꽂다
To put something into a place so it stays there, like a plug into a wall.
Explanation at your level:
You use 꽂다 when you put one thing into another. For example, you 꽂다 a plug into the wall. It is very easy to use! Just remember: if it goes inside a hole or a space, you 꽂다 it.
At this level, you can use 꽂다 for many things. You can 꽂다 a book on a shelf or a pen in a holder. It is a very useful verb for your daily routine at home or at school.
As you move to intermediate, you will notice 꽂다 is used for technology, like 'USB를 꽂다' (plug in a USB). You can also use it metaphorically, like being 'stuck' on an idea or a person.
At the B2 level, you should distinguish between 꽂다 (the action of inserting) and 끼우다 (the action of fitting or sandwiching). Use 꽂다 when the object is inserted into a vertical or deep space.
Advanced learners use 꽂다 in more abstract contexts. You might hear it in sports commentary or political discourse, such as '승부수를 꽂다' (to make a decisive move). It conveys a sense of sharp, intentional placement.
At the mastery level, 꽂다 carries nuance in literary descriptions. It captures the precision of an action—not just putting something somewhere, but piercing or anchoring it with purpose. It is a powerful verb that conveys both physical force and psychological fixation.
Palabra en 30 segundos
- It means to insert or plug in.
- Used for physical objects and abstract feelings.
- The passive form is 꽂히다.
- Common in daily tech and emotional contexts.
The verb 꽂다 is a fundamental Korean word that describes the action of inserting or fixing an object into another. Think of it as the physical act of 'sticking' or 'plugging' something in.
You will use this word constantly in daily life. Whether you are plugging in your phone charger, placing a flower into a vase, or tucking a pen into your shirt pocket, 꽂다 is the go-to verb. It implies that the object is now held in place by the surrounding medium.
The word 꽂다 has deep roots in Middle Korean, appearing in texts as early as the 15th century. It evolved from a root that described the piercing or setting of an object into the ground or a base.
Historically, it was closely associated with agriculture and construction, such as planting seedlings or fixing wooden stakes into the earth. Over centuries, the meaning expanded from purely physical, ground-based insertion to include modern mechanical applications like electrical sockets and digital ports.
In casual conversation, you will hear 꽂다 used for almost any situation involving insertion. It is very versatile. You can 꽂다 a pin into a board, a straw into a drink, or even a flag into the ground.
When talking about electricity, it is the standard term for plugging in appliances. You might say '플러그를 꽂다' (plug in the plug). It is a neutral term, suitable for both informal chats with friends and clear instructions in a professional setting.
1. 눈에 꽂히다: To be fixated on something (literally: to have it stuck in your eyes). 2. 마음에 꽂히다: To be deeply moved or struck by something. 3. 깃발을 꽂다: To claim territory or achieve a landmark victory. 4. 한 방을 꽂다: To land a decisive blow in a game or argument. 5. 시선을 꽂다: To stare intently at something.
The verb 꽂다 is a regular verb in terms of conjugation, but it is often confused with its passive form, 꽂히다. When you want to say something 'is plugged in,' use the passive 꽂혀 있다.
Pronunciation is tricky for learners because of the double consonant. It sounds like 'kkot-da' with a sharp, tense 'k' sound at the start. Practice the 'kk' sound by tightening your throat muscles slightly before the vowel.
Fun Fact
It is a native Korean word, not derived from Chinese characters.
Pronunciation Guide
Tense 'k' sound followed by 'ot' and a sharp 'da'.
Similar to UK, focus on the glottal tension.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as 'kot-da' without tension
- Ignoring the double consonant
- Adding an extra vowel sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Simple
Common
Common
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanzado
Grammar to Know
Passive verbs
꽂히다
Location particles
에
Object markers
를/을
Examples by Level
플러그를 꽂으세요.
Plug (the) plug in.
Imperative form.
꽃을 꽂아요.
Flower (object marker) stick in.
Present tense.
여기에 꽂아.
Here stick in.
Casual command.
빨대를 꽂아요.
Straw (object marker) stick in.
Simple verb.
펜을 꽂아요.
Pen (object marker) stick in.
Simple verb.
핀을 꽂아요.
Pin (object marker) stick in.
Simple verb.
책을 꽂아요.
Book (object marker) stick in.
Simple verb.
깃발을 꽂아요.
Flag (object marker) stick in.
Simple verb.
전원 코드를 꽂아요.
머리에 핀을 꽂아요.
책장에 책을 꽂아요.
화병에 꽃을 꽂아요.
가방에 펜을 꽂아요.
벽에 못을 꽂아요.
포크를 꽂아요.
USB를 꽂아요.
꽂혀 있는 플러그를 뽑으세요.
마음에 꽂히는 노래예요.
시선을 한곳에 꽂았어요.
중요한 서류를 파일에 꽂았어요.
화분에 푯말을 꽂았어요.
바닥에 막대기를 꽂았어요.
귀에 이어폰을 꽂았어요.
가슴에 배지를 꽂았어요.
그의 말 한마디가 가슴에 꽂혔다.
결정적인 순간에 골을 꽂아 넣었다.
벽에 장식용 칼을 꽂아 두었다.
책꽂이에 책을 가지런히 꽂아 놓았다.
그녀는 시선을 창밖으로 꽂았다.
그는 자신의 주장을 강하게 꽂았다.
데이터 케이블을 포트에 꽂으세요.
화살을 과녁에 꽂았다.
그의 날카로운 지적은 내 마음 깊숙이 꽂혔다.
역사의 한 페이지에 이름을 꽂아 넣었다.
상대방의 허점을 정확히 꽂는 질문이었다.
그는 승부수를 꽂으며 경기를 마무리했다.
오랫동안 꽂혀 있던 책을 꺼내 읽었다.
그의 눈빛은 마치 화살처럼 나에게 꽂혔다.
비판의 화살을 그에게 꽂았다.
성공의 깃발을 정상에 꽂았다.
그의 문장은 독자의 뇌리에 깊숙이 꽂히는 힘이 있다.
시대의 아픔을 꽂아 묘사한 소설이다.
그는 자신의 철학을 세상에 꽂아 내렸다.
침묵 속에 비수처럼 꽂히는 한마디였다.
그는 운명의 화살을 자신의 가슴에 꽂았다.
예술적 영감을 심장 한가운데 꽂아 넣었다.
그의 시선은 마치 못처럼 벽에 꽂혀 있었다.
역사의 현장에 자신의 깃발을 꽂아 기념했다.
Colocaciones comunes
Idioms & Expressions
"마음에 꽂히다"
To be deeply impressed or moved.
그 영화 대사가 마음에 꽂혔다.
neutral"눈에 꽂히다"
To be fixated on something.
그 옷이 눈에 꽂혔다.
casual"승부수를 꽂다"
To make a decisive move.
마지막에 승부수를 꽂았다.
formal"비수를 꽂다"
To say something very hurtful.
그녀의 말은 내게 비수를 꽂았다.
literary"깃발을 꽂다"
To achieve a major goal.
드디어 세계 시장에 깃발을 꽂았다.
formal"한 방을 꽂다"
To deliver a strong blow.
상대에게 멋진 한 방을 꽂았다.
casualEasily Confused
Antonym
To pull out vs. to stick in.
플러그를 뽑다 vs 꽂다.
Similar action
Fitting vs. sticking.
반지를 끼우다 vs 핀을 꽂다.
General meaning
General vs. specific.
가방에 넣다 vs 벽에 꽂다.
Forceful insertion
Hammering vs. placing.
못을 박다 vs 꽃을 꽂다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 에 + Object + 를 + 꽂다
나는 벽에 플러그를 꽂았다.
Object + 가 + 장소 + 에 + 꽂혀 있다
플러그가 벽에 꽂혀 있다.
Subject + 마음 + 에 + 꽂히다
그 말이 내 마음에 꽂혔다.
Subject + 승부수 + 를 + 꽂다
그는 마지막에 승부수를 꽂았다.
Subject + 비수 + 를 + 꽂다
그녀는 나에게 비수를 꽂았다.
Familia de palabras
Nouns
Verbs
Relacionado
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Errores comunes
Use the passive form when the object is already in place.
Use 꽂다 for vertical/deep insertion, 끼우다 for fitting/sandwiching.
넣다 is general; 꽂다 is specific to 'fixing' or 'sticking' in place.
The passive state requires the passive verb.
Always use the location particle '에' with 꽂다.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a giant plug in your room.
When Native Speakers Use It
Everyday tech tasks.
Cultural Insight
Used in K-dramas for emotional impact.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use '에' for location.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'kk' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse with 뽑다 (pull).
Did You Know?
It is a native Korean word.
Study Smart
Use it with real objects.
Passive Form
Use 꽂히다 for states.
Contextual Nuance
It implies precision.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'K' (kkot) sticking into a 'K'ake (cake).
Visual Association
A plug going into a wall socket.
Word Web
Desafío
Label items in your room that you can '꽂다'.
Origen de la palabra
Korean
Original meaning: To pierce or fix into the ground.
Contexto cultural
None, standard vocabulary.
Directly correlates to 'plug in' or 'stick in'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At home
- 플러그를 꽂아요
- 꽃을 꽂아요
- 책을 꽂아요
At the office
- USB를 꽂아요
- 서류를 꽂아요
- 케이블을 꽂아요
In conversation
- 마음에 꽂혔어요
- 눈에 꽂혔어요
- 한 방을 꽂았어요
In sports
- 골을 꽂았어요
- 깃발을 꽂았어요
- 승부수를 꽂았어요
Conversation Starters
"오늘 아침에 플러그를 꽂았나요?"
"당신의 마음에 꽂힌 영화가 있나요?"
"어디에 깃발을 꽂고 싶나요?"
"가장 최근에 꽂은 물건은 무엇인가요?"
"책장에 책을 어떻게 꽂나요?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a moment when a word 'stuck' in your heart.
What is the most important thing you 'plugged' in today?
If you could plant a flag anywhere, where would it be?
Write about a time you achieved a goal like 'planting a flag'.
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntasUse '꽂혀 있어요'.
No, it is for objects.
Yes, it conjugates regularly.
꽂다 is for vertical/deep insertion; 끼우다 is for fitting.
Yes, like a straw or a skewer.
Yes, for plugging in cables or devices.
To be deeply moved.
Tense your throat.
Ponte a prueba
플러그를 벽에 ___.
You plug things into walls.
Which sentence is correct?
You put books in bags.
꽂다 is the same as 뽑다.
They are opposites.
Word
Significado
Both are common collocations.
Subject-Object-Verb order.
그는 정상에 깃발을 ___.
You plant flags.
Is '비수를 꽂다' an idiom?
Yes, it means to say something hurtful.
What does '시선을 꽂다' mean?
To stare intensely.
Word
Significado
Advanced idiomatic usage.
Standard complex sentence structure.
Puntuación: /10
Summary
꽂다 is the essential verb for placing something firmly into a space, whether it is a plug in a socket or a deep thought in your mind.
- It means to insert or plug in.
- Used for physical objects and abstract feelings.
- The passive form is 꽂히다.
- Common in daily tech and emotional contexts.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a giant plug in your room.
When Native Speakers Use It
Everyday tech tasks.
Cultural Insight
Used in K-dramas for emotional impact.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use '에' for location.
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