to prevent vs to block in Korean

방지하다vs막다

to prevent

방지하다to prevent

(방지하다) means to stop something bad from happening before it happens. You can use it for accidents, sickness, mistakes, fire, loss, and other problems. It is often used in sentences like “to prevent accidents” or “to prevent colds.”

When to use to prevent
to block

막다to block

막다 means "to block" or "to stop something from passing through." You can use it when a person or thing closes a way, covers an opening, or gets in the way. It is also used in simple everyday situations like blocking a door, a road, sunlight, or even interrupting someone.

When to use to block

How they differ

to prevent (방지하다) and to block (막다) are nearby Korean vocabulary items learners often meet together. Use “to prevent” when (방지하다) means to stop something bad from happening before it happens. You can use it for accidents, sickness, mistakes, fire, loss, and ot… Use “to block” when 막다 means "to block" or "to stop something from passing through." You can use it when a person or thing closes a way, covers an opening, o…