Meaning
To activate a light source.
Cultural Background
In Korean apartments, the 'master switch' near the front door often allows you to 'turn off all lights' (일괄소등) at once, but '불을 켜다' is still the phrase used for individual rooms. Historically, lighting the 'fire' in the kitchen (아궁이) was the most important morning task, linking 'fire' to the survival of the family. The 'last person to leave turns off the lights' is a strict social rule in Korean offices to show responsibility. Lotus lanterns are lit during Buddha's Birthday. This act of 'lighting' is called '점등' but colloquially people say '연등에 불을 켜다'.
Drop the marker
In casual conversation, just say '불 켜' (Bul kyeo). It sounds much more natural than using the full '불을 켜다'.
TVs and Computers
Remember that '켜다' is also the verb for turning on your phone, TV, and laptop. It's a multi-purpose tech verb!
Meaning
To activate a light source.
Drop the marker
In casual conversation, just say '불 켜' (Bul kyeo). It sounds much more natural than using the full '불을 켜다'.
TVs and Computers
Remember that '켜다' is also the verb for turning on your phone, TV, and laptop. It's a multi-purpose tech verb!
Politeness
When asking someone to turn on the light, always add '좀' (jom - a little/please) to sound softer: '불 좀 켜 주세요'.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence: '방이 어두워요. 불을 _______.'
방이 어두워요. 불을 _______.
'켜요' is the correct verb for lights. '열어요' is for doors, '틀어요' is for water, and '걸어요' is for calls or walking.
Fill in the blank with the past tense of '켜다'.
어제 너무 어두워서 불을 ______.
The past tense of '켜다' is '켰어요' (polite) or '켰습니다' (formal).
Complete the dialogue.
A: 책을 읽고 싶어요. B: 그럼, _________.
If someone wants to read a book, you suggest they turn on the light.
Match the object with the correct verb.
1. 불 (Light), 2. 문 (Door), 3. 물 (Water)
Lights are '켜다', doors are '열다', and water is '틀다'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
What can you '켜다'?
Light Sources
- • 불 (Light)
- • 전등 (Lamp)
- • 양초 (Candle)
Electronics
- • TV
- • 컴퓨터 (Computer)
- • 핸드폰 (Phone)
켜다 vs 끄다
Practice Bank
4 exercises방이 어두워요. 불을 _______.
'켜요' is the correct verb for lights. '열어요' is for doors, '틀어요' is for water, and '걸어요' is for calls or walking.
어제 너무 어두워서 불을 ______.
The past tense of '켜다' is '켰어요' (polite) or '켰습니다' (formal).
A: 책을 읽고 싶어요. B: 그럼, _________.
If someone wants to read a book, you suggest they turn on the light.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Lights are '켜다', doors are '열다', and water is '틀다'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsNo, for a car engine, use '시동을 걸다'. '켜다' is for the car lights only.
In this context, it almost always means 'light'. If you mean a dangerous fire, you say '불이 나다' (a fire broke out).
The opposite is '끄다' (kkeuda).
Yes, you can say 'switch-eul kyeoda', but 'bul-eul kyeoda' is more common.
You say '불이 이미 켜져 있어요'.
Yes, it can mean to play a violin or to stretch one's body (기지개를 켜다).
It is '켜요'. The '어' is absorbed into the 'ㅕ'.
Yes, '손전등 불을 켜다' is perfect.
You can say '가스불을 켜다', but '불을 붙이다' is also common.
The verb itself is neutral. The formality comes from the ending (켭니다 vs 켜요 vs 켜).
It's a historical carryover from when all light came from fire (candles/lamps).
Yes, '라디오를 켜다' is correct, though '틀다' is also used.
누가 불 켰어요?
Not really, but '불 켜!' is the most blunt/casual way to say it.
Related Phrases
불을 끄다
contrastTo turn off the light
불이 들어오다
similarThe light comes on
전원을 켜다
specialized formTo turn on the power
촛불을 밝히다
builds onTo light a candle
눈에 불을 켜다
figurativeTo be wide-eyed with focus/anger
