문제를 풀다.
Munjereul pulda.
To solve a problem.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use this phrase when you find an answer to a math question, a difficult situation, or a misunderstanding.
- Means: To solve a problem, untie a knot, or resolve a conflict.
- Used in: Exams, puzzles, technical troubleshooting, and interpersonal arguments.
- Don't confuse: Use '풀다' for the process; use '맞히다' for getting the right answer.
Explanation at your level:
Significado
The act of finding a solution to a difficulty or puzzle.
Contexto cultural
The phrase '문제 풀이' (problem solving) is a massive industry in Korea. Private academies (hagwons) focus almost entirely on the speed and accuracy of 'solving problems' for exams. Koreans often use '풀다' to maintain 'Chemyeon' (face). Instead of a direct confrontation, one might suggest '풀자' (let's solve/untie this) to offer a way out of a social deadlock. The 'Salpuri' (살풀이) dance is a traditional dance intended to 'solve' or 'release' bad spirits or spiritual knots of sorrow. In the Korean IT sector, 'solving' a bug is often called '풀다', but '해결' is used in official Jira tickets or reports.
The 'ㄹ' Rule
Always remember that 'ㄹ' disappears before 'ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ'. So it's '푸니까', not '풀니까'.
Don't use for 'Answer'
If someone asks 'What's your phone number?', don't use '풀다'. Use '말하다' or '대답하다'.
Significado
The act of finding a solution to a difficulty or puzzle.
The 'ㄹ' Rule
Always remember that 'ㄹ' disappears before 'ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ'. So it's '푸니까', not '풀니까'.
Don't use for 'Answer'
If someone asks 'What's your phone number?', don't use '풀다'. Use '말하다' or '대답하다'.
Stress Relief
Use '스트레스를 풀다' to sound very natural. It's one of the most common daily expressions in Korea.
Drinking Culture
In Korea, many social 'knots' are 'solved' (풀다) at a dinner with Soju. This is called '술로 풀다'.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '풀다'. Watch out for the irregular conjugation!
너무 어려워서 {문제|問題}를 못 (____).
The sentence means 'I can't solve the problem because it's too hard.' '풀어요' is the correct present tense form.
Which sentence uses '풀다' in a social context?
Choose the best sentence:
This sentence means 'I am clearing up a misunderstanding with a friend,' which is a social context.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 이 {문제|問題} 정답이 뭐야? 나: 나도 아직 못 (____). 같이 해보자.
The speaker is saying they haven't solved it yet. '풀었어' is the past tense informal form.
Match the phrase to the situation: '스트레스를 풀다'
When would you say this?
'스트레스를 풀다' means to relieve stress.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
풀다 vs. 맞히다
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes, '사건을 풀다' (solve a case) is common in books and movies, though '해결하다' is more formal.
'풀다' is native and casual/common. '해결하다' is Sino-Korean and formal/professional.
It's an irregular 'ㄹ' verb. The 'ㄹ' drops when it meets 'ㅅ' in '-(으)세요'.
Yes! '선물을 풀다' means to unwrap or open a gift.
Yes, you can say '버그를 풀다', but '버그를 잡다' (catch a bug) is more common.
Use the passive form: '문제가 풀렸어요'.
Yes, '해동하다' is formal, but '냉동된 것을 풀다' can be used for thawing.
It means to let out all the pent-up feelings or stories after not seeing someone for a long time.
In casual conversation, yes. '문제 풀어' is very common.
Yes, '수수께끼를 풀다' is the standard way to say solve a riddle.
No, but '풀어 쓰다' means to write something out in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
No, for movies use '개봉하다'. For releasing a song, use '발매하다'.
Frases relacionadas
해답을 찾다
similarTo find the answer/solution
오해를 풀다
specialized formTo clear up a misunderstanding
수수께끼를 풀다
specialized formTo solve a riddle
매듭을 풀다
similarTo untie a knot
문제를 일으키다
contrastTo cause a problem
Dónde usarla
In a Math Class
Teacher: 칠판에 있는 {문제|問題}를 풀어 보세요.
Student: 네, 제가 풀어 보겠습니다.
After an Argument
Friend A: 아직도 화났어? 우리 이제 {오해|誤解}를 풀자.
Friend B: 그래, 나도 미안해. 대화로 풀자.
At a Job Interview
Interviewer: 어려운 {문제|問題}를 어떻게 푸는 편입니까?
Applicant: 저는 동료들과 협력하여 {문제|問題}를 풉니다.
Doing a Crossword
Person A: 이 가로 {문제|問題} 풀었어?
Person B: 아니, 너무 어려워서 못 풀겠어.
Feeling Stressed
Colleague: 오늘 일이 너무 많네요.
Self: 퇴근하고 매운 거 먹으면서 스트레스 좀 풀어야겠어요.
Technical Support
Customer: 인터넷 연결 {문제|問題}를 좀 풀어 주세요.
Technician: 네, 바로 확인해서 해결해 드리겠습니다.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'PUL' (pool) of tangled strings. You jump in to 'PUL-da' (pull) them apart and untie them.
Visual Association
A person sitting at a desk with a giant, tangled ball of yarn labeled 'PROBLEM'. As they solve it, the yarn becomes a straight, clean line.
Rhyme
Knot in your shoe? Pul-da! Math you can't do? Pul-da!
Story
Min-su had a big knot in his shoelace. He had to 'pul-da' it to take off his shoes. Then he saw a math problem that looked like a knot. He used his brain to 'pul-da' that too. Finally, his friend was angry (another knot!), so he said sorry to 'pul-da' the anger.
Word Web
Desafío
Find a Sudoku or a simple math problem. Every time you find a number, say out loud: '문제를 풀고 있어요!' (I am solving the problem!)
In Other Languages
Resolver un problema
Korean '풀다' is also used for untying physical knots.
Résoudre un problème
Korean uses the same word '풀다' for both 'résoudre' and 'dénouer'.
Ein Problem lösen
The metaphorical logic is almost identical.
問題を解く
Japanese has more specific kanji variations for different types of 'solving'.
حل المشكلة (Hall al-mushkila)
Like Korean, the literal and figurative meanings are perfectly aligned.
解决问题 (Jiějué wèntí)
Chinese usually requires the two-character compound '解决', while Korean can use the native '풀다'.
해결하다 (Hae-gyeol-hada)
Register: '풀다' is native/common, '해결하다' is Sino-Korean/formal.
Resolver um problema
Korean '풀다' covers both 'resolver' and 'desatar'.
Easily Confused
Both involve getting an answer to a problem.
Use '풀다' for the effort/process. Use '맞히다' for the success of being correct.
Learners often say '문제를 대답하다'.
Questions (질문) are answered (대답). Problems (문제) are solved (풀다).
Preguntas frecuentes (12)
Yes, '사건을 풀다' (solve a case) is common in books and movies, though '해결하다' is more formal.
'풀다' is native and casual/common. '해결하다' is Sino-Korean and formal/professional.
It's an irregular 'ㄹ' verb. The 'ㄹ' drops when it meets 'ㅅ' in '-(으)세요'.
Yes! '선물을 풀다' means to unwrap or open a gift.
Yes, you can say '버그를 풀다', but '버그를 잡다' (catch a bug) is more common.
Use the passive form: '문제가 풀렸어요'.
Yes, '해동하다' is formal, but '냉동된 것을 풀다' can be used for thawing.
It means to let out all the pent-up feelings or stories after not seeing someone for a long time.
In casual conversation, yes. '문제 풀어' is very common.
Yes, '수수께끼를 풀다' is the standard way to say solve a riddle.
No, but '풀어 쓰다' means to write something out in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
No, for movies use '개봉하다'. For releasing a song, use '발매하다'.
