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Vocabulary
해답하다

A2 verb 6 min read

해답하다

haedap hada

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 해답하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 해답하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '해답하다' might be a bit challenging because it is a formal word. However, you can think of it as a special kind of 'answer' (대답). Imagine you are in a math class. When you find the right number for '2 + 2', that is a '해답' (solution). While you would usually use the simpler word '풀다' (to solve) at this level, knowing '해답하다' helps you understand that some answers require thinking. It is like 'solving a puzzle.' You won't use it to answer your friend's 'Hello,' but you might see it in a workbook. Think of it as: 'Problem' + 'Answer' = '해답하다'. It is a big word for a big solution!

At the A2 level, you start to see the difference between a simple 'yes/no' answer and a 'solution.' '해답하다' is used when you provide the answer to a specific problem or a question in a test. For example, '이 문제를 해답하세요' means 'Please solve/answer this problem.' You should use this word when you want to sound more serious about finding a correct answer. It is common in school settings or when talking about a difficult situation that needs a clear explanation. You are moving beyond basic greetings and starting to talk about tasks and logic, and '해답하다' is a key tool for that transition.

At the B1 level, you can use '해답하다' to talk about social issues or more complex personal problems. You might say, '어떻게 하면 행복해질 수 있는지에 대해 해답하고 싶어요' (I want to provide an answer/solution to how one can become happy). This word suggests that you are looking for a logical or meaningful response, not just a quick reaction. You will encounter this word in news articles or intermediate reading materials. It's often used when discussing 'the key' to a problem. At this level, you should practice using it with the particle '~에 대해' to discuss topics you are analyzing or solving.

At the B2 level, '해답하다' is an essential part of your academic and professional vocabulary. You should use it to describe the process of research or the objective of a project. For instance, '본 연구는 기후 위기에 해답하기 위해 시작되었습니다' (This research was started to provide a solution to the climate crisis). It carries a nuance of 'providing a definitive answer' based on evidence or logic. You will also see it used in debates where one side tries to 'answer' the challenges posed by the other. It's a high-frequency word in non-fiction books and professional presentations where clarity and resolution are the goals.

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the philosophical and rhetorical weight of '해답하다'. It is often used in literature and high-level discourse to discuss the 'unanswerable' questions of life. Philosophers '해답하다' the nature of reality, and novelists '해답하다' the complexities of the human heart through their stories. You will notice it in complex grammatical structures, such as '해답하고자 하는 의지' (the will to provide a solution). At this level, you are expected to distinguish it perfectly from '해결하다' (to resolve) and '답변하다' (to reply), using '해답하다' specifically when the focus is on the intellectual discovery of the answer itself.

At the C2 level, '해답하다' is used with absolute precision in specialized fields like law, advanced mathematics, and theology. You might use it to describe a legal precedent that 'answers' a constitutional ambiguity or a mathematical proof that 'answers' a century-old conjecture. The word represents the pinnacle of intellectual achievement—the finality of a long-sought truth. You will understand its usage in the most formal registers, including academic journals and state-level addresses. At this level, you might even encounter it in its more archaic or poetic contexts, where '해답' is the light that disperses the darkness of ignorance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

해답하다 in 30 Seconds

해답하다 means to provide a solution or a logical answer to a problem.
It is a formal word used in academic, news, and professional contexts.
It differs from 대답하다 (simple response) and 해결하다 (fixing the situation).
Commonly paired with '문제' (problem) or '질문' (question).

The Korean verb 해답하다 (haedaphada) is a sophisticated term that translates to 'providing a solution' or 'answering a problem.' Unlike the more common 대답하다, which refers to simply responding when spoken to, 해답하다 carries a heavier intellectual weight. It implies the process of decoding a difficulty, unraveling a mystery, or calculating the correct result for a complex mathematical or logical challenge. When you use this word, you are not just speaking; you are offering the key to a lock. It is derived from the Hanja 解答 (Hae: to loosen/untie, Dap: to answer), literally meaning to untie the knot of a question.

Academic Context: In schools and universities, this verb is used when teachers explain how to arrive at a solution. It is the action of demonstrating the logic behind an answer.
Problem Solving: In business or engineering, it refers to the systematic approach of addressing a specific technical hurdle or obstacle.

People use 해답하다 in situations where accuracy and logic are paramount. You will hear it in documentaries, news reports discussing social issues, and high-level educational settings. It is rarely used in casual conversation about what someone wants for dinner; instead, it is used when discussing the 'answer' to life's big questions or the 'solution' to a national crisis. Using this word correctly marks you as a speaker who understands the difference between a simple response and a calculated resolution.

그 수학자는 수십 년 동안 풀리지 않았던 난제를 드디어 해답하다.

인공지능은 복잡한 데이터 분석을 통해 기후 변화 문제에 해답하다.

Nuance Comparison: While '해결하다' means to resolve a situation, '해답하다' focuses on the communicative act of providing the specific answer or logic behind that resolution.

철학자는 존재의 의미에 대해 깊이 고민하고 해답하다.

이 책은 현대 사회의 불평등에 어떻게 해답할까?

전문가들은 경제 위기에 대해 명확하게 해답하기를 꺼려한다.

To use 해답하다 effectively, you must understand its grammatical placement. As a verb ending in '하다', it follows standard conjugation rules, but its usage is often paired with specific particles. Usually, the problem being solved is marked with the object particle ~을/를, or the question being addressed is marked with ~에 대해 (about). Because it is a formal word, you will most often see it conjugated in the ~ㅂ니다/습니다 (deferential) or ~아요/어요 (polite) styles, or even in its written form ~ㄴ다.

Direct Object Usage: When the 'solution' is the focus: '문제를 해답하다' (To solve/answer the problem).
Indirect Topic Usage: When addressing a topic: '질문에 대해 해답하다' (To provide an answer regarding the question).

In a sentence, it functions to show the transition from confusion to clarity. It is often preceded by adverbs like 명확하게 (clearly), 논리적으로 (logically), or 정확하게 (accurately). These adverbs emphasize the quality of the solution being provided. If you are writing an essay or a report, 해답하다 is the perfect choice to describe your findings or your response to a hypothesis.

그는 자신의 논문에서 환경 오염의 원인에 대해 해답했습니다.

이 공식은 모든 기하학적 난제에 해답할 수 있는 열쇠입니다.

Furthermore, 해답하다 can be used in the passive-leaning sense when used as 해답되다 (to be solved/answered), though 해답하다 is the active form where a person or a tool (like a computer or a book) provides the answer. It is a very versatile word in the realm of logic and reasoning.

While you might not hear 해답하다 in a busy fish market or a casual K-drama high school scene, it is omnipresent in specific high-stakes environments. One of the most common places is the **Korean News**. News anchors and experts frequently use it when discussing how the government plans to 'solve' or 'answer' economic downturns or demographic shifts. It conveys a sense of authority and finality that simpler words lack.

TV Debates: Politicians often say, '우리는 이 문제에 해답해야 합니다' (We must provide a solution to this problem) during televised debates.
Educational Videos: On platforms like EBS (Educational Broadcasting System), teachers use it to explain the steps of a solution: '이 과정을 통해 정답에 해답해 봅시다' (Let's solve for the correct answer through this process).

Another place you will encounter this word is in **Self-Help Books** and **Philosophical Literature**. Titles often pose questions about happiness or success, and the text promises to 해답하다 those questions. In this context, it feels like a promise of wisdom. In the tech world, during product launches, a CEO might claim their new software will 해답하다 the inefficiencies of modern workflows.

인생의 고난에 어떻게 해답할지 배우는 것이 중요합니다.

정부는 청년 실업 문제에 대해 명확하게 해답하지 못하고 있습니다.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 해답하다 is confusing it with 대답하다 (daedaphada). While they look similar because they share the root '답' (answer), their usage is mutually exclusive in many contexts. If a friend asks 'Are you hungry?', you must use 대답하다. If you use 해답하다, it sounds like you are treating 'hunger' as a complex mathematical proof that you have just solved. It sounds incredibly strange and overly dramatic in a casual setting.

Mistake 1: Casual Interaction: Using '해답해 줘' to mean 'Answer me' when someone calls your name. Correct: '대답해 줘'.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 해결하다: '해결하다' is the act of fixing the problem. '해답하다' is the act of explaining the answer. If you fixed a leaky pipe, you '해결' it, you don't '해답' it.

Another mistake is the over-reliance on the verb form. In natural Korean, people often use the noun 해답을 찾다 (to find the answer/solution) or 해답을 내놓다 (to put forth a solution) rather than the verb 해답하다. While the verb is correct, using the noun phrase often sounds more idiomatic. Finally, remember that 해답하다 is almost always for 'problems' (문제), not for 'people'. You don't '해답' a person; you '해답' a question or a riddle.

Incorrect: 선생님께 해답하세요. (Answer the teacher.)
Correct: 선생님의 질문에 해답하세요. (Solve/Answer the teacher's question.)

To truly master 해답하다, you should know its neighbors in the Korean vocabulary landscape. Depending on the level of formality and the nature of the 'answer,' you might choose a different word. Understanding these subtle differences will make your Korean sound much more natural and precise.

대답하다 (Daedaphada): To answer/respond. Used for verbal communication between people. Very common and general.
답변하다 (Dapbyeonhada): To reply/respond formally. Used in official settings, interviews, or when a spokesperson gives a statement.
풀다 (Pulda): The native Korean word for 'to solve' or 'to untie.' It is much more common in daily speech than '해답하다'. For example, '수학 문제를 풀다'.
해결하다 (Haegyeolhada): To resolve a problem or conflict. This focuses on the outcome (the problem is gone) rather than the explanation of the answer.

If you are in a classroom, use 풀다 for your homework. If you are a scientist presenting a breakthrough, use 해답하다. If your mom asks where you were, use 대답하다. If you are a politician at a press conference, use 답변하다. This hierarchy of 'answering' words is a key part of Korean social and professional logic.

우리는 함께 이 미스터리를 해답해 나갈 것입니다.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 解 (Hae) originally depicted a hand holding a knife and cutting a cow's horns, symbolizing the act of taking something apart to understand its structure.

Pronunciation Guide

UK hɛ.dap.ha.da

US heɪ.dap.ha.da

The stress is relatively even, but a slight emphasis is often placed on the second syllable 'dap'.

Rhymes With

대답하다 (daedaphada) 응답하다 (eungdaphada) 면담하다 (myeondamhada) 상담하다 (sangdamhada) 전담하다 (jeondamhada) 결합하다 (gyeolhaphada) 복합하다 (bokhaphada) 적합하다 (jeokhaphada)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'Hae' as 'He' (like the English pronoun). It should be an open 'ae' sound.
Making the 'p' in 'dap' too aspirated. It should be a stopped 'p' sound.
Confusing the 'h' sound with a 'k' sound in fast speech.
Pronouncing 'da' like 'the'. It is a clear 'd' sound.
Failing to connect 'dap' and 'ha' smoothly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in texts, but requires knowing Hanja roots for full nuance.

Writing 4/5

Easy to conjugate, but hard to know when to use instead of '풀다'.

Speaking 4/5

Sounds very formal; using it in wrong context feels awkward.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with '대답하다' by beginners.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

문제 답 하다 질문 풀다

Learn Next

해결하다 답변하다 해명하다 분석하다 논리

Advanced

실마리 난제 정답지 추론하다 입증하다

Grammar to Know

하다 Verbs

해답 + 하다 = 해답하다

Honorific ~시~

해답하시다

Causative/Passive ~되다

해답되다

Intentional ~려고

해답하려고

Potential ~ㄹ 수 있다

해답할 수 있다

Examples by Level

이 수학 문제를 해답하세요.

Solve this math problem.

Simple command form (~세요).

그는 정답을 해답했다.

He answered the correct answer.

Past tense (~었다).

우리는 해답하고 싶어요.

We want to provide the answer.

Wanting to do something (~고 싶다).

해답은 책에 있어요.

The answer is in the book.

Noun form '해답' with existence verb.

문제를 잘 해답해 보세요.

Try to solve the problem well.

Trying an action (~어 보다).

누가 이 문제를 해답할까요?

Who will solve this problem?

Future conjecture (~ㄹ까요).

저는 해답하지 못했어요.

I couldn't solve it.

Negative ability (~지 못하다).

빨리 해답해 주세요.

Please solve it quickly.

Requesting an action (~어 주세요).

선생님이 어려운 질문에 해답하셨습니다.

The teacher provided an answer to a difficult question.

Honorific past tense (~셨습니다).

이 책은 우리 고민에 해답해 줍니다.

This book provides answers to our worries.

Benefactive form (~어 주다).

컴퓨터가 복잡한 계산을 해답합니다.

The computer solves complex calculations.

Present tense formal (~합니다).

우리는 문제를 해답하기 위해 모였습니다.

We gathered to solve the problem.

Purpose clause (~기 위해).

해답하기 어려운 숙제였어요.

It was a homework assignment that was hard to solve.

Adjective phrase modifying a noun.

그는 논리적으로 해답하려고 노력해요.

He tries to answer logically.

Attempting an action (~려고 노력하다).

지도를 보고 길을 해답했어요.

I solved the way by looking at the map.

Sequential action (~고).

이 앱은 당신의 궁금증을 해답할 것입니다.

This app will answer your curiosities.

Future tense (~ㄹ 것입니다).

정부는 경제 위기에 어떻게 해답할지 발표했습니다.

The government announced how they will solve the economic crisis.

Indirect question (~ㄹ지).

과학자들은 우주의 비밀에 대해 해답하고 있습니다.

Scientists are providing answers to the secrets of the universe.

Present progressive (~고 있다).

이 영화는 삶의 의미에 대해 해답하려고 합니다.

This movie tries to answer the meaning of life.

Intentional form (~려고 하다).

전문가의 도움 없이 문제를 해답하기는 어렵습니다.

It is difficult to solve the problem without an expert's help.

Gerund subject (~기는).

그녀는 자신의 경험을 바탕으로 질문에 해답했습니다.

She answered the question based on her own experience.

Based on (~을 바탕으로).

우리는 새로운 기술로 환경 문제에 해답해야 합니다.

We must solve environmental problems with new technology.

Obligation (~해야 하다).

누구나 쉽게 해답할 수 있는 문제는 아닙니다.

It is not a problem that anyone can easily solve.

Relative clause (~ㄹ 수 있는).

역사학자들은 과거의 미스터리에 해답하려고 애씁니다.

Historians struggle to answer the mysteries of the past.

Struggling to do (~려고 애쓰다).

작가는 소설을 통해 사회적 부조리에 해답하고자 했습니다.

The author intended to provide a solution to social injustice through the novel.

Formal intention (~하고자 하다).

이 논문은 기존 이론의 한계에 명확하게 해답하고 있습니다.

This paper clearly provides an answer to the limitations of existing theories.

Adverbial modification (명확하게).

인공지능이 인간의 창의성 문제에 해답할 수 있을까요?

Will AI be able to provide an answer to the problem of human creativity?

Possibility conjecture (~ㄹ 수 있을까요).

우리는 고객의 다양한 요구에 성실히 해답해야 할 책임이 있습니다.

We have a responsibility to sincerely answer the various demands of our customers.

Noun phrase '책임이 있다' (have a responsibility).

그 철학적 난제는 수 세기 동안 해답되지 않은 채 남아 있습니다.

That philosophical conundrum has remained unsolved for centuries.

Passive state (~되지 않은 채).

디지털 혁명은 교육 격차 문제에 해답할 수 있는 기회를 제공합니다.

The digital revolution provides an opportunity to solve the education gap problem.

Relative clause with '기회' (opportunity).

복잡한 수식을 사용하여 물리적 현상에 해답했습니다.

By using complex formulas, the physical phenomenon was solved/answered.

Instrumental particle (~을 사용하여).

경영진은 회사의 적자 원인을 분석하고 해답을 내놓았습니다.

The management analyzed the cause of the company's deficit and provided a solution.

Compound action with '내놓다'.

그의 연설은 국가적 위기 상황에서 국민들의 불안에 해답하는 역할을 했습니다.

His speech played the role of answering the citizens' anxieties during a national crisis.

Role-playing expression (~하는 역할을 하다).

현대 철학은 포스트모더니즘의 혼란에 어떻게 해답할 것인가를 고민합니다.

Modern philosophy ponders how to answer the confusion of postmodernism.

Nominalized object clause (~하는가를).

심리학은 인간 행동의 근원적 동기에 대해 해답하려는 학문적 시도를 지속해 왔습니다.

Psychology has continued academic attempts to answer the fundamental motivations of human behavior.

Present perfect progressive (~해 왔다).

이 정책이 과연 주택 부족 문제에 실질적으로 해답할 수 있을지는 미지수입니다.

Whether this policy can actually solve the housing shortage problem is unknown.

Uncertainty clause (~을지는 미지수이다).

예술은 때로 말로 표현할 수 없는 고통에 해답하는 유일한 수단이 되기도 합니다.

Art sometimes becomes the only means of answering a pain that cannot be expressed in words.

Inclusive particle (~기도 하다).

데이터 사이언스는 방대한 정보 속에서 유의미한 패턴을 찾아내어 시장의 흐름에 해답합니다.

Data science answers market trends by finding meaningful patterns within vast information.

Causal connection (~어/아).

고전 문학은 시대를 초월하여 인간 존재의 본질적인 질문에 해답하고 있습니다.

Classical literature answers the essential questions of human existence across eras.

Adverbial phrase '시대를 초월하여'.

그 수학적 증명은 논리적 빈틈 없이 완벽하게 해답되었다고 평가받습니다.

That mathematical proof is evaluated to have been perfectly solved without any logical gaps.

Passive evaluation (~되었다고 평가받다).

칸트의 정언 명령은 도덕적 딜레마에 해답하기 위한 이성적 토대를 마련했습니다.

Kant's categorical imperative established a rational foundation for answering moral dilemmas.

Academic foundation expression (~토대를 마련하다).

양자역학의 역설은 물리학자들이 우주의 근본 구조에 해답하는 방식을 근본적으로 바꾸어 놓았습니다.

The paradoxes of quantum mechanics fundamentally changed the way physicists answer the fundamental structure of the universe.

Resultative change (~어 놓다).

신학은 신의 존재와 고통의 문제 사이의 모순에 해답하고자 하는 치열한 지적 투쟁의 산물입니다.

Theology is the product of a fierce intellectual struggle to answer the contradiction between God's existence and the problem of suffering.

Complex noun modification.

해당 판결은 헌법적 가치와 개인의 자유가 충돌하는 지점에 명징하게 해답하였습니다.

The ruling clearly answered the point where constitutional values and individual freedom collide.

Formal adverb '명징하게' (clearly/lucidly).

기술적 특이점은 인류가 지금까지 직면했던 모든 문명적 과제에 해답할 수 있는 전환점이 될 것입니다.

The technological singularity will be a turning point that can answer all civilizational challenges humanity has faced so far.

Future potentiality (~이 될 것이다).

생태철학은 인간 중심주의의 한계를 극복하고 지구 전체의 공존에 해답하려는 시도입니다.

Ecophilosophy is an attempt to overcome the limits of anthropocentrism and answer the coexistence of the entire Earth.

Nominal predicate (~은 ~이다).

그 거대 서사는 역사의 소용돌이 속에서 부서진 개인의 삶에 어떻게 해답할 것인가를 웅변적으로 보여줍니다.

That grand narrative eloquently shows how it will answer the lives of individuals broken in the vortex of history.

Adverbial '웅변적으로' (eloquently).

초끈 이론은 만물의 이론으로서 우주의 모든 상호작용에 해답하려는 야심 찬 목표를 가지고 있습니다.

As a theory of everything, string theory has the ambitious goal of answering all interactions in the universe.

Apposition '로서' (as/in the capacity of).

Common Collocations

문제를 해답하다

질문에 해답하다

난제를 해답하다

명확하게 해답하다

논리적으로 해답하다

근본적으로 해답하다

실질적으로 해답하다

공식으로 해답하다

지혜롭게 해답하다

성실하게 해답하다

Common Phrases

해답을 찾다

— To look for a solution. This is a very common idiomatic alternative.

우리는 아직 해답을 찾고 있습니다.

해답을 내놓다

— To present or provide a solution formally.

정부가 새로운 해답을 내놓았습니다.

해답이 없다

— There is no solution or answer (often used for hopeless situations).

이 문제는 정말 해답이 없네요.

해답을 얻다

— To obtain or get a solution.

책을 통해 해답을 얻었습니다.

해답의 열쇠

— The key to the solution.

이 데이터가 해답의 열쇠입니다.

해답을 제시하다

— To suggest or propose a solution.

새로운 방향을 해답으로 제시했습니다.

해답을 구하다

— To seek or calculate a solution.

방정식의 해답을 구하세요.

해답을 명시하다

— To clearly state the solution.

보고서에 해답을 명시했습니다.

해답을 공유하다

— To share the solution with others.

친구와 해답을 공유했습니다.

해답을 확인하다

— To check or verify the solution.

정답지에서 해답을 확인하세요.

Often Confused With

해답하다 vs 대답하다

To answer a person or a call. (Casual/General)

해답하다 vs 해결하다

To fix or resolve a problem/situation. (Action-oriented)

해답하다 vs 답변하다

To reply formally in an official capacity. (Communication-oriented)

Idioms & Expressions

"해답이 안 나오다"

— To be unable to find a solution despite trying.

아무리 머리를 써도 해답이 안 나와요.

Informal

"정답 없는 인생"

— Life without a fixed answer (philosophical).

정답 없는 인생에 해답하려고 하지 마세요.

Literary

"실마리를 풀다"

— To unravel a clue (leading to a 해답).

드디어 사건의 실마리를 풀었습니다.

Neutral

"무릎을 탁 치다"

— To slap one's knee (realizing a sudden 해답).

해답을 듣고 무릎을 탁 쳤습니다.

Informal

"안갯속을 걷다"

— To walk in the fog (lacking a 해답).

해답을 모른 채 안갯속을 걷는 기분입니다.

Literary

"가려운 곳을 긁어주다"

— To scratch an itch (providing the perfect 해답).

그의 설명은 내 궁금증의 가려운 곳을 긁어주었다.

Neutral

"꽉 막히다"

— To be completely stuck (unable to 해답).

생각이 꽉 막혀서 해답할 수가 없어요.

Informal

"산 넘어 산"

— Mountain after mountain (one problem solved, another arises).

하나를 해답하니 산 넘어 산이네요.

Neutral

"단칼에 베다"

— To cut in one stroke (to 해답 a problem decisively).

그는 난제를 단칼에 해답했습니다.

Literary

"물음표를 느낌표로 바꾸다"

— To change a question mark into an exclamation mark (to find a 해답).

우리의 연구는 물음표를 느낌표로 바꾸는 과정입니다.

Rhetorical

Easily Confused

해답하다 vs 풀다

Both mean 'to solve'.

'풀다' is more common for homework/puzzles; '해답하다' is more formal/academic.

숙제를 풀다 vs. 난제를 해답하다.

해답하다 vs 응답하다

Both involve answering.

'응답하다' is for signals or surveys; '해답하다' is for problems.

전화에 응답하다 vs. 질문에 해답하다.

해답하다 vs 해석하다

Both involve understanding.

'해석하다' means to interpret/translate; '해답하다' means to provide the final answer.

문장을 해석하다 vs. 수식을 해답하다.

해답하다 vs 설명하다

Both explain things.

'설명하다' is to describe; '해답하다' is to give the specific solution.

그림을 설명하다 vs. 미스터리를 해답하다.

해답하다 vs 해명하다

Both provide answers.

'해명하다' is used to clear up suspicion or blame; '해답하다' is for logical inquiries.

스캔들을 해명하다 vs. 궁금증을 해답하다.

Sentence Patterns

N(문제)을/를 해답하다

수학 문제를 해답해요.

N(주제)에 대해 해답하다

환경 문제에 대해 해답해요.

V-기 위해 해답하다

성공하기 위해 문제를 해답해요.

N(상황)에 명확히 해답하다

경제 위기에 명확히 해답해요.

N(해답)을/를 내놓다

해답을 내놓으세요.

N(해답)이 없다

해답이 없는 질문이에요.

N(해답)을 찾으려고 노력하다

해답을 찾으려고 노력해요.

N(가치)에 해답하는 역할을 하다

정의에 해답하는 역할을 해요.

Word Family

Nouns

해답 (解答) The solution, the answer.

해답지 Answer key, solution sheet.

해답서 Solution book, manual.

Verbs

해답하다 To provide a solution/answer.

해답되다 To be solved/answered.

문제 (problem)

정답 (correct answer)

풀이 (explanation/solution)

해결 (resolution)

질문 (question)

How to Use It

frequency

Medium (Common in education and media, rare in casual talk).

Common Mistakes

Using 해답하다 for 'Answer the phone'. → 전화를 받다
해답하다 is for logical solutions, not communication devices.
Saying '나에게 해답해' (Answer me). → 나에게 대답해
You answer a person with 대답하다; you answer a question with 해답하다.
Confusing 해답하다 with 해결하다. → 문제를 해결하다
If you want to say you 'fixed' the problem, use 해결하다. If you 'explained the answer', use 해답하다.
Using it in a very casual setting with friends. → 말해 줘 / 답해 줘
해답하다 is too formal for daily small talk.
Pronouncing it as 'He-dap-ha-da'. → Hae-dap-ha-da
The 'ae' vowel is distinct from the 'e' vowel in Korean.

Tips

Academic Writing

When writing a thesis or a formal report, use '해답하다' to state your research objective regarding a problem.

Nouns are key

Remember that '해답' (the noun) is often used with '찾다' (find) or '내놓다' (provide) in natural speech.

Hae vs. Dae

Remember: 'Hae' (해) is for 'Handling' problems. 'Dae' (대) is for 'Dialoguing' with people.

The 'Dap' Sound

Make sure to stop the 'p' sound in 'dap' abruptly without puffing out air.

Classroom Korean

If a teacher asks you to '해답해 보세요', they want to see your logic, not just the final number.

News Keywords

Listen for '해답' when the news discusses '대책' (measures) for national issues.

Formal Endings

This word is most naturally used with formal endings like ~습니다 or ~ㄴ다.

Object Particles

Always use '문제를' (object) or '질문에' (target) before '해답하다'.

Untie the Knot

Think of the 'Hae' in 'Hae-gyeol' (resolve) and 'Hae-dap' (solve-answer) as 'Untying'.

Exam Culture

Understanding '해답' helps you understand the pressure of the Korean 'correct answer' culture.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Hae' as 'Hey!' and 'Dap' as 'Stop'. 'Hey! Stop and give me the solution!'

Visual Association

Imagine a person untying a very tangled knot (Hae) and then writing a big 'A' for Answer (Dap) on a chalkboard.

Word Web

Logic Math Solution Answer Key Puzzle Mystery Explanation Result

Challenge

Write three sentences about a mystery you solved using '해답하다' in the formal style.

Word Origin

From Hanja (Chinese characters): 解 (해 - Hae) meaning 'to untie, loosen, or explain' and 答 (답 - Dap) meaning 'to answer or reply'.

Original meaning: To untie a knot in order to give an answer; resolving a complicated query.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-eo).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but using it for simple social greetings (instead of 대답하다) can make the speaker sound unintentionally arrogant or robotic.

In English, we often use 'solve' or 'answer' interchangeably, but '해답하다' specifically bridges the gap between the two—it is 'answering by solving.'

Used frequently in EBS (Korea's educational TV) math programs. The title of many Korean self-help books like '인생의 해답' (The Answer to Life). Referenced in detective dramas when the lead explains the crime's logic.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Mathematics/Science

방정식을 해답하다
가설에 해답하다
결과를 해답하다
수치를 해답하다

Politics/News

정책으로 해답하다
위기에 해답하다
요구에 해답하다
민심에 해답하다

Philosophy/Literature

고뇌에 해답하다
존재에 해답하다
진리에 해답하다
모순에 해답하다

Education

시험 문제를 해답하다
과제를 해답하다
궁금증을 해답하다
원리를 해답하다

Professional/Business

클레임에 해답하다
기술적 난제에 해답하다
비전으로 해답하다
시장에 해답하다

Conversation Starters

"이 복잡한 수학 문제를 어떻게 해답할 수 있을까요?"

"우리 사회의 고령화 문제에 대해 어떻게 해답해야 한다고 생각하세요?"

"인생의 가장 큰 고민에 해답해 주는 책이 있나요?"

"과학 기술이 모든 환경 문제에 해답할 수 있을까요?"

"오늘 수업에서 가장 해답하기 어려웠던 질문은 무엇이었나요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 직면한 가장 큰 문제와 그것을 어떻게 해답했는지 적어보세요.

미래의 나에게 던지고 싶은 질문과 그에 대한 예상 해답을 써보세요.

사회적 불평등 문제에 해답하기 위해 우리가 할 수 있는 일은 무엇일까요?

내가 읽은 책 중에서 가장 명확하게 해답을 준 책에 대해 설명해 보세요.

논리적인 해답이 감정적인 위로보다 더 중요할 때가 언제인지 생각해 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use '전화를 받다' or '응답하다'. '해답하다' is only for solving problems or logical questions.

They are both formal, but they focus on different things. '해결하다' is about fixing the problem, while '해답하다' is about explaining the answer.

Yes, but it sounds like you are asking them to solve a complex puzzle for you. For simple answers, say '말해 줘' or '대답해 줘'.

'정답' is the single correct answer. '해답' is the solution or the process of answering.

Only in specific scenes, like a doctor explaining a medical mystery or a lawyer solving a case.

It is '해답지' (haedap-ji).

Yes, e.g., '이 책은 인생의 고민에 해답한다' (This book answers life's worries).

It is important for A2 learners to recognize it, especially if they are studying in Korea or reading formal materials.

Yes, 解答 (Hae-Dap). Knowing the characters helps understand the 'untie-answer' meaning.

No, use '답장하다' (dapjang-hada) for emails.