설치하다 (seol-chi-ha-da, seolchihada) · 깔다 (kkal-da, kkalda)
While both 설치하다 and 깔다 mean 'to put or prepare something,' 설치하다 is mainly used for systematically setting up machines or equipment, whereas 깔다 is used for spreading or laying items on the floor or surface.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
The act of setting up or preparing machines, equipment, or software in a designated place
When to use
machine installation, software installation, equipment setup
The nuance
Use when systematically placing or preparing complex or functional items like machines, equipment, or software.
The act of spreading or laying items like cloth, carpet, or mats on the floor or flat surface
When to use
laying carpet, spreading mat, laying cloth
The nuance
Use when spreading or laying flat items such as cloth, carpet, or mats on the floor.
컴퓨터를 설치하다.
keom-pyu-teo-reul seol-chi-ha-da., keom pyu teo reul seol chi ha da.
Computer is equipment, so '설치하다' is correct.
컴퓨터를 깔다.
keom-pyu-teo-reul kkal-da., keom pyu teo reul kkal da.
Computer is not something spread on the floor; '깔다' is unnatural. Use '설치하다'.
카펫을 깔다.
ka-pes-eul kkal-da., ka pes eul kkal da.
Carpet is spread on the floor, so '깔다' is correct.
카펫을 설치하다.
ka-pes-eul seol-chi-ha-da., ka pes eul seol chi ha da.
Carpet is usually spread on the floor; use '깔다'. '설치하다' is inappropriate.
소프트웨어를 설치하다.
so-peu-teu-we-eo-reul seol-chi-ha-da., so peu teu we eo reul seol chi ha da.
Installing software on a computer is expressed by '설치하다'.
소프트웨어를 깔다.
so-peu-teu-we-eo-reul kkal-da., so peu teu we eo reul kkal da.
Software is not something laid on the floor; '깔다' is wrong.
매트를 깔다.
mae-teu-reul kkal-da., mae teu reul kkal da.
Mat is laid on the floor, so '깔다' is correct.
매트를 설치하다.
mae-teu-reul seol-chi-ha-da., mae teu reul seol chi ha da.
Mat is not installed but laid out; use '깔다'.
You need to ___ the computer program.
___ a carpet on the floor.
___ new machinery in the factory.
___ the mat on the floor.
