Explanation at your level:
You use 누르다 when you push something. For example, you push a button on a machine. It is a very easy word to use. You just say 'button + object marker + 누르다'. You will use this word every day in Korea when you use elevators or computers.
At this level, you learn that 누르다 is not just for buttons. You can press a flower in a book or press down on a table. It is about using your hand or weight to make something flat or to make a machine work.
Intermediate learners should understand the figurative use of 누르다. It is common to say 'feelings are suppressed' (감정을 누르다). This shows you are moving from physical actions to abstract concepts like controlling your temper or managing stress.
Upper-intermediate students can use 누르다 in professional contexts. For example, 'inflationary pressure' (물가를 누르다) or 'suppressing an opponent's strategy'. The nuance here is about control and systemic force rather than just a finger on a button.
Advanced users utilize 누르다 to describe complex societal or psychological phenomena. It appears in literature to describe the weight of oppression or the act of 'keeping down' a secret. The word carries a heavy, deliberate connotation in these contexts, often implying a struggle between the force and the object.
At the mastery level, 누르다 is analyzed for its etymological depth and its role in idiomatic collocations that define Korean cultural attitudes toward restraint. You might explore how the concept of 'suppression' (누르다) contrasts with 'expression' in Korean social hierarchies, reflecting broader cultural values regarding humility and emotional regulation.
واژه در 30 ثانیه
- Means to press or push physically.
- Used metaphorically to suppress emotions.
- Follows the irregular ㅡ conjugation rule.
- Essential verb for daily life and technology.
The word 누르다 is a fundamental Korean verb that translates to 'to press' or 'to push.' Think of the action of pressing a doorbell or pushing down on a piece of paper to keep it flat.
Beyond physical touch, 누르다 is used metaphorically. You can 누르다 your anger, which means to suppress or hold back your feelings. It is a very common word that you will encounter daily in Korea, whether you are using a vending machine or talking about feelings.
The etymology of 누르다 traces back to Middle Korean roots associated with physical weight and density. Historically, it has always been linked to the concept of applying force from above.
Interestingly, the word shares a phonetic connection with the color 'yellow' (누렇다), though they are distinct in meaning. Linguists suggest that early agricultural terms for 'pressing' grain or earth evolved into this general verb. It has remained a stable part of the Korean lexicon for centuries.
You use 누르다 whenever force is applied to a surface. Common collocations include '버튼을 누르다' (press a button) or '손바닥으로 누르다' (press with a palm).
In a more formal register, it is used to describe 'suppressing' an uprising or 'holding down' a price. It is a neutral word, meaning it fits perfectly in both casual conversation and professional settings without sounding out of place.
1. 화가 치밀어 올라 꾹 눌렀다: To suppress one's rising anger. 2. 기세를 누르다: To dampen someone's spirit or momentum. 3. 감정을 누르다: To hold back emotions. 4. 가슴을 누르다: To feel a heavy weight on one's chest (often from sadness). 5. 버튼을 누르다: Literally to press a button, but figuratively to trigger a reaction.
누르다 follows the irregular conjugation pattern where the 'ㅡ' vowel is dropped when followed by a vowel-initial suffix (e.g., 눌러요). This is a crucial rule for learners to memorize.
Pronunciation is straightforward: 'nu-reu-da'. Ensure the 'r' sound is soft, similar to a tapped 'r' in Spanish or a quick 'd' in English. It rhymes with words like '흐르다' (to flow) or '찌르다' (to poke).
Fun Fact
The word has been used in Korean texts since the 15th century.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'nu' followed by 'reu' and 'da'.
Same as UK.
Common Errors
- Confusing 'eu' with 'u'
- Not doubling the 'l' sound
- Mispronouncing the final 'da'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Conjugation needs care
Easy to say
Clear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
پیشرفته
Grammar to Know
Irregular ㅡ conjugation
누르다 -> 눌러요
Object particles
버튼을 누르다
Imperative form
누르세요
Examples by Level
버튼을 누르세요.
Please press the button.
Imperative form.
벨을 눌렀어요.
I pressed the bell.
Past tense.
이것을 누르다.
To press this.
Dictionary form.
꾹 누르다.
Press firmly.
Adverbial usage.
손으로 눌러요.
Press with a hand.
Instrumental particle.
누르지 마세요.
Do not press.
Negative command.
전화기를 눌러요.
Press the phone (dial).
Object marker.
잘 눌러요.
Press it well.
Adverb usage.
8 examples
8 examples
8 examples
8 examples
8 examples
ترکیبهای رایج
Idioms & Expressions
"화가 치밀어 누르다"
To suppress anger
그는 화가 치밀었지만 꾹 눌렀다.
neutral"기를 누르다"
To intimidate
그는 상대를 기로 누른다.
neutral"가슴을 누르는 듯하다"
To feel heavy/oppressed
가슴을 누르는 듯한 답답함.
literary"버튼을 누르다 (figurative)"
To trigger a reaction
그의 말은 내 화의 버튼을 눌렀다.
casual"눌러 앉다"
To settle down/stay permanently
그는 이곳에 눌러 앉았다.
neutral"눌러 붙다"
To stick to something
밥이 냄비에 눌러 붙었다.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar spelling
To enjoy vs to press
행복을 누리다 vs 버튼을 누르다
Both are force
Push forward vs push down
문을 밀다 vs 버튼을 누르다
Similar ending
To poke vs to press
손가락으로 찌르다
Similar ending
To flow vs to press
물이 흐르다
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Object + 을/를 + 누르다
나는 버튼을 누른다.
Adverb + 누르다
꾹 누르세요.
Noun + 을/를 + 억누르다
감정을 억누르다.
Subject + Object + 를 + 지그시 + 누르다
그는 손을 지그시 눌렀다.
Passive: Object + 가 + 눌리다
버튼이 눌렸다.
خانواده کلمه
Nouns
Verbs
مرتبط
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
اشتباهات رایج
The 'ㅡ' is dropped and 'ㄹ' is doubled.
Do not add unnecessary auxiliary verbs.
These are different verbs.
Korean SOV word order.
Past tense conjugation error.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a giant button in your house.
Native Usage
Use it for all digital interfaces.
Cultural Insight
Emotional suppression is often described with this verb.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember the ㅡ drop rule.
Say It Right
Keep the 'r' sound soft.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse with 누리다.
Did You Know?
It's a very old Korean verb.
Study Smart
Practice with 'button' sentences.
Writing Tip
Use it to describe physical actions.
Listen Up
Hear it in K-dramas when characters are angry.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'NOO-dle' being pressed flat.
Visual Association
A finger pressing a large red button.
Word Web
چالش
Press five different things today and say '누르다'.
ریشه کلمه
Middle Korean
Original meaning: To apply weight
بافت فرهنگی
None.
Direct translation to 'press' or 'push'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Technology
- 버튼을 누르세요
- 확인 버튼 누르기
- 키를 누르다
Daily Life
- 벨을 누르다
- 도장을 누르다
- 꾹 눌러 담다
Psychology
- 감정을 누르다
- 화가 눌리다
- 마음을 누르다
Business
- 물가를 누르다
- 압박을 가하다
- 기세를 누르다
Conversation Starters
"엘리베이터 버튼을 누를 때 무엇을 생각하나요?"
"화가 날 때 감정을 어떻게 누르나요?"
"디지털 기기에서 가장 많이 누르는 버튼은 무엇인가요?"
"누군가 당신의 기세를 누르려고 하면 어떻게 하나요?"
"도장을 누르는 경험이 있나요?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to suppress your emotions.
Write about your daily interaction with buttons.
How do you feel when you have to press a button to start something new?
Reflect on the difference between pressing and pushing.
سوالات متداول
8 سوالYes, the ㅡ drops when conjugated.
Only in a metaphorical sense of oppression.
Yes, it is synonymous with pushing.
눌렀어요.
Yes, for controlling prices or competition.
밀다 is push forward; 누르다 is push down.
Yes, it is very common.
Yes, 흐르다.
خودت رو بسنج
엘리베이터 버튼을 ___.
You press a button.
Which means to suppress anger?
To suppress is 누르다.
Is '누르다' used for enjoying something?
That is '누리다'.
Word
معنی
Matching nouns to verbs.
Subject-Object-Verb order.
امتیاز: /5
Summary
누르다 is the essential verb for pressing buttons and suppressing emotions.
- Means to press or push physically.
- Used metaphorically to suppress emotions.
- Follows the irregular ㅡ conjugation rule.
- Essential verb for daily life and technology.
Memory Palace
Visualize a giant button in your house.
Native Usage
Use it for all digital interfaces.
Cultural Insight
Emotional suppression is often described with this verb.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember the ㅡ drop rule.
مثال
엘리베이터 버튼을 눌러 주세요.
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