설명하다 (seol-myeong-ha-da, seolmyeonghada) · 설명되다 (seol-myeong-doe-da, seolmyeongdoeda)
설명하다 (seolmyeonghada) means actively explaining something, while 설명되다 (seolmyeongdoeda) describes something being explained passively or inherently.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
The act of someone actively explaining or clarifying something in detail
When to use
Active explaining, Teacher explaining to students, Presenting in meeting
The nuance
설명하다 is an active verb where the subject performs the act of explaining. Use it when the explainer is clearly the subject.
A passive or inherent state where something is explained or understood without an explicit explainer
When to use
Passive explanation, Rules or documents explaining automatically, Facts naturally understood
The nuance
설명되다 is passive; the subject receives explanation or is inherently explained. Use when the explainer is unclear or explanation happens automatically.
선생님이 학생들에게 문법을 자세히 설명한다.
seon-saeng-nim-i hak-saeng-deul-e-ge mun-beop-eul ja-se-hi seol-myeong-han-da., seon saeng nim i hak saeng deul e ge mun beop eul ja se hi seol myeong han da.
설명하다 is active; the teacher is the explainer, so it's correct.
문법이 학생들에게 자세히 설명된다.
mun-beop-i hak-saeng-deul-e-ge ja-se-hi seol-myeong-doen-da., mun beop i hak saeng deul e ge ja se hi seol myeong doen da.
설명되다 is passive; grammar is being explained, so it's correct.
나는 친구에게 규칙이 설명한다.
na-neun chin-gu-e-ge gyu-chik-i seol-myeong-han-da., na neun chin gu e ge gyu chik i seol myeong han da.
The subject must be the explainer; '규칙이' as subject is wrong here. Use '나는 규칙을 설명한다'.
규칙이 친구에게 설명된다.
gyu-chik-i chin-gu-e-ge seol-myeong-doen-da., gyu chik i chin gu e ge seol myeong doen da.
설명되다 is passive; rules as subject being explained is correct.
회의에서 제가 새로운 정책을 설명되었다.
hoe-ui-e-seo je-ga sae-ro-un jeong-chaek-eul seol-myeong-doe-eoss-da., hoe ui e seo je ga sae ro un jeong chaek eul seol myeong doe eoss da.
The subject must receive explanation; '제가 설명되었다' is unnatural. Use '제가 설명했다'.
이 매뉴얼은 기계 작동법을 잘 설명한다.
i mae-nyu-eol-eun gi-gye jak-dong-beop-eul jal seol-myeong-han-da., i mae nyu eol eun gi gye jak dong beop eul jal seol myeong han da.
Manual is inanimate; cannot actively explain. Use '설명된다' instead.
이 매뉴얼은 기계 작동법을 잘 설명된다.
i mae-nyu-eol-eun gi-gye jak-dong-beop-eul jal seol-myeong-doen-da., i mae nyu eol eun gi gye jak dong beop eul jal seol myeong doen da.
The manual passively explains content; 설명되다 is correct.
그는 문제를 쉽게 설명되었다.
geu-neun mun-je-reul swip-ge seol-myeong-doe-eoss-da., geu neun mun je reul swip ge seol myeong doe eoss da.
Subject must be explainer for 설명하다. '설명되었다' with '그는' is incorrect.
Which word fits when someone actively explains?
Which word to use when a document explains content automatically?
Fill in the blank: '나는 친구에게 규칙을 ___'.
Fill in the blank: '규칙이 학생들에게 ___'.
