Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
A versatile phrasal verb used for lifting objects, collecting people, answering phones, and learning new skills naturally.
- Use it for physical lifting: 'Can you pick up that pen?' (max 20 words)
- Use it for collecting: 'I will pick you up at 8 PM.'
- If using a pronoun (it/them), put it in the middle: 'Pick it up.'
Overview
pick up이라는 표현을 정말 자주 보게 됩니다. 한국어에는 없는 '구동사(Phrasal Verb)'라는 개념 때문에 많은 학습자가 혼란을 겪곤 하죠. 한국어에서는 '줍다', '태우러 가다', '전화를 받다'처럼 상황마다 완전히 다른 동사를 사용하지만, 영어에서는 pick이라는 기본 동사에 up이라는 전치사(부사)를 붙여서 이 모든 의미를 해결합니다.pick up을 단순히 '줍다'로만 암기하면, 원어민이 "I'll pick you up at 7.«이라고 할 때 »나를 왜 줍는다는 거지?"라고 당황하게 됩니다. 이처럼 pick up은 일상생활 속 카페, 학원, 배달, 회식 등 모든 상황에서 필수적인 표현입니다.pick up의 다양한 의미를 완벽하게 정복해 봅시다.pick up의 핵심은 'pick(선택하다/집다)'과 'up(위로/완성)'의 결합입니다. 한국어의 '줍다'나 '태우다'와 같은 단일 동사와 달리, 영어의 구동사는 동작의 방향성이나 상태의 변화를 나타내는 전치사를 통해 의미를 확장합니다. 한국어 문법에서 '줍다'는 단순히 바닥에 있는 것을 들어 올리는 행위 하나로 끝나지만, 영어는 여기에 '상태의 변화'나 '완성'의 의미를 더합니다.- 1물리적 행위: 바닥에서 물건을 들어 올리는 것. (한국어: 줍다)
- 2사람/물건 이동: 장소에 가서 사람을 차에 태우거나 물건을 찾아오는 것. (한국어: 데리러 가다, 찾아오다)
- 3전화 응대: 벨 소리에 반응하여 통화를 시작하는 것. (한국어: 전화를 받다)
- 4지식/습관 습득: 의도적인 공부가 아닌, 자연스럽게 익히는 것. (한국어: (어깨너머로) 배우다, 익히다)
- 5상황 호전: 비즈니스나 날씨 등이 활발해지는 것. (한국어: (경기가) 풀리다, 살아나다)
- 6감지: 신호나 냄새를 포착하는 것. (한국어: 감지하다, 포착하다)
pick up이라는 하나의 틀 안에서 맥락에 따라 의미가 확장됩니다. 이는 한국어의 '먹다'가 '밥을 먹다', '나이를 먹다', '욕을 먹다'처럼 문맥에 따라 의미가 변하는 것과 유사한 원리라고 이해하면 쉽습니다.pick up은 '분리 가능한 구동사(Separable Phrasal Verb)'입니다. 목적어가 명사일 때는 위치가 자유롭지만, 대명사일 때는 반드시 사이에 들어가야 합니다. 아래 표를 통해 패턴을 확인하세요.pick + up + 명사 또는 pick + 명사 + up | Pick up the book. / Pick the book up. |pick + 대명사 + up (필수) | Pick it up. (O) / Pick up it. (X) |it, them, her 등이 올 때는 반드시 pick과 up 사이에 넣어야 한다는 점을 꼭 기억하세요.pick up은 일상에서 매우 광범위하게 쓰입니다.- 물건 줍기:
Could you pick up my pen?(바닥에 떨어진 펜을 주워줄래?) - 데리러 가기:
I will pick you up at the station.(역으로 너를 데리러 갈게.) - 한국어에서는 '태우러 가다'라고 하지만 영어는pick up을 씁니다. - 전화 받기:
Why didn't you pick up?(왜 전화 안 받았어?) - 자연스러운 습득:
I picked up some English while living in Canada.(캐나다에 살면서 영어를 자연스럽게 익혔어.) - 상황 호전:
The economy is starting to pick up.(경기가 살아나기 시작했어.)
pick up이라는 표현 하나로 '무언가를 내 영역 안으로 가져온다'는 공통된 이미지를 공유합니다.- 1대명사 위치 오류:
Pick up it.이라고 말하는 경우입니다. 이는 한국어식 어순(동사+목적어)에 익숙해서 생기는 오류입니다. 영어는 대명사가 오면 반드시 구동사 중간에 끼워 넣어야 합니다. - 2'줍다'로만 한정해서 이해하기:
pick up을 오직 '물건을 줍다'로만 알고 있어서,pick up my sister라는 말을 들으면 '여동생을 줍다(납치?!)'라고 오해하는 경우입니다. 이는 한국어와 영어의 1:1 대응 사고방식에서 오는 전형적인 L1 간섭입니다. - 3'배우다'와 '습득하다'의 혼동:
study와pick up을 구분하지 못하는 경우입니다.study는 의도적인 공부이고,pick up은 환경 속에서 자연스럽게 익히는 것입니다. 한국어의 '배우다'는 이 두 가지를 모두 포함하지만 영어는 명확히 구분합니다.
- 1Q:
pick up과collect는 어떻게 다른가요?
collect는 우표 수집처럼 체계적으로 모으는 느낌이고, pick up은 단순히 가서 가져오는 일상적인 행위입니다.- 1Q:
pick up은 항상 구동사로만 쓰이나요?
pick과 up이 결합하여 새로운 의미를 만드는 구동사로 쓰일 때가 훨씬 많습니다.- 1Q:
pick up을 '전화받다'로 쓸 때answer와 차이가 있나요?
answer는 격식 있는 표현이고, pick up은 친구나 가족 간에 쓰는 훨씬 자연스럽고 구어체적인 표현입니다.Conjugating 'Pick Up'
| Tense | Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
I/You/We/They
|
pick up
|
I pick up the mail every day.
|
|
Present Simple
|
He/She/It
|
picks up
|
He picks up his son from school.
|
|
Past Simple
|
All subjects
|
picked up
|
They picked up the bill.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
All subjects
|
am/is/are picking up
|
I am picking up the trash now.
|
|
Future (will)
|
All subjects
|
will pick up
|
I will pick you up later.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
All subjects
|
have/has picked up
|
She has picked up some flu.
|
Word Order with Objects
| Object Type | Structure | Correct Example | Incorrect Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Noun
|
Verb + Particle + Noun
|
Pick up the book.
|
N/A
|
|
Noun
|
Verb + Noun + Particle
|
Pick the book up.
|
N/A
|
|
Pronoun
|
Verb + Pronoun + Particle
|
Pick it up.
|
N/A
|
|
Pronoun
|
Verb + Particle + Pronoun
|
N/A
|
Pick up it.
|
Meanings
To lift something from a surface, or more broadly, to acquire, collect, or resume something.
Physical Lift
To take hold of and lift something from a floor, table, or other surface.
“He picked up the book and started reading.”
“Don't pick up that glass; it's broken.”
Collect/Retrieve
To go to a place and get someone or something, often in a vehicle.
“I need to pick up my laundry from the dry cleaners.”
“Can you pick me up from the airport at midnight?”
Answer
To answer a telephone call or a ringing phone.
“I called him three times, but he didn't pick up.”
“Why didn't you pick up the phone earlier?”
Learn Naturally
To learn a new skill or language without formal study, just by being exposed to it.
“He picked up some Spanish while living in Madrid.”
“Kids pick up computer skills so quickly these days.”
Improve/Increase
To increase in speed, force, or volume; or for a situation to improve.
“The wind is starting to pick up.”
“Sales usually pick up right before Christmas.”
Tidy/Clean
To make a room neat by putting things back where they belong.
“You need to pick up your room before guests arrive.”
“I spent the morning picking up after the kids.”
Reference Table
| 의미 | 예시 | 목적어 위치 | 설명 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
들어 올리다/가져오다
|
`Pick up the pen.`
|
`Pick the pen up.` / `Pick it up.`
|
가장 직접적인 의미예요.
|
|
데리러 가다 (사람)
|
`Pick up my friend.`
|
`Pick my friend up.` / `Pick them up.`
|
누군가를 데리러 가는 거예요.
|
|
가지러 가다 (물건)
|
`Pick up groceries.`
|
`Pick the groceries up.` / `Pick them up.`
|
물건을 가지러 가는 거예요.
|
|
전화 받다
|
`Pick up the phone.`
|
`Pick the phone up.` / `Pick it up.`
|
전화에 응답하는 거예요.
|
|
배우다/습득하다
|
`Pick up Spanish.`
|
`Pick Spanish up.` / `Pick it up.`
|
비공식적으로 배우는 거예요.
|
|
향상되다/증가하다
|
`Sales picked up.`
|
(목적어 없음)
|
사업이나 상황이 나아지는 거예요.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
I shall collect you from your residence at eight o'clock. (Transportation)
I'll pick you up at 8:00. (Transportation)
I'll swing by and pick you up at 8. (Transportation)
I'll scoop you up at 8. (Transportation)
'Pick Up'의 다양한 의미
물리적 행동
- 들어 올리다/가져오다 Pick up the fallen leaves.
- 사람 데리러 가기 Pick up friends from the airport.
- 물건 가지러 가기 Pick up groceries from the store.
비물리적 행동
- 응답하다 Pick up the phone.
- 캐주얼하게 배우다 Pick up a new language.
- 향상되다 Business started to pick up.
- 알아차리다/감지하다 Pick up on a strange vibe.
'Pick Up' vs. 유사 동사구 비교
'Pick Up'의 목적어 위치
목적어가 대명사인가요 (it, them, him, her, us, you)?
목적어가 명사인가요 (book, friend, groceries)?
흔한 'Pick Up' 시나리오
일상 집안일
- • 장난감 치우기
- • 세탁물 줍기
심부름
- • 장보기
- • 드라이클리닝 찾기
- • 소포 찾기
사회생활
- • 친구 데리러 가기
- • 전화 받기
학습/기술
- • 새로운 기술 배우기
- • 언어 배우기
- • 습관 익히기
수준별 예문
Pick up the pen.
Pick up the pen.
Can you pick up the phone?
Can you pick up the phone?
Pick it up, please.
Pick it up, please.
I pick up my bag.
I pick up my bag.
I will pick you up at 6:00.
I will pick you up at 6:00.
She picked up some milk at the store.
She picked up some milk at the store.
Don't forget to pick up your trash.
Don't forget to pick up your trash.
He didn't pick up when I called.
He didn't pick up when I called.
I picked up a lot of Italian during my summer in Rome.
I picked up a lot of Italian during my summer in Rome.
The economy is finally starting to pick up.
The economy is finally starting to pick up.
Can you pick up the pace? We are going to be late.
Can you pick up the pace? We are going to be late.
I need to pick up my prescription from the pharmacy.
I need to pick up my prescription from the pharmacy.
The sensor is picking up a strange signal from the basement.
The sensor is picking up a strange signal from the basement.
I managed to pick up a great bargain at the flea market.
I managed to pick up a great bargain at the flea market.
Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
He's very quick to pick up on any changes in the atmosphere.
He's very quick to pick up on any changes in the atmosphere.
The detective picked up a few clues that everyone else had missed.
The detective picked up a few clues that everyone else had missed.
The radio station is difficult to pick up in this mountainous region.
The radio station is difficult to pick up in this mountainous region.
She picked up the threads of her old life after returning from abroad.
She picked up the threads of her old life after returning from abroad.
The company is picking up the tab for the entire conference.
The company is picking up the tab for the entire conference.
The wind picked up significantly, reaching gale force by midnight.
The wind picked up significantly, reaching gale force by midnight.
He has an uncanny ability to pick up the nuances of any local dialect.
He has an uncanny ability to pick up the nuances of any local dialect.
The narrative picks up speed as the protagonist nears the climax.
The narrative picks up speed as the protagonist nears the climax.
They are still picking up the pieces after the financial crash.
They are still picking up the pieces after the financial crash.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners use 'pick up' when they mean to choose something from a group.
Both involve starting something new, but the 'how' is different.
They are often synonyms, but 'collect' is more formal.
자주 하는 실수
Pick up it.
Pick it up.
I pick up to the phone.
I pick up the phone.
He pick up the book.
He picks up the book.
I picked up it yesterday.
I picked it up yesterday.
I will pick up you.
I will pick you up.
Can you pick up me?
Can you pick me up?
I pick up my friend from the station.
I am picking up my friend from the station.
I picked up tennis last week.
I took up tennis last week.
The business is picking up it.
The business is picking up.
I need to pick up a choice.
I need to make a choice / pick one.
He picked up on the book.
He picked up the book.
문장 패턴
Can you pick up ___ on your way home?
I'll pick ___ up at ___.
He picked up ___ while he was in ___.
Don't forget to pick up ___.
Real World Usage
Your driver is arriving to pick you up.
Can you pick up line 2? It's for the manager.
Select 'In-store pick up' to save on shipping.
I have to pick up the kids from soccer practice.
He tried a cheesy pick-up line on her.
Please pick up your toys before bedtime.
대명사 위치를 꼭 기억하세요!
'Take Out'과 헷갈리지 마세요!
문맥 단서에 귀 기울여 보세요!
'Pick Up'으로 편하게 배우기
Smart Tips
Pause and put the pronoun in the middle. Think: 'Pick... it... up'.
Use 'pick up' instead of 'learn'. It sounds much more natural in conversation.
You don't need to say 'the phone'. Just say 'Pick up!'
Use 'pick up' without an object to describe improvement or increased strength.
발음
Linking
When 'pick' is followed by 'up', the 'k' sound links to the 'u'. It sounds like 'pi-kup'.
Stress
In phrasal verbs, the particle (up) usually receives more stress than the verb (pick).
Pronoun Linking
When a pronoun is in the middle, the sounds link: 'pick-it-up' sounds like one word.
Rising on 'up'
Can you pick it UP? ↗
A standard polite request.
암기하기
기억법
P.U.C.: Phone, Up, Collect. Remember these three and you've got the basics!
시각적 연상
Imagine a giant magnet picking up a car (collecting a person), a phone (answering), and a book (learning). The magnet is labeled 'UP'.
Rhyme
If it's a thing, you have a choice. If it's 'it', use your middle voice!
Story
I went to the store to pick up some bread. On the way, my phone rang but I didn't pick up. Then I had to pick up my sister from the gym. She had picked up a cold, so we went home.
Word Web
챌린지
Look around your room. Find three things on the floor. As you lift them, say 'I am picking up the [object]' and then 'I am picking it up'.
문화 노트
In both cultures, 'picking up the tab' or 'picking up the check' is a common way to say you are paying for everyone's meal.
A 'pick-up line' is a prepared remark used to start a conversation with a stranger in a romantic way. They are often considered cheesy or funny.
In many English-speaking countries, offering to 'pick someone up' is a standard sign of hospitality and friendship.
The verb 'pick' comes from Middle English 'picken' (to peck or pierce), and 'up' is a Germanic particle indicating direction or completion.
대화 시작하기
What time do you need me to pick you up?
Have you ever picked up a new hobby very quickly?
Why didn't you pick up my call yesterday?
Do you think it's easier to pick up a language by traveling or by studying?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
Can you ___ the book for me?
Find and fix the mistake:
I need to pick up them from the airport.
Choose the correct sentence:
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesWhich sentence is grammatically correct?
The phone is ringing. Why don't you ___?
Find and fix the mistake:
I picked up some Spanish while I was in Mexico.
up / you / at / I / 8 / will / pick
1. Answer, 2. Learn, 3. Collect
A: Can you get some milk? B: Sure, I'll ___ on my way home.
The wind is picking up.
Pick up the books.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesMy mom will ___ me from practice at 5 PM.
He picked up a new hobby, learning to play the guitar.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'El negocio está mejorando.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the meanings:
The keys are on the table, can you ___?
She is studying to pick up her medical degree.
Translate into English: 'Necesito recoger mi pedido de comida para llevar.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Choose the correct sentence:
Match the uses:
Score: /12
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Yes, both are correct because 'the book' is a noun. You have the choice!
In English, when the object of a separable phrasal verb is a pronoun, it *must* go in the middle. It's just a strict rule of the language.
No! It can mean answering a phone, collecting a person, learning a skill, or even the weather getting stronger.
It's a type of vehicle with an open back designed to 'pick up' and carry heavy loads.
It is neutral to informal. In very formal writing, you might use 'collect', 'retrieve', or 'acquire'.
It means to pay the bill for everyone, usually at a restaurant.
Yes, it means to collect them in your car. 'I'll pick you up at 5.'
No. 'Pick' means to choose. 'Pick up' means to lift or collect. Don't mix them up!
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
recoger / contestar
Spanish is not a phrasal verb language, so the 'up' feels redundant to them.
ramasser / chercher / décrocher
English uses one phrasal verb for all three, which is confusing for French speakers.
aufheben / abholen
German word order rules for separable particles are even more complex than English.
拾う (hirou) / 迎えに行く (mukaeni iku)
Japanese uses specific verbs where English uses the general 'pick up'.
التقط (iltaqata) / رد (radda)
The concept of a 'particle' (up) changing a verb's meaning doesn't exist in the same way in Arabic.
捡 (jiǎn) / 接 (jiē)
Chinese speakers often omit the 'up' because 'pick' (jiǎn) feels complete on its own.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
관련 동영상
Related Grammar Rules
구동사 'Face up to' (현실을 직시하다)
Overview 이 구동사는 회피에서 인정으로의 심리적 변화에 관한 것입니다. 특히 어렵거나 불쾌하거나 때로는 약간 당혹스러운 일...
시간 전치사: in, on, at 완벽 가이드
Overview 오후 5시에 도착하겠다는 문자를 보낼 때 `in` 5 PM이라고 썼다가 당황한 이모티콘을 받은 적 있나요? 영어에서 작은...
구동사: Take off (벗다 & 이륙하다)
### Overview 영어 학습을 하다 보면 가장 먼저 마주치는 벽 중 하나가 바로 '구동사(Phrasal Verbs)'입니다. 한국어는 '벗다',...
잠깐만! 'Hold on' 사용하기
### Overview 영어를 배우는 한국인 학습자들에게 `hold on`은 단순히 '기다리다'라는 의미 이상의 뉘앙스를 가진 아주 매력적...
차려입기: 정장 및 의상 (Dress up)
### Overview 영어를 배우다 보면 단순히 '옷을 입다'라는 행위를 넘어서, 그 행위 뒤에 숨겨진 '의도'나 '목적'을 표현해야 할...
