Meaning
To move a door from an open to a closed position.
Cultural Background
In Korean apartments, slamming the door is a major cause of '층간소음' (inter-floor noise) disputes. Closing doors gently is considered essential etiquette. When a shop 'closes its doors' for the day, they often turn off the main sign (간판) first. If the sign is off, even if the door is unlocked, the business has 'closed its door' (문 닫았다). Traditional Hanok doors are made of paper (Hanji). You cannot 'slam' them, or they might tear. This led to a long-standing cultural habit of sliding doors shut carefully. Some older Koreans believe that if you leave the door open while sleeping, your 'energy' (Gi) will escape. Thus, they always ensure the door is closed before bed.
The '을' Drop
In fast speech, just say '문 닫아' (Mun dad-a). It sounds much more natural than '문을 닫아'.
Don't Slam!
In Korea, slamming a door is seen as a sign of extreme anger. Always close it gently unless you want to start a fight!
Meaning
To move a door from an open to a closed position.
The '을' Drop
In fast speech, just say '문 닫아' (Mun dad-a). It sounds much more natural than '문을 닫아'.
Don't Slam!
In Korea, slamming a door is seen as a sign of extreme anger. Always close it gently unless you want to start a fight!
Business Hours
If you see a sign saying '영업 종료', it means the shop has 'closed its doors' for the day.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct object marker and verb form.
너무 추워요. {門|문}___ ____세요. (Please close the door.)
'문' ends in a consonant, so it takes '을'. '닫으세요' is the polite request form.
Which sentence is WRONG?
다음 중 틀린 문장은 무엇입니까?
You cannot use '닫다' for eyes. You must use '감다'.
Match the situation to the correct Korean sentence.
Situation: A restaurant has gone out of business permanently.
'문을 닫다' is the standard idiom for a business closing permanently.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 백화점이 몇 시에 ____? B: 저녁 8시에 닫아요.
The answer uses '닫아요' (closes), so the question should ask 'What time does it close?'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Closing Different Things
Practice Bank
4 exercises너무 추워요. {門|문}___ ____세요. (Please close the door.)
'문' ends in a consonant, so it takes '을'. '닫으세요' is the polite request form.
다음 중 틀린 문장은 무엇입니까?
You cannot use '닫다' for eyes. You must use '감다'.
Situation: A restaurant has gone out of business permanently.
'문을 닫다' is the standard idiom for a business closing permanently.
A: 백화점이 몇 시에 ____? B: 저녁 8시에 닫아요.
The answer uses '닫아요' (closes), so the question should ask 'What time does it close?'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, for a laptop, use '노트북을 덮다' (deop-da).
The phrase itself is neutral. Politeness depends on the verb ending (e.g., 닫으세요 vs 닫아).
Use the passive form: '문이 닫혀 있어요'.
It can. Context tells you if it's just for the night or forever.
The opposite is '문을 열다' (to open the door).
Yes! '창문을 닫다' is very common.
It's a joke meaning your zipper is down. You should 'close' it!
Yes, '폐업' (pye-eop) is the formal noun.
Usually no. Use '회의를 마치다' (finish the meeting).
Say '문이 저절로 닫혔어요'.
Related Phrases
{門|문}을 열다
contrastTo open the door / To start a business
{門|문}이 닫히다
specialized formThe door is closed (passive)
폐업하다
synonymTo go out of business (formal)
마음의 {門|문}을 닫다
builds onTo close the door to one's heart
입을 닫다
similarTo shut one's mouth / stop talking
