At the A1 level, you should learn '집다' as a basic action verb related to eating. Since Korean food is often eaten with chopsticks, knowing how to say 'pick up food' is very useful. At this stage, focus on the simple present tense: '집어요'. You can use it to describe picking up a piece of fruit, a side dish, or a toy. It is one of the first verbs you will use when learning about Korean table manners. Think of it as the 'chopstick verb'. Don't worry about metaphorical meanings yet; just focus on the physical act of picking up small things with your fingers or chopsticks. Remember that it is a regular verb, so it conjugates easily compared to other verbs ending in 'ㅂ'.
At the A2 level, you begin to use '집다' in more varied contexts beyond just eating. You will learn to use it with different tools like tongs (집게) or tweezers (핀셋). You should also be able to distinguish '집다' from '줍다' (to pick up from the ground). A2 learners should practice using the instrumental particle '-(으)로' to say what they are using to pick something up, such as '젓가락으로' (with chopsticks). You might also encounter the word in simple instructions, like 'Pick up the card' or 'Pick up the pen'. This level also introduces the idea of 'pointing' to something on a map or in a book, which is a common classroom use of the word.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with both the physical and the simple metaphorical uses of '집다'. You will start to see the compound verb '집어내다' (to pick out/identify), which is used when finding a specific item in a group or identifying a mistake. You should also learn the common adverb '콕' (specifically/exactly), which is frequently used with '집다' to mean 'to pinpoint'. For example, '콕 집어서 말해 주세요' (Please tell me by pinpointing it exactly). At this level, you can use '집다' to describe more complex actions, like a crane picking up a container or a doctor using surgical tools. Your understanding of the word's regularity in conjugation should be solid by now.
At the B2 level, you will encounter '집다' in more idiomatic and professional contexts. It is often used in news reports or articles to describe 'pinpointing' a cause or 'selecting' a key issue. You should understand the nuance between '집다' and more formal synonyms like '지적하다' (to point out) or '선정하다' (to select). B2 learners should be able to use '집다' in passive or causative structures if necessary, though it is primarily used in the active voice. You will also see it in literature to describe subtle movements, such as a character picking up a fallen petal or a specific letter from a stack. The focus here is on the precision and intent behind the action.
At the C1 level, you are expected to understand the subtle nuances of '집다' in various registers. This includes its use in psychological or analytical contexts, where it refers to identifying a specific feeling or a hidden motive. You will notice how authors use '집다' to create vivid imagery of delicate actions. You should also be aware of the word's role in traditional cultural contexts, such as the 'Doljabi' ceremony, and be able to explain its significance. At this level, you can use the word fluently in debates to 'pinpoint' an opponent's logical flaw. Your mastery includes knowing exactly when '집다' is more appropriate than more academic terms like '포착하다' (to capture/detect) or '명시하다' (to specify).
At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '집다'. You can appreciate its use in high-level poetry or complex legal/technical documents where the exact method of 'picking' or 'identifying' is crucial. You understand the historical evolution of the word and how it relates to other verbs in the Altaic language family if relevant. You can use '집다' to describe the most abstract concepts, such as 'pinpointing the zeitgeist' of an era. You are also sensitive to the rhythmic properties of the word in speech and can use it with various intensifiers to convey exact shades of meaning. For a C2 learner, '집다' is not just a verb but a tool for extreme precision in both thought and physical description.

집다 في 30 ثانية

  • 집다 means to pick up small objects using a pincer motion with fingers or tools like chopsticks.
  • It is a regular verb, unlike the irregular 줍다 (to pick up from the ground).
  • Commonly used in dining contexts and for pointing out specific details or mistakes.
  • Essential for describing the use of chopsticks, tongs, and other grasping tools.

The Korean verb 집다 (jip-da) is a fundamental action verb primarily used to describe the act of picking something up using one's fingers, chopsticks, tongs, or a similar tool. Unlike the general English 'pick up,' which can apply to lifting a heavy box or fetching someone from the airport, 집다 is much more specific to the physical mechanics of grasping a small object between two points. This makes it an essential word for daily life in Korea, especially when discussing dining etiquette or handling small items.

Physical Grasping
Using the thumb and index finger to lift a coin, a needle, or a piece of paper.
Tool Usage
The most common context is using chopsticks (젓가락) to pick up side dishes (반찬) or using tongs (집게) at a Korean BBQ restaurant.
Metaphorical Pointing
It can also mean to point out a specific fact, error, or person, as if 'picking' them out of a group.

젓가락으로 김치를 집으세요. (Please pick up the kimchi with your chopsticks.)

Understanding the nuance of 집다 requires distinguishing it from its close cousins. While 줍다 (jup-da) means to pick something up from the ground (like litter), and 잡다 (jap-da) means to catch or hold something (like a hand or a ball), 집다 is strictly about the 'pincer' motion. In a Korean household, you will hear parents telling children to use their chopsticks correctly to 집다 their food, emphasizing the dexterity required in Korean culture.

Furthermore, the verb is often used in the compound form 집어내다, which emphasizes the result of picking something out or identifying it. For example, a teacher might 'pick out' a mistake in a student's essay. This transition from physical to abstract shows how deeply the concept of 'selective picking' is embedded in the word. Whether you are picking up a fallen pencil from a desk or selecting the best piece of meat from a grill, 집다 is your go-to verb for precision and selection.

Using 집다 correctly involves understanding its regular conjugation and its relationship with object particles. In most cases, the sentence follows the standard [Subject] + [Object] + [Instrumental] + [Verb] structure. The instrumental particle (으)로 is frequently paired with this verb to specify what tool is being used to perform the picking action.

With Chopsticks
젓가락으로 콩을 집는 것은 어려워요. (Picking up beans with chopsticks is difficult.)
With Fingers
손가락으로 과자를 집어 먹었어요. (I picked up and ate the snack with my fingers.)

이것 좀 집어 주실래요? (Could you pick this up for me? - referring to something on a table)

One of the most important grammatical points for learners is that 집다 is a regular verb. Unlike 줍다 (to pick up from the ground), which follows the ㅂ-irregular rule (주워요), 집다 remains stable. You simply add the endings: 집어요 (present), 집었다 (past), 집을 거예요 (future). This regularity makes it easier to master once you distinguish it from its irregular counterparts.

In more advanced contexts, you might see 집다 used with the auxiliary verb -내다 to form 집어내다. This implies a sense of finding something difficult or hidden and successfully picking it out. For example, '범인을 집어내다' (to pick out/identify the criminal). This demonstrates the verb's versatility in moving from a simple dining action to a complex cognitive process of identification and selection.

You will encounter 집다 in a variety of real-world settings in Korea. The most common is undoubtedly the dining table. Whether it is a casual meal at home or a formal dinner, the mechanics of eating Korean food revolve around this verb. You'll hear it in cooking shows when chefs explain how to handle delicate ingredients, or in restaurants when a waiter offers you tongs to pick up meat.

At the Restaurant
집게로 고기를 집어서 불판 위에 올리세요. (Pick up the meat with the tongs and put it on the grill.)
In a Retail Store
손님, 물건을 함부로 집지 마세요. (Customer, please do not pick up the items carelessly.)

그는 잡지에서 한 페이지를 집어 넘겼다. (He picked up a page in the magazine and turned it.)

Beyond the physical, the word appears frequently in educational and professional environments. Teachers use it when asking students to 'pick' a certain answer or 'point out' a specific word in a text. In business meetings, a leader might 'pinpoint' (콕 집다) the reason for a project's failure. This metaphorical use is very common in news headlines and analytical discussions, where precision is valued.

Finally, you'll hear this word in the context of fortune-telling or traditional ceremonies like 'Doljabi' (돌잡이). During a child's first birthday, various items are placed in front of them, and the child is encouraged to 집다 one. The item they pick up is thought to predict their future career or lifestyle. In this cultural context, the act of picking up is not just a physical movement but a significant choice that carries weight and meaning.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 집다 is confusing it with other Korean verbs that translate to 'pick up' in English. Because English uses 'pick up' for everything from lifting a car to answering a phone, learners often over-apply 집다 where it doesn't belong. The key is to remember the 'pincer' or 'chopstick' motion.

Confusing with 줍다 (Jup-da)
Use '줍다' when something is on the ground or floor. Use '집다' when something is on a table or in a container. If you dropped your keys on the street, you '줍다' them. If they are on the desk, you '집다' them.
Confusing with 잡다 (Jap-da)
'잡다' means to catch or hold. If you are holding someone's hand, it's '잡다'. If you are picking up a single grape to eat, it's '집다'.

❌ 바닥에 떨어진 돈을 집었어요.
✅ 바닥에 떨어진 돈을 주웠어요.

Another common error is conjugation. As mentioned, 집다 is regular. Many students mistakenly apply the ㅂ-irregular rule because so many other verbs ending in ㅂ (like 춥다, 덥다, 줍다) are irregular. They might say '지워요' instead of the correct '집어요'. This mistake can lead to confusion with the verb '지우다' (to erase). Always remember: 집다 -> 집어, 집으니, 집어서.

Lastly, learners sometimes use 집다 for picking up people. In English, you 'pick up' a friend from the station. In Korean, you must use '데리러 가다' (to go to get someone) or '마중 나가다' (to go out to meet someone). Using 집다 in this context would sound like you are physically lifting your friend with giant chopsticks!

To truly master 집다, you need to see how it fits into the broader family of Korean verbs related to 'taking' and 'holding'. Each word has a specific physical nuance that dictates when it should be used.

줍다 (Jup-da) vs. 집다
'줍다' is for items on the ground, often implying they were lost or discarded. '집다' is for items on a surface or in a container, usually for immediate use.
잡다 (Jap-da) vs. 집다
'잡다' is to grab, catch, or maintain a hold. You '잡다' a taxi or a criminal. You '집다' a piece of sushi.
들다 (Deul-da) vs. 집다
'들다' means to lift or carry. It is used for larger objects where the weight is significant. You '들다' a heavy bag. You '집다' a light pen.

그는 펜을 집어 들었다. (He picked up the pen and lifted it.) - Here, both verbs are used to show the sequence of picking and lifting.

For more specific actions, consider 쥐다 (jwi-da), which means to clutch or squeeze something in your palm, like a fist or a small ball. There is also 고르다 (go-reu-da), which means to choose or select. While 집다 involves the physical act of picking, 고르다 focuses on the mental decision-making process. If you are picking out a shirt from a pile, you are 고르다-ing the style but 집다-ing the fabric with your fingers to feel it.

In formal settings, the word 지적하다 (ji-jeok-ha-da) is often used instead of the metaphorical 집다. While '콕 집다' is common in speech to mean 'point out,' '지적하다' is the standard professional term for pointing out a mistake or a specific point in a document. Knowing these alternatives allows you to adjust your register from the kitchen table to the boardroom.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The noun '집게' (tongs) is directly derived from the verb '집다'. In Korean, adding '-게' to a verb stem often creates a noun for a tool that performs that action.

دليل النطق

UK /tɕip̚.t͈a/
US /tɕip̚.t͈a/
The stress is balanced, but the second syllable 'da' is pronounced more forcefully (as 'tta') because of the reinforcement from the final 'p' in the first syllable.
يتقافى مع
입다 (ip-da - to wear) 씹다 (ssip-da - to chew) 깁다 (gip-da - to sew/patch) 밉다 (mip-da - to be hateful) 쉽다 (swip-da - to be easy) 굽다 (gup-da - to bake) 줍다 (jup-da - to pick up from ground) 잡다 (jap-da - to catch)
أخطاء شائعة
  • Pronouncing it as 'jib-da' with a voiced 'b'. It must be an unreleased 'p'.
  • Confusing the pronunciation with 'jup-da' (줍다), which has a 'u' sound.
  • Not tensing the 'd' in 'da' to 'tta'.
  • Pronouncing the 'j' too harshly like the English 'j' in 'jump'.
  • Forgetting the batchim 'p' sound entirely.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 2/5

Easy to recognize as it is a short, common verb.

الكتابة 3/5

Must remember it is regular and not confuse it with 줍다.

التحدث 3/5

Requires correct pronunciation of the tensed 'tta' ending.

الاستماع 3/5

Can be confused with 줍다 or 잡다 in fast speech.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

손 (Hand) 젓가락 (Chopsticks) 음식 (Food) 먹다 (To eat)

تعلّم لاحقاً

줍다 (To pick up from floor) 잡다 (To catch/hold) 지적하다 (To point out) 고르다 (To choose)

متقدم

포착하다 (To capture) 명시하다 (To specify) 발췌하다 (To excerpt/pick out)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Regular Conjugation (-아/어/여)

집다 + 어요 -> 집어요

Instrumental Particle (-(으)로)

젓가락으로 집다

Sequential Action (-어/아)

집어 들다 (Pick up and lift)

Auxiliary Verb -내다 (Result/Success)

집어내다 (To successfully pick out)

Polite Request (-아/어 주세요)

집어 주세요

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

사과를 집어요.

I pick up the apple.

Present tense of 집다.

2

젓가락으로 고기를 집으세요.

Pick up the meat with chopsticks.

-(으)세요 is an imperative ending.

3

빵을 손으로 집었어요.

I picked up the bread with my hand.

Past tense of 집다.

4

이거 집어 주세요.

Please pick this up (for me).

-아/어 주세요 means 'please do for me'.

5

아이들이 장난감을 집어요.

The children pick up the toys.

Subject-Object-Verb order.

6

딸기를 하나 집어 먹었어요.

I picked up and ate a strawberry.

-어 먹다 means 'to pick up and eat'.

7

펜을 집으세요.

Pick up the pen.

Simple command.

8

동전을 집을 수 있어요?

Can you pick up the coin?

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 means 'can'.

1

집게로 김치를 집으세요.

Pick up the kimchi with the tongs.

집게 means tongs.

2

그는 안경을 집어 썼어요.

He picked up his glasses and put them on.

Sequential action using -어.

3

반찬을 골고루 집어 드세요.

Pick up and eat various side dishes.

골고루 means 'evenly' or 'in variety'.

4

바닥에 있는 것은 줍고, 테이블 위는 집으세요.

Pick up (jup-da) what's on the floor, and pick up (jip-da) what's on the table.

Contrast between 줍다 and 집다.

5

이 서류 좀 집어 줄래?

Can you pick up these documents?

Informal request.

6

손가락으로 소금을 조금 집었어요.

I picked up a pinch of salt with my fingers.

Describes a 'pinch' action.

7

그는 모자를 집어 들고 나갔어요.

He picked up his hat and went out.

집어 들다 combines picking and lifting.

8

어떤 것을 집을까요?

Which one should I pick up?

-(으)ㄹ까요 suggests a choice.

1

선생님께서 제 틀린 답을 콕 집어내셨어요.

The teacher pinpointed my wrong answer.

콕 집어내다 means to pinpoint.

2

그는 많은 카드 중에서 하나를 집었습니다.

He picked one card out of many.

Selection from a group.

3

핀셋으로 아주 작은 부품을 집어야 해요.

You have to pick up the very small part with tweezers.

핀셋 is a loanword for tweezers.

4

요점만 콕 집어서 설명해 주세요.

Please explain by pinpointing only the main points.

Metaphorical use for 'summarizing'.

5

인형 뽑기 기계가 인형을 잘 못 집어요.

The claw machine can't pick up the dolls well.

Common real-life context.

6

그녀는 잡지에서 마음에 드는 사진을 집어 보여줬다.

She picked out a photo she liked from the magazine and showed it.

Identifying a specific item.

7

범인을 집어내기 위해 증거가 필요합니다.

Evidence is needed to pick out (identify) the criminal.

Abstract use for identification.

8

실수를 하나하나 집어주면 기분이 나빠요.

I feel bad if you point out every single mistake.

Negative nuance of pointing out errors.

1

정부는 이번 문제의 핵심을 정확히 집어내지 못했다.

The government failed to accurately pinpoint the core of this problem.

Formal/Political context.

2

그는 수많은 후보자 중 그녀를 적임자로 집었다.

He picked her as the right person among many candidates.

Selection in a professional setting.

3

작가는 현대 사회의 모순을 예리하게 집어냈다.

The author keenly pointed out the contradictions of modern society.

Literary/Analytical use.

4

이 기계는 불량품을 자동으로 집어내는 기능이 있다.

This machine has a function to automatically pick out defective products.

Technical/Industrial context.

5

그녀는 아무 말 없이 편지를 집어 들었다.

She picked up the letter without saying a word.

Descriptive narrative style.

6

콕 집어 말할 수는 없지만 분위기가 이상해요.

I can't pinpoint it exactly, but the atmosphere is strange.

Vague feeling pinpointing.

7

그는 자신의 성공 비결로 성실함을 집었다.

He picked sincerity as the secret to his success.

Identifying a reason.

8

실험자는 스포이트로 용액을 한 방울 집어 올렸다.

The experimenter picked up a drop of solution with a dropper.

Scientific precision.

1

비평가는 감독의 연출 의도를 정확히 집어 비평했다.

The critic pinpointed the director's intention and critiqued it.

High-level professional critique.

2

그는 과거의 아픈 기억을 다시 집어내고 싶지 않았다.

He didn't want to bring up (pick out) painful memories of the past again.

Psychological/Emotional context.

3

이 보고서는 시장의 흐름을 날카롭게 집어내고 있다.

This report is sharply pinpointing the market trends.

Economic analysis.

4

그는 대화 도중 상대방의 논리적 허점을 집어냈다.

During the conversation, he picked out the logical flaw of the other person.

Intellectual discourse.

5

돌잔치에서 아이가 무엇을 집을지 모두가 지켜보았다.

Everyone watched to see what the child would pick at the first birthday party.

Cultural specificity (Doljabi).

6

그는 서랍 깊숙한 곳에서 낡은 사진첩을 집어냈다.

He fished out (picked out) an old photo album from deep inside the drawer.

Physical action with effort.

7

문제를 해결하려면 먼저 원인을 집어내는 것이 급선무다.

To solve the problem, pinpointing the cause is the first priority.

Strategic planning.

8

그녀의 연기는 인간의 미묘한 감정선을 잘 집어낸다.

Her acting picks out the subtle emotional lines of humans well.

Artistic appreciation.

1

본 논문은 기존 연구의 맹점을 조목조목 집어내어 반박한다.

This thesis pinpoints the blind spots of existing research point by point and refutes them.

Academic rigor.

2

시대의 징후를 예민하게 집어내는 것이 예술가의 숙명이다.

It is an artist's destiny to sensitively pinpoint the signs of the times.

Philosophical depth.

3

그는 방대한 자료 속에서 필요한 정보만을 귀신같이 집어냈다.

He picked out only the necessary information from the vast data like a ghost (uncannily).

Idiomatic expression '귀신같이'.

4

검찰은 피고인의 진술 중 모순된 부분을 날카롭게 집어냈다.

The prosecution sharply pointed out the contradictory parts of the defendant's statement.

Legal precision.

5

그의 문체는 독자의 가려운 곳을 긁어주듯 핵심을 집어준다.

His writing style pinpoints the core as if scratching a reader's itch.

Metaphorical satisfaction.

6

역사가는 사료의 파편들을 집어 모아 하나의 서사를 완성했다.

The historian picked up and gathered fragments of historical records to complete a narrative.

Constructive action.

7

기술적 결함을 집어내는 과정에서 막대한 비용이 발생했다.

Immense costs were incurred in the process of identifying technical flaws.

Industrial management.

8

그는 무의식 중에 자신의 열등감을 집어내는 말을 내뱉었다.

He unconsciously uttered words that picked out (revealed) his inferiority complex.

Psychological revelation.

تلازمات شائعة

젓가락으로 집다
손가락으로 집다
콕 집어 말하다
집게로 집다
핵심을 집다
핀셋으로 집다
하나만 집다
실수를 집어내다
물건을 집다
돈을 집다

العبارات الشائعة

콕 집어서

— Specifically; pinpointing exactly.

콕 집어서 말하자면 그게 문제야.

집어 치워!

— Stop it!; Cut it out! (Informal/Aggressive)

그만하고 집어 치워!

집어 넣다

— To put something inside.

가방에 책을 집어 넣으세요.

집어 던지다

— To throw something (after picking it up).

화가 나서 리모컨을 집어 던졌다.

집어 들다

— To pick up and lift.

바닥에 있는 펜을 집어 들었다.

하나 집어 먹다

— To pick up and eat one piece.

식탁 위의 포도를 하나 집어 먹었다.

잘못 집다

— To pick the wrong thing.

안경을 잘못 집어서 떨어뜨렸다.

집어 가다

— To pick up and take away.

누가 내 우산을 집어 갔어?

집어 오다

— To pick up and bring.

편의점에서 우유 좀 집어 와.

다 집어내다

— To pick out everything.

콩을 다 집어내고 먹었다.

يُخلط عادةً مع

집다 vs 줍다

줍다 is for picking something up from the ground/floor; 집다 is for a surface/container.

집다 vs 잡다

잡다 means to catch or hold; 집다 is the specific action of picking up with a pincer motion.

집다 vs 쥐다

쥐다 is to clutch in the palm; 집다 is between fingertips or tools.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"콕 집어 말하다"

— To pinpoint and say exactly.

그는 내 잘못을 콕 집어 말했다.

Neutral
"가려운 곳을 집어주다"

— To address exactly what is needed or desired (like scratching an itch).

그의 설명은 내 가려운 곳을 집어주었다.

Neutral
"맥을 집다"

— To find the pulse (metaphorically: to find the core issue).

의사가 환자의 맥을 집고 있다.

Neutral
"집어 치우다"

— To stop or discard a task or behavior.

공부하기 싫으면 그냥 집어 치워.

Informal
"뼈를 집다"

— To point out a painful truth (modern slang-ish).

그의 충고는 내 뼈를 집었다.

Slang
"하나를 보면 열을 집는다"

— To be quick-witted (seeing one thing and picking up ten others).

그 애는 영리해서 하나를 보면 열을 집어.

Neutral
"도마 위에 집어 올리다"

— To bring something up for criticism/discussion.

그 안건을 도마 위에 집어 올렸다.

Formal
"입에 집어 넣어 주다"

— To spoon-feed someone (literally or metaphorically).

하나부터 열까지 입에 집어 넣어 줘야 하니?

Informal
"눈으로 집다"

— To pick something out with one's eyes (choosing visually).

그는 이미 살 물건을 눈으로 집어 두었다.

Neutral
"손에 집히는 대로"

— Whatever one's hand happens to pick up first.

손에 집히는 대로 책을 읽었다.

Neutral

سهل الخلط

집다 vs 지우다

Pronunciation similarity in conjugated forms.

지우다 (to erase) -> 지워요; 집다 (to pick up) -> 집어요. Note the vowel and batchim.

글씨를 지워요 vs. 펜을 집어요.

집다 vs 짚다

Homophones in many contexts.

짚다 is to lean on (a cane) or touch to check (a pulse/forehead). 집다 is to pick up.

지팡이를 짚다 vs. 물건을 집다.

집다 vs 접다

Similar sound.

접다 means to fold (paper/clothes). 집다 is to pick up.

종이를 접다 vs. 종이를 집다.

집다 vs 좁다

Similar sound.

좁다 is an adjective meaning 'to be narrow'. 집다 is a verb.

방이 좁다 vs. 펜을 집다.

집다 vs 굽다

Ends in 'ㅂ'.

굽다 (to bake/roast) is irregular (구워요). 집다 is regular (집어요).

고기를 굽다 vs. 고기를 집다.

أنماط الجُمل

A1

[N]을/를 집어요.

펜을 집어요.

A2

[N]으로 [N]을/를 집으세요.

젓가락으로 콩을 집으세요.

B1

[N]을/를 콕 집어내다.

틀린 답을 콕 집어내다.

B1

[V]-어/아 들다.

집어 들다.

B2

[N]의 핵심을 집다.

문제의 핵심을 집다.

C1

[N]을/를 도마 위에 집어 올리다.

그 문제를 도마 위에 집어 올렸다.

C1

[N]을/를 하나하나 집어주다.

실수를 하나하나 집어주다.

C2

시대의 징후를 집어내다.

작가는 시대의 징후를 예민하게 집어냈다.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

집게 (jip-ge) - Tongs/Clips
집게손가락 (jip-ge-son-ga-rak) - Index finger
돌잡이 (dol-ja-bi) - First birthday picking ceremony

الأفعال

집어내다 (jip-eo-nae-da) - To pick out/identify
되집다 (doe-jip-da) - To look back/retrace (often used as 되짚다)
붙잡다 (but-jap-da) - To grab hold of

مرتبط

잡다 (jap-da) - To catch
줍다 (jup-da) - To pick up from the floor
쥐다 (jwi-da) - To clutch
들다 (deul-da) - To lift
고르다 (go-reu-da) - To choose

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Very High in daily life and dining.

أخطاء شائعة
  • 주워요 (ju-wo-yo) instead of 집어요 (jip-eo-yo) 집어요

    Learners often apply the ㅂ-irregular rule to 집다, but it is a regular verb.

  • Using 집다 for picking up a person. 데리러 가다

    집다 is only for physical objects picked up with fingers/tools.

  • Using 집다 for something on the floor. 줍다

    줍다 is specific to picking things up from the ground.

  • Using 집다 for picking flowers. 따다

    따다 is used for picking things growing on plants/trees.

  • Confusing 집다 with 잡다. 잡다 (for catching/holding)

    잡다 is a broader action of catching or holding, not specifically picking up a small item.

نصائح

Regular Verb Alert

Don't treat 집다 as a ㅂ-irregular verb. It conjugates as 집어요, 집었다, 집어서. This distinguishes it from 줍다 (주워요).

The Chopstick Connection

Associate 집다 primarily with chopsticks (젓가락). It's the most common way you'll use the word in Korea.

Metaphorical Precision

Use '콕 집어서' when you want to tell someone to 'be specific' or 'get to the point'.

Doljabi Tradition

Knowing this word helps you understand the most important event of a Korean child's first birthday.

Tense the 'da'

Make sure the second syllable sounds like 'tta'. The 'p' batchim makes the following 'd' sound strong.

Floor vs. Table

If it's on the floor, use 줍다. If it's on the table, use 집다. This simple rule prevents 90% of mistakes.

Compound Verbs

Try using '집어 들다' (pick up and lift) instead of just '집다' to sound more descriptive in your writing.

Context Clues

If you hear '집게' (tongs), '젓가락' (chopsticks), or '핀셋' (tweezers), the verb will be 집다.

Polite Requests

Always add '-아/어 주세요' when asking someone to pick something up for you: '집어 주세요'.

Pincer Motion

Whenever you see the word 집다, physically make a pincer motion with your thumb and index finger. This physical anchor helps memory.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of a 'Jip' (Zip) or a 'Clip'. Both 'Jip' and 'Clip' are used to pinch things together. 'Jip-da' is the action of pinching something to pick it up.

ربط بصري

Imagine a pair of metal tongs (집게) picking up a small, slippery bean. The precision required for that 'Jip' action is the essence of '집다'.

Word Web

젓가락 (Chopsticks) 집게 (Tongs) 손가락 (Fingers) 반찬 (Side dishes) 콕 (Pinpoint) 실수 (Mistake) 선택 (Selection) 핀셋 (Tweezers)

تحدٍّ

Try to say '젓가락으로 콩을 집어요' (I pick up a bean with chopsticks) five times fast while mimicking the pincer motion with your hand.

أصل الكلمة

The word is a pure Korean (Native) verb. It has existed in the Korean language for centuries, appearing in Middle Korean texts with a similar meaning of grasping small objects.

المعنى الأصلي: To grasp or pinch between two points (fingers or tools).

Koreanic

السياق الثقافي

Be careful when 'pointing out' (콕 집다) someone's mistakes in public, as it can cause 'losing face' in Korean culture. Use it gently.

English speakers often confuse 'pick up' with 'fetch' or 'lift'. In Korean, '집다' is strictly the 'pincer' action. You can't '집다' a person from the airport.

Doljabi (돌잡이) - The traditional first birthday ceremony. Claw Machine (인형뽑기) - Extremely popular in Korea, where the claw '집다' the doll. Korean BBQ - Where everyone uses tongs (집게) to '집다' the meat.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Dining

  • 젓가락으로 집다
  • 반찬을 집다
  • 집게로 고기를 집다
  • 하나 집어 먹다

Classroom

  • 정답을 집어내다
  • 틀린 곳을 집다
  • 책을 집어 들다
  • 펜을 집다

Business

  • 핵심을 집다
  • 문제를 집어내다
  • 요점만 콕 집다
  • 원인을 집다

Retail

  • 물건을 집다
  • 바구니에 집어 넣다
  • 돈을 집어 내다
  • 상품을 집어 들다

Home/Cleaning

  • 머리카락을 집다
  • 쓰레기를 집다 (if small)
  • 물건을 제자리에 집어 넣다
  • 옷을 집어 들다

بدايات محادثة

"젓가락으로 콩을 집는 게 힘들지 않아요?"

"혹시 제가 아까 말한 핵심을 집어낼 수 있나요?"

"돌잡이 때 무엇을 집으셨어요?"

"이 인형 뽑기 기계는 인형을 왜 이렇게 못 집을까요?"

"콕 집어서 어떤 음식이 제일 좋아요?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

오늘 젓가락으로 집기 가장 힘들었던 음식은 무엇인가요?

누군가 나의 실수를 콕 집어냈을 때의 기분을 써 보세요.

인생에서 가장 중요한 가치를 하나만 집는다면 무엇일까요?

오늘 길을 가다가 무엇을 집어 들었나요?

최근에 읽은 책에서 가장 인상 깊은 문장을 하나 집어 보세요.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, 집다 is only for objects. To pick up a person (like from the airport), use 데리러 가다 or 마중 나가다. Using 집다 would imply you are picking them up with giant chopsticks.

No, 집다 is a regular verb. Even though it ends in 'ㅂ', it does not change to '우'. So it is 집어, not 지워. This is a very common mistake for learners.

집다 is to pick something up. 짚다 is to lean on something (like a cane), to touch a forehead to check for a fever, or to point at something on a map without picking it up.

No. To answer the phone, use 전화를 받다. If the phone is on the table and you are just picking it up to move it, you can use 집다, but '받다' is used for answering.

It means to pinpoint or select something very specifically. '콕' is an onomatopoeia for a poking or pecking motion, so it emphasizes the precision of the picking.

The passive-like form is 집히다, which means 'to be caught/picked up' or 'to be within reach'. For example, '손에 집히는 게 없어요' means 'There is nothing within my reach'.

Usually, 따다 is used for picking fruit or flowers. 집다 is for picking up something that is already separated or on a surface.

You don't use 집다. You use 습관이 들다 or 습관을 가지다. 집다 is almost always physical or specific identification.

Yes! Hair clips that pinch are called 집게핀. This comes from the verb 집다.

고르다 is the mental act of choosing. 집다 is the physical act of picking. You might '고르다' (choose) a shirt and then '집다' (pick up) the one you chose.

اختبر نفسك 99 أسئلة

writing

Translate: 'Please pick up the pen with your hand.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'I picked up the meat with chopsticks.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Pronounce: 젓가락으로 김치를 집어요.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen and choose: '집어요' vs '주워요'. (Context: picking up a pen from a desk)

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:

/ 99 correct

Perfect score!

هل كان هذا مفيداً؟
لا توجد تعليقات بعد. كن أول من يشارك أفكاره!