씻다(ssis-da, ssisda)
To wash parts of the body or objects
When to use
washing hands, washing food ingredients, washing face
The nuance
Use 씻다 when washing specific parts like hands, face, or objects; it does not imply washing the whole body.
씻다 vs 목욕하다: Levels of Cleanliness in Korean
씻다 (ssis-da, ssisda) · 목욕하다 (mok-yok-ha-da, mokyokhada)
‘씻다’ means to wash parts of the body or objects, while ‘목욕하다’ refers to bathing the whole body by immersing or washing thoroughly.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
목욕하다(mok-yok-ha-da, mokyokhada)
To bathe the whole body by immersing or washing
When to use
bathing in tub, taking a shower, whole body cleanliness
The nuance
Use 목욕하다 to describe bathing the whole body, usually by soaking in a tub or washing thoroughly.
Real-world examples
손을 깨끗이 씻으세요.
son-eul kkae-kkeus-i ssis-eu-se-yo., son eul kkae kkeus i ssis eu se yo.
Hands are a part of the body, so 씻다 is appropriate.
저는 매일 목욕해요.
jeo-neun mae-il mok-yok-hae-yo., jeo neun mae il mok yok hae yo.
Bathing the whole body fits 목욕하다.
채소를 목욕해요.
chae-so-reul mok-yok-hae-yo., chae so reul mok yok hae yo.
You wash vegetables (씻다), not bathe them (목욕하다).
얼굴을 목욕했어요.
eol-gul-eul mok-yok-haess-eo-yo., eol gul eul mok yok haess eo yo.
Face is a part, so 씻다 is correct, not 목욕하다.
아이를 목욕시켰어요.
a-i-reul mok-yok-si-kyeoss-eo-yo., a i reul mok yok si kyeoss eo yo.
Bathing the whole child's body uses 목욕하다.
발을 목욕했어요.
bal-eul mok-yok-haess-eo-yo., bal eul mok yok haess eo yo.
Washing only feet uses 씻다, not 목욕하다.
음식을 먹기 전에 손을 씻으세요.
eum-sik-eul meok-gi jeon-e son-eul ssis-eu-se-yo., eum sik eul meok gi jeon e son eul ssis eu se yo.
Washing hands before eating is 씻다.
매일 아침 욕조에서 씻어요.
mae-il a-chim yok-jo-e-seo ssis-eo-yo., mae il a chim yok jo e seo ssis eo yo.
Bathing in a tub requires 목욕하다, not 씻다.
Quick quiz
Which word fits: ‘손을 깨끗이 ___.’?
‘손을 깨끗이 ___.’에 들어갈 말은?(‘son-eulkkae-kkeus-i___.’edeul-eo-galmal-eun?, ‘soneulkkaekkeusi___.’edeuleogalmaleun?)Which word fits: ‘아이를 ___ 시켰어요.’?
‘아이를 ___ 시켰어요.’에 알맞은 단어는?(‘a-i-reul___si-kyeoss-eo-yo.’eal-maj-eundan-eo-neun?, ‘aireul___sikyeosseoyo.’ealmajeundaneoneun?)Which word fits: ‘채소를 ___.’?
‘채소를 ___.’에 들어갈 적절한 단어는?(‘chae-so-reul___.’edeul-eo-galjeok-jeol-handan-eo-neun?, ‘chaesoreul___.’edeuleogaljeokjeolhandaneoneun?)Which word fits: ‘욕조에서 ___.’?
‘욕조에서 ___.’에 알맞은 단어는?(‘yok-jo-e-seo___.’eal-maj-eundan-eo-neun?, ‘yokjoeseo___.’ealmajeundaneoneun?)
More comparisons to explore
- 건네다 vs 넘기다: Nuance Differences in Handing Over
- 시작하다 vs 끝내다: The Difference Between Starting and Finishing
- 자다 vs 깨다: Sleep vs Wake Up Difference
- 일어나다 vs 기상하다: Natural Expressions for Getting Up
- 먹다 vs 먹어치우다: Basic vs Strong Eating Expressions
- 요리하다 vs 해주다: Cooking vs Doing for Someone
- 청소하다 vs 정리하다: Two Sides of Tidiness
- 타다 vs 내리다: Getting On and Off Vehicles