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B1 verb #7,000 most common 9 min read

캐다

caeda Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 캐다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 캐다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '캐다' as a simple action word for gathering food from the ground. Imagine a garden. When you want to get potatoes or carrots out of the dirt, you use '캐다'. It is like 'pick' but for things that grow underground. You will mostly use it with words like 'potato' (감자) or 'sweet potato' (고구마). For example, 'I dig potatoes' is '저는 감자를 캐요'. It is a useful word if you talk about farming or visiting a countryside farm. Don't worry about the difficult meanings yet; just remember it as 'digging for food'.

At the A2 level, you should know that '캐다' is specifically for extracting things from the earth. You might learn it while talking about hobbies or seasonal activities in Korea, like 'gathering wild greens' (나물 캐기). You can also use it for minerals, like 'mining gold' (금을 캐다). Remember the basic grammar: [Object] + 을/를 캐다. It’s also important to distinguish it from '파다' (to dig a hole). If you are looking for something inside the ground to take home, use '캐다'. If you are just making a hole for fun or to plant something, use '파다'.

At the B1 level, you start using '캐다' in more abstract ways. This is where the meaning 'to investigate' or 'to pry' comes in. You will hear it in dramas when someone is trying to find out a secret (비밀을 캐다) or looking into someone's background (뒤를 캐다). A very important word at this level is '캐묻다', which means to ask questions very persistently to find out the truth. You should also be comfortable with various conjugations like '캐내다' (to dig out/expose) and understand the nuance of effort involved in these actions. It implies that the information is not easy to find.

At the B2 level, you should recognize '캐다' in professional and social contexts. In the news, it might describe investigative journalism (진실을 캐다). You should also understand the nuance of 'nosiness' when used in social situations. If someone says '내 사생활을 캐지 마' (Don't dig into my private life), it sounds quite firm and defensive. You can also see this word in literature or documentaries about traditional Korean jobs, like 'Simmani' (ginseng hunters). At this level, you should be able to choose between '캐다' and more formal synonyms like '채굴하다' (mine) or '조사하다' (investigate) depending on the situation.

At the C1 level, you will encounter '캐다' in sophisticated metaphors and idiomatic expressions. It might be used to describe an intellectual pursuit, like 'digging for the root of a philosophical problem'. You should also be aware of the historical and cultural weight of '나물 캐기' in Korean literature, often symbolizing a humble, nature-oriented lifestyle. You can analyze how '캐다' is used in headlines to create a sense of urgency or scandal. Furthermore, you should be able to use the word in complex sentence structures, such as '낱낱이 캐내어 밝히다' (to dig out and reveal every single detail), showing a high level of descriptive precision.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '캐다' and its place in the linguistic ecosystem. You can distinguish the subtle differences between '캐다', '들추다', '파헤치다', and '발굴하다' in high-level academic or literary analysis. You might discuss the sociolinguistics of how '캐다' evolved from a purely agricultural term to a staple of modern digital 'cyber-investigation' (신상 캐기). You understand the emotional resonance the word carries in various dialects or historical contexts. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, using it naturally in debates, creative writing, and formal presentations to evoke specific imagery of extraction and discovery.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

캐다 in 30 Seconds

Primarily means to dig something up from the ground, like vegetables or minerals.
Commonly used metaphorically to mean investigating or prying into hidden secrets or information.
Differs from '파다' (to dig) because it focuses on the object being extracted, not just the act of digging.
Often appears in compound forms like '캐내다' (to dig out/expose) or '캐묻다' (to pry/interrogate).

The Korean verb 캐다 is a multifaceted word that primarily describes the physical act of extracting something from the ground, such as roots, vegetables, or minerals. However, its utility extends far beyond the garden or the mine. In modern Korean, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe the act of uncovering hidden information, secrets, or the truth through persistent investigation. Understanding 캐다 requires a grasp of both its literal agricultural roots and its figurative investigative branches.

Literal Extraction: This refers to the process of digging up something that is naturally embedded or growing in the earth. Common objects include potatoes (감자), sweet potatoes (고구마), wild greens (나물), and precious metals like gold (금).
Figurative Investigation: When used in the context of information, it implies a deep, often intrusive search for facts that someone might be trying to hide. Journalists and detectives are often described as 'digging' (캐다) for the truth.

할머니께서 밭에서 고구마를 캐고 계십니다. (Grandmother is digging up sweet potatoes in the field.)

In Korean culture, the act of gathering wild greens, known as 나물 캐기, is a traditional seasonal activity. During spring, many Koreans head to the mountains to 'dig' for fresh sprouts. This literal usage is deeply tied to the Korean diet and history of foraging. Conversely, in the digital age, you might hear people talk about 'digging up' someone's past on social media, using the same verb to imply a thorough and perhaps slightly aggressive search. This transition from physical labor to intellectual labor highlights the word's versatility.

기자가 사건의 진상을 캐기 위해 노력하고 있습니다. (The reporter is working hard to dig up the truth of the incident.)

Mining Context: In industrial settings, 캐다 is used for mining coal (석탄) or minerals (광물). It suggests the extraction of natural resources for economic use.

The word also appears in historical contexts, such as 'digging for wild ginseng' (산삼을 캐다), which was historically a high-stakes, spiritual endeavor in Korea. The 'Simmani' (ginseng hunters) would perform rituals before digging, showing that the verb 캐다 carries a weight of effort and discovery. Whether it's a simple potato or a complex political scandal, 캐다 is about bringing what is hidden into the light.

Using 캐다 correctly involves understanding its transitive nature; it always requires a direct object marked by 을/를. The structure is typically [Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 캐다. Depending on the context—whether agricultural, industrial, or investigative—the surrounding vocabulary will shift, but the core action remains the extraction of something valuable or hidden.

우리는 주말에 산에 가서 도라지를 캤어요. (We went to the mountain on the weekend and dug up bellflower roots.)

Grammar Tip: Conjugation: 캐다 is a regular verb. Present: 캐요, Past: 캤어요, Future: 캘 거예요. Note that the 'ㅐ' sound remains consistent throughout most forms.

When using 캐다 in a metaphorical sense, it is often paired with words like 비밀 (secret), 정보 (information), or 뒤 (someone's back/background). For example, '남의 뒤를 캐다' literally means 'to dig someone's back,' but it is the standard Korean expression for 'investigating someone's private life' or 'digging into someone's background.'

형사가 범인의 과거를 캐고 있다. (The detective is digging into the criminal's past.)

Another common usage is in the compound verb 캐묻다 (to pry/interrogate). This combines 캐다 (dig) and 묻다 (ask), creating a vivid image of 'digging while asking.' It describes a situation where someone asks questions relentlessly to get to the bottom of something. This is a very common B1-level vocabulary item that demonstrates how 캐다 functions as a root for more complex actions.

부모님이 어제 어디 있었는지 캐물으셨어요. (My parents interrogated me about where I was yesterday.)

Extraction of Resources: In economic news, you might see sentences like '아프리카에서 다이아몬드를 캐다' (to mine diamonds in Africa). Here, it emphasizes the physical effort and the resulting value.

Finally, consider the nuances of location. You usually dig 'from' somewhere (에서). '산에서 산삼을 캐다' (Dig ginseng in/from the mountain). The focus is on the source. If you are digging up a specific spot, you might use '땅을 파서 ...를 캐다' (Dig the ground to extract ...), which combines both verbs to show the full sequence of the action.

In South Korea, 캐다 is a word that bridges the gap between traditional rural life and modern urban dramas. If you watch Korean variety shows like 'Three Meals a Day' (삼시세끼), you will hear this word constantly. The cast members are often tasked with 'digging up' potatoes, sweet potatoes, or various mountain herbs to prepare their meals. In this context, the word carries a sense of wholesome, hard-earned reward.

오늘 저녁은 우리가 직접 캔 감자로 요리해요! (Let's cook with the potatoes we dug up ourselves for dinner tonight!)

K-Dramas and Thrillers: In legal or crime dramas, characters often say '뒷조사를 캐다' (digging into someone's background) or '약점을 캐다' (digging for weaknesses). It adds a layer of tension and suspicion to the dialogue.

You will also encounter 캐다 in news headlines. When a corruption scandal breaks, journalists might write about '비리를 캐내다' (digging out corruption). The addition of 내다 (to finish/to bring out) emphasizes the completion of the discovery. This 'digging out' implies that the corruption was deeply buried and required significant effort to expose to the public eye.

경찰은 그 회사의 비자금 내역을 캐내고 있습니다. (The police are digging out the details of the company's slush funds.)

In the context of the Korean 'Simmani' culture, 캐다 is almost a sacred word. Finding and digging up a hundred-year-old wild ginseng is seen as a blessing from the mountain spirits. Documentary programs often follow these hunters, capturing the moment they shout '심봤다!' (I found the ginseng!) before carefully 'digging' it out so as not to damage the delicate roots. This cultural nuance shows that 캐다 is not just about brute force, but often about precision and care.

Educational Context: In schools, students learn about '광물 캐기' (mining minerals) in geography or science classes, discussing Korea's natural resources like coal and iron ore.

Lastly, in the era of cryptocurrency, some Koreans use 캐다 to refer to 'mining' Bitcoin, though '채굴하다' is the more formal technical term. Using 캐다 in this way makes the digital process feel more physical and relatable to the average person. This adaptability ensures that 캐다 remains a vital part of the modern Korean lexicon.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 캐다 is confusing it with the general verb for 'to dig,' which is 파다. While they are related, they are not interchangeable. 파다 focuses on the action of making a hole or moving earth, whereas 캐다 focuses on the result—obtaining something that was inside the ground.

Mistake 1: Using '캐다' for making a hole: Incorrect: '마당에 구멍을 캤어요.' (I dug a hole in the yard.)
Correct: '마당에 구멍을 팠어요.'
Reason: You don't extract a hole; you create it. Use '파다'.

나무를 심으려고 땅을 팠어요. (I dug the ground to plant a tree.) vs. 고구마를 캤어요. (I dug up sweet potatoes.)

Another common error is using 캐다 for things that are not 'embedded' or 'rooted.' For example, you wouldn't use 캐다 to describe picking an apple from a tree or picking up a stone from the surface. 캐다 requires the object to be under the surface or deeply integrated into its environment, requiring effort to pull it out.

Mistake 2: Confusing with '따다' or '베다': Learners often mix up different harvest verbs. '따다' is for fruit/leaves, '베다' is for grains/grass (cutting), and '캐다' is specifically for roots/minerals.

In figurative use, learners sometimes use 캐다 for simple questions. 캐다 implies a level of intensity or nosiness. If you just ask a friend 'What did you do today?', using 캐다 would make it sound like you are interrogating them suspiciously. Use 물어보다 for normal questions. Only use 캐다 or 캐묻다 when there is a sense of 'uncovering' something that isn't immediately obvious.

비밀을 캐다 (To dig up a secret) - This is correct because secrets are hidden like roots.

Lastly, watch the conjugation. Because '캐다' ends in 'ㅐ', it doesn't change to '어' in the past tense like 'ㅏ' verbs might. It simply adds 'ㅆ다' to become '캤다'. Some learners mistakenly write '캐었다', which is technically the long form but is almost never used in speech or modern writing; '캤다' is the standard.

To truly master 캐다, you should understand how it compares to its synonyms and related terms. Depending on the formality and the specific context, you might choose a different word to express the idea of 'digging' or 'extracting.'

파다 (To Dig): The most general term. Focuses on the physical movement of soil or making a cavity. Use this for digging a hole, a tunnel, or a well. '캐다' is a subset of '파다' where extraction is the goal.
채굴하다 (To Mine/Extract): A formal, Sino-Korean word (Hanja: 採掘). Used in industrial, economic, or geological contexts. You '캐다' coal at home or in a story, but a company '채굴하다' coal for export.
발굴하다 (To Excavate): Used for archaeology or discovering hidden talent. '유물을 발굴하다' (excavate artifacts). It implies a systematic, scientific, or professional discovery.

기업들이 새로운 자원을 채굴하기 시작했습니다. (Companies have started mining new resources.)

When it comes to investigative 'digging,' you have several options. 조사하다 (to investigate) is neutral and professional. 수사하다 (to investigate a crime) is specific to the police. 들추다 (to expose/bring to light) is used when you are uncovering something shameful or hidden, similar to the negative nuance of 캐다.

과거의 실수를 들추어내다. (To expose/bring up past mistakes.)

In summary, choose 캐다 for everyday extraction or nosy prying. Choose 파다 for the act of digging itself. Choose 채굴하다 for industry, 발굴하다 for archaeology/talent, and 조사하다 for formal research. This variety allows you to express the same core concept with varying levels of precision and social appropriateness.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word '캐다' is so central to Korean foraging culture that there are specific names for different types of digging tools, like '호미' (a small hand plow) used specifically for '캐기'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kʰɛ.da/

US /kʰɛ.da/

The stress is naturally on the first syllable '캐'.

Rhymes With

패다 (paeda) 매다 (maeda) 재다 (jaeda) 새다 (saeda) 태다 (taeda) 해다 (haeda) 내다 (naeda) 대다 (daeda)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '캐' as '개' (non-aspirated). It must have a strong puff of air.
Confusing '캐' with '커' (keo). Keep the vowel forward in the mouth.
Pronouncing it like 'kay-da'. It's a shorter 'ae' sound, not a diphthong.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in agricultural or investigative contexts.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct conjugation and knowing which objects take this verb.

Speaking 3/5

Aspirated 'k' sound needs practice to sound natural.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in dramas and variety shows.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

파다 (To dig) 땅 (Ground) 밭 (Field) 묻다 (To ask/To bury)

Learn Next

채굴하다 (To mine) 발굴하다 (To excavate) 조사하다 (To investigate) 들추다 (To expose)

Advanced

심마니 (Ginseng hunter) 포렌식 (Forensics) 비리 (Corruption) 내면 (Inner self)

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verbs (~을/를)

비밀을 캐다 (Dig up a secret)

Compound Verbs with -내다 (Completion)

진실을 캐내다 (To successfully dig out the truth)

Verb Nominalization (-기)

나물 캐기가 취미예요 (Digging wild greens is my hobby)

Causal connection (-아서/어서)

고구마를 캐서 먹었어요 (I dug up sweet potatoes and ate them)

In order to (-러 가다)

조개를 캐러 바다에 가요 (I go to the sea to dig clams)

Examples by Level

저는 밭에서 감자를 캐요.

I dig potatoes in the field.

Present tense: 캐다 -> 캐요.

할머니가 고구마를 캐세요.

Grandmother is digging sweet potatoes.

Honorific form: 캐다 -> 캐시다 -> 캐세요.

우리 같이 당근을 캘까요?

Shall we dig carrots together?

Suggestion form: -ㄹ까요?

동생이 흙에서 조개를 캐요.

My younger sibling is digging for clams in the mud.

Object marker: 조개를.

시골에서 무엇을 캤어요?

What did you dig in the countryside?

Past tense: 캤어요.

여기서 꽃을 캐지 마세요.

Don't dig up flowers here.

Prohibition: -지 마세요.

저는 감자 캐는 것을 좋아해요.

I like digging potatoes.

Gerund: 캐는 것.

엄마는 나물을 캐러 산에 가요.

Mom goes to the mountain to dig wild greens.

Purpose: -러 가다.

봄에는 산에서 나물을 캐는 사람이 많아요.

In spring, many people dig wild greens in the mountains.

Noun modifying form: 캐는.

주말에 농장에서 고구마를 캘 거예요.

I will dig sweet potatoes at the farm this weekend.

Future tense: -ㄹ 거예요.

이 광산에서는 금을 캐고 있습니다.

They are mining gold in this mine.

Progressive form: -고 있다.

갯벌에서 조개를 캐는 것은 힘들어요.

Digging clams in the mudflat is hard work.

Adjective ending: 힘들어요.

어제 밭에서 캔 감자가 아주 맛있어요.

The potatoes I dug in the field yesterday are very delicious.

Past noun modifying form: 캔.

할아버지는 매일 산삼을 캐러 다니세요.

Grandfather goes around digging for wild ginseng every day.

Repeated action: -러 다니다.

흙을 깊이 파야 인삼을 캘 수 있어요.

You have to dig the soil deep to be able to dig up ginseng.

Ability: -ㄹ 수 있다.

아이들이 모래사장에서 조개를 캐며 놀아요.

Children play while digging for clams on the sandy beach.

Simultaneous action: -며.

경찰이 그 사건의 비밀을 캐기 시작했어요.

The police started digging into the secrets of that case.

Starting action: -기 시작하다.

친구의 과거를 너무 캐묻지 마세요.

Don't pry too much into your friend's past.

Compound verb: 캐묻다.

기자는 진실을 캐내기 위해 밤을 새웠다.

The reporter stayed up all night to dig out the truth.

Completion: 캐내다.

그는 남의 뒤를 캐는 버릇이 있다.

He has a habit of digging into other people's backgrounds.

Idiom: 뒤를 캐다.

광부들이 깊은 땅속에서 석탄을 캡니다.

Miners dig coal from deep underground.

Formal ending: -ㅂ니다.

비밀을 캐려고 했지만 아무것도 안 나왔어요.

I tried to dig up the secret, but nothing came out.

Attempt: -려고 하다.

우리는 산에서 도라지를 한 바구니 캤어요.

We dug a basketful of bellflower roots in the mountain.

Counter: 한 바구니.

남의 사생활을 캐는 것은 예의가 아니에요.

Digging into someone's private life is not polite.

Subject clause: 캐는 것은.

검찰은 기업의 비리 의혹을 낱낱이 캐고 있다.

The prosecution is digging into every detail of the company's corruption allegations.

Adverb: 낱낱이 (thoroughly).

그 영화는 인간의 본성을 깊이 있게 캐낸다.

That movie digs deeply into human nature.

Metaphorical use of 캐내다.

과거의 아픔을 다시 캐낼 필요는 없다.

There is no need to dig up past pain again.

Necessity: -ㄹ 필요가 없다.

정보를 캐내기 위해 스파이를 보냈습니다.

They sent a spy to dig out information.

Purpose: -기 위해.

그는 자신의 뿌리를 캐기 위해 고향을 찾았다.

He visited his hometown to dig for his roots.

Metaphor: 뿌리를 캐다.

정부는 새로운 유전에서 석유를 캘 계획이다.

The government plans to extract oil from a new oil field.

Plan: -ㄹ 계획이다.

그 소문이 어디서 시작됐는지 캐봐야겠어요.

I should try to dig into where that rumor started.

Attempt + Obligation: -어 봐야겠다.

그는 끈질기게 질문하며 진상을 캤다.

He dug into the facts by asking questions persistently.

Adverb: 끈질기게 (persistently).

역사학자들은 잊혀진 왕국의 흔적을 캐내고 있다.

Historians are digging out the traces of a forgotten kingdom.

Plural subject: 역사학자들.

그의 논문은 현대 사회의 모순을 날카롭게 캐낸다.

His thesis sharply digs out the contradictions of modern society.

Adverb: 날카롭게 (sharply).

상대방의 약점을 캐서 이용하는 것은 비겁하다.

It is cowardly to dig up and exploit an opponent's weaknesses.

Sequential action: -아서/어서.

비트코인을 캐는 데 엄청난 전력이 소모된다.

A huge amount of electricity is consumed in mining Bitcoin.

Bound noun: -는 데 (in the act of).

그는 묻혀 있던 진실을 캐내어 세상에 알렸다.

He dug out the buried truth and informed the world.

Passive: 묻혀 있던 (which had been buried).

심마니들은 산삼을 캘 때 산신령께 기도를 올린다.

Ginseng hunters offer prayers to the mountain spirits when digging for wild ginseng.

Time: -ㄹ 때.

작가는 인간 내면의 어둠을 캐내는 데 탁월하다.

The author is excellent at digging out the darkness within humans.

Excellence: -에 탁월하다.

그는 아무리 캐물어도 입을 열지 않았다.

No matter how much they pried, he did not open his mouth.

Concession: 아무리 -어도.

권력의 핵심에 숨겨진 비리를 캐내는 작업은 위험을 수반한다.

The task of digging out corruption hidden at the core of power entails risks.

Noun phrase: -는 작업 (the task of...).

고전 문헌 속에서 현대적 가치를 캐내는 안목이 필요하다.

An insight to dig out modern values from classical literature is necessary.

Insight: 안목.

그는 타인의 치부를 캐내어 자신의 이익을 챙겼다.

He filled his own pockets by digging out others' shameful secrets.

Shameful secret: 치부.

언론은 권력을 감시하고 그 이면을 캐내야 할 의무가 있다.

The media has an obligation to monitor power and dig out what's behind it.

Obligation: 의무가 있다.

그 철학자는 존재의 근원을 캐기 위해 평생을 바쳤다.

That philosopher dedicated his whole life to digging for the root of existence.

Dedication: 평생을 바치다.

지질학자들은 지층을 분석하여 지구의 역사를 캐낸다.

Geologists dig out the history of the Earth by analyzing geological layers.

Analysis: 분석하여.

디지털 포렌식은 삭제된 데이터를 캐내는 기술이다.

Digital forensics is a technology for digging out deleted data.

Definition: -는 기술이다.

그는 시적인 언어로 삶의 비애를 처절하게 캐냈다.

He desperately dug out the sorrow of life through poetic language.

Adverb: 처절하게 (desperately/pathetically).

Common Collocations

감자를 캐다

비밀을 캐다

금을 캐다

나물을 캐다

뒤를 캐다

약점을 캐다

진실을 캐다

뿌리를 캐다

석탄을 캐다

조개를 캐다

Common Phrases

꼬치꼬치 캐묻다

— To ask questions in great detail, often in an annoying way.

엄마는 내 데이트에 대해 꼬치꼬치 캐물으셨다.

비리를 캐내다

— To uncover and expose corruption or malpractice.

검찰은 정치권의 비리를 캐내고 있다.

과거를 캐다

— To dig into someone's past history.

그녀는 남편의 과거를 캐기 시작했다.

정보를 캐다

— To dig for or extract information.

산업 스파이가 일급 정보를 캐냈다.

뿌리까지 캐다

— To dig up something including its roots; to solve a problem fundamentally.

잡초는 뿌리까지 캐야 다시 안 자란다.

사생활을 캐다

— To pry into someone's private life.

연예인의 사생활을 캐는 기사들이 많다.

광물을 캐다

— To mine minerals.

산에서 다양한 광물을 캐는 광산이 있다.

진상을 캐다

— To dig into the facts of a situation to find the truth.

사고의 진상을 캐기 위한 조사가 진행 중이다.

허물을 캐다

— To look for and expose someone's faults.

남의 허물을 캐기보다 자신의 잘못을 먼저 봐라.

산삼을 캐다

— To dig up wild ginseng (a symbol of great luck).

그는 평생 산삼을 캐는 심마니로 살았다.

Often Confused With

캐다 vs 파다

Focuses on making a hole. '캐다' focuses on getting something out of the hole.

캐다 vs 따다

Used for picking fruits from trees or bushes. '캐다' is for things in the ground.

캐다 vs 베다

Used for cutting grains or grass. '캐다' is for extracting roots.

Idioms & Expressions

"남의 뒤를 캐다"

— To investigate someone's background or private life secretly.

그는 경쟁자의 뒤를 캐기 위해 사람을 고용했다.

Neutral

"밑바닥까지 캐다"

— To dig to the very bottom; to investigate something completely.

이번 사건은 밑바닥까지 캐서 범인을 잡아야 한다.

Informal

"뿌리를 캐다"

— To get to the root of a problem.

우리는 이 갈등의 뿌리를 캐서 해결해야 합니다.

Neutral

"꼬투리를 캐다"

— To look for a pretext or a small mistake to criticize someone.

그는 사사건건 내 꼬투리를 캐려고 안달이다.

Informal

"무덤을 캐다"

— To dig a grave (metaphorically, to bring up something that should stay buried).

지나간 과거는 굳이 무덤을 캘 필요가 없다.

Literary

"금을 캐다"

— To strike it rich (metaphorically).

그 사업은 그에게 금을 캐는 것과 같았다.

Informal

"진흙 속에서 진주를 캐다"

— To find a pearl in the mud (to find something valuable in a bad place).

그 감독은 무명 배우들 중에서 진주를 캐냈다.

Neutral

"속을 캐다"

— To try to find out someone's true feelings or intentions.

그의 속을 캐기가 정말 어렵다.

Neutral

"뼈를 캐다"

— To find the essential point (rare, literary).

문장의 뼈를 캐는 독서가 필요하다.

Literary

"씨를 캐다"

— To eliminate the source completely.

범죄의 씨를 캐기 위해 강력한 법이 필요하다.

Formal

Easily Confused

캐다 vs 파다

Both involve digging.

'파다' is about the action of digging soil; '캐다' is about the extraction of an item.

땅을 파서(dig a hole) 고구마를 캤어요(extract the potato).

캐다 vs 채취하다

Both mean to collect from nature.

'채취하다' is more formal and can include liquids (blood, sap) or samples.

식물 표본을 채취하다.

캐다 vs 발굴하다

Both mean to find something buried.

'발굴하다' is used for history (artifacts) or searching for talent.

신인 가수를 발굴하다.

캐다 vs 들추다

Both mean to uncover something hidden.

'들추다' often implies lifting a cover or revealing a fault/shame.

이불을 들추다.

캐다 vs 묻다

Sometimes learners mix up 'dig' and 'bury'.

'묻다' is the opposite; it means to bury.

보물을 땅에 묻다.

Sentence Patterns

저는 [Object]을/를 캐요.

저는 감자를 캐요.

[Location]에서 [Object]을/를 캤어요.

산에서 나물을 캤어요.

[Person]이 [Object]을/를 캐고 있어요.

기자가 진실을 캐고 있어요.

왜 [Object]을/를 캐물어요?

왜 내 과거를 캐물어요?

[Object]을/를 캐내기 위해 노력해요.

비밀을 캐내기 위해 노력해요.

[Object]을/를 낱낱이 캐내다.

비리를 낱낱이 캐내다.

[Abstract Concept]의 근원을 캐다.

존재의 근원을 캐다.

[Object]을/를 캐내는 데 주력하다.

증거를 캐내는 데 주력하다.

Word Family

Nouns

캐기 (digging/extraction)

채굴 (mining)

발굴 (excavation)

Verbs

캐내다 (to dig out/expose)

캐묻다 (to pry/interrogate)

파내다 (to dig out)

땅 (ground)

흙 (soil)

광산 (mine)

뿌리 (root)

비밀 (secret)

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in rural, investigative, and informal social contexts.

Common Mistakes

구멍을 캐다 → 구멍을 파다
You don't extract a hole; you create it by digging. Use '파다'.
사과를 캐다 → 사과를 따다
Apples grow on trees. Use '따다' for picking fruit.
캐었어요 → 캤어요
While '캐었어요' is grammatically possible, '캤어요' is the standard contracted form used in 99% of cases.
비밀을 파다 → 비밀을 캐다
When searching for information, '캐다' is the natural verb to imply uncovering something hidden.
나물을 파러 가다 → 나물을 캐러 가다
Gathering herbs is a process of extraction, so '캐다' is the specific term used.

Tips

Direct Object Marker

Always use 을/를 with 캐다. You are always extracting 'something'.

Spring Tradition

In Korea, spring is the season for '나물 캐기'. Mentioning this shows cultural knowledge.

Persistent Prying

Use '캐묻다' to describe that annoying friend who won't stop asking questions.

VS 파다

If there's a 'prize' at the end of the digging, use '캐다'. If there's just a hole, use '파다'.

Past Tense Check

Remember: 캤어요, not 캐었어요. The contraction is almost always used.

Mining Terminology

For industry, '채굴하다' is the formal word, but '캐다' is fine for general talk.

Investigating Backgrounds

'뒤를 캐다' is a very common expression in crime dramas and gossip.

Aspirated K

Make sure to push air out when saying 'Kae'. It shouldn't sound like 'Gae'.

Beach Activities

When you go to a mudflat (갯벌) in Korea, you say '조개를 캐다' (digging clams).

Digging for Truth

Use '진실을 캐다' to sound like an investigative journalist.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'CAn' (캐) being dug up from the ground. You have to '캐다' to find the 'CAn'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person with a small hand shovel (homi) carefully pulling a long, golden ginseng root out of dark, rich soil.

Word Web

감자 (Potato) 고구마 (Sweet Potato) 나물 (Wild Greens) 금 (Gold) 비밀 (Secret) 정보 (Information) 진실 (Truth) 과거 (Past)

Challenge

Try to use '캐다' in three different ways today: once for food, once for a secret, and once for a hobby like 'clams' (조개).

Word Origin

The word '캐다' is a native Korean word (Pure Korean). It has been used for centuries to describe the gathering of roots and herbs, which was a primary food source.

Original meaning: To extract roots or minerals from the earth.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when using '캐다' or '캐묻다' with superiors, as it can sound like you are being inappropriately nosy or aggressive about their private affairs.

In English, we use 'dig' for both making a hole and extracting something, but Korean splits these into '파다' and '캐다'. English also uses 'digging' for investigation, which is a perfect parallel to '캐다'.

The variety show 'Three Meals a Day' (삼시세끼) features '캐다' in almost every episode. The movie 'The Drug King' (마약왕) uses the term in the context of building an empire from nothing. Traditional folk songs often mention '나물 캐는 처녀' (The girl digging wild greens).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Farming/Gardening

감자를 캐다
고구마를 캐다
밭을 일구다
풍년이 들다

Beach/Sea

조개를 캐다
갯벌 체험
바지락을 캐다
굴을 따다

Crime/Investigation

비밀을 캐다
뒤를 캐다
단서를 찾다
범인을 잡다

Mining

금을 캐다
석탄을 캐다
광산에서 일하다
자원을 캐다

Social Interrogation

캐묻지 마세요
꼬치꼬치 묻다
진상을 밝히다
숨기지 마라

Conversation Starters

"시골 농장에서 감자를 캐본 적이 있어요? (Have you ever tried digging potatoes at a rural farm?)"

"봄에 산나물을 캐러 가는 것을 좋아하세요? (Do you like going to dig wild spring greens?)"

"누군가가 당신의 사생활을 캐려고 하면 어떻게 하세요? (What do you do if someone tries to dig into your private life?)"

"가장 최근에 캔(발견한) 흥미로운 정보는 무엇인가요? (What is the most interesting piece of information you recently 'dug up'?)"

"바닷가에서 조개를 캐는 것이 재미있을 것 같나요? (Do you think digging for clams at the beach would be fun?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 '캐낸' 새로운 사실이나 배움에 대해 써보세요. (Write about a new fact or lesson you 'dug up' today.)

어린 시절 흙장난을 하거나 무언가를 캤던 기억을 묘사해 보세요. (Describe a childhood memory of playing in the dirt or digging something up.)

만약 당신이 보물 지도를 찾는다면, 어디를 캐보고 싶나요? (If you found a treasure map, where would you want to dig?)

나의 과거를 캐는 사람에 대해 어떻게 느낄지 자신의 생각을 정리해 보세요. (Organize your thoughts on how you would feel about someone digging into your past.)

한국의 '나물 캐기' 문화가 현대 사회에서 어떤 의미가 있을지 써보세요. (Write about what meaning the Korean culture of 'digging wild greens' might have in modern society.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for apples you should use '따다'. '캐다' is only for things that are extracted from the ground or a source, like potatoes or minerals.

It depends. In a news report, it's common. However, if you are asking a person questions, '캐묻다' can sound quite rude or aggressive.

'캐다' is the general action. '캐내다' adds the 'out' (내다) nuance, implying the action was completed or the item was successfully brought out.

Yes, it is common to say '비트코인을 캐다', though the formal term is '채굴하다'.

It becomes '캤어요' (polite) or '캤다' (plain). The 'ae' sound combined with the double 'ss' is the standard form.

It literally means 'to dig one's back,' but it is an idiom for investigating someone's background or private life, often secretly.

Yes, especially among the older generation in Korea during the spring. It's a traditional way to get fresh, healthy ingredients.

No, for a well, you use '파다' (우물을 파다) because you are creating a hole/cavity.

It's a compound verb meaning 'to pry' or 'to interrogate.' It's used when someone asks many detailed questions to find a hidden truth.

While '캐다' is understandable, the professional term is '발굴하다' (to excavate).