Pattern: -(아/어) 두다
-(아/어) 두다 (-(a, (a, eo)du-da, eo)duda)
-(아/어) 두다 is used to express doing something in advance or keeping a state.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
A grammar pattern expressing doing an action in advance or maintaining a state.
When to use
preparation, state maintenance, completion emphasis
The nuance
Attach -(아/어) 두다 to a verb stem. It emphasizes a completed or prepared action and has two main meanings: 1) doing something in advance (preparation), 2) maintaining a state. For example, 문을 열어 두다 means 'leave the door open (prepared)', 불을 켜 두다 means 'keep the light on (state maintained)'.
문을 열어 두었어요.
mun-eul yeol-eo du-eoss-eo-yo., mun eul yeol eo du eoss eo yo.
Attaching '-어 두다' to '열다' shows the door was opened in advance and left that way.
책을 읽어 두었어요.
chaek-eul ik-eo du-eoss-eo-yo., chaek eul ik eo du eoss eo yo.
Attaching '-어 두다' to '읽다' emphasizes the action of reading done beforehand.
불을 꺼 두었어요.
bul-eul kkeo du-eoss-eo-yo., bul eul kkeo du eoss eo yo.
Attaching '-어 두다' to '끄다' shows the light was turned off and kept off.
음식을 먹어 두었어요.
eum-sik-eul meok-eo du-eoss-eo-yo., eum sik eul meok eo du eoss eo yo.
Attaching '-어 두다' to '먹다' is unnatural because eating does not imply preparation or maintaining a state.
창문을 닫아 두었어요.
chang-mun-eul dat-a du-eoss-eo-yo., chang mun eul dat a du eoss eo yo.
Attaching '-아 두다' to '닫다' shows the window was closed and kept closed.
옷을 입어 두었어요.
os-eul ip-eo du-eoss-eo-yo., os eul ip eo du eoss eo yo.
Attaching '-어 두다' to '입다' is unnatural; wearing clothes does not imply preparation or maintaining state.
Which sentence correctly uses -(아/어) 두다?
What does ‘불을 켜 두다’ mean?
Which sentence is incorrect?
