돌려주다

§ Understanding 돌려주다

The Korean verb 돌려주다 (dol-lyeo-ju-da) means "to return (something borrowed)" or "to give back an item that was borrowed." It's a fundamental word for everyday interactions, so mastering it early will be super helpful. Think of it as a combination of two verbs: 돌리다 (dol-li-da, to turn/rotate) and 주다 (ju-da, to give). This combination literally translates to "turn and give," which perfectly captures the idea of returning something.

Definition

To return (something borrowed), to give back an item that was borrowed.

§ Basic Sentence Structure

When you use 돌려주다, you'll usually be talking about:

• Who is returning the item (the subject).
• What item is being returned (the object).
• To whom the item is being returned (the recipient).

The basic structure looks like this: Subject + Object + Recipient (optional) + 돌려주다

§ Using Particles with 돌려주다

Particles are super important in Korean. Here are the ones you'll use most often with 돌려주다:

Object Particle (을/를)

You attach 을 to nouns ending in a consonant and 를 to nouns ending in a vowel. This marks the item being returned.

Recipient Particle (에게/한테)

These particles indicate the person to whom you are returning the item. 에게 is generally more formal or used in writing, while 한테 is common in spoken, casual Korean.

Locative Particle (에)

If you're returning an item to a place (like a library or a store), you'll use 에.

§ Common Uses and Nuances

돌려주다 is specifically for returning something you borrowed or were entrusted with. It's not used for returning something you bought (that's 환불하다 (hwan-bul-ha-da) or 반품하다 (ban-pum-ha-da)).

Here are a few more practical examples:

In the last example, even though money isn't always "borrowed" in the same way a physical item is, if it was lent or received under conditions that require it to be given back, 돌려주다 is the correct verb.

§ Conjugation Basics (A1 Level Focus)

For A1 level, focus on the most common polite informal (아요/어요) and formal (ㅂ니다/습니다) endings.

• Present Tense, Polite Informal: 돌려줘요 (dol-lyeo-jwo-yo)
• Past Tense, Polite Informal: 돌려줬어요 (dol-lyeo-jweoss-eo-yo)
• Future Tense/Intention, Polite Informal: 돌려줄 거예요 (dol-lyeo-jul geo-ye-yo)

Keep practicing these structures, and you'll be using 돌려주다 like a pro in no time!

§ Mixing Up 돌려주다 and 되돌리다

Many learners confuse 돌려주다 with 되돌리다. While both involve returning, they are used in different contexts.

DEFINITION

돌려주다 (doll-ryeo-ju-da): To return a physical item that was borrowed. It implies a transfer of ownership or possession back to the original owner.

DEFINITION

되돌리다 (doe-dol-li-da): To return to a previous state, reverse a situation, or give back something that was given (often not a borrowed item). It can be abstract.

Think of it this way:

• Use 돌려주다 for returning a book to the library, a pen to a friend, or money you borrowed. It's about giving back a specific, tangible item you took from someone.
• Use 되돌리다 for reverting changes on a computer, going back to a previous plan, or returning to a starting point. It's often more about actions or states.

§ Using 돌려주다 for Returning to a Place

Another common mistake is using 돌려주다 when you mean to return to a place. 돌려주다 is specifically for giving something back. When you want to say 'return to a place,' you should use 돌아가다 (to go back) or 돌아오다 (to come back).

DEFINITION

돌아가다 (dol-a-ga-da): To go back to a place (when you are not at that place).

DEFINITION

돌아오다 (dol-a-o-da): To come back to a place (when you are at that place, or the listener is at that place).

For example, if you're talking about returning home:

You would not say "집을 돌려주다" because you are not returning your house as a borrowed item.

§ Forgetting the '주다' Aspect

The '주다' part of 돌려주다 means 'to give'. This emphasizes that you are giving something back to someone. Sometimes learners might try to shorten it or use a different verb when the 'giving back' action is important.

While there are other verbs that include the meaning of 'return' in specific contexts, 돌려주다 is the most direct and common way to express returning a borrowed item.

• Don't just say '돌리다' if you mean to return a borrowed item. '돌리다' has many meanings, including 'to turn,' 'to spin,' or 'to operate,' but not 'to return a borrowed item.'

§ What '돌려주다' means

The Korean verb '돌려주다' (dollyeojuda) is used when you return something that you borrowed from someone. It literally means 'to turn and give back'. Think of it as giving an item back to its original owner after you've used it.

DEFINITION

To return (something borrowed), to give back an item that was borrowed.

§ Examples of using '돌려주다'

Here are some common ways you'll hear '돌려주다' used in everyday conversation:

Please return the book (to me).

I will return the money I borrowed.

When can you return my umbrella?

§ Similar words and when to use them

Korean has several words that can be translated as 'to return' in English, but they are used in different situations. It's important to understand these distinctions to sound natural.

• 돌려주다 (dollyeojuda): This is the one we're focusing on. Use it specifically for returning something borrowed.
• 반납하다 (bannaphada): This verb is typically used for returning items to an institution or organization, like returning a book to a library, a rental car, or a rented item. It implies a formal process of returning.

I returned the book to the library.

• 돌아가다 (doragada): This means 'to go back' or 'to return to a place'. It refers to movement, not returning an object.

I went back home.

• 환불하다 (hwanbulhada): This means 'to get a refund' or 'to return an item for a refund' (e.g., in a store). It's about money and purchases, not borrowed items.

I want to return (get a refund for) these clothes.