Prep & Keep: V-아/어 놓다 (Do In Advance)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -아/어 놓다 to show an action was completed in advance, leaving the result in place for later use.
- Use -아 놓다 for verbs ending in ㅏ or ㅗ (e.g., 사다 -> 사 놓다).
- Use -어 놓다 for all other vowel endings (e.g., 먹다 -> 먹어 놓다).
- Use -해 놓다 for 하다 verbs (e.g., 준비하다 -> 준비해 놓다).
Overview
Korean grammar employs a precise system to convey not just that an action occurred, but also its resultant state and the intent behind maintaining that state. The pattern V-아/어 놓다 (V-a/eo nota) serves this critical function, expressing that an action was performed with the explicit purpose of preserving its outcome for future use or to sustain a particular condition. This goes beyond a simple past tense (V-았/었/였어요) by emphasizing the active decision to leave something in a completed state.
At its core, V-아/어 놓다 indicates preparation or maintenance. You perform an action now, not just for the sake of performing it, but specifically so its effect continues or is available when needed later. This pattern allows speakers to communicate a proactive approach to tasks, whether it's setting things up in advance or ensuring a current state persists.
While often introduced with 놓다 (to put, to place), this pattern also frequently uses 두다 (to put, to leave, to store), which conveys a very similar meaning. Both verbs act as auxiliary verbs here, attaching to the 아/어 form of an action verb. They transform the meaning to signify the active preservation of the action's result.
Understanding V-아/어 놓다 is crucial at the B1 level, as it unlocks more nuanced and native-like expressions concerning planning, readiness, and ongoing conditions.
How This Grammar Works
아/어 form combines with an auxiliary verb (놓다 or 두다). The main action verb describes the initial action, and the auxiliary 놓다/두다 then conveys the speaker's intention to maintain the resultant state of that action. It's not just about completing an action, but about the enduring effect of that completion.문을 닫았어요 (Mun-eul dad-ass-eoyo – I closed the door) and 문을 닫아 놓았어요 (Mun-eul dad-a noh-ass-eoyo – I closed the door and left it closed). The latter explicitly states that the door remains closed, implying a purpose or a sustained condition. This makes the pattern inherently resultative.- 1Preparation (미리 준비): This is when an action is completed in advance to ensure convenience, readiness, or to prevent future problems. The result of the action is kept on standby. For example,
저녁 식사를 미리 만들어 놓았어요(Jeonyeok siksareul miri mandeureo noh-ass-eoyo – I made dinner in advance [so it's ready]). The act of making dinner is done, and its state (being made) is maintained for later consumption.
- 1Maintenance/Preservation (상태 유지): This describes an action performed to set a particular condition, which is then intentionally sustained. The emphasis is on leaving something as it is after the initial action. For instance,
창문을 열어 두세요(Changmun-eul yeor-eo duse-yo – Please open the window and leave it open). Here, the action of opening the window is followed by the instruction to maintain that open state.
놓다 and 두다 is often interchangeable, especially in casual conversation. However, a subtle distinction exists: 놓다 generally implies placing or setting something aside for immediate or short-term use, or simply leaving it. 두다, on the other hand, can suggest a slightly stronger sense of storing, keeping, or preserving something for a longer duration or with more deliberate care.책상 위에 책을 놓아 놓았어요 (Chaeksang wie chaegeul noh-a noh-ass-eoyo – I placed the book on the desk [and left it there]) emphasizes simple placement, whereas 중요한 서류는 서랍에 넣어 두세요 (Jung-yohan seoryuneun seorabe neo-eo duse-yo – Please put the important documents in the drawer [and keep them there]) suggests safekeeping.Formation Pattern
아/어 form, and then attaching either 놓다 or 두다. The resulting compound verb then conjugates for tense, politeness level, and mood as a single unit.
아/어 form of the verb stem.
ㅏ or ㅗ, add 아.
ㅓ, ㅜ, ㅡ, ㅣ), add 어.
하다, it changes to 해.
놓다 or 두다 to the 아/어 form.
놓다/두다 for desired tense and politeness level.
아/어 Form Rule | Example Verb (Stem) | 아/어 Form | + 놓다/두다 | Formal Present (-습니다) | Casual Present (-아/어) | Casual Past (-았/었어) | Informal Spoken Contraction |
ㅏ or ㅗ | Add -아 | 사다 (to buy) 사- | 사 (사아 → 사) | 사 놓다 / 사 두다 | 사 놓습니다 / 사 둡니다 | 사 놓아 / 사 둬 | 사 놓았어 / 사 뒀어 | 사 놔 / 사 놔 |
받다 (to receive) 받- | 받아 | 받아 놓다 / 받아 두다 | 받아 놓습니다 / 받아 둡니다 | 받아 놓아 / 받아 둬 | 받아 놓았어 / 받아 뒀어 | 받아 놔 / 받아 놔 |
-어 | 먹다 (to eat) 먹- | 먹어 | 먹어 놓다 / 먹어 두다 | 먹어 놓습니다 / 먹어 둡니다 | 먹어 놓아 / 먹어 둬 | 먹어 놓았어 / 먹어 뒀어 | 먹어 놔 / 먹어 놔 |
열다 (to open) 열- | 열어 | 열어 놓다 / 열어 두다 | 열어 놓습니다 / 열어 둡니다 | 열어 놓아 / 열어 둬 | 열어 놓았어 / 열어 뒀어 | 열어 놔 / 열어 놔 |
만들다 (to make) 만들- | 만들어 | 만들어 놓다 / 만들어 두다 | 만들어 놓습니다 / 만들어 둡니다 | 만들어 놓아 / 만들어 둬 | 만들어 놓았어 / 만들어 뒀어 | 만들어 놔 / 만들어 놔 |
하다 Verbs | Change 하다 to 해 | 준비하다 (to prepare) 준비- | 준비해 | 준비해 놓다 / 준비해 두다 | 준비해 놓습니다 / 준비해 둡니다 | 준비해 놓아 / 준비해 둬 | 준비해 놓았어 / 준비해 뒀어 | 준비해 놔 / 준비해 놔 |
청소하다 (to clean) 청소- | 청소해 | 청소해 놓다 / 청소해 두다 | 청소해 놓습니다 / 청소해 둡니다 | 청소해 놓아 / 청소해 둬 | 청소해 놓았어 / 청소해 뒀어 | 청소해 놔 / 청소해 놔 |
아/어 conjugation rules before 놓다/두다 is attached.
ㄷ Irregular: 듣다 (to listen) → 들어 놓다
ㅂ Irregular: 굽다 (to bake) → 구워 놓다
르 Irregular: 고르다 (to choose) → 골라 놓다
놓아 frequently contracts to 놔 (nwa). This is highly common and reflects natural spoken Korean. For example, 해 놓았어 (hae noh-ass-eo) becomes 해 놨어 (hae nwass-eo), and 사 놓을게 (sa noh-eul-ge) becomes 사 놓을게 (sa nwass-eul-ge) or even 사 놀게 (sa nol-ge) in very fast speech, though 사 놓을게 is more standard. This contraction does not apply to 두다.
When To Use It
- 1To Indicate Preparation or Setting Things Up in Advance (미리 준비)
회의 자료를 미리 뽑아 놓았어요.(Hoeui jaryoreul miri ppob-a noh-ass-eoyo.)
여행 가기 전에 항공권을 예매해 두세요.(Yeohaeng gagi jeone hanggonggwoneul yemaehae duse-yo.)
김치를 많이 담가 놓으면 겨울에 편해요.(Kimchireul mani damga noh-eumyeon gyeoure pyeonhaeyo.)
- 1To Express Maintaining a State or Condition (상태 유지)
문은 잠가 놓으세요.(Muneun jamga noh-euse-yo.)
음식은 냉장고에 넣어 두세요.(Eumsigeun naengjanggo-e neo-eo duse-yo.)
창문을 살짝 열어 놓을까요?(Changmuneul saljjak yeor-eo noh-eulkkayo?)
- 1To Describe an Action Done for Its Lasting Effect (결과 유지)
숙제를 다 해 놓아서 마음이 편해요.(Sukjereul da hae noh-aseo ma-eumi pyeonhaeyo.)
그림을 벽에 걸어 놓으니까 방 분위기가 달라졌어요.(Geurimeul byeoge geor-eo noh-eunikka bang bunwigiga dallajyeoss-eoyo.)
- 1With
두다for Keeping/Saving (보관/저장)
두다 often carries a stronger connotation of storing or keeping something safe for a prolonged period.비상금은 은행에 넣어 둬야 해요.(Bisangeumeun eunhaeng-e neo-eo dwoya haeyo.)
옛날 편지를 상자에 모아 두었어요.(Yetnal pyeonjireul sangja-e mo-a du-eoss-eoyo.)
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusion with
-고 있다(Ongoing Action vs. Resultative State)
-고 있다 describes an action that is currently in progress. V-아/어 놓다, however, describes a completed action whose resultant state is being maintained. The difference lies in the temporal focus.문을 열고 있어요.(Muneul yeol-go iss-eoyo.)
문을 열어 놓았어요.(Muneul yeor-eo noh-ass-eoyo.)
쓰고 있다 (sseu-go iss-da) meansConjugation Table
| Verb Type | Example | Base | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ㅏ/ㅗ
|
사다
|
사
|
사 놓다
|
|
Other
|
먹다
|
먹어
|
먹어 놓다
|
|
하다
|
준비하다
|
준비해
|
준비해 놓다
|
Contractions
| Full Form | Contracted Form |
|---|---|
|
해 놓다
|
해 놨다
|
|
먹어 놓다
|
먹어 놨다
|
Meanings
This pattern indicates that an action has been completed in preparation for a future situation, and the resulting state is maintained.
Preparation
Completing an action to be ready for a future need.
“숙제를 미리 해 놓았어요.”
“방을 깨끗하게 치워 놓으세요.”
Maintaining State
Leaving something in a specific state after an action.
“문을 열어 놓으세요.”
“불을 켜 놓았어요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
V-아/어 놓다
|
준비해 놓았어요
|
|
Negative
|
V-아/어 놓지 않다
|
준비해 놓지 않았어요
|
|
Question
|
V-아/어 놓았어요?
|
준비해 놓았어요?
|
|
Imperative
|
V-아/어 놓으세요
|
준비해 놓으세요
|
|
Past
|
V-아/어 놓았다
|
준비해 놓았다
|
|
Future
|
V-아/어 놓을 것이다
|
준비해 놓을 거예요
|
Formality Spectrum
음식을 준비해 놓았습니다. (Cooking)
음식을 준비해 놓았어요. (Cooking)
음식 준비해 놨어. (Cooking)
음식 다 해 놨지. (Cooking)
The Logic of Preparation
Intent
- 미리 in advance
State
- 유지 maintenance
Examples by Level
숙제를 해 놓았어요.
I did my homework in advance.
밥을 먹어 놓았어요.
I ate in advance.
문을 열어 놓았어요.
I left the door open.
가방을 싸 놓았어요.
I packed my bag in advance.
내일 입을 옷을 준비해 놓았어요.
I prepared the clothes I will wear tomorrow.
창문을 닫아 놓으세요.
Please leave the window closed.
친구를 위해 자리를 맡아 놓았어요.
I saved a seat for my friend.
연락처를 적어 놓았어요.
I wrote down the contact info.
회의 자료를 미리 출력해 놓았습니다.
I printed the meeting materials in advance.
냉장고에 물을 채워 놓았어요.
I filled the fridge with water.
비밀번호를 바꿔 놓는 게 좋겠어요.
It would be good to change the password in advance.
예약을 해 놓지 않으면 자리가 없어요.
If you don't make a reservation, there won't be a seat.
모든 가능성을 열어 놓아야 합니다.
We must keep all possibilities open.
그는 이미 마음을 정해 놓은 상태였다.
He had already made up his mind.
문제를 해결해 놓지 않으면 큰일이 납니다.
If you don't resolve the problem in advance, it will be a big deal.
그는 항상 서류를 정리해 놓는 습관이 있다.
He always has the habit of keeping documents organized.
그녀는 화를 삭여 놓은 듯 보였다.
She seemed to have calmed her anger.
역사적 사실을 기록해 놓는 것은 중요하다.
It is important to record historical facts.
그는 모든 변수를 고려해 놓았다고 주장했다.
He claimed to have considered all variables.
우리는 미래를 위해 기반을 닦아 놓아야 한다.
We must lay the foundation for the future.
그는 만약의 사태를 대비해 놓은 것이었다.
He had prepared for the contingency.
법적 근거를 명시해 놓음으로써 논란을 잠재웠다.
By specifying the legal basis, the controversy was quelled.
그의 치밀함은 모든 것을 계획해 놓은 데서 드러났다.
His meticulousness was revealed in having planned everything.
그는 자신의 자리를 비워 놓은 채 떠났다.
He left, leaving his seat empty.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'do in advance'.
Both use auxiliary verbs.
Both describe states.
Common Mistakes
숙제를 했다 놓았어요.
숙제를 해 놓았어요.
먹어 두었어요.
먹어 놓았어요.
가 놓았어요.
가 버렸어요.
공부해 놓았어요.
공부해 놓았어요.
문을 열어 두세요.
문을 열어 놓으세요.
도착해 놓았어요.
도착했어요.
준비해 두었어요.
준비해 놓았어요.
그것을 말해 놓았어요.
그것을 말해 두었어요.
자리를 예약해 두었어요.
자리를 예약해 놓았어요.
창문을 닫아 두세요.
창문을 닫아 놓으세요.
그는 모든 것을 정리해 두었다.
그는 모든 것을 정리해 놓았다.
기록해 두는 것이 중요하다.
기록해 놓는 것이 중요하다.
마음을 정해 두었다.
마음을 정해 놓았다.
Sentence Patterns
___을/를 미리 ___해 놓았어요.
___을/를 ___아/어 놓으세요.
___을/를 ___해 놓지 않으면 안 돼요.
___을/를 ___아/어 놓은 상태예요.
Real World Usage
나 다 준비해 놨어!
모든 자료를 정리해 놓았습니다.
호텔을 예약해 놓았어요.
음식을 문 앞에 놓아 주세요.
여행 계획 다 짜 놨다!
참고 문헌을 기록해 놓았습니다.
Vowel Harmony
Don't over-use
Contractions
Politeness
Smart Tips
Always use '미리' (in advance) with this grammar for clarity.
Use the contraction '놨다' instead of '놓았다'.
Use the polite imperative form '놓으세요'.
Use the formal ending '놓았습니다'.
Pronunciation
Contraction
In speech, '놓았다' often becomes '놨다'.
Statement
준비해 놓았어요↗
Confirming preparation.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '놓다' as 'placing' a finished task on a shelf to use later.
Visual Association
Imagine a chef chopping vegetables and placing them in bowls ready for the stove. That is the essence of -아/어 놓다.
Rhyme
Do it now, keep it so, -아/어 놓다, ready to go!
Story
Min-su wanted to surprise his friend. He cleaned the house (치워 놓았다), bought flowers (사 놓았다), and cooked dinner (만들어 놓았다). When his friend arrived, everything was perfect because he had done it all in advance.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down 3 things you have already prepared for today.
Cultural Notes
Preparing documents in advance is highly valued.
Hosts often 'prepare' everything before guests arrive.
Students are expected to 'prepare' (예습) lessons.
Derived from the verb '놓다' (to place).
Conversation Starters
내일 여행을 위해 무엇을 준비해 놓았어요?
오늘 저녁에 먹을 음식을 만들어 놓았나요?
회의를 위해 자료를 출력해 놓았어요?
집에 갈 때 문을 잠가 놓았어요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
숙제를 미리 ___.
창문을 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
나는 음식을 만들었다 놓았어요.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I saved a seat for you.
Answer starts with: 자리를...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
적다 -> ?
A: 표 샀어? B: 응, ___.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises숙제를 미리 ___.
창문을 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
나는 음식을 만들었다 놓았어요.
준비해 / 놓았어요 / 옷을 / 내일 / 입을
I saved a seat for you.
사다 -> ?
적다 -> ?
A: 표 샀어? B: 응, ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises집에 들어가기 전에 에어컨을 ___.
Why would someone say '돈을 저금해 뒀어요' instead of '저금해 놨어요'?
Match the base verb to the conjugated form.
표를 / 미리 / 놓았어요 / 예매해
문을 열어 놨어요.
가방을 미리 싸 있어.
회의 자료를 ___.
Select the best sentence.
Match the spoken form to the written form.
과일을 미리 ___.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
They are very similar, but '놓다' focuses on placement and '두다' on retention.
No, only with verbs that have a lasting result.
Use -아/어 놓지 않다.
It can be used in all registers.
Because '하다' verbs use '해' in the -아/어 form.
Yes, e.g., '준비해 놓을 거예요'.
Yes, it is extremely common.
You will sound unnatural, so practice the rules!
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Tener + participio
Spanish uses a verb + participle; Korean uses a verb + auxiliary.
Avoir + fait
French is temporal; Korean is aspectual.
Vorbereiten
German is a single word; Korean is a two-part construction.
～ておく
The usage is nearly identical.
把...做好了
Chinese uses word order; Korean uses verb conjugation.
قمت بـ...
Arabic is periphrastic; Korean is morphological.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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