At the A1 level, you should think of 털어놓다 as a special way to say 'to tell a secret' to a friend. Even though the word looks long, it's very useful for talking about your feelings. In simple Korean, you usually learn '말하다' (to speak). 털어놓다 is like '말하다' but for things that are hidden inside your heart. For example, if you have a secret (비밀), you don't just 'say' it; you 'shake it out' (털어놓다) to your best friend. Imagine you have a bag of candies hidden, and you finally show them to someone—that is the feeling of this word. At this level, just remember the pattern: [Person] + 에게 + [Secret/Feeling] + 을/를 + 털어놓다. It helps you express that you are being very honest and sharing something important. You might use it when talking about why you are sad or who you like. It's a 'warm' word used between people who trust each other. Even if your sentences are short, using this word shows you understand deep feelings in Korean.
At the A2 level, you can start using 털어놓다 to describe more complex social situations. You are moving beyond just 'secrets' and starting to talk about 'worries' (고민) or 'inner thoughts' (속마음). At this stage, you should recognize that the word implies a sense of relief. When you have a problem at school or work, and you tell someone, you feel better. That 'feeling better' is why we use 털어놓다 instead of just '말하다'. You can also use it in the past tense '털어놓았어요' to describe something that already happened. For example, '어제 친구한테 제 고민을 털어놓았어요' (Yesterday, I confided my worries to my friend). Notice how the word connects you to the listener. It suggests a relationship of trust (믿음). You should also be aware that the word is a compound: 털다 (to shake) + 놓다 (to put). This helps you remember the spelling and the meaning of 'emptying out' your mind. It’s a great word to use when you want to show someone that you trust them enough to share something personal.
At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance of 털어놓다 compared to other 'revealing' verbs like '고백하다' (to confess) or '밝히다' (to reveal). 털어놓다 is deeply rooted in the concept of emotional unburdening. It's the word you use when the act of sharing is just as important as the information itself. You can use it in more varied grammatical structures, such as '털어놓고 나니' (after having opened up...) to explain a change in your emotional state. For example, '속마음을 털어놓고 나니 마음이 한결 가벼워졌어요' (After opening up my heart, I feel much lighter). At this level, you can also use it in passive or causative contexts, though they are less common. You should also be comfortable using it in the '털어놓고 이야기하다' (to talk openly) pattern, which is very common in resolving conflicts. It shows a willingness to be vulnerable. Understanding this word helps you navigate the Korean social value of 'Jeong' (affection/bonding), as confiding in someone is a major way to build and maintain 'Jeong'.
At the B2 level, you should be able to use 털어놓다 in professional or semi-formal contexts, such as interviews or written essays, to describe personal growth or historical accounts. You should understand its use in media, where it often appears in headlines like '심경을 털어놓다' (to reveal one's state of mind/feelings). This usage highlights a person's internal struggle before they decided to speak out. You should also be able to distinguish it from '토로하다', which is its more formal counterpart. While 털어놓다 feels more intimate and conversational, '토로하다' feels more like a public declaration of sentiment. At B2, you should also be aware of the idiomatic nuances, such as how '털어놓다' can sometimes be used for information that isn't necessarily a secret but is 'stored up' information, like a long-held opinion. You can use it to describe a character's development in a book or movie, explaining how their decision to 털어놓다 changed the plot. It’s about the weight of the information and the psychological shift that occurs when it is released.
At the C1 level, your mastery of 털어놓다 should include an appreciation for its metaphorical depth and its role in Korean literature and high-level discourse. You should understand how the word interacts with complex emotional states like 'Han' (unresolved grief) or '억울함' (a sense of being wronged). In these contexts, 털어놓다 is not just 'confiding'; it is a form of catharsis. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures, such as '그간의 울분을 털어놓듯...' (as if pouring out the pent-up resentment of that time...). You should also recognize its use in legal or investigative nuances where a 'full disclosure' is required, though '진술하다' (to testify) is more technical. Furthermore, you should understand the social implications of not being able to 털어놓다, which is a common theme in Korean social criticism regarding isolation and the pressure to conform. Using this word correctly at C1 involves choosing it specifically to evoke a sense of total, unreserved honesty that transcends simple communication. It is about the 'emptying' of the self to reach another person.
At the C2 level, 털어놓다 becomes a tool for nuanced psychological and philosophical expression. You can analyze its etymological roots—the combination of the physical action of shaking (털다) and the existential act of releasing (놓다)—to discuss the nature of truth and vulnerability in Korean thought. You should be able to use it in highly sophisticated writing to describe the 'unloading' of the human condition or the collective 'pouring out' of a nation's historical trauma. At this level, you might explore how the word contrasts with the concept of 'Cheon-myeon' (saving face), where 털어놓다 is the ultimate act of abandoning one's social mask in favor of authentic existence. You should be able to use it in poetic or highly metaphorical contexts, such as '달빛 아래 바다가 제 속살을 털어놓듯' (as if the sea under the moonlight were baring its inner flesh/depths). Your usage should reflect an understanding that 털어놓다 is a bridge between the private and the public, the internal and the external, and that it carries with it the entire weight of the speaker's sincerity (진심). You are no longer just using a verb; you are invoking a profound human experience.

털어놓다 en 30 secondes

  • To confide or open one's heart to someone by revealing secrets or deep feelings.
  • A compound of 'to shake' (털다) and 'to put' (놓다), implying a total emotional emptying.
  • Commonly used with objects like 비밀 (secret), 고민 (worry), and 속마음 (inner heart).
  • Essential for expressing vulnerability, building trust, and achieving emotional relief in relationships.

The Korean verb 털어놓다 is a fascinating compound word that captures the essence of emotional release. To understand its deep meaning, we must look at its two components: 털다 (teolda), which means to shake off, dust, or empty out, and 놓다 (notda), which means to put down or release. When combined, they create a powerful metaphor for 'emptying out' one's heart or mind. Imagine holding a heavy bag filled with secrets, worries, or hidden feelings. To 털어놓다 is to turn that bag upside down and shake every last bit of its contents out until nothing is left hidden inside. It is most commonly translated into English as 'to confide,' 'to open up,' or 'to speak one's mind,' but it carries a stronger nuance of unburdening oneself. It is not just about sharing information; it is about the psychological relief that comes from no longer keeping something bottled up inside.

Literal Meaning
To shake out and put down; to empty out completely.
Figurative Meaning
To confess one's innermost thoughts or secrets to someone you trust.
Emotional Nuance
Relief, honesty, vulnerability, and the strengthening of a bond through transparency.

People use this word in situations where honesty is paramount. It is frequently heard in deep conversations between best friends, partners, or during counseling sessions. When someone has been acting strangely or seems depressed, a concerned friend might say, "무슨 고민이 있는지 털어놓아 봐" (Try opening up about what's bothering you). It implies a safe space where the listener is ready to receive the 'shaken out' contents of the speaker's heart without judgment. It is also used in legal or investigative contexts, though less frequently than in personal ones, to describe a suspect finally 'spilling the beans' or confessing the truth after much hesitation.

그는 마침내 친구에게 자신의 비밀을 털어놓았다.

He finally confided his secret to his friend.

In modern Korean society, where maintaining 'face' (체면) and emotional restraint can be culturally significant, the act of 털어놓다 represents a significant moment of intimacy. It breaks the barrier of social formality. When you use this word, you are acknowledging that the information being shared is not trivial; it is something that was previously held close to the chest. It is the verbal equivalent of exhaling a breath you have been holding for a long time. Whether it is a confession of love, a admission of a mistake, or the sharing of a painful memory, 털어놓다 signifies the transition from secrecy to transparency.

속마음을 털어놓으니 마음이 한결 가벼워졌어요.

Now that I've opened up my heart, I feel much lighter.

Using 털어놓다 correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure and the types of objects it typically takes. As a transitive verb, it always needs an object—specifically, the 'thing' that is being emptied out or revealed. Common objects include 비밀 (secret), 속마음 (inner feelings), 고민 (worries/troubles), 사실 (truth/fact), and 과거 (past). The basic structure is [Subject] + [Object] + [을/를] + 털어놓다.

With 'Secret' (비밀)
비밀을 털어놓다 (To reveal a secret). This is the most common usage, implying the secret was a burden.
With 'Inner Heart' (속마음)
속마음을 털어놓다 (To open up one's heart). Used in romantic or deep friendship contexts.
With 'Worries' (고민)
고민을 털어놓다 (To share one's worries). Used when seeking advice or comfort.

The verb is often used with the helper verb -아/어 놓다, but since 털어놓다 already includes '놓다', it functions as a single unit. However, you will often see it in the form 털어놓고 말하다, which literally means 'to shake out and speak,' emphasizing the act of total disclosure. For example, "우리 털어놓고 이야기하자" means "Let's talk openly/frankly." This phrasing is very common when two people need to clear the air or resolve a misunderstanding.

부모님께 모든 사실을 털어놓기로 결심했어요.

I decided to tell my parents the whole truth.

When talking about the person you are confiding in, you use the particle ~에게 (to) or ~한테 (to - informal). For example, "친구에게 비밀을 털어놓았다" (I told my secret to my friend). If you are describing the state of having already opened up, you might use the past tense 털어놓았다 or the causative/passive nuances depending on context, though the active form is most frequent. In negative sentences, not being able to open up is expressed as 털어놓지 못하다 or 털어놓을 수 없다, often implying a sense of loneliness or isolation.

그는 누구에게도 말하지 못했던 아픔을 털어놓았습니다.

He opened up about the pain he couldn't tell anyone about.

In everyday life, 털어놓다 is a staple of emotional vocabulary. You will hear it most frequently in K-Dramas during 'climax' scenes where a character finally reveals their hidden identity, their tragic past, or their true feelings for the protagonist. Scriptwriters use this word to signal a turning point in character relationships. It’s the word that bridges the gap between 'acquaintances' and 'confidants.' If you are watching a reality show like 'Heart Signal' or 'I Am Solo,' you'll hear participants talk about '속마음을 털어놓는 시간' (time to open up about one's true heart), referring to the late-night sessions where they discuss their romantic interests.

In Counseling/Therapy
Therapists encourage clients to '털어놓다' their trauma or stress to begin the healing process.
In News and Media
News headlines often use it when a celebrity or politician gives a 'tell-all' interview: "심경을 털어놓다" (to reveal one's state of mind).
In Literature
Novels use it to describe the internal monologue of a character who finally finds a person they can trust.

You might also hear this in a workplace setting, but usually in a '회식' (after-work dinner) context. When colleagues have had a few drinks, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed, and someone might say, "오늘 우리 쌓인 거 다 털어놓자" (Let's air out everything that's been building up today). Here, it refers to clearing up work-related frustrations or misunderstandings. It is a social lubricant for resolving 'Han' (unresolved resentment) or 'Hwa' (anger). In Korean culture, the act of listening to someone 털어놓다 is seen as a sign of deep loyalty and 'Uiri' (loyalty/honor).

라디오 프로그램에 고민을 털어놓는 사연이 많아요.

There are many stories of people sharing their worries on radio programs.

Even in pop music (K-Pop), lyrics often revolve around the theme of wanting someone to open up. A singer might ask their lover, "네 마음을 털어놓아 줘" (Please open up your heart to me). It represents a plea for intimacy. Conversely, a song might describe the pain of having no one to 털어놓다 to, emphasizing loneliness. Because the word is so emotionally charged, it resonates deeply with listeners who have felt the weight of unspoken words. It’s not just a verb; it’s a social action that defines the depth of human connection in the Korean linguistic landscape.

그녀는 인터뷰에서 힘들었던 과거를 솔직하게 털어놓았습니다.

She frankly opened up about her difficult past during the interview.

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make when using 털어놓다 is using it for trivial information. In English, 'to tell' or 'to say' are very broad. However, 털어놓다 is specifically for 'heavy' or 'hidden' things. You wouldn't use it to say you told someone what you had for lunch. For instance, saying "나는 점심 메뉴를 친구에게 털어놓았다" (I confided my lunch menu to my friend) sounds very strange and unintentionally dramatic, as if your lunch menu was a deep, dark secret you were struggling to keep.

Mistake 1: Confusing with '말하다' (To speak/tell)
Use '말하다' for general facts; use '털어놓다' only when there is an emotional unburdening or a secret involved.
Mistake 2: Incorrect Object Particles
Learners sometimes forget that this is a transitive verb. You must use '을/를' for the secret/feeling being shared, not '이/가'.
Mistake 3: Overusing in Formal Settings
While it can be used in formal interviews, using it in a standard business report might be too emotional. '보고하다' (to report) or '밝히다' (to reveal) are often better for professional contexts.

Another mistake involves the literal vs. figurative use. While the verb comes from 'shaking out' (like a bag), it is almost exclusively used figuratively for speech in modern Korean. If you literally shake dust out of a bag, you just use 털다 or 털어 내다. Using 털어놓다 for physical objects might confuse listeners who are expecting a deep emotional confession. Also, be careful with the prepositional logic. In English, we confide 'in' someone, but in Korean, you confide 'to' (~에게) someone. Saying "친구 안에서 털어놓다" (to confide inside a friend) is a literal translation error that makes no sense in Korean.

Incorrect: 나는 친구에게 시간을 털어놓았다.
Correct: 나는 친구에게 비밀을 털어놓았다.

You reveal secrets, not the time of day.

Finally, learners often struggle with the spelling. Because it is pronounced [터러노타] due to the 'h' (ㅎ) sound being weakened and the 'r' (ㄹ) sound carrying over, some might try to write it phonetically as '터러노타'. It is crucial to remember the base forms 털 + 어 + 놓 + 다. Keeping the 'ㅎ' in '놓다' is essential for correct written Korean. Misspelling it can change the meaning or make the sentence unreadable. Practice writing the word in its full form to build muscle memory for the 'ㅎ' ending of the stem.

비밀을 털어놓을 때는 상대방을 신중하게 골라야 해요.

When confiding a secret, you must choose the person carefully.

Korean has several words that overlap with 털어놓다, each with a slightly different flavor. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker. The most common synonym is 고백하다 (gobaek-hada), which means 'to confess.' While 털어놓다 focuses on the act of unburdening, 고백하다 often implies a more formal admission of guilt or a declaration of love. Another close relative is 토로하다 (toro-hada), which is a more formal, literary term for expressing one's feelings or thoughts very strongly, often used in news reports or high-level writing.

털어놓다 vs. 고백하다
'털어놓다' is emotional and informal; '고백하다' is more structured and can be used for sins or romantic feelings.
털어놓다 vs. 밝히다
'밝히다' (to reveal/clarify) is objective and factual, often used for uncovering truths or facts in public.
털어놓다 vs. 누설하다
'누설하다' (to leak) implies a breach of trust or revealing a secret that should have stayed hidden for safety or professional reasons.

For a more casual or slangy feel, young people might use 까발리다 (kkaballida), which means to 'expose' or 'reveal' something completely, but it has a much more aggressive and sometimes negative connotation, like 'blowing someone's cover.' On the other hand, 실토하다 (siltoh-hada) is specifically used when someone confesses the truth after being pressured or questioned, similar to 'coming clean.' If you are just sharing a small worry, you might use 나누다 (nanuda), which means 'to share,' as in '고민을 나누다' (to share worries). This is softer and less intense than 털어놓다.

그는 경찰에게 범행을 실토했다 (He came clean about the crime to the police) vs. 그는 친구에게 고민을 털어놓았다 (He confided his worries to his friend).

In summary, choose 털어놓다 when the focus is on the emotional relief of the speaker. Choose 밝히다 for facts, 고백하다 for love or sins, 실토하다 for forced truths, and 토로하다 for formal expressions of sentiment. Each of these words helps paint a specific picture of how and why information is being shared. By mastering these distinctions, you can navigate the complex social and emotional landscapes of Korean conversation with much greater precision and empathy.

진실을 밝히는 것과 속마음을 털어놓는 것은 다릅니다.

Revealing the truth and confiding one's inner heart are different.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word originally referred to physical actions like shaking out a sack of grain. Its transition to emotional confiding is a perfect example of how physical labor words become psychological metaphors in Korean.

Guide de prononciation

UK /tʰʌ.ɾʌ.no.tʰa/
US /tʰʌ.ɾʌ.no.tʰa/
Stress is generally even across syllables in Korean, but the 'no-ta' ending often carries a slight descending tone in declarative sentences.
Rime avec
놓다 (notda) 쌓다 (ssatda) 넣다 (neotda) 낳다 (natda) 닿다 (datda) 찧다 (jjitda) 찧다 (jjitda) 빻다 (ppatda)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing it as 'teol-eo-not-da' with a hard 't' and 'd' instead of the aspirated 't' at the end.
  • Forgetting the 'ㅎ' sound influence, leading to 'teol-eo-no-da' instead of 'teol-eo-no-ta'.
  • Pronouncing '털' as 'tul' or 'tol'. It should be an open 'eo' sound.
  • Missing the liaison (yeon-eum) between '털' and '어'.
  • Writing it as '터러노타' instead of the correct orthography.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word is relatively easy to read, but the 'ㅎ' batchim in '놓' can be tricky for beginners to pronounce correctly when conjugated.

Écriture 3/5

Spelling '털어놓다' correctly is often a challenge for learners who might want to write it phonetically.

Expression orale 3/5

Achieving the natural liaison [teol-eo-no-ta] takes some practice for smooth speech.

Écoute 2/5

It is a very common word in media, making it easy to recognize once learned.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

말하다 (to speak) 비밀 (secret) 마음 (heart) 털다 (to shake) 놓다 (to put)

Apprends ensuite

고백하다 (to confess) 상담하다 (to counsel) 신뢰하다 (to trust) 위로하다 (to comfort) 공감하다 (to empathize)

Avancé

토로하다 (to express strongly) 실토하다 (to come clean) 누설하다 (to leak) 흉금을 털어놓다 (to speak from the bottom of the heart)

Grammaire à connaître

-아/어 놓다 (Auxiliary Verb)

창문을 열어 놓았다. (I left the window open.) - Note: 털어놓다 is a fixed compound version of this.

-고 싶다 (Desire)

비밀을 털어놓고 싶어요. (I want to confide my secret.)

-(으)니 (Reason/Discovery)

속마음을 털어놓으니 속이 시원해요. (Since I opened up, I feel relieved.)

-지 못하다 (Inability)

말을 털어놓지 못했어요. (I couldn't confide.)

-아/어 보다 (Try doing)

한번 털어놓아 보세요. (Please try confiding.)

Exemples par niveau

1

나는 친구에게 비밀을 털어놓았어요.

I confided my secret to my friend.

Uses the past tense '-았어요' and the object particle '-을'.

2

제 마음을 털어놓고 싶어요.

I want to open up my heart.

Uses '-고 싶다' to express desire.

3

동생이 나에게 고민을 털어놓았다.

My younger sibling confided their worries to me.

Uses plain past tense '-았다'.

4

엄마한테 사실을 털어놓으세요.

Please tell the truth to your mom.

Uses the imperative '-으세요'.

5

우리는 비밀을 다 털어놓는 사이예요.

We are close enough to share all our secrets.

Uses the present progressive style to describe a relationship.

6

누구에게 털어놓을까요?

To whom should I confide?

Uses the suggestive '-을까요?'.

7

언니는 어제 모든 것을 털어놓았다.

Older sister opened up about everything yesterday.

Uses '모든 것' (everything) as the object.

8

선생님께 고민을 털어놓아 봐.

Try confiding your worries to the teacher.

Uses '-아/어 보다' (try doing).

1

속마음을 털어놓으니 기분이 좋아요.

I feel good because I opened up my heart.

Uses '-(으)니' to show reason.

2

비밀을 털어놓는 것은 어려워요.

It is difficult to confide a secret.

Uses the noun-making suffix '-는 것'.

3

그는 나에게 자신의 과거를 털어놓았다.

He confided his past to me.

Uses '자신의 과거' (one's own past).

4

친구에게 문제를 털어놓고 도움을 받았어요.

I confided my problem to my friend and got help.

Uses '-고' to connect two actions.

5

솔직하게 털어놓으면 다 이해할 거야.

If you confide frankly, they will understand everything.

Uses '-(으)면' (if).

6

아무에게도 털어놓지 못하고 혼자 울었어요.

I couldn't confide in anyone and cried alone.

Uses '-지 못하다' (cannot).

7

그녀는 일기를 쓰면서 마음을 털어놓아요.

She opens up her heart while writing in her diary.

Uses '-(으)면서' (while).

8

우리 서로 털어놓고 이야기하자.

Let's be open and talk to each other.

Uses the suggestive '-자'.

1

오랫동안 숨겨온 사실을 마침내 털어놓았습니다.

I finally revealed the fact I had been hiding for a long time.

Uses '숨겨온' (hidden/kept) as a modifier.

2

진심을 털어놓았지만 그는 믿지 않았어요.

I opened up my true feelings, but he didn't believe me.

Uses '-지만' (but).

3

고민을 털어놓을 사람이 있다는 것은 큰 복이에요.

Having someone to confide in is a great blessing.

Uses '-을 사람' (someone to...).

4

그는 술기운에 모든 비밀을 털어놓고 말았다.

He ended up revealing all his secrets under the influence of alcohol.

Uses '-고 말다' (ended up doing).

5

어려움을 털어놓는 것이 부끄러운 일은 아니에요.

It is not a shameful thing to confide your difficulties.

Uses '부끄러운 일' (shameful thing).

6

자신의 잘못을 솔직하게 털어놓는 용기가 필요해요.

You need the courage to frankly confide your mistakes.

Uses '용기가 필요하다' (need courage).

7

상담사에게 마음속 깊은 이야기를 털어놓았어요.

I shared the deep stories in my heart with the counselor.

Uses '마음속 깊은 이야기' (deep inner stories).

8

그녀는 남편에게 서운한 감정을 다 털어놓았다.

She poured out all her feelings of disappointment to her husband.

Uses '서운한 감정' (feelings of disappointment).

1

그 배우는 인터뷰에서 데뷔 전의 고충을 털어놓았다.

The actor opened up about the hardships before his debut during the interview.

Uses '고충' (hardships/difficulties).

2

그는 쌓였던 불만을 상사에게 털어놓기로 했다.

He decided to vent his accumulated frustrations to his boss.

Uses '쌓였던 불만' (accumulated dissatisfaction).

3

진실을 털어놓지 않으면 오해는 더 커질 뿐이에요.

If you don't reveal the truth, the misunderstanding will only grow larger.

Uses '-을 뿐이다' (only/nothing but).

4

그녀는 친구의 배신에 대해 가슴 아픈 심경을 털어놓았다.

She revealed her heartbreaking state of mind regarding her friend's betrayal.

Uses '심경' (state of mind).

5

모든 것을 털어놓고 나니 비로소 잠을 잘 수 있었다.

Only after opening up about everything could I finally sleep.

Uses '비로소' (finally/at last).

6

그는 유언을 통해 평생 숨겨온 비밀을 털어놓았다.

He revealed a lifelong secret through his will.

Uses '유언' (will/testament).

7

누구에게도 털어놓을 수 없는 아픔이 그를 괴롭혔다.

Pain that he couldn't confide in anyone tormented him.

Uses '괴롭히다' (to torment).

8

우리는 밤새도록 서로의 꿈과 희망을 털어놓았다.

We spent all night sharing each other's dreams and hopes.

Uses '밤새도록' (all night long).

1

그 작가는 신작에서 자신의 치부를 가감 없이 털어놓았다.

The author revealed his own flaws/shameful parts without addition or subtraction in his new work.

Uses '치부' (shameful part) and '가감 없이' (frankly/without filter).

2

피해자는 법정에서 그날의 참혹했던 기억을 털어놓았다.

The victim recounted the horrific memories of that day in court.

Uses '참혹했던' (horrific/ghastly).

3

억눌렸던 감정을 일시에 털어놓는 과정이 치유에 도움이 된다.

The process of pouring out suppressed emotions all at once helps with healing.

Uses '억눌렸던' (suppressed) and '일시에' (all at once).

4

그 정치인은 비리 의혹에 대해 자신의 입장을 털어놓았다.

The politician shared his stance regarding the corruption allegations.

Uses '비리 의혹' (corruption allegations).

5

그는 죽음을 앞두고 평생의 회한을 털어놓으며 눈물을 흘렸다.

Facing death, he shed tears while confiding the regrets of his lifetime.

Uses '회한' (remorse/regret).

6

가족에게조차 털어놓기 힘든 비밀이 가슴 한구석에 남아 있다.

A secret difficult to confide even to family remains in a corner of my heart.

Uses '~조차' (even).

7

그녀는 일생 동안 겪은 차별과 소외를 담담하게 털어놓았다.

She calmly opened up about the discrimination and alienation she experienced throughout her life.

Uses '담담하게' (calmly/composedly).

8

진실을 털어놓는 행위 자체가 때로는 가장 큰 용기가 된다.

The act of confiding the truth itself sometimes becomes the greatest courage.

Uses '자체' (itself).

1

문학은 인간의 가장 심오하고 은밀한 내면을 털어놓는 매체이다.

Literature is a medium that reveals the most profound and secret inner workings of humans.

Uses '심오하고 은밀한' (profound and secret).

2

그는 자신의 철학적 고뇌를 시 속에 남김없이 털어놓았다.

He poured out his philosophical agonies into his poetry without leaving anything behind.

Uses '남김없이' (completely/without exception).

3

사회의 부조리를 털어놓는 내부 고발자의 목소리가 울려 퍼졌다.

The voice of a whistleblower revealing the absurdities of society echoed out.

Uses '부조리' (absurdity/irrationality).

4

역사의 아픔을 털어놓는 증언들은 후세에 귀중한 교훈이 된다.

Testimonies that reveal the pain of history become precious lessons for future generations.

Uses '후세' (future generations).

5

그는 인간 실존의 허무함을 털어놓으며 실존주의의 본질을 논했다.

He discussed the essence of existentialism while opening up about the futility of human existence.

Uses '실존의 허무함' (futility of existence).

6

자신의 어두운 욕망을 털어놓는 것은 자아 성찰의 첫걸음이다.

Confiding one's dark desires is the first step of self-reflection.

Uses '자아 성찰' (self-reflection).

7

그는 비극적인 운명을 털어놓으며 관객들의 카타르시스를 자아냈다.

He evoked catharsis in the audience by revealing his tragic fate.

Uses '자아내다' (to evoke/arouse).

8

진실을 털어놓음으로써 그는 비로소 내면의 평화를 얻을 수 있었다.

By revealing the truth, he was finally able to gain inner peace.

Uses '-음으로써' (by doing/through).

Collocations courantes

비밀을 털어놓다
속마음을 털어놓다
고민을 털어놓다
사실을 털어놓다
과거를 털어놓다
심경을 털어놓다
진심을 털어놓다
불만을 털어놓다
어려움을 털어놓다
솔직하게 털어놓다

Phrases Courantes

털어놓고 말하다

— To speak frankly and openly without hiding anything. It is a very common idiomatic phrase.

우리 털어놓고 말해보자.

다 털어놓다

— To reveal everything completely. The '다' (all) emphasizes the total disclosure.

그는 아는 것을 다 털어놓았다.

속을 털어놓다

— To reveal one's 'inside' (inner thoughts/feelings). Similar to 속마음을 털어놓다.

누구에게도 속을 털어놓지 않는 사람이다.

하나도 빠짐없이 털어놓다

— To confide every single detail without leaving anything out.

경찰에게 하나도 빠짐없이 털어놓았다.

고충을 털어놓다

— To share one's hardships or difficulties.

연예인들이 방송에서 고충을 털어놓았다.

심정을 털어놓다

— To reveal one's feelings or state of mind.

답답한 심정을 친구에게 털어놓았다.

비밀을 털어놓을 곳

— A place or person to confide secrets in.

그는 비밀을 털어놓을 곳이 필요했다.

속 시원히 털어놓다

— To confide in a way that makes one feel refreshed and relieved.

속 시원히 털어놓고 나니 살 것 같다.

마음을 털어놓다

— To open up one's heart.

그에게 마음을 털어놓기로 결심했다.

비밀을 털어놓게 되다

— To end up confiding a secret (often unintentionally).

어쩌다 보니 비밀을 털어놓게 되었다.

Souvent confondu avec

털어놓다 vs 말하다

General speaking vs. emotional confiding.

털어놓다 vs 털다

Physical shaking/dusting vs. figurative confiding.

털어놓다 vs 놓다

Placing something vs. the compound meaning of release.

Expressions idiomatiques

"간이라도 빼어 줄 듯이 털어놓다"

— To confide so deeply and sincerely as if one would even give up their liver (vital organ).

그는 간이라도 빼어 줄 듯이 비밀을 털어놓았다.

Informal/Emphatic
"속을 다 보여주다"

— To show everything inside; to be completely transparent. Often used alongside 털어놓다.

그는 속을 다 보여주며 고민을 털어놓았다.

Neutral
"보따리를 풀어놓다"

— Literally 'to unpack a bundle,' figuratively to start telling a long story or many secrets.

그는 그동안의 이야기를 보따리 풀어놓듯 털어놓았다.

Informal/Metaphorical
"입을 열다"

— To 'open one's mouth,' meaning to finally start talking about something hidden.

침묵하던 그가 드디어 입을 열고 진실을 털어놓았다.

Neutral/Media
"가슴을 열다"

— To open one's chest/heart. Used to describe being receptive and honest.

가슴을 열고 서로의 고민을 털어놓자.

Neutral
"흉금을 털어놓다"

— To speak from the bottom of one's heart (흉금 refers to the 'chest/mind').

두 사람은 흉금을 털어놓고 대화했다.

Formal/Literary
"속을 뒤집어 보이다"

— To turn one's inside out to show it; to be extremely honest.

속을 뒤집어 보이듯 진심을 털어놓았다.

Informal/Emphatic
"숨김없이 말하다"

— To speak without hiding anything. A common plain version of 털어놓다.

그는 숨김없이 모든 것을 털어놓았다.

Neutral
"바닥을 드러내다"

— To show the bottom; to reveal the very end of one's secrets or character.

그는 자신의 치부까지 바닥을 드러내며 털어놓았다.

Neutral
"속알맹이를 털어놓다"

— To reveal the 'inner kernel' or essence of a matter/feeling.

그는 사건의 속알맹이를 털어놓았다.

Informal

Facile à confondre

털어놓다 vs 고백하다

Both involve telling secrets.

고백하다 is for specific admissions (love/crime), while 털어놓다 is more about the emotional release of any hidden thought.

사랑을 고백하다 (Confess love) vs. 고민을 털어놓다 (Share worries).

털어놓다 vs 토로하다

Both mean to express inner thoughts.

토로하다 is much more formal and often used for public expressions of sentiment.

심경을 토로하다 (Express state of mind - formal).

털어놓다 vs 실토하다

Both mean telling the truth.

실토하다 implies you were caught or pressured to tell the truth, whereas 털어놓다 is often voluntary.

범인이 죄를 실토했다 (The criminal came clean about the crime).

털어놓다 vs 밝히다

Both involve making something known.

밝히다 is factual and objective (revealing information), while 털어놓다 is personal and subjective (revealing feelings).

진실을 밝히다 (Reveal the truth - factual).

털어놓다 vs 누설하다

Both involve letting out a secret.

누설하다 usually has a negative connotation of betrayal or leaking confidential data.

기밀을 누설하다 (Leak a secret/classified info).

Structures de phrases

A1

[Person]에게 [Secret]을 털어놓다

친구에게 비밀을 털어놓다.

A2

[Object]을 털어놓고 싶다

속마음을 털어놓고 싶어요.

B1

[Object]을 털어놓으니 [Feeling]

고민을 털어놓으니 마음이 가벼워요.

B1

[Object]을 털어놓지 못하다

사실을 털어놓지 못했어요.

B2

솔직하게 [Object]을 털어놓다

솔직하게 과거를 털어놓았다.

B2

털어놓고 이야기하다

우리 털어놓고 이야기하자.

C1

[Object]을 가감 없이 털어놓다

치부를 가감 없이 털어놓았다.

C2

[Object]을 털어놓음으로써 [Result]

진실을 털어놓음으로써 자유로워졌다.

Famille de mots

Noms

털기 The act of shaking or dusting.
놓기 The act of putting or placing.

Verbes

털다 To shake off, dust, or empty.
놓다 To put, place, or let go.
털어내다 To shake off or brush away (usually physical dust).
내놓다 To put out or bring out.

Apparenté

비밀 (secret)
고백 (confession)
진실 (truth)
마음 (heart/mind)
속 (inside)

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very common in personal, emotional, and media contexts.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using '이/가' for the secret. 비밀을 털어놓다.

    털어놓다 is a transitive verb, so the secret is the object and needs '을/를'.

  • Writing '터러노타'. 털어놓다.

    You must follow standard orthography, not phonetic spelling.

  • Using it for 'telling the time'. 시간을 말하다.

    털어놓다 is for personal/heavy information only, not simple facts.

  • Saying '친구 안에서 털어놓다'. 친구에게 털어놓다.

    In Korean, you confide 'to' someone (~에게), not 'inside' them.

  • Using it for physical cleaning. 먼지를 털다.

    털어놓다 is almost exclusively figurative for speech. For physical dust, use '털다'.

Astuces

When to use it

Use this word when you want to emphasize the emotional relief of sharing something. It’s perfect for deep conversations.

Watch the Batchim

Remember the 'ㅎ' in '놓'. Even though you hear 't', you must write 'ㅎ' + '다'.

Object Particles

Always use '을/를' for the thing you are confiding. It is a transitive verb.

Building Trust

In Korean culture, confiding in someone is a sign of great trust. Use it to show you value a friendship.

Not for small talk

Avoid using it for mundane things like telling someone the weather. It sounds too dramatic.

Liaison Rule

Practice saying [teol-eo] as one flowing sound. Don't pause between 'teol' and 'eo'.

Drama Clue

When you hear this word in a drama, pay attention—it's usually a key plot point being revealed.

Adverb Pairing

Pairing it with '솔직하게' (honestly) makes your sentence sound very natural and sincere.

Compound Power

Learning this word helps you learn '털다' and '놓다' as well. It's a 3-for-1 deal!

Catharsis

Think of it as a 'verbal detox'. You are getting the bad or heavy stuff out of your system.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'TEOL' as 'Tell' and 'NOT' as 'Not' hiding it anymore. You 'TEOL' (tell) everything you were 'NOT' supposed to say.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person holding a dusty rug (representing secrets). They shake it out (털다) and lay it flat (놓다) on the ground for everyone to see. The dust is gone, and the rug is clean.

Word Web

비밀 (Secret) 고민 (Worry) 속마음 (Inner Heart) 진실 (Truth) 친구 (Friend) 상담 (Counseling) 가벼움 (Lightness) 믿음 (Trust)

Défi

Try to write a sentence about a secret you once had and who you would '털어놓다' it to. Use the past tense '털어놓았다'.

Origine du mot

A compound verb formed from '털다' (to shake off/dust) and '놓다' (to put/place). The combination implies shaking something out of a container and placing it in the open.

Sens originel : To shake out the contents of a bag or container completely.

Native Korean (Pure Korean)

Contexte culturel

Be careful when asking someone to '털어놓다'. It can be seen as intrusive if you aren't close enough to the person. Always ensure a supportive environment first.

Similar to 'opening up' or 'spilling the beans,' but '털어놓다' is more formal than 'spilling the beans' and more emotional than 'opening up.'

Commonly used in K-Drama titles or OST lyrics (e.g., '비밀을 털어놓다'). Seen in celebrity 'tell-all' YouTube titles. Frequent in 'Counseling' columns in Korean magazines.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Friendship

  • 비밀을 털어놓다
  • 고민을 털어놓다
  • 속마음을 털어놓다
  • 다 털어놓다

Romance

  • 진심을 털어놓다
  • 사랑을 털어놓다
  • 과거를 털어놓다
  • 속을 털어놓다

Therapy/Counseling

  • 아픔을 털어놓다
  • 상처를 털어놓다
  • 심경을 털어놓다
  • 어려움을 털어놓다

Workplace Conflict

  • 불만을 털어놓다
  • 고충을 털어놓다
  • 사실을 털어놓다
  • 털어놓고 이야기하다

Legal/Investigation

  • 범행을 털어놓다
  • 진실을 털어놓다
  • 공모를 털어놓다
  • 모든 것을 털어놓다

Amorces de conversation

"혹시 나한테 털어놓고 싶은 비밀이 있어? (Do you happen to have a secret you want to confide in me?)"

"요즘 힘든 일이 있으면 나한테 다 털어놓아도 돼. (If you have anything hard going on lately, you can tell me everything.)"

"우리 털어놓고 시원하게 이야기 좀 할까? (Shall we talk openly and refreshingly?)"

"그는 왜 아무에게도 고민을 털어놓지 않았을까? (Why didn't he confide his worries to anyone?)"

"속마음을 털어놓는 게 정말 중요하다고 생각해. (I think confiding your inner heart is really important.)"

Sujets d'écriture

오늘 누군가에게 내 고민을 털어놓았나요? 기분이 어땠나요? (Did you confide your worries to someone today? How did it feel?)

아무에게도 털어놓지 못한 비밀이 있다면 무엇인가요? (If there is a secret you couldn't confide in anyone, what is it?)

내가 가장 편하게 속마음을 털어놓을 수 있는 사람은 누구인가요? (Who is the person you can most comfortably open up your heart to?)

비밀을 털어놓은 후에 후회한 적이 있나요? (Have you ever regretted confiding a secret?)

누군가 나에게 비밀을 털어놓았을 때 나는 어떻게 반응하나요? (How do you react when someone confides a secret to you?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Generally, no. It is mostly used for secrets, worries, or things that were 'heavy' to keep. If you just have good news, use '말하다' or '전하다'. However, if you were hiding a happy secret (like a pregnancy), you could use it to describe finally sharing it.

The base form is 털어놓다. In very informal text speak, some might use '털어놔' or '털어놔요'. '털어놩' is just a cute/slangy way of saying '털어놔' and should be avoided in serious contexts.

They are very similar, but 털어놓다 sounds more like you are 'pouring out' everything at once, whereas '속마음을 말하다' just means you are stating your feelings.

Rarely. If you say '가방을 털어놓다', it might mean you emptied the bag's contents onto the floor, but usually, we use '털어 내다' or just '털다' for physical things.

Yes, very! Many songs about heartbreak or deep love use this word to describe characters wanting to know each other's true feelings.

Yes, as long as you use the correct honorifics like '털어놓으셨습니다' or '털어놓으세요'. It's not a rude word; it's an emotional one.

You can say '고민을 털어놓을 사람이 없어요.' This is a common way to express loneliness in Korean.

Not always. It can be a worry, a feeling, or just an opinion you've been holding back. The key is that it was previously 'inside' and is now 'outside'.

The most direct opposite is '숨기다' (to hide) or '감추다' (to conceal).

In '털어놓다', the 'ㅎ' is not silent; it combines with the 'ㄷ' in '다' to make a 'ㅌ' [t] sound. So it sounds like [teol-eo-no-ta].

Teste-toi 190 questions

writing

Write a sentence: 'I want to confide my secret to my friend.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'He finally revealed the truth.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'I feel better after opening up my heart.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'Please tell me everything honestly.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'There is no one to confide my worries in.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'Let's be open and talk.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'She opened up about her difficult past.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'I couldn't confide in anyone.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'He confessed his love to her.' (Use a synonym of 털어놓다)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'I decided to reveal the fact to my parents.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'Why did you reveal the secret?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'It is hard to confide in a stranger.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'He poured out his feelings in the letter.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'Confide your worries to the counselor.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'I am looking for a friend to confide in.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'He end up revealing everything.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'I feel relieved now that I've told you.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'Don't hide it, just tell me.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'The criminal revealed the crime.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write a sentence: 'We shared our dreams with each other.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '털어놓다'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '비밀을 털어놓아요'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '속마음을 털어놓았다'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '고민을 털어놓으세요'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '털어놓고 이야기하자'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '사실을 털어놓지 못했다'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '심경을 털어놓았습니다'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '진실을 털어놓을까요?'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '솔직하게 털어놓아 봐'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '아무에게도 털어놓지 마'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '흉금을 털어놓다'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '치부를 털어놓았다'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '속이 시원하게 털어놓다'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '비밀을 털어놓는 사람'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '고충을 털어놓다'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '다 털어놓으렴'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '털어놓고 나니 가벼워요'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '모든 것을 털어놓고 말았다'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '과거를 털어놓는 용기'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Pronounce correctly: '서로 털어놓읍시다'

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the object: '그는 친구에게 비밀을 털어놓았다.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the feeling: '고민을 털어놓으니 속이 시원해요.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the person: '엄마한테 속마음을 털어놓았어요.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the action: '우리 이제 털어놓고 이야기하자.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the tense: '과거를 털어놓을 거예요.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the subject: '동생이 비밀을 털어놓았어.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the reason: '술기운에 다 털어놓았어요.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the location: '일기장에 속마음을 털어놓았다.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the difficulty: '털어놓기 힘들었어요.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the person: '상담사에게 고민을 털어놓으세요.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the verb: '진실을 털어놓아야 합니다.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the missing word: '____를 털어놓으니 기분이 좋아요.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the adverb: '솔직하게 털어놓으세요.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the negation: '아무에게도 털어놓지 마세요.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Listen and identify the goal: '오해를 풀기 위해 털어놓았다.'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

/ 190 correct

Perfect score!

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