식다(sik-da, sikda)
To cool down naturally; heat dissipates by itself
When to use
Food cools naturally, Hot drink cools down, Person calms down
The nuance
Used when the subject cools down by itself without external action.
식다 vs 식히다: Natural Nuances in Cooling Expressions
식다 (sik-da, sikda) · 식히다 (sik-hi-da, sikhida)
‘식다’ describes something cooling down naturally, while ‘식히다’ refers to someone intentionally cooling something down.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
식히다(sik-hi-da, sikhida)
Refers to someone intentionally lowering the temperature of something.
When to use
Fanning food to cool, Leaving hot drink to cool, Lowering heat during cooking
The nuance
Used when the subject intentionally cools down another object.
Real-world examples
국물이 너무 뜨거워서 식을 때까지 기다렸어요.
guk-mul-i neo-mu tteu-geo-wo-seo sik-eul ttae-kka-ji gi-da-ryeoss-eo-yo., guk mul i neo mu tteu geo wo seo sik eul ttae kka ji gi da ryeoss eo yo.
‘식다’ fits when something cools down naturally.
국물이 너무 뜨거워서 식혔어요.
guk-mul-i neo-mu tteu-geo-wo-seo sik-hyeoss-eo-yo., guk mul i neo mu tteu geo wo seo sik hyeoss eo yo.
‘식히다’ is correct when someone intentionally cools something.
커피가 식혔어요.
keo-pi-ga sik-hyeoss-eo-yo., keo pi ga sik hyeoss eo yo.
‘식히다’ requires intentional action; natural cooling uses ‘식다’.
커피가 식었어요.
keo-pi-ga sik-eoss-eo-yo., keo pi ga sik eoss eo yo.
‘식다’ is used when coffee cools down naturally.
나는 밥을 식었어요.
na-neun bap-eul sik-eoss-eo-yo., na neun bap eul sik eoss eo yo.
‘식다’ applies to objects cooling themselves, not people as subjects.
나는 밥을 식혔어요.
na-neun bap-eul sik-hyeoss-eo-yo., na neun bap eul sik hyeoss eo yo.
‘식히다’ is correct when a person intentionally cools food.
화가 식었다.
hwa-ga sik-eoss-da., hwa ga sik eoss da.
‘식다’ can describe emotions cooling down.
화가 식혔다.
hwa-ga sik-hyeoss-da., hwa ga sik hyeoss da.
‘식히다’ is unnatural for emotions cooling by someone’s action.
Quick quiz
Which word is used when a hot drink cools naturally?
뜨거운 음료가 자연스럽게 온도가 내려갈 때 어떤 단어를 쓰나요?(tteu-geo-uneum-ryo-gaja-yeon-seu-reop-geon-do-ganae-ryeo-galttaeeo-tteondan-eo-reulsseu-na-yo?, tteugeouneumryogajayeonseureopgeondoganaeryeogalttaeeotteondaneoreulsseunayo?)What word describes someone intentionally cooling rice by fanning?
누군가가 밥을 바람에 식히는 행위는 어떤 단어로 표현하나요?(nu-gun-ga-gabap-eulba-ram-esik-hi-neunhaeng-wi-neuneo-tteondan-eo-ropyo-hyeon-ha-na-yo?, nugungagabapeulbaramesikhineunhaengwineuneotteondaneoropyohyeonhanayo?)How to naturally express ‘anger cooled down’?
‘화가 가라앉았다’를 자연스럽게 표현하려면?(‘hwa-gaga-ra-an-ass-da’reulja-yeon-seu-reop-gepyo-hyeon-ha-ryeo-myeon?, ‘hwagagaraanassda’reuljayeonseureopgepyohyeonharyeomyeon?)
More comparisons to explore
- 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
- 끓이다 vs 삶다: Water Control and Cooking Method Differences
- 섞다 vs 비빈다: Subtle Differences in Mixing
- 썰다 vs 다지다: Differences in Cutting Ingredients
- 볶다 vs 튀기다: Mastering the Cooking Method Differences