What does 공부하다 mean?

공부하다 (gong-bu-ha-da, gongbuhada)

공부하다 (gongbuhada) means 'to study' or 'to learn' in Korean. It's commonly used in daily life and academic contexts.

Person studying with books and laptop

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

공부하다(gong-bu-ha-da, gongbuhada)

공부하다 means to learn or acquire knowledge and skills through books or materials.

Nuances

  • Not just memorizing but understanding and learning
  • Used for both formal education and self-study
  • Subjects or languages often follow 공부하다

When to use

School, Exam preparation, Self-improvement

In context

공부하다 is a verb typically used as '공부하다 + object (language, subject, etc.)'. It is appropriate in both casual and formal contexts.

Real-world examples

  • 저는 매일 한국어를 공부해요.

    jeo-neun mae-il han-guk-eo-reul gong-bu-hae-yo., jeo neun mae il han guk eo reul gong bu hae yo.

    Correct use of '공부하다'. '공부하다' with a language object is natural.

  • 그는 열심히 수학을 공부합니다.

    geu-neun yeol-sim-hi su-hak-eul gong-bu-hap-ni-da., geu neun yeol sim hi su hak eul gong bu hap ni da.

    Correct phrase with subject and object; formal tone.

  • 나는 공부를 좋아해요.

    na-neun gong-bu-reul joh-a-hae-yo., na neun gong bu reul joh a hae yo.

    Correct noun-verb combination.

  • 공부해요 매일 나는.

    gong-bu-hae-yo mae-il na-neun., gong bu hae yo mae il na neun.

    Incorrect word order; natural Korean order is subject-object-verb.

  • 저는 공부하고 책을 읽어요.

    jeo-neun gong-bu-ha-go chaek-eul ik-eo-yo., jeo neun gong bu ha go chaek eul ik eo yo.

    Correct use of '공부하다' linked with another verb.

  • 공부하는 것이 중요해요.

    gong-bu-ha-neun geos-i jung-yo-hae-yo., gong bu ha neun geos i jung yo hae yo.

    Correct use of gerund form of '공부하다'.

Quick quiz

  1. What does '공부하다' mean?

    '공부하다'의 뜻은 무엇인가요?('gong-bu-ha-da'uitteus-eunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, 'gongbuhada'uitteuseunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence is correct?

    다음 중 올바른 문장은?(da-eumjungol-ba-reunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungolbareunmunjangeun?)
  3. Which is a correct use of '공부하다'?

    '공부하다'를 사용할 때 올바른 예는?('gong-bu-ha-da'reulsa-yong-halttaeol-ba-reunye-neun?, 'gongbuhada'reulsayonghalttaeolbareunyeneun?)

More meaning guides

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