pairs with 받다, not 보내다.
Which word do you use when sending a message to someone?
Which word do you use when receiving an email?
Fill in the blank: ‘친구에게서 선물을 ____.’
