익다 (ik-da, ikda) · 익히다 (ik-hi-da, ikhida)
'익다' describes something naturally ripening or being cooked, while '익히다' refers to actively causing or mastering that ripening or cooking process.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Refers to food or fruit naturally ripening or being cooked thoroughly.
When to use
Natural ripening, Food fully cooked, Fruit ripened, Emotions or experience matured
The nuance
Used when the subject itself changes state naturally or on its own without an active agent.
Indicates an active process where someone causes food to be cooked or someone masters a skill.
When to use
Causing cooking, Skill or knowledge acquisition, Active cooking process, Gaining experience actively
The nuance
Used when an agent actively causes something to ripen, cook, or someone to master a skill.
사과가 잘 익었어요.
sa-gwa-ga jal ik-eoss-eo-yo., sa gwa ga jal ik eoss eo yo.
Apples naturally ripen, so '익다' is appropriate.
사과를 잘 익히었어요.
sa-gwa-reul jal ik-hi-eoss-eo-yo., sa gwa reul jal ik hi eoss eo yo.
'익히다' implies an active agent, which is unnatural for fruit ripening; use '익다' instead.
고기를 익히는 데 시간이 오래 걸렸어요.
go-gi-reul ik-hi-neun de si-gan-i o-rae geol-ryeoss-eo-yo., go gi reul ik hi neun de si gan i o rae geol ryeoss eo yo.
Cooking meat actively requires '익히다'.
고기가 익었어요.
go-gi-ga ik-eoss-eo-yo., go gi ga ik eoss eo yo.
Meat being cooked or naturally ripened suits '익다'.
요리를 익히다.
yo-ri-reul ik-hi-da., yo ri reul ik hi da.
Learning or mastering cooking is an active process, so '익히다' is correct.
요리가 익다.
yo-ri-ga ik-da., yo ri ga ik da.
'요리' is a completed dish, not something that ripens naturally; use '익히다'.
경험을 익히다.
gyeong-heom-eul ik-hi-da., gyeong heom eul ik hi da.
Actively gaining or mastering experience uses '익히다'.
경험이 익다.
gyeong-heom-i ik-da., gyeong heom i ik da.
Experience does not ripen naturally; '익히다' is required.
Which sentence describes a naturally ripened state?
Which expression indicates actively learning cooking?
Which sentence is incorrect?
