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A2 verb 8 min de lectura

깨물다

kkaemulda

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 깨물다 en 30 segundos

Explicación 깨물다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic physical meaning of 깨물다: 'to bite' something. Think of it as an action you do with your teeth when you eat. For example, if you eat a piece of fruit like an apple, you have to 'bite' it. You might also use it if you accidentally bite your tongue while eating. Don't worry about the emotional meanings yet. Just remember that it's a verb for your teeth. A simple sentence to remember is '사과를 깨물어요' (I bite the apple). Remember that in Korean, we put the object first: Apple (Object) + Bite (Verb).

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At the A2 level, you can start using 깨물다 in more common daily contexts. You might talk about habits, like biting your nails (손톱을 깨물다), which is a very common expression. You can also use it to describe feelings through the phrase 입술을 깨물다 (to bite one's lip). This is used when someone is nervous, trying not to cry, or holding back their words. You should also be comfortable with the past tense 깨물었다 and the polite form 깨물어요. You'll hear this at the dentist or when people talk about cute babies.

At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance between 깨물다 and 물다. While 물다 is used for animal bites or just holding something, 깨물다 implies more pressure and intention. You can use it to describe the texture of food (e.g., 'This is so hard it's difficult to bite'). You should also recognize the 'cute aggression' usage: 깨물어 주고 싶다. This shows you understand Korean social expressions. You can start using it in complex sentences with connectors like -다가 (while doing... I bit...) or -어서 (because... I bit...).

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At the B2 level, you can use 깨물다 in more descriptive and idiomatic ways. You should be able to describe a person's resolve or internal conflict using 입술을 꽉 깨물다. You can also handle passive and causative nuances, though 깨물다 itself is usually active. You might encounter it in news reports about safety (e.g., 'don't bite hard things') or in more detailed storytelling. You should understand how it differs from 뜯다 (to tear) or 악물다 (to clench). Your usage should feel natural in both physical and psychological contexts.

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At the C1 level, you are expected to understand 깨물다 in literary and metaphorical contexts. You might see it used to describe nature (like a biting wind) or in deep psychological prose where a character's physical actions reflect their complex inner state. You should be able to discuss the etymology or the specific 'feel' of the word compared to its synonyms in a discussion about linguistics or literature. You can use the word fluently in various registers, from talking to a child about their teething to analyzing a character's behavior in a novel.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 깨물다. You can use it to create vivid imagery in writing. You understand its place in the broader spectrum of Korean verbs related to the mouth and teeth. You can distinguish between the 'crunch' of 깨물다 and the 'grind' of 씹다 in a philosophical or culinary critique. You are also aware of very rare or archaic uses in classical literature. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, catching all the subtle emotional cues that the word provides in high-level conversation.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

깨물다 en 30 segundos

To bite down firmly with teeth.
Used for eating, habits, or emotions.
Common idiom: Biting lips (suppressing emotion).
Different from 'mulda' (general bite/hold).

The Korean verb 깨물다 (kkaemulda) is a dynamic and physically evocative word that translates primarily to 'to bite' or 'to grip with the teeth.' While English often uses the generic word 'bite' for everything from a mosquito sting to eating a sandwich, Korean differentiates the mechanics of the action. 깨물다 specifically emphasizes the act of pressing down hard with the teeth, often to the point of breaking the surface or causing a distinct sensation of pressure. It is a more active, forceful, and intentional verb than its cousin 물다 (mulda), which simply means to hold something in the mouth or to be bitten by an animal/insect.

Physical Action: This word is used when you are biting into something hard or firm, like an apple, or when you accidentally bite your own tongue or lip. It captures the moment the teeth make forceful contact.
Emotional Expression: In Korean culture, biting one's lip (입술을 깨물다) is a very common idiom for suppressing emotions, enduring pain, or showing firm resolve. It suggests a physical manifestation of internal struggle.

사과를 크게 한 입 깨물어 먹었어요. (I took a big bite out of the apple and ate it.)

Beyond the literal sense, you will encounter 깨물다 in affectionate contexts. In Korea, when someone sees a particularly cute baby or puppy, they might say, 'I want to bite them!' (깨물어 주고 싶어!). This isn't literal aggression; it's a form of 'cute aggression' expressing that something is so adorable you cannot contain your excitement. This usage is strictly informal and used among close friends or family members when doting on something small and precious.

너무 귀여워서 깨물어 주고 싶어! (It's so cute I want to bite it!)

In more serious contexts, 깨물다 appears in the phrase 이를 악물다 (i-reul ak-mul-da), which literally means to clench one's teeth but is conceptually related to the biting action. However, the specific phrase 입술을 깨물다 (biting the lip) is the most frequent psychological application, signifying that someone is holding back tears or trying to stay brave in a difficult situation. It is a staple of Korean literature and television dramas to indicate a character's silent determination or suppressed agony.

Common Objects: Commonly used with: 입술 (lips), 혀 (tongue), 손가락 (finger), 사과 (apple), 고기 (meat), or even a coin (to check if it's real).

Using 깨물다 correctly involves understanding its tense changes and how it interacts with different objects. Because it ends in a consonant 'ㄹ', it follows standard conjugation rules, but the 'ㄹ' can sometimes be tricky for beginners. When you want to say 'bit' (past tense), it becomes 깨물었다. For 'biting' (present continuous), use 깨물고 있다.

밥을 먹다가 실수로 혀를 깨물었어요. (While eating, I accidentally bit my tongue.)

In this example, the verb describes a sudden, painful accident. Notice the use of 실수로 (by mistake), which frequently accompanies 깨물다 when referring to the tongue or inner cheek. This is a very common sentence pattern in daily life. Another frequent pattern involves eating firm foods. If you are describing the texture of food that requires a good bite, 깨물다 is the perfect choice.

The 'Take a Bite' Pattern: The compound verb 베어 깨물다 (to bite off/into) is often used for fruit. However, just 깨물다 is sufficient to describe the act of sinking teeth into a peach or a bar of chocolate.

그는 화가 나서 입술을 꽉 깨물었다. (He bit his lip tightly because he was angry.)

The adverb 꽉 (tightly/firmly) is often paired with 깨물다 to emphasize the force applied. This is particularly common in emotional descriptions where a character is trying to control themselves. If you are describing a baby teething, you might say 아기가 장난감을 깨물고 있어요 (The baby is biting the toy). Here, the continuous form -고 있다 shows an ongoing action.

Imperative Forms: In a dental office, a dentist might say 꽉 깨무세요 (Please bite down firmly) when taking an impression or checking your alignment.

초콜릿을 한 입 깨물어 보니 아주 달콤했어요. (When I took a bite of the chocolate, it was very sweet.)

In South Korea, 깨물다 is a word you'll hear in very specific but common daily scenarios. One of the most frequent places is at the dinner table. Because Korean cuisine includes many chewy or firm textures (like tteok or dried squid), the action of biting down is often discussed. Parents might warn children, 'Don't bite your fingernails!' (손톱 깨물지 마!), as this is a common habit the word describes perfectly.

어린아이들이 손톱을 깨무는 습관은 좋지 않아요. (The habit of young children biting their nails is not good.)

You will also encounter this word frequently in K-Dramas and webtoons. As mentioned, 'biting the lip' is the ultimate visual shorthand for a character who is suffering in silence or trying to be brave. When a protagonist is about to cry but doesn't want to show weakness, the camera will often zoom in on them biting their lower lip. In these scripts, the stage directions will literally say 입술을 깨문다.

The Dentist's Office: If you visit a dentist in Korea, 깨물다 is a keyword. They will ask you to bite down on X-ray film or a bite block using the formal command 앙 깨무세요 (Bite down 'ang' - 'ang' is the sound of biting).

Another interesting place is in sports or military contexts. When someone is enduring extreme physical hardship, they might be told to 'bite the bullet' (though the Korean equivalent often involves 'clenching teeth'). However, 입술을 깨물다 is used when an athlete is trying to finish a race despite the pain. It signifies the physical act of using the jaw to steady the body's resolve.

치과 의사가 환자에게 거즈를 꽉 깨물라고 했어요. (The dentist told the patient to bite down hard on the gauze.)

In Literature: Poets and novelists use 깨물다 to describe the cold. You might see a sentence like 'The winter wind bit my cheeks' (겨울바람이 뺨을 깨물었다), though this is a more poetic, personified usage.

The most common mistake English speakers make when using 깨물다 is confusing it with 물다. In English, 'to bite' covers everything. In Korean, if a dog bites you, you usually say 개한테 물렸다 (I was bitten by a dog). Using 깨물다 here would sound like the dog specifically ground its teeth into you like it was eating an apple, which is unnatural for a quick animal bite.

깨물다 vs. 물다: 물다: General biting, holding in the mouth (like a dog with a ball), or being bitten by insects/animals.
깨물다: Forceful biting using the cutting edge of the teeth, often intentional or for eating/suppressing emotion.

[Wrong]: 모기가 팔을 깨물었어요.
[Right]: 모기가 팔을 물었어요. (A mosquito bit my arm.)

Another mistake is using 깨물다 when you actually mean 'to chew' (씹다). If you are eating gum, you 씹다 the gum. You don't 깨물다 the gum unless you are specifically biting down on it once to feel its texture. Learners often use 'bite' to describe the whole process of eating, but in Korean, these stages are distinct.

Pronunciation can also be a pitfall. The '깨' sound is a fortis (tense) consonant. If you pronounce it as a soft '개' (gae), you are saying 'dog,' which makes the sentence very confusing. Ensure you have a sharp, tense 'kk' sound at the start. Also, remember that the 'ㄹ' in 깨물다 stays when adding vowels like -어 (깨물어), unlike some other irregular verbs.

[Wrong]: 사탕을 씹어 먹지 마세요. (When you mean: Don't bite/crack the candy.)
[Right]: 사탕을 깨물어 먹지 마세요. (Don't bite/crack the candy with your teeth.)

Particle Usage: Make sure to use the object particle -을/를. Beginners sometimes forget this and say '입술 깨물다' without the particle. While understood in casual speech, it's better to practice the full form: 입술을 깨물다.

To truly master Korean, you need to know when to use 깨물다 versus its synonyms. Each word carries a slightly different 'flavor' or physical nuance. Understanding these differences will make your Korean sound much more natural and precise.

물다 (Mulda): The most general term. Use this for dogs, mosquitoes, or just holding something in your mouth (like a pipe or a cigarette). It lacks the 'crunch' or 'force' of 깨물다.
씹다 (Ssipda): To chew. This is a repetitive action. You 깨물다 an apple once to get a piece, then you 씹다 it to swallow. It's also slang for 'ignoring someone's message' (like 'chewing' their text).
베어 물다 (Be-eo mulda): To bite off a piece. This is the best phrase for eating. If you take a bite of a hamburger, you use this. It combines 'cutting' (베다) and 'holding in mouth' (물다).

강아지가 개껌을 씹고 있어요. (The puppy is chewing on a dog bone.)

There is also the term 악물다 (ak-mul-da), which is almost exclusively used with 'teeth' (이 or 어금니). It means to clench your teeth together as hard as possible. You would use this when you are determined to succeed or when you are enduring extreme pain. While 깨물다 can be used for biting a single object, 악물다 is about the two rows of teeth meeting with force.

그는 결심한 듯 이를 악물었다. (He clenched his teeth as if he had made up his mind.)

Finally, consider the word 뜯다 (tteutda). This means to tear off with the teeth, like eating ribs or jerky. If the action involves pulling and tearing rather than just a clean bite, 뜯다 is the more appropriate choice. Choosing between 깨물다, 물다, 씹다, and 뜯다 will show that you have moved beyond basic Korean and understand the nuances of the language.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The '깨' prefix is found in other words like '깨뜨리다' (to break), suggesting that '깨물다' is literally 'to break-bite.'

Guía de pronunciación

UK /k͈ɛmuldɐ/

US /k͈ɛmuldɐ/

The stress is relatively even, but the first syllable '깨' has a higher pitch due to the tense consonant.

Rima con

머물다 (meomulda) 주무르다 (jumureuda - partial) 거물다 (geomulda) 나물다 (namulda) 다물다 (damulda) 서물다 (seomulda) 어물다 (eomulda) 저물다 (jeomulda)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing '깨' (kk) as '개' (g).
Aspirating the 'kk' sound like 'k' in 'kite'.
Making the 'l' sound too heavy like an English 'l'.
Confusing the 'ae' (애/에) vowel sounds.
Not closing the 'ㅁ' sound in '물' properly.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts.

Escritura 3/5

Requires correct conjugation of 'ㄹ' root.

Expresión oral 3/5

Tense 'kk' sound needs practice.

Escucha 2/5

Clear sound, usually easy to hear.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

물다 이 (teeth) 입술 먹다 사과

Aprende después

씹다 삼키다 맛보다 베다 악물다

Avanzado

저작하다 (to masticate) 분쇄하다 삭이다

Gramática que debes saber

ㄹ-irregular (partial)

깨물다 + 어요 -> 깨물어요 (The ㄹ stays).

Object particles

입술(을) 깨물다.

Continuous -고 있다

깨물고 있어요.

Causative/Passive context

물리다 is used more for 'being bitten' than '깨물리다'.

Imperative -세요

깨무세요.

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Ejemplos por nivel

사과를 깨물어요.

I bite the apple.

Present tense, polite.

빵을 깨물었어요.

I bit the bread.

Past tense.

이것을 깨물지 마세요.

Please don't bite this.

Negative imperative.

초콜릿을 깨물어요.

I bite the chocolate.

Simple transitive sentence.

아기가 장난감을 깨물어요.

The baby bites the toy.

Subject-Object-Verb.

과자를 깨물어 보세요.

Try biting the snack.

Try doing something (-어 보다).

손가락을 깨물었어요.

I bit my finger.

Accidental action.

동생이 사탕을 깨물어요.

My younger sibling bites the candy.

Family member subject.

손톱을 깨물지 마세요.

Don't bite your fingernails.

Prohibitive command.

너무 아파서 입술을 깨물었어요.

It hurt so much that I bit my lip.

Reasoning connector (-아서).

아기가 엄마 손을 깨물었어요.

The baby bit the mother's hand.

Possessive marker (-의) omitted.

얼음을 깨물어 먹으면 안 돼요.

You shouldn't bite and eat ice.

Should not (-면 안 되다).

강아지가 신발을 깨물고 있어요.

The puppy is biting the shoe.

Present continuous (-고 있다).

입술을 깨무는 습관이 있어요.

I have a habit of biting my lips.

Noun modifying form (-는).

혀를 깨물어서 피가 났어요.

I bit my tongue, so it bled.

Cause and effect.

딱딱한 사탕을 깨물 수 없어요.

I can't bite the hard candy.

Ability negative (-ㄹ 수 없다).

슬픔을 참으려고 입술을 꽉 깨물었다.

I bit my lip hard to hold back the sadness.

Intention (-으려고).

아이가 너무 귀여워서 볼을 깨물어 주고 싶었다.

The child was so cute I wanted to bite their cheek.

Desire (-고 싶다).

밥을 먹다가 갑자기 혀를 깨물어서 깜짝 놀랐다.

While eating, I suddenly bit my tongue and was startled.

Interrupted action (-다가).

그는 긴장할 때마다 입술을 깨무는 버릇이 있다.

He has a habit of biting his lip whenever he is nervous.

Whenever (-을 때마다).

치과 의사가 거즈를 꽉 깨물라고 하셨어요.

The dentist told me to bite the gauze tightly.

Indirect command (-라고 하다).

사과를 크게 한 입 깨물어 먹으니 기분이 좋아졌다.

Taking a big bite of the apple made me feel better.

Discovery connector (-니).

이 고기는 너무 질겨서 깨물기가 힘들어요.

This meat is so tough it's hard to bite.

Difficult to do (-기 힘들다).

어린 시절에는 손톱을 깨무는 아이들이 많아요.

There are many children who bite their nails when they are young.

Noun modification.

그녀는 울음을 참기 위해 아랫입술을 피가 나도록 깨물었다.

She bit her lower lip until it bled to keep from crying.

To the extent of (-도록).

강아지가 자꾸 전선을 깨물어서 걱정이에요.

I'm worried because the puppy keeps biting the electrical wires.

Continuous action (자꾸).

그는 억울함을 참으며 입술을 꽉 깨물고 아무 말도 하지 않았다.

He bit his lip hard, enduring the injustice, and said nothing.

Simultaneous action (-으며).

아이들이 장난으로 서로의 팔을 깨물며 놀고 있었다.

The children were playing, biting each other's arms in fun.

Reciprocal action (서로).

이 초콜릿 안에는 견과류가 들어 있어서 깨물 때 조심해야 해요.

There are nuts inside this chocolate, so you have to be careful when biting it.

Obligation (-해야 하다).

그는 긴장한 나머지 입술을 깨물어 상처를 냈다.

He was so nervous that he bit his lip and caused a wound.

As a result of excess (-한 나머지).

선생님은 학생에게 손톱 깨무는 습관을 고치라고 조언하셨다.

The teacher advised the student to fix the habit of biting their nails.

Advice/Command.

너무 세게 깨물면 치아가 상할 수 있으니 주의하세요.

Please be careful as biting too hard can damage your teeth.

Possibility (-ㄹ 수 있다).

그는 밀려오는 분노를 삭이며 입술을 깨물어 마음을 다잡았다.

He suppressed his rising anger and bit his lip to pull himself together.

Advanced vocabulary (삭이다, 다잡다).

어린 아기가 젖니가 나려는지 자꾸 무엇이든 깨물려고 한다.

The baby seems to be teething and keeps trying to bite everything.

Speculation (-려는지).

겨울의 매서운 칼바람이 마치 살을 깨무는 듯한 통증을 주었다.

The fierce, biting winter wind gave a pain as if it were biting the flesh.

Metaphorical usage (-는 듯한).

그녀는 차마 말을 잇지 못하고 입술만 깨물며 고개를 떨구었다.

She couldn't bring herself to continue speaking and just bit her lip, dropping her head.

Adverb '차마' (cannot bear to).

실수로 혀를 세게 깨무는 바람에 한동안 말을 하기가 어려웠다.

Because I accidentally bit my tongue hard, it was difficult to speak for a while.

Negative result (-는 바람에).

그는 자신의 실수를 자책하며 입술을 깨물고 깊은 한숨을 내쉬었다.

He blamed himself for his mistake, bit his lip, and let out a deep sigh.

Self-reflection.

딱딱한 얼음 사탕을 깨물어 조각내는 소리가 방 안에 울려 퍼졌다.

The sound of biting and breaking the hard ice candy echoed through the room.

Descriptive imagery.

부모님은 아이가 손톱을 깨물 때마다 따끔하게 혼을 내시곤 했다.

My parents used to scold me sharply whenever I bit my nails.

Habitual past (-곤 하다).

그는 모욕적인 언사를 들으면서도 이를 악물고 입술을 깨물며 참아냈다.

Despite hearing insulting remarks, he clenched his teeth and bit his lip, enduring it all.

Contrastive connector (-면서도).

작가는 주인공의 심리적 압박감을 표현하기 위해 입술을 깨무는 행위를 반복적으로 묘사했다.

The author repeatedly described the act of biting the lip to express the protagonist's psychological pressure.

Literary analysis.

살을 에는 듯한 추위가 피부를 깨무는 감각은 북극의 매서움을 실감케 했다.

The sensation of the bone-chilling cold biting the skin made one realize the fierceness of the Arctic.

Causative (-게 하다).

그는 자신의 운명을 받아들이기 힘든 듯 입술을 깨물어 선혈이 낭자했다.

As if finding it hard to accept his fate, he bit his lip until blood flowed profusely.

High-level idiom (선혈이 낭자하다).

아이의 순수한 웃음은 보는 이로 하여금 깨물어 주고 싶을 정도의 애틋함을 자아낸다.

The child's pure smile evokes a tenderness in the viewer to the point of wanting to bite them (in affection).

Evocative structure.

그는 비장한 각오로 입술을 깨물며 전장으로 향하는 발걸음을 옮겼다.

With a grim determination, he bit his lip and took his steps toward the battlefield.

Formal/Literary tone.

고통을 내색하지 않으려 입술을 깨무는 그의 모습에서 강인한 의지가 느껴졌다.

In his appearance of biting his lip to not show pain, a strong will was felt.

Noun clause construction.

현실의 벽에 부딪힐 때마다 그는 입술을 깨물며 다시 일어설 힘을 얻곤 했다.

Whenever he hit the wall of reality, he would bite his lip and gain the strength to stand up again.

Metaphorical 'wall'.

Colocaciones comunes

입술을 깨물다

혀를 깨물다

손톱을 깨물다

사과를 깨물다

꽉 깨물다

앙 깨물다

살을 깨물다

어금니를 깨물다

손가락을 깨물다

입안을 깨물다

Frases Comunes

깨물어 주고 싶다

— To find someone/something so cute you want to bite them.

강아지가 너무 귀여워서 깨물어 주고 싶어!

입술을 질끈 깨물다

— To bite one's lip tightly (often in a desperate situation).

그는 입술을 질끈 깨물고 결승선을 통과했다.

깨물어 먹다

— To bite and eat (often for hard candies or fruit).

사탕은 깨물어 먹지 말고 녹여 드세요.

혀 깨물고 죽다

— A dramatic/idiomatic expression for extreme shame (literally 'bite tongue and die').

그런 실수를 하다니 혀 깨물고 죽고 싶다.

열 손가락 깨물어 안 아픈 손가락 없다

— A proverb meaning parents love all their children equally.

자식이 많아도 부모에겐 열 손가락 깨물어 안 아픈 손가락 없단다.

입술을 깨물며 참다

— To endure something while biting one's lip.

눈물을 흘리지 않으려 입술을 깨물며 참았다.

손가락을 깨물어 확인하다

— To bite one's finger to check if it's a dream.

이게 꿈인가 싶어 손가락을 깨물어 보았다.

꽉 깨문 입술

— Tightly bitten lips (describing a person's look).

그의 꽉 깨문 입술에서 결연한 의지가 엿보였다.

한 입 깨물다

— To take one bite.

복숭아를 한 입 깨무니 즙이 터져 나왔다.

깨물어 상처 내다

— To bite and cause a wound.

입술을 너무 세게 깨물어 상처가 났다.

Se confunde a menudo con

깨물다 vs 물다

General biting/holding. Dogs '물다', humans '깨물다' (usually).

깨물다 vs 씹다

Repetitive chewing. You bite (깨물다) once, then chew (씹다).

깨물다 vs 베다

To cut. '베어 물다' is to cut with teeth and hold.

Modismos y expresiones

"열 손가락 깨물어 안 아픈 손가락 없다"

— All children are precious to their parents, no matter how many there are.

부모님 마음은 열 손가락 깨물어 안 아픈 손가락 없는 법이다.

Proverb

"입술을 깨물다"

— To suppress emotions like anger, sorrow, or pain.

그는 억울했지만 입술을 깨물며 돌아섰다.

Literary/Common

"혀를 깨물다"

— To be so ashamed or regretful that one wants to die (figurative).

그런 바보 같은 짓을 했다니 혀를 깨물고 싶다.

Informal/Exaggerated

"이를 악물다"

— To clench teeth with determination (related to biting).

이번에는 꼭 성공하겠다고 이를 악물었다.

Common

"깨물어 주고 싶다"

— Expressing extreme affection toward someone cute.

우리 조카는 정말 깨물어 주고 싶게 생겼어.

Informal

"입술을 질끈 깨물다"

— Biting lips with great force to endure a moment.

그는 고통에 입술을 질끈 깨물었다.

Descriptive

"손톱을 깨물다"

— Usually refers to anxiety or a nervous habit.

그는 초조한지 계속 손톱을 깨물고 있었다.

Common

"사탕을 깨물어 먹다"

— Often used as a warning for children (not to break teeth).

사탕 깨물어 먹으면 이가 상해.

Instructional

"혀를 깨물고 참다"

— To endure something extremely painful or difficult.

그는 혀를 깨물고 그 고통을 견뎌냈다.

Literary

"볼을 깨물다"

— To bite one's cheek (often accidental).

급하게 먹다가 볼 안쪽을 깨물었다.

Common

Fácil de confundir

깨물다 vs 물다

Both mean 'to bite' in English.

Mulda is for animals or holding; Kkaemulda is for forceful pressure with teeth.

모기가 물었어 (Mosquito bit) vs. 사과를 깨물었어 (Bit the apple).

깨물다 vs 씹다

Both involve teeth and food.

Ssipda is chewing; Kkaemulda is the initial bite.

껌을 씹다 (Chew gum) vs. 입술을 깨물다 (Bite lip).

깨물다 vs 뜯다

Both involve teeth.

Tteutda is tearing or pulling away; Kkaemulda is pressing down.

고기를 뜯다 (Tear meat) vs. 얼음을 깨물다 (Bite ice).

깨물다 vs 삼키다

Part of the eating process.

Samkida is swallowing; Kkaemulda is biting.

약을 삼키다 (Swallow medicine) vs. 사탕을 깨물다 (Bite candy).

깨물다 vs 악물다

Both mean clenching/biting.

Ak-mulda is specifically clenching teeth together (resolve); Kkaemulda is biting an object.

이를 악물다 (Clench teeth).

Patrones de oraciones

N을/를 깨물어요

사과를 깨물어요.

N을/를 깨물지 마세요

손톱을 깨물지 마세요.

V-다가 N을/를 깨물다

밥을 먹다가 혀를 깨물었어요.

N이/가 귀여워서 깨물어 주고 싶다

강아지가 귀여워서 깨물어 주고 싶어요.

N을/를 깨물며 참다

입술을 깨물며 고통을 참았다.

피가 나도록 깨물다

입술을 피가 나도록 깨물었다.

이를 악물고 N을/를 깨물다

이를 악물고 입술을 깨물며 버텼다.

N을/를 깨무는 듯한

살을 깨무는 듯한 추위.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

깨물기 (biting - gerund)

Verbos

깨물리다 (to be bitten - though '물리다' is more common)

Relacionado

물다

씹다

뜯다

삼키다

입술

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

High (especially in idiomatic and food contexts).

Errores comunes

개한테 깨물렸어요. → 개한테 물렸어요.
Animals '물다', not '깨물다' in general contexts.
껌을 깨물어요. → 껌을 씹어요.
You chew gum, you don't just bite it once.
입술을 깨무어. → 입술을 깨물어.
The 'ㄹ' should not be dropped in this verb.
모기가 깨물었어요. → 모기가 물었어요.
Insects don't have teeth to '깨물다'.
사과를 물어요. → 사과를 깨물어요.
While '물다' is okay, '깨물다' is much more natural for the action of eating an apple.

Consejos

Lip Biting

Use '입술을 깨물다' to describe someone who is nervous or trying to be brave. It is very common in writing.

Tense Sound

Make sure the '깨' is sharp. If it's too soft, it sounds like 'dog' (개).

ㄹ-Retention

Remember that the 'ㄹ' does not disappear. '깨물어' is the correct form.

Food Context

Use this for crunchy or hard foods like apples, ice, or candy.

Cute Aggression

Don't be shocked if someone says they want to 'bite' a baby; it's a compliment!

Dentist

If you hear '깨무세요', bite down on whatever the dentist has put in your mouth.

vs. 물다

Remember: Animals '물다', humans '깨물다' (mostly).

With '꽉'

Pair it with '꽉' (tightly) to emphasize the force of the bite.

Nail Biting

The phrase for biting nails is '손톱을 깨물다'.

Proverb

Learn the 'ten fingers' proverb to understand Korean family values.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine you are 'K-breaking' (깨) something by 'Muling' (물다) it. Kkae-mul-da!

Asociación visual

A picture of a shiny red apple with a large, deep bite mark in the side.

Word Web

Teeth Apple Lip Pain Habit Crunch Mouth Chew

Desafío

Try to describe three things you bit today using '깨물었다' in a sentence.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the root '깨-' (expressing breaking or opening) and '물다' (to bite/hold).

Significado original: To bite into something to break it or to hold it firmly with teeth.

Koreanic

Contexto cultural

Be careful with '깨물어 주고 싶다' (I want to bite you); only use it for babies or pets, or very close romantic partners, as it can be misunderstood.

English speakers might use 'bite' for everything, but should learn to separate 'chew' and 'bite' more clearly in Korean.

K-Drama trope: Protagonist bites lip to hide tears. Proverb: 'Ten fingers biting' (Parental love). Children's songs about biting snacks.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

At the Dentist

꽉 깨무세요.
앙 깨무세요.
깨물면 아픈가요?
조금만 깨물어 보세요.

Eating Food

깨물어 먹어.
너무 딱딱해서 못 깨물겠어.
한 입 깨물어 봐.
사탕 깨물지 마.

Expressing Emotion

입술을 깨물었어.
울음을 참으며 입술을 깨물다.
이를 악물고 버텼어.
입술을 깨무는 버릇.

Dealing with Babies

깨물어 주고 싶어!
아기가 깨물어요.
손가락 깨물면 안 돼.
장난감을 깨물고 있네.

Bad Habits

손톱 깨물지 마.
입술 깨무는 습관.
펜을 깨무는 버릇.
자꾸 깨물어.

Inicios de conversación

"어렸을 때 손톱을 깨무는 버릇이 있었나요?"

"사과를 깨물 때 나는 소리를 좋아하세요?"

"너무 귀여운 강아지를 보면 깨물어 주고 싶나요?"

"치과에서 거즈를 꽉 깨물어 본 적이 있나요?"

"긴장하면 입술을 깨무는 편인가요?"

Temas para diario

오늘 실수로 혀나 입안을 깨문 적이 있나요? 그때의 기분을 써 보세요.

당신이 가장 좋아하는 '깨물어 먹는' 간식은 무엇인가요?

한국 드라마에서 주인공이 입술을 깨무는 장면을 본 적이 있나요? 어떤 상황이었나요?

나쁜 습관(예: 손톱 깨물기)을 고친 경험이 있다면 공유해 주세요.

'열 손가락 깨물어 안 아픈 손가락 없다'는 속담에 대해 어떻게 생각하나요?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Usually no. For a dog bite, use '물다' (to bite) or '물리다' (to be bitten). '깨물다' sounds like the dog is chewing on you like an apple.

It's a way to say something is extremely cute. It's like 'cute aggression' in English. Use it for babies or pets.

It ends in 'ㄹ', but it's not a typical irregular verb like '만들다'. You don't drop the 'ㄹ' when adding '-어'. It's '깨물어', not '깨무어'.

You say '혀를 깨물었어요' (Hyeo-reul kkaem-ul-eoss-eo-yo). Adding '실수로' (by mistake) makes it clearer.

'깨물다' is the act of biting down once. '씹다' is the continuous action of chewing. You bite an apple, then chew it.

No. Mosquitoes and insects '물다' (bite/sting). '깨물다' requires teeth.

Yes, it's a very common way to describe the habit of biting nails.

It's a cultural symbol for holding back tears, anger, or pain. It shows the character is struggling internally.

'이를 악물다' is specifically clenching your own teeth together, usually for determination. '깨물다' is biting an object or a specific body part.

Yes, it's a basic (A2 level) word used frequently in daily life, especially regarding food and habits.

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