닦다(dakk-da, dakkda)
The act of cleaning a surface or removing moisture
When to use
cleaning windows, wiping hands, tidying desk
The nuance
닦다 is used exclusively for actions that clean a surface by removing dust, moisture, or stains.
닦다 vs 문지르다: The Difference Between Cleaning and Rubbing
닦다 (dakk-da, dakkda) · 문지르다 (mun-ji-reu-da, munjireuda)
닦다 means to clean a surface, while 문지르다 means to rub or move something back and forth.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
문지르다(mun-ji-reu-da, munjireuda)
A verb expressing the action of rubbing or moving something back and forth
When to use
rubbing a wound, rubbing a stain on clothes, rubbing hands together
The nuance
문지르다 is used for rubbing or moving something back and forth and does not necessarily imply cleaning or making something clean.
Real-world examples
창문을 깨끗하게 닦았다.
chang-mun-eul kkae-kkeus-ha-ge dakk-ass-da., chang mun eul kkae kkeus ha ge dakk ass da.
닦다 is appropriate for cleaning windows.
창문을 문지르다.
chang-mun-eul mun-ji-reu-da., chang mun eul mun ji reu da.
For cleaning windows, use 닦다; 문지르다 implies rubbing, which is inappropriate here.
손을 깨끗하게 닦았다.
son-eul kkae-kkeus-ha-ge dakk-ass-da., son eul kkae kkeus ha ge dakk ass da.
닦다 fits when removing moisture or dirt from hands.
손을 문지르다.
son-eul mun-ji-reu-da., son eul mun ji reu da.
문지르다 is appropriate for rubbing hands together.
옷에 묻은 얼룩을 닦았다.
os-e mut-eun eol-ruk-eul dakk-ass-da., os e mut eun eol ruk eul dakk ass da.
닦다 is correct for removing stains from clothes.
옷에 묻은 얼룩을 문지르다.
os-e mut-eun eol-ruk-eul mun-ji-reu-da., os e mut eun eol ruk eul mun ji reu da.
문지르다 can be used when rubbing to remove stains.
상처 부위를 닦았다.
sang-cheo bu-wi-reul dakk-ass-da., sang cheo bu wi reul dakk ass da.
닦다 is suitable for cleaning wounds.
상처 부위를 문지르다.
sang-cheo bu-wi-reul mun-ji-reu-da., sang cheo bu wi reul mun ji reu da.
Rubbing a wound (문지르다) is inappropriate and can cause irritation.
Quick quiz
Which verb should you use when hands are wet?
손에 물기가 있을 때 어떤 동사를 써야 할까요?(son-emul-gi-gaiss-eulttaeeo-tteondong-sa-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, sonemulgigaisseulttaeeotteondongsareulsseoyahalkkayo?)What verb describes rubbing to remove a stain on clothes?
옷에 묻은 얼룩을 제거하려고 비비는 동작은?(os-emut-euneol-ruk-eulje-geo-ha-ryeo-gobi-bi-neundong-jak-eun?, osemuteuneolrukeuljegeoharyeogobibineundongjakeun?)Which word fits cleaning a surface thoroughly?
깨끗하게 표면을 청소할 때 알맞은 단어는?(kkae-kkeus-ha-gepyo-myeon-eulcheong-so-halttaeal-maj-eundan-eo-neun?, kkaekkeushagepyomyeoneulcheongsohalttaealmajeundaneoneun?)
More comparisons to explore
- 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
- 자르다 vs 뜯다: Differences in Cutting Actions
- 빨래하다 vs 세탁하다: Casual vs Formal Laundry Terms
- 말리다 vs 건조시키다: Natural vs Artificial Drying
- 굽다 vs 데우다: Cooking Temperature Differences
- 식다 vs 식히다: Natural Nuances in Cooling Expressions