자르다(ja-reu-da, jareuda)
To cut something neatly using tools like a knife or scissors.
When to use
cutting hair, cutting paper, cutting food ingredients
The nuance
Use when neatly dividing an object with a tool.
자르다 vs 뜯다: Differences in Cutting Actions
자르다 (ja-reu-da, jareuda) · 뜯다 (tteut-da, tteutda)
'자르다' means to cut neatly with a tool, while '뜯다' means to tear or pull off with hands or force.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
뜯다(tteut-da, tteutda)
To tear or pull off an object using hands or force.
When to use
tearing an envelope, opening a snack bag, plucking flower petals
The nuance
Use when tearing or pulling off something by hand or force without tools.
Real-world examples
나는 머리카락을 가위로 자른다.
na-neun meo-ri-ka-rak-eul ga-wi-ro ja-reun-da., na neun meo ri ka rak eul ga wi ro ja reun da.
Using scissors to neatly cut hair fits '자르다'.
나는 머리카락을 손으로 뜯는다.
na-neun meo-ri-ka-rak-eul son-eu-ro tteut-neun-da., na neun meo ri ka rak eul son eu ro tteut neun da.
Pulling hair by hand is unnatural here; usually '뽑다' is used, not '뜯다'.
과자 봉지를 뜯어서 먹었다.
gwa-ja bong-ji-reul tteut-eo-seo meok-eoss-da., gwa ja bong ji reul tteut eo seo meok eoss da.
Tearing open a bag by hand uses '뜯다'.
과자 봉지를 가위로 잘랐다.
gwa-ja bong-ji-reul ga-wi-ro jal-rass-da., gwa ja bong ji reul ga wi ro jal rass da.
Cutting a bag neatly with scissors fits '자르다'.
꽃잎을 손으로 자른다.
kkoch-ip-eul son-eu-ro ja-reun-da., kkoch ip eul son eu ro ja reun da.
Cutting flower petals by hand is unnatural; use '뜯다' if pulling by hand.
꽃잎을 손으로 뜯는다.
kkoch-ip-eul son-eu-ro tteut-neun-da., kkoch ip eul son eu ro tteut neun da.
Appropriate expression for plucking petals by hand.
종이를 손으로 자른다.
jong-i-reul son-eu-ro ja-reun-da., jong i reul son eu ro ja reun da.
Paper cannot be cut by hand; '자르다' requires a tool.
종이를 가위로 자른다.
jong-i-reul ga-wi-ro ja-reun-da., jong i reul ga wi ro ja reun da.
Cutting paper neatly with scissors fits '자르다'.
Quick quiz
Which word should you use when opening a bag?
봉지를 열 때 어떤 단어를 써야 할까요?(bong-ji-reulyeolttaeeo-tteondan-eo-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, bongjireulyeolttaeeotteondaneoreulsseoyahalkkayo?)Which word is appropriate when separating paper with scissors?
가위를 사용해 종이를 분리할 때 적절한 단어는?(ga-wi-reulsa-yong-haejong-i-reulbun-ri-halttaejeok-jeol-handan-eo-neun?, gawireulsayonghaejongireulbunrihalttaejeokjeolhandaneoneun?)Which word to use when plucking flower petals by hand?
꽃잎을 손으로 떼어낼 때 쓸 단어는?(kkoch-ip-eulson-eu-rotte-eo-naelttaesseuldan-eo-neun?, kkochipeulsoneurotteeonaelttaesseuldaneoneun?)
More comparisons to explore
- 가져가다 vs 가져오다: Direction and Subject Difference
- 꺼내다 vs 빼내다: Differences in Taking Out and Extracting
- 덮다 vs 씌우다: The Difference in Covering
- 접다 vs 펼치다: The Difference Between Folding and Unfolding
- 닦다 vs 문지르다: The Difference Between Cleaning and Rubbing
- 빨래하다 vs 세탁하다: Casual vs Formal Laundry Terms
- 말리다 vs 건조시키다: Natural vs Artificial Drying
- 굽다 vs 데우다: Cooking Temperature Differences