Meaning
To provide water to plants for their growth and survival.
Cultural Background
The 'Sik-jip-sa' (Plant Butler) trend reflects the loneliness of urban life and the desire for small-scale nurturing. Arbor Day (April 5th) is a significant day where the government and schools organize tree-planting and watering events. Many Korean offices have 'Air Purifying Plants' to combat fine dust, and watering them is often a shared responsibility. Healthy, well-watered plants near the entrance are believed to bring 'Bok' (luck) into the house.
Check the soil
Always say '흙을 만져보고' (touch the soil) before saying you will water the plants.
Avoid '에게'
Remember, plants aren't people in Korean grammar. Use '에'!
Meaning
To provide water to plants for their growth and survival.
Check the soil
Always say '흙을 만져보고' (touch the soil) before saying you will water the plants.
Avoid '에게'
Remember, plants aren't people in Korean grammar. Use '에'!
The 'Butler' term
Using the word '식집사' (Sik-jip-sa) will make you sound very native and up-to-date with trends.
Honorifics
If watering for an elder, use '물을 드렸어요' to show respect to the elder.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct particle.
식물___ 물을 줘요.
We use '에' to indicate the recipient (the plant) of the water.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I forgot to water the plants'?
식물에 물을 주는 것을...
'깜빡하다' is the common verb for forgetting a task.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 여행 잘 다녀와! 식물은 걱정 마. B: 고마워. 이틀에 한 번씩만 ______.
The context is asking someone to water plants while away.
Match the phrase to the situation: '식물에 물을 듬뿍 주다'
When would you say this?
'듬뿍' means generously/plenty, suitable for thirsty plants.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises식물___ 물을 줘요.
We use '에' to indicate the recipient (the plant) of the water.
식물에 물을 주는 것을...
'깜빡하다' is the common verb for forgetting a task.
A: 여행 잘 다녀와! 식물은 걱정 마. B: 고마워. 이틀에 한 번씩만 ______.
The context is asking someone to water plants while away.
When would you say this?
'듬뿍' means generously/plenty, suitable for thirsty plants.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's rare. '먹이다' means 'to feed'. It's sometimes used for animals, but for plants, '주다' is much more natural.
No, you can use '화분' (flowerpot) or '나무' (tree) or '꽃' (flower) depending on what you are watering.
Because the plant is the destination/recipient of the water, not the thing being given. The water (물) is the thing being given (를).
You can say '물을 너무 많이 주다' or '과습' ({過濕|과습} - over-moisture).
Yes, for office maintenance or as a metaphor for investing in a company's growth.
There isn't a single word, but '물을 안 주다' (not giving water) or '말려 죽이다' (to let dry and die) are used.
Yes, if you are using a spray bottle or a hose to sprinkle water.
Yes, it's the standard collocation. Other verbs sound technical or unnatural.
물을 얼마나 자주 줘야 해요? (Mul-eul ol-ma-na ja-ju jwo-ya hae-yo?)
Yes, '식물' is the general category for all flora.
Related Phrases
{분무|噴霧}하다
specialized formTo mist/spray
{거름|fertilizer}을 주다
similarTo fertilize
{분갈이|repotting}하다
builds onTo repot
{시들다|wither}
contrastTo wither
