자르다 in 30 Sekunden
- Action of dividing objects with a tool.
- Conjugates irregularly as 잘라요 (jallayo).
- Commonly used for haircuts and crafts.
- Slang for firing someone from a job.
The Korean verb 자르다 (jareuda) is a fundamental vocabulary word classified at the CEFR A1 level, primarily meaning 'to cut' or 'to sever.' It is an action verb used when you divide an object into two or more pieces using a sharp tool such as scissors, a knife, or a saw. Understanding this word is essential for everyday conversations, whether you are talking about preparing food, doing arts and crafts, or getting a haircut. The concept of cutting in Korean is highly specific, and while '자르다' is the most general term, its application requires an understanding of the object being cut and the tool being used. For beginners, mastering '자르다' opens up the ability to describe a wide range of daily activities. Let us explore the core meanings, the grammatical irregularities, and the physical contexts in which this word thrives.
- Primary Definition
- To physically divide an object using a tool. This applies to paper, hair, string, and sometimes food.
가위로 종이를 자르다.
One of the most critical aspects of learning '자르다' is mastering its conjugation. It is a '르' (reu) irregular verb. When followed by a vowel ending (like -아요/어요), the '으' is dropped, and an extra 'ㄹ' is added to the preceding syllable. Therefore, '자르다' becomes '잘라요' (jallayo) in the present polite tense, not '자라요'. This irregularity is a common stumbling block for learners but is entirely predictable once the rule is internalized. You will see this pattern in other verbs like '모르다' (to not know -> 몰라요) and '빠르다' (to be fast -> 빨라요).
- Conjugation Rule
- 르-irregular: 자르 + 아요 = 잘라요. The stem changes significantly before vowels.
미용실에서 머리를 잘랐어요.
Beyond physical cutting, '자르다' can also be used in more abstract or colloquial ways. For instance, in a workplace context, it is commonly used as slang to mean 'to fire' or 'to dismiss' someone from their job, much like 'getting the axe' in English. If someone says '나 잘렸어' (I got cut), they mean they were fired. Furthermore, it can mean to cut off a conversation or a relationship. However, at the A1 level, your primary focus should remain on the physical act of cutting objects.
- Secondary Meaning (Colloquial)
- To fire someone from a job or to abruptly end a conversation or relationship.
회사에서 직원을 잘랐다.
내 말을 자르지 마세요.
To fully grasp '자르다', you must practice it with various nouns. Common collocations include '종이를 자르다' (cut paper), '줄을 자르다' (cut a line/string), '손톱을 자르다' (cut nails - though 깎다 is also used), and '고기를 자르다' (cut meat). Notice that the object particle 을/를 is always used because '자르다' is a transitive verb requiring a direct object. By visualizing the act of a tool severing an item, you can build a strong mental association with this vital Korean verb.
스테이크를 반으로 잘라 주세요.
Using 자르다 correctly in sentences requires an understanding of Korean sentence structure, specifically the Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order, and the appropriate use of particles. Because '자르다' is a transitive verb (an action done to something), it must be paired with the object particles 을 or 를. The basic formula is: [Subject] + [Object]을/를 + 자르다. For example, '내가 종이를 자른다' (I cut the paper). In spoken Korean, the subject is often dropped if it is clear from the context, leaving just the object and the verb. This makes mastering the object particles crucial for fluent usage.
- Basic Sentence Structure
- [Noun]을/를 + 자르다. Used to indicate what is being cut.
요리사가 고기를 자릅니다.
To add more detail to your sentences, you can specify the tool used for cutting by employing the instrumental particle (으)로. The formula expands to: [Tool](으)로 + [Object]을/를 + 자르다. Common tools include 가위 (scissors), 칼 (knife), and 톱 (saw). For instance, '가위로 종이를 자르다' means 'to cut paper with scissors'. This structure is incredibly common in instructional contexts, such as recipes or craft tutorials, where specifying the method is just as important as the action itself.
- Using Tools
- [Tool] + (으)로 indicates the instrument used to perform the cutting action.
날카로운 칼로 빵을 잘랐어요.
Another important grammatical pattern is specifying how the object is cut, such as cutting it into pieces or cutting it in half. For this, we use the particle (으)로 again, but this time attached to the resulting state or quantity. For example, '반으로 자르다' means 'to cut into half'. '세 조각으로 자르다' means 'to cut into three pieces'. This usage highlights the transformation of the object from a whole into parts, which is the core essence of the verb '자르다'.
- Resulting State
- [Result] + (으)로 + 자르다. Indicates the final form after cutting.
사과를 네 조각으로 잘라 줄게요.
피자를 여덟 조각으로 자르세요.
Finally, let's look at the passive form. The passive form of '자르다' is 잘리다 (to be cut). When using the passive form, the object particle (을/를) changes to the subject particle (이/가). For example, '종이가 잘렸다' (The paper was cut). This form is also the one used in the slang expression for getting fired: '나 회사에서 잘렸어' (I got cut/fired from the company). Understanding both the active and passive forms gives you complete control over this versatile vocabulary word in any situation.
실수로 손가락이 조금 잘렸어요.
The verb 자르다 is ubiquitous in everyday Korean life. Because cutting is a fundamental human activity, you will hear this word in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from domestic chores to professional environments. One of the most common places you will encounter '자르다' is at the 미용실 (hair salon) or 이발소 (barbershop). When Koreans want to get a haircut, they literally say 'I want to cut my hair' (머리를 자르고 싶어요). This is a set phrase. You will hear hairdressers ask, '어떻게 잘라 드릴까요?' (How would you like it cut?) and customers responding with '조금만 잘라 주세요' (Please cut just a little bit) or '짧게 잘라 주세요' (Please cut it short).
- Hair Salon Context
- Used exclusively to describe the act of getting a haircut. '머리' means head/hair.
앞머리를 조금 잘라 주세요.
Another major domain for '자르다' is the kitchen and dining environment. Korean cuisine often involves cutting food at the table using scissors (가위). For example, when eating Korean BBQ (삼겹살) or cold noodles (냉면), it is standard practice to use scissors to cut the meat or the long noodles into bite-sized pieces. A waiter might ask, '고기 잘라 드릴까요?' (Shall I cut the meat for you?) or '냉면 잘라 드릴까요?' (Shall I cut the cold noodles?). In recipes, you will frequently see instructions like '야채를 작게 자르세요' (Cut the vegetables small).
- Culinary Context
- Used when preparing ingredients or cutting food at the dining table, often with scissors.
냉면을 가위로 한 번만 잘라 주세요.
In office and corporate environments, '자르다' takes on a more serious, colloquial meaning. As mentioned earlier, it is the standard informal term for firing an employee. You might hear gossip like '그 부장님 어제 잘렸대' (I heard that manager got fired yesterday). It is a harsh word in this context, akin to 'axed' or 'sacked' in English. The formal equivalent would be '해고하다' (to dismiss/fire), but '자르다' (active) and '잘리다' (passive) are what you will hear in everyday conversation among colleagues.
- Workplace Slang
- Used to describe the termination of employment. Highly informal but very common.
회사 사정이 나빠서 직원을 많이 잘랐어요.
지각을 많이 해서 알바에서 잘렸어요.
Finally, you will hear it in educational and crafting settings. Kindergarten teachers instruct children to cut paper ('색종이를 자르세요'), and DIY videos on YouTube constantly use the word when demonstrating how to cut fabric, wire, or wood. It is a word of creation and modification, deeply embedded in the physical actions of making and shaping things in the Korean language.
선을 따라 가위로 예쁘게 자르세요.
When learning the verb 자르다, beginners frequently encounter a few specific pitfalls. These mistakes generally fall into two categories: grammatical errors related to conjugation, and semantic errors related to choosing the wrong 'cutting' verb. Because Korean has a highly nuanced vocabulary for different types of cutting actions, using '자르다' as a blanket translation for the English word 'cut' can lead to unnatural or incorrect sentences. Let us examine these common mistakes in detail so you can avoid them and sound more like a native speaker.
- Mistake 1: Incorrect Conjugation
- Failing to apply the 르-irregular rule when conjugating into the present or past polite forms.
❌ 머리를 자라요.
✅ 머리를 잘라요.
The most frequent grammatical error is conjugating '자르다' as '자라요' or '자랐어요'. Because it is a 르-irregular verb, the correct forms are '잘라요' (present) and '잘랐어요' (past). '자라요' is actually the conjugation for the verb '자라다', which means 'to grow'. Therefore, if you say '머리를 자라요', you are saying something nonsensical like 'I grow the hair' instead of 'I cut the hair'. Memorizing the '잘라' stem is absolutely crucial for A1 learners.
- Mistake 2: Confusing with 썰다 (To slice)
- Using 자르다 when slicing vegetables or meat with a knife on a cutting board.
❌ 도마 위에서 양파를 잘라요.
✅ 도마 위에서 양파를 썰어요.
Another major semantic mistake is confusing '자르다' with 베다. '베다' means to accidentally cut oneself, usually resulting in a wound. If you are chopping vegetables and accidentally cut your finger, you must use '베다'. If you say '손가락을 잘랐어요', it sounds like you intentionally amputated your finger! This is a very common and sometimes alarming mistake made by English speakers who use 'cut' for both intentional severing and accidental injuries.
- Mistake 3: Confusing with 베다 (To cut oneself)
- Using 자르다 for accidental cuts or wounds on the body.
❌ 종이에 손을 잘랐어요.
✅ 종이에 손을 베였어요.
❌ 칼에 손가락을 잘랐어요.
✅ 칼에 손가락을 베었어요.
Lastly, learners sometimes use '자르다' when they should use 깎다. '깎다' means to peel, shave, or trim. You use '깎다' for peeling an apple (사과를 깎다), shaving a beard (수염을 깎다), or trimming fingernails (손톱을 깎다). While '손톱을 자르다' is understandable and sometimes used, '손톱을 깎다' is the more natural and precise collocation. By paying attention to these specific verbs—썰다, 베다, and 깎다—you will master the nuances of cutting in Korean.
❌ 사과 껍질을 잘라요.
✅ 사과 껍질을 깎아요.
The Korean language is incredibly rich when it comes to verbs describing physical actions, and 'cutting' is no exception. While 자르다 is the most general and widely used term for cutting or severing, there is a whole family of similar words that native speakers use to describe specific types of cutting. Understanding the subtle differences between these words will elevate your Korean from a beginner level to a more advanced, natural-sounding proficiency. Let us explore the most common synonyms and related words for '자르다'.
- 썰다 (To slice / chop)
- Used specifically for cutting food into slices or pieces using a knife and a cutting board.
도마 위에서 파를 송송 썰어요.
As mentioned in the common mistakes section, 썰다 is the go-to verb for culinary slicing. When you are preparing ingredients—slicing carrots, chopping onions, or carving a roast—you use '썰다'. The action implies a repeated, rhythmic motion with a knife. In contrast, '자르다' is often a single, definitive action, like snipping a piece of string with scissors or cutting a steak in half once.
- 깎다 (To peel / shave / trim / discount)
- Used for removing the outer layer of something, shaving hair close to the skin, or cutting prices.
과일 칼로 배를 깎았어요.
Another very important related word is 끊다. While '자르다' focuses on the physical division of an object, '끊다' focuses on the severance of a connection or a continuous line. You use '끊다' for cutting a thread, hanging up a phone call (전화를 끊다), quitting smoking (담배를 끊다), or cutting off a relationship (연락을 끊다). It has a strong connotation of stopping or terminating something that was previously ongoing.
- 끊다 (To sever / cut off / quit)
- Used for cutting continuous things like strings, phone calls, habits, or relationships.
건강을 위해서 술을 끊었어요.
가위로 실을 끊어 주세요.
Lastly, there is 오리다, which means to cut out a specific shape, usually from paper. If you are doing crafts and cutting a star shape out of construction paper, you use '오리다'. It implies precision and following a pattern, whereas '자르다' is just the general act of cutting. By learning to distinguish between 자르다, 썰다, 깎다, 끊다, and 오리다, you will possess a highly accurate and descriptive Korean vocabulary for any situation involving cutting.
잡지에서 예쁜 사진을 오렸어요.
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
르 불규칙 (르-irregular verbs): When a verb stem ending in '르' meets a vowel ending (-아/어), the '으' is dropped, and an extra 'ㄹ' is added to the preceding syllable. (자르다 -> 잘라요)
도구의 (으)로 (Instrumental particle): Attached to a noun to indicate the tool used to perform an action. (가위로 자르다)
결과의 (으)로 (Resultative particle): Attached to a noun to indicate the resulting state of an action. (반으로 자르다)
Beispiele nach Niveau
가위로 종이를 잘라요.
I cut the paper with scissors.
가위로 (with scissors) + 종이를 (paper - object) + 잘라요 (cut - present polite).
미용실에서 머리를 잘랐어요.
I cut my hair at the hair salon.
머리를 자르다 is the standard phrase for getting a haircut.
이 줄을 잘라 주세요.
Please cut this string.
자르다 + 아/어 주세요 makes a polite request.
칼로 사과를 잘라요.
I cut the apple with a knife.
칼로 uses '로' instead of '으로' because 칼 ends in a ㄹ consonant.
고기를 작게 잘랐어요.
I cut the meat small.
작게 (small) acts as an adverb modifying the verb 잘랐어요.
테이프를 잘라 주세요.
Please cut the tape.
테이프 (tape) is a common loanword used with 자르다.
저는 앞머리를 잘라요.
I cut my bangs.
앞머리 means 'front hair' or bangs.
케이크를 잘랐어요.
I cut the cake.
Past tense: 자르 + 았어요 = 잘랐어요.
스테이크를 반으로 잘라 주세요.
Please cut the steak in half.
반으로 (into half) indicates the resulting state of the cutting.
가위로 냉면을 한 번 잘랐어요.
I cut the cold noodles once with scissors.
한 번 (one time/once) quantifies the action.
피자를 여덟 조각으로 자르세요.
Please cut the pizza into eight pieces.
조각으로 (into pieces) is used to specify the number of portions.
머리를 너무 짧게 자르지 마세요.
Please don't cut my hair too short.
~지 마세요 is the negative imperative form (don't do).
색종이를 별 모양으로 잘랐어요.
I cut the colored paper into a star shape.
모양으로 (into a shape) describes the final form.
손톱을 예쁘게 잘랐어요.
I cut my nails nicely.
While 깎다 is more common for nails, 자르다 is also understood and used.
식당 아주머니가 고기를 잘라 주셨어요.
The restaurant lady cut the meat for us.
주셨어요 is the honorific past tense of 주다 (to give/do for someone).
선물 포장지를 가위로 반듯하게 잘라요.
Cut the gift wrapping paper straight with scissors.
반듯하게 means straight or neatly.
내 말을 자르지 말고 끝까지 들어.
Don't cut me off and listen to the end.
말을 자르다 is an idiom meaning to interrupt someone speaking.
지각을 너무 많이 해서 회사에서 잘렸어요.
I was late too much, so I got fired from the company.
잘리다 is the passive form, used here as slang for 'to be fired'.
비용을 줄이기 위해 예산을 잘랐습니다.
We cut the budget to reduce costs.
예산을 자르다 means to cut or reduce a budget.
영화가 너무 길어서 중간 부분을 잘라냈어요.
The movie was too long, so they cut out the middle part.
잘라내다 is a compound verb meaning 'to cut out' or 'to remove by cutting'.
인터넷 선이 잘려서 와이파이가 안 돼요.
The internet cable is cut, so the Wi-Fi isn't working.
선이 잘리다 uses the passive form to describe a broken connection.
그 사람은 내 부탁을 단칼에 잘랐어.
He flatly rejected my favor.
단칼에 자르다 is an idiom meaning to reject something immediately and firmly.
옷이 너무 길면 밑단을 조금 자르세요.
If the clothes are too long, cut the hem a little.
~면 (if) connects the condition to the action.
앞뒤 다 자르고 본론만 이야기합시다.
Let's cut the pleasantries and just talk about the main point.
앞뒤 다 자르다 is an idiom meaning to skip the intro and conclusion and get to the point.
구조조정으로 인해 많은 직원들이 잘릴 위기에 처했다.
Due to restructuring, many employees are in danger of being fired.
잘릴 위기 means 'crisis/danger of being fired' (future modifier ㄹ + 위기).
그 정치인은 꼬리를 자르기 위해 부하에게 책임을 떠넘겼다.
The politician shifted the blame to his subordinate to cut off the tail.
꼬리를 자르다 is a political idiom for sacrificing a subordinate to save oneself.
영상의 불필요한 장면을 잘라내고 편집을 완성했다.
I cut out the unnecessary scenes from the video and finished editing.
잘라내다 (to cut out) is commonly used in media editing.
썩은 가지를 잘라주어야 나무가 건강하게 자란다.
You must cut off the rotten branches for the tree to grow healthily.
잘라주어야 (must cut for it to...) expresses a necessary condition.
그는 과거의 나쁜 인연을 무 자르듯 잘라버렸다.
He cut off his bad past relationships cleanly, like cutting a radish.
무 자르듯 (like cutting a radish) is a simile for doing something cleanly and decisively.
대화의 흐름을 자르지 않도록 주의해 주세요.
Please be careful not to cut the flow of the conversation.
흐름을 자르다 means to interrupt the flow or momentum of something.
예산이 반 토막으로 잘려서 프로젝트 진행이 어렵다.
The budget was cut in half, making it difficult to proceed with the project.
반 토막으로 잘리다 means to be cut exactly in half (often used for funds).
머리카락이 상해서 끝부분을 다 잘라내야 했어요.
My hair was damaged, so I had to cut off all the ends.
잘라내야 했다 (had to cut off) expresses past obligation.
사측은 파업을 주도한 노조 간부들을 가차 없이 잘랐다.
The management mercilessly fired the union leaders who led the strike.
가차 없이 (mercilessly/without hesitation) strongly modifies the slang usage of 자르다.
문맥을 다 자르고 특정 발언만 문제 삼는 것은 옳지 않다.
It is not right to cut out all the context and only take issue with a specific remark.
문맥을 자르다 means to take something out of context.
그녀는 미련 없이 그와의 관계를 단칼에 잘라냈다.
She cut off her relationship with him decisively, without any lingering attachment.
단칼에 잘라내다 emphasizes the absolute finality of the severance.
이 소설은 불필요한 묘사를 과감히 자르고 사건 위주로 전개된다.
This novel boldly cuts unnecessary descriptions and unfolds focusing on the events.
과감히 자르다 means to cut boldly or drastically.
적군의 보급로를 자르는 것이 이번 작전의 핵심이다.
Cutting the enemy's supply route is the core of this operation.
보급로를 자르다 is a strategic military term for severing supply lines.
인터뷰 영상이 악의적으로 잘려나가 왜곡 보도되었다.
The interview video was maliciously cut and reported in a distorted manner.
잘려나가다 (to be cut out and gone) emphasizes the removal of content.
그는 자신의 실수를 덮기 위해 꼬리 자르기 식의 변명을 늘어놓았다.
He made a series of tail-cutting excuses to cover up his mistakes.
꼬리 자르기 식 (tail-cutting style) acts as a modifier for the noun 변명 (excuse).
비용 절감을 위해 복지 혜택을 자르는 것은 직원들의 반발을 살 것이다.
Cutting welfare benefits to reduce costs will incur backlash from the employees.
혜택을 자르다 means to cut or eliminate benefits.
권력자의 비리를 덮기 위한 전형적인 꼬리 자르기 행태에 대중은 분노했다.
The public was enraged by the typical tail-cutting behavior to cover up the corruption of those in power.
꼬리 자르기 행태 (tail-cutting behavior) is used here as a formal sociological/political critique.
작가는 원고의 절반을 덜어내는 뼈를 깎고 살을 자르는 퇴고 과정을 거쳤다.
The author went through a revision process of cutting bone and flesh, removing half of the manuscript.
살을 자르다 is used metaphorically alongside 뼈를 깎다 to describe agonizingly painful effort.
그의 논리는 전제부터 잘못되어 중간을 자르고 볼 것도 없이 기각되었다.
His logic was flawed from the premise, so it was dismissed without even needing to look at the rest (cutting the middle).
중간을 자르고 볼 것도 없이 implies something is so fundamentally wrong it doesn't require full analysis.
인연의 끈을 자르는 것은 물리적인 단절 이상의 심리적 붕괴를 동반한다.
Cutting the string of fate/relationship is accompanied by psychological collapse beyond mere physical severance.
인연의 끈을 자르다 is a highly literary and poetic expression for ending a relationship.
기업 사냥꾼들은 회사를 인수하자마자 알짜 부서만 남기고 나머지는 가차 없이 잘라 팔아넘겼다.
As soon as the corporate hunters acquired the company, they ruthlessly cut and sold off the rest, leaving only the profitable departments.
잘라 팔아넘기다 (to cut and sell off) describes corporate asset stripping.
문장의 군더더기를 자르고 호흡을 짧게 가져가는 것이 현대 산문의 특징이다.
Cutting the redundancies of a sentence and keeping the breath (rhythm) short is a characteristic of modern prose.
군더더기를 자르다 means to trim the fat or remove unnecessary words in writing.
과거의 악습을 단칼에 자르지 못하면 미래로 나아갈 수 없다.
If we cannot sever the evil customs of the past with a single stroke, we cannot move forward into the future.
악습을 단칼에 자르다 is a strong rhetorical phrase used in speeches or editorials.
그녀의 날카로운 지적은 상대방의 허영심을 정통으로 자르고 들어왔다.
Her sharp criticism cut straight through the opponent's vanity.
자르고 들어오다 implies a penetrating, unavoidable attack on someone's logic or ego.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
자르다 implies a clean, definitive separation. This is why it is used metaphorically for ending things abruptly (like a conversation or a job).
The physical meaning of 자르다 is neutral and can be used in any formality level. However, the meaning 'to fire someone' is informal slang and should not be used in professional or formal writing.
- Conjugating 자르다 as 자라요 (which means 'grows') instead of 잘라요.
- Using 자르다 for accidental injuries (like a paper cut) instead of 베다.
- Using 자르다 when chopping vegetables on a cutting board instead of 썰다.
- Using 자르다 to ask for a price discount instead of 깎다.
- Forgetting the object particle and saying things like '가위 자르다' (which sounds like 'cut the scissors') instead of '가위로 자르다' (cut with scissors).
Tipps
Master the 르-Irregular
Don't let the conjugation scare you. Practice writing out '자르다 -> 잘라요', '모르다 -> 몰라요', and '빠르다 -> 빨라요'. Once you see the pattern of adding the double 'ㄹ', it becomes second nature. Always listen for that strong 'L' sound in spoken Korean.
Scissors vs. Knife
When using scissors (가위), the verb is almost always 자르다. When using a knife (칼) in the kitchen, it is usually 썰다. Remembering this tool-to-verb association will help you choose the right word 90% of the time.
Hair Salon Phrases
Memorize '조금만 잘라 주세요' (Please cut just a little). It is the most useful phrase you can know at a Korean hair salon to avoid getting a haircut that is too short! You can also point and say '여기까지 잘라 주세요' (Cut up to here).
Workplace Gossip
If you work in Korea, you will hear '잘리다' used for getting fired. Remember it's slang. If you need to speak formally to HR, use '해고되다' (to be dismissed). But for chatting with coworkers, '잘렸대' (I heard they got fired) is standard.
Avoid the Finger Amputation Mistake
Never say '손가락을 잘랐어요' unless you are in a severe medical emergency missing a digit. Always use '베이었어요' (or the contracted '벴어요') for paper cuts or kitchen accidents. This is a classic foreigner mistake!
The Double L Sound
In '잘라요', the first syllable ends in 'ㄹ' and the second starts with 'ㄹ'. In Korean, this creates a continuous, strong 'L' sound. Do not pronounce it as an 'R'. It should sound like 'jal-la-yo', similar to the 'll' in the English word 'million'.
Don't Cut My Words
'말을 자르다' is a great idiom to sound fluent. If a friend keeps talking over you, jokingly say '말 자르지 마!' (Don't interrupt!). It shows you understand how Korean uses physical verbs for abstract concepts.
Particles Matter
Always pair 자르다 with 을/를 because it's an action you do to something. '종이를 자르다'. If you use 이/가, you must change the verb to the passive form 잘리다. '종이가 잘리다'. Mixing these up sounds very confusing to native speakers.
Korean BBQ Skills
At a K-BBQ restaurant, you will be the hero if you know how to ask for scissors. Say '가위 좀 주세요. 고기 자르게요.' (Please give me scissors. I will cut the meat.) It shows you know the culture and the language.
Cutting the Radish
For advanced learners, try using the simile '무 자르듯' (like cutting a radish). It means doing something cleanly and decisively, without hesitation. '그는 관계를 무 자르듯 끝냈다' (He ended the relationship cleanly/coldly).
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a JAR (자르) that you drop and it breaks, so you have to CUT (자르다) the tape to fix it. Or, think of a JAR (자르) being CUT in half.
Wortherkunft
Native Korean word.
Kultureller Kontext
Using scissors to cut food at the table is completely normal and polite in Korea, unlike in many Western cultures where scissors are strictly for crafts or hair.
The slang '잘리다' (to be fired) reflects the harsh reality of corporate restructuring. It carries a heavy, sometimes shameful connotation in a society that values stable employment.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"머리 어디서 잘랐어요? 예쁘네요! (Where did you get your hair cut? It's pretty!)"
"고기 좀 잘라 주실래요? (Could you cut the meat for me?)"
"혹시 가위 있어요? 종이 좀 자르려고요. (Do you happen to have scissors? I need to cut some paper.)"
"그 사람 왜 회사에서 잘렸대요? (Why did they say that person got fired?)"
"스테이크 어떻게 잘라 드릴까요? (How would you like your steak cut?)"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Write about the last time you got a haircut. Did you like how it was cut? (머리를 어떻게 잘랐는지 써 보세요.)
Describe how to make your favorite sandwich, including what you need to cut. (무엇을 잘라야 하는지 포함해서 요리법을 써 보세요.)
Write a short story about someone who got fired (잘렸다) and what they did next.
Explain the difference between 자르다 and 썰다 using examples from cooking.
Have you ever accidentally cut your own hair too short? Describe the experience.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenThis is because '자르다' is a '르-irregular' verb. In Korean grammar, when a verb stem ending in '르' meets a suffix starting with a vowel (like -아요), the '으' drops out. Then, an extra 'ㄹ' is added to the bottom of the preceding syllable. So, 자 + ㄹ + 라요 becomes 잘라요. '자라요' is actually the present tense of '자라다', which means 'to grow'.
No, that would sound very unnatural and slightly terrifying! If you say '손가락을 잘랐어요', it sounds like you intentionally amputated your finger. For accidental cuts or wounds, you must use the verb '베다'. The correct sentence is '손가락을 베었어요' (I cut my finger).
'자르다' is the general word for cutting or severing something, often with scissors or a single knife stroke. '썰다' specifically means to slice or chop food using a knife on a cutting board. If you cut a piece of paper, it's 자르다. If you chop onions for a soup, it's 썰다.
You literally say 'I cut my hair'. The phrase is '머리를 잘랐어요' (meo-ri-reul jal-lass-eo-yo). Even though the hairdresser did it, Koreans use the active voice. Note that '머리' means head, but in this context, it always means hair (머리카락).
In a workplace context, '잘리다' (the passive form of 자르다) is common slang for 'to be fired'. So '나 잘렸어' means 'I got fired' or 'I got the axe'. It is informal and used among friends or colleagues, not in official company documents.
No, for cutting prices or asking for a discount, you should use the verb '깎다' (to peel/shave/discount). The common phrase is '좀 깎아 주세요' (Please give me a discount). You cannot say '가격을 잘라 주세요'.
You use the resultative particle '(으)로' with the word for half, which is '반'. The phrase is '반으로 자르다'. For example, '사과를 반으로 잘랐어요' means 'I cut the apple in half'.
Yes, absolutely! It is a very practical and common part of Korean dining culture. You will often see scissors (가위) provided at Korean BBQ restaurants to cut meat, or at noodle shops to cut long cold noodles (냉면). It is not considered rude at all.
It is an idiom that translates to 'cutting words'. It means to interrupt someone while they are speaking. If someone keeps interrupting you, you can say '내 말 자르지 마세요' (Please don't cut me off / don't interrupt me).
The opposite of cutting or severing is attaching or connecting. The most common antonyms are '붙이다' (to attach/stick) and '잇다' or '연결하다' (to connect/link). For example, if you cut paper (자르다), you might tape it back together (붙이다).
Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
'자르다' is your go-to verb for cutting hair, paper, or meat, but remember its tricky 르-irregular conjugation ('잘라요') and its slang meaning of getting fired.
- Action of dividing objects with a tool.
- Conjugates irregularly as 잘라요 (jallayo).
- Commonly used for haircuts and crafts.
- Slang for firing someone from a job.
Master the 르-Irregular
Don't let the conjugation scare you. Practice writing out '자르다 -> 잘라요', '모르다 -> 몰라요', and '빠르다 -> 빨라요'. Once you see the pattern of adding the double 'ㄹ', it becomes second nature. Always listen for that strong 'L' sound in spoken Korean.
Scissors vs. Knife
When using scissors (가위), the verb is almost always 자르다. When using a knife (칼) in the kitchen, it is usually 썰다. Remembering this tool-to-verb association will help you choose the right word 90% of the time.
Hair Salon Phrases
Memorize '조금만 잘라 주세요' (Please cut just a little). It is the most useful phrase you can know at a Korean hair salon to avoid getting a haircut that is too short! You can also point and say '여기까지 잘라 주세요' (Cut up to here).
Workplace Gossip
If you work in Korea, you will hear '잘리다' used for getting fired. Remember it's slang. If you need to speak formally to HR, use '해고되다' (to be dismissed). But for chatting with coworkers, '잘렸대' (I heard they got fired) is standard.
Beispiel
종이를 가위로 자르세요.
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