What does 멀다 mean?

멀다 (meol-da, meolda)

멀다 (meolda) is an adjective meaning 'to be far' in distance or time. It's commonly used in everyday speech and writing.

Korean word 멀다 meaning far

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

멀다(meol-da, meolda)

멀다 is an adjective meaning 'to be far' either in physical space or time.

Nuances

  • Can mean physical distance or temporal distance.
  • Used metaphorically for emotional or relational distance.
  • Expresses relatively objective sense of distance.

When to use

Describing distance, Expressing time, Travel planning

In context

멀다 is mainly used with places, distances, or time expressions as a predicate adjective. It appears in its basic form ending with '-다' and functions as the predicate with the subject in sentences.

Real-world examples

  • 서울에서 부산까지 거리가 멀다.

    seo-ul-e-seo bu-san-kka-ji geo-ri-ga meol-da., seo ul e seo bu san kka ji geo ri ga meol da.

    ‘멀다’ is correctly used with physical distance here.

  • 시험까지 시간이 멀다.

    si-heom-kka-ji si-gan-i meol-da., si heom kka ji si gan i meol da.

    ‘멀다’ can express temporal distance.

  • 그 사람과의 관계가 너무 멀다.

    geu sa-ram-gwa-ui gwan-gye-ga neo-mu meol-da., geu sa ram gwa ui gwan gye ga neo mu meol da.

    ‘멀다’ is used metaphorically for emotional distance.

  • 우리 집은 학교에서 멀다.

    u-ri jip-eun hak-gyo-e-seo meol-da., u ri jip eun hak gyo e seo meol da.

    Basic sentence using ‘멀다’ with a place.

  • 이 음식은 멀다.

    i eum-sik-eun meol-da., i eum sik eun meol da.

    ‘멀다’ cannot describe food condition.

  • 내일은 멀다.

    nae-il-eun meol-da., nae il eun meol da.

    ‘멀다’ is not appropriate with ‘내일’ alone.

Quick quiz

  1. What is the basic meaning of ‘멀다’?

    ‘멀다’의 기본 의미는 무엇인가요?(‘meol-da’uigi-bonui-mi-neunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, ‘meolda’uigibonuimineunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence correctly uses ‘멀다’?

    다음 문장 중 올바른 ‘멀다’ 사용 예는?(da-eummun-jangjungol-ba-reun‘meol-da’sa-yongye-neun?, daeummunjangjungolbareun‘meolda’sayongyeneun?)
  3. Choose the correct use of ‘멀다’ with a time expression.

    ‘멀다’를 시간 표현과 함께 쓸 때 올바른 예는?(‘meol-da’reulsi-ganpyo-hyeon-gwaham-kkesseulttaeol-ba-reunye-neun?, ‘meolda’reulsiganpyohyeongwahamkkesseulttaeolbareunyeneun?)

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