수여하다

§ What does it mean and when do people use it?

The Korean verb 수여하다 (pronounced soo-yeo-ha-da) is a formal word that means 'to confer,' 'to award,' or 'to grant.' It's typically used in contexts where an official body or person bestows something formal like a degree, a certificate, a prize, an honor, or even a title to someone. Think of situations where a university grants a diploma, a committee awards a medal, or a government confers a national honor. You wouldn't use 수여하다 for giving a casual gift to a friend or lending a book to a classmate. It always implies a more official, formal act of giving or bestowing.

Definition

To confer, award, or grant a degree, certificate, prize, honor, or title in a formal setting.

Let's break down its components. The word 수여 itself means 'conferment' or 'award,' and 하다 is the verb 'to do.' So, together, it literally means 'to do conferment' or 'to do an award.' This structure is common in Korean for creating verbs from nouns, especially with Sino-Korean vocabulary. Because of its formal nature, you'll often encounter 수여하다 in news reports, official documents, academic settings, and formal speeches. For example, when a president awards medals of honor, or a university holds a graduation ceremony where degrees are granted, 수여하다 is the perfect word to describe that action.

This example means: 'To confer a degree at the university.' Here, '학위' (hak-wi) means 'degree.' Notice how the context is academic and formal. You wouldn't use this word if you were simply saying 'to give homework.' The object being conferred is always something of significant value or official recognition.

When you're reading Korean news or official announcements, especially about awards, graduation ceremonies, or recognition for achievements, keep an eye out for 수여하다. It's a key indicator that something important and formally acknowledged is taking place. Understanding this distinction will help you sound more natural and precise in your Korean, particularly in formal or semi-formal situations. For instance, when talking about someone receiving an award, you could say:

This means: 'He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.' Here, the passive form 수여받다 (suyeobatda), meaning 'to receive an award/to be awarded,' is used. This construction is very common when the recipient is the subject of the sentence. It highlights that the action of conferring is done *to* someone rather than *by* someone.

To summarize, 수여하다 is your go-to verb for formal acts of bestowing. Whether it's a diploma, a medal, or an honorary title, this verb fits the bill. It's a great vocabulary word to add to your B1 Korean toolkit, as it comes up frequently in official and academic contexts, helping you understand and articulate more complex ideas in Korean.

Let's break down the Korean verb 수여하다 (su-yeo-ha-da), which means 'to confer,' 'to award,' or 'to grant' a degree, certificate, or honor. This verb is often used in formal situations, especially when talking about giving out official recognition or prizes.

§ Understanding the Core Meaning

수여하다 is made up of two parts: '수여' (su-yeo), meaning 'to give' or 'to confer,' and '하다' (ha-da), meaning 'to do.' So, literally, it means 'to do the act of conferring.' It's always about bestowing something official or honorary onto someone.

Definition

To confer/award; to grant a degree, certificate, or honor.

§ Basic Sentence Structure

The typical sentence structure with 수여하다 is:

• [Subject (who confers)]이/가 [Object (what is conferred)]을/를 [Recipient (to whom)]에게 수여하다.

The subject is usually an institution, organization, or a person in a position of authority. The object is the award, degree, or certificate. The recipient is the person receiving it.

§ Examples in Sentences

Let's look at some examples to see how 수여하다 is used in real sentences.

Here, 대학교 (university) is the subject, 학위 (degree) is the object, and 졸업생들 (graduates) are the recipients. Notice the past tense 수여했습니다.

In this example, 정부 (government) is the subject, 훈장 (medal) is the object, and 그 (him) is the recipient. The phrase 수여할 예정이다 means 'plans to award.'

Here, 교장 선생님 (principal) is the subject, 상장 (certificate of merit) is the object, and 모범 학생들 (exemplary students) are the recipients.

§ Common Prepositions/Particles

As seen in the examples, the most common particles used with 수여하다 are:

• 이/가 for the subject (the one doing the conferring).
• 을/를 for the direct object (the thing being conferred).
• 에게 for the recipient (the person or group receiving the conferral). Sometimes 께 can be used for a more formal or honorific tone for the recipient.

§ When to use '수여하다' vs. other 'give' verbs

Korean has several verbs that mean 'to give,' like 주다 (ju-da) or 드리다 (deu-ri-da). However, 수여하다 is specifically used for formal acts of conferring or awarding. You wouldn't use 수여하다 to say 'I gave my friend a present.' For everyday giving, stick to 주다 or 드리다.

You can also see 수여받다 (su-yeo-bat-da), which means 'to be conferred/awarded.' This is the passive form, focusing on the recipient.

§ Key takeaway

수여하다 is a powerful and specific verb for formal awarding. Master its usage with the correct particles, and you'll be able to discuss official ceremonies and recognition like a pro. Keep practicing with these sentence structures, and you'll get the hang of it!