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A2 verb #4,500 most common 7 min read

파다

pada Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 파다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 파다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '파다' (pada) is introduced as a basic action word meaning 'to dig.' You will mostly see it in very simple contexts, like a dog digging a hole or a child playing in the sand. Think of it as the physical act of moving dirt with your hands or a small shovel. At this stage, you don't need to worry about the metaphorical meanings. Just remember that if you are making a hole in the ground, you are '파다'-ing. For example, '강아지가 땅을 파요' (The dog digs the ground). It's a regular verb, so it's easy to conjugate: 파요 (present), 팠어요 (past). Focus on the physical action of creating a space in a soft surface like earth or sand.

At the A2 level, you begin to see '파다' used in more daily life contexts beyond just digging in the dirt. This is where you learn phrases like '코를 파다' (to pick one's nose) or '귀를 파다' (to clean/pick one's ears). While these might seem funny or informal, they are very common in Korean daily speech. You also start to see it used for simple creative tasks, like '도장을 파다' (to carve a stamp/seal). You should understand that '파다' is a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object (the thing you are digging or carving). You might also encounter the passive form '파이다' (to be dug/hollowed out), though '파다' remains the primary focus.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the metaphorical uses of '파다.' One of the most important idioms at this level is '한 우물을 파다' (to dig only one well), which means to focus on one thing until you succeed. This level also introduces the idea of 'digging' into a subject or a hobby. If you are really into learning Korean, you could say '한국어를 깊게 파고 있어요' (I'm digging deep into Korean). You will also start to see compound verbs like '파내다' (to dig out) and '파헤치다' (to dig up/uncover). These add specific directions or intensities to the basic action of digging, often used in news reports or stories.

At the B2 level, '파다' is used in more complex social and literary contexts. You will encounter it in idioms like '자기 무덤을 파다' (to dig one's own grave), which is used when someone's actions lead to their own downfall. You should also be able to distinguish '파다' from more formal synonyms like '굴착하다' (excavate) or '조각하다' (sculpt/carve). At this stage, you are expected to understand the nuance of '파다' when used in investigative journalism to mean 'to probe' or 'to look into' a scandal. The word becomes less about the physical act and more about the intensity and persistence of an action that seeks to reach a deeper layer.

At the C1 level, you explore the subtle nuances of '파다' in literature and high-level discourse. It might describe the way a river 'hollows out' a canyon over millennia or how a poet 'digs into' the human soul. You will understand the subtle difference between '파다' and '새기다' (to engrave) in artistic criticism, where '파다' might imply a more vigorous, raw removal of material. You should be able to use the word fluently in abstract discussions about specialization, research methodology, and investigative techniques. The word serves as a tool for describing any process of deep extraction, whether it's physical, emotional, or intellectual.

At the C2 level, '파다' is understood in its full historical and linguistic depth. You can analyze its usage in archaic texts or specific dialects where it might have slightly different connotations. You are aware of its role in forming complex idiomatic expressions and how it interacts with Korean cultural concepts of persistence and 'Jeong' (affection), such as a mother cleaning a child's ears. You can use '파다' in academic writing to describe the 'excavation' of historical truths or in legal contexts regarding the 'digging up' of evidence. Your mastery allows you to use the word with perfect precision, choosing it over dozens of synonyms to hit exactly the right tone of effort, depth, and removal.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

파다 in 30 Seconds

Primarily means 'to dig' a hole or the ground using tools or hands.
Commonly used for personal care like picking your nose or cleaning your ears.
Refers to the act of carving or engraving name stamps, wood, or stone.
Metaphorically describes focusing deeply on one field of study or investigation.

The Korean verb 파다 (pada) is a versatile action word that primarily means 'to dig' or 'to hollow out.' While its most literal application involves moving earth or soil, its semantic range extends into personal hygiene, artistic carving, and even intellectual deep-dives. At its core, the word describes the physical or metaphorical act of removing material from a surface to create a depression, a hole, or a path. Whether you are a gardener planting seeds, an artist carving a wooden block, or a researcher investigating a complex topic, you are engaging in the act of '파다'.

Physical Digging: This is the most common use. It refers to using hands, tools, or machinery to displace soil, sand, or snow. Examples include digging a hole for a tree or a dog digging in the backyard.

강아지가 마당에 구멍을 파고 있어요. (The puppy is digging a hole in the yard.)

Carving and Engraving: In the context of art or craftsmanship, it means to carve or engrave. This is used when making traditional Korean name stamps (도장) or woodblock prints. It implies a precision that simple digging lacks.

나무에 이름을 파서 새겼어요. (I carved and engraved my name into the wood.)

Intellectual Pursuit: Metaphorically, it means to delve deeply into a subject. If someone 'digs into' a specific field of study (한 분야를 파다), it suggests they are becoming an expert through intense focus.

그는 평생 한 우물만 팠다. (He focused on only one field for his entire life.)

In everyday conversation, you will hear this word in diverse settings—from a construction site to a parent telling a child not to pick their nose. Its utility comes from its ability to describe any action that creates a void or reaches deeper into a surface. It is a foundational verb that bridges the gap between manual labor and intellectual rigor. Understanding '파다' requires recognizing whether the speaker is discussing a physical hole or a figurative deep-dive.

Using 파다 correctly involves understanding its object-verb relationship. Since it is a transitive verb, it almost always requires an object—the thing being dug or the space being created. The grammatical structure usually follows [Object] + 을/를 + 파다. The nuance changes depending on whether the object is the material (like 'earth') or the result (like 'a hole').

Direct Object: The Result: When the object is '구멍' (hole), '우물' (well), or '함정' (trap), the focus is on the creation of that space. This is the most straightforward usage.

삽으로 땅에 큰 구멍을 팠어요. (I dug a large hole in the ground with a shovel.)

Direct Object: Body Parts: Using '파다' with '코' (nose) or '귀' (ear) is very common in informal speech. It describes the act of removing debris or wax. Note that '귀를 파다' can also imply having someone else clean your ears for you, a common nostalgic memory for many Koreans.

공공장소에서 코를 파면 안 돼요. (You shouldn't pick your nose in public.)

Metaphorical Use: Specialization: When you want to say someone is specializing in a field, you use the phrase '한 우물을 파다' (to dig only one well). This emphasizes persistence and expertise.

성공하고 싶다면 한 우물을 파세요. (If you want to succeed, focus on one path/dig one well.)

In more advanced contexts, you might see '파다' combined with other verbs. For example, '파내다' means to dig something out or excavate. '파헤치다' means to dig up or uncover a secret or a hidden truth. These variations add layers of intensity or direction to the basic action of digging. Mastery of these patterns allows you to describe everything from gardening to investigative journalism.

You will encounter 파다 in a surprising variety of real-life situations. In Korea, the concept of 'digging' is deeply embedded in both the physical landscape and the cultural psyche. From the constant urban redevelopment in cities like Seoul to the traditional art of seal carving, the word is everywhere.

In the Household: Parents often use this word with children. '귀 파줄까?' (Shall I clean your ears?) is a common phrase of affection and care. Similarly, '코 파지 마!' (Don't pick your nose!) is a staple of early childhood education.

어머니가 제 귀를 파 주셨어요. (My mother cleaned my ears for me.)

In the Office / Legal Contexts: In Korea, personal seals (도장) are still used for official documents. When you need a new stamp, you go to a shop to '도장을 파다' (have a seal carved). This usage highlights the 'carving' aspect of the verb.

인감 도장을 새로 파야 해요. (I need to have a new official seal carved.)

In News and Media: Journalists use '파헤치다' (an intensive form of 파다) when discussing investigative reports. They 'dig up' corruption or hidden scandals. It conveys a sense of thoroughness and persistence.

기자가 사건의 진실을 깊이 팠습니다. (The reporter dug deeply into the truth of the incident.)

Whether you're listening to a K-drama where a character is 'digging their own grave' (자기 무덤을 파다) or hearing a construction announcement about 'digging the road' (도로를 파다), the word is a constant presence. It transitions seamlessly from the most mundane physical tasks to the most complex emotional and intellectual metaphors.

While 파다 is a relatively simple verb, English speakers often make mistakes by overusing it or confusing it with similar verbs that have more specific meanings in Korean.

Confusion with '캐다' (Unearthing): In English, you 'dig' potatoes. In Korean, you '캐다' (unearth/harvest) potatoes. '파다' focuses on the act of making a hole, while '캐다' focuses on what you are getting out of the ground (like roots, herbs, or minerals).

감자를 캐다 (Correct for harvesting) vs. 감자를 파다 (Incorrect for harvesting).

Confusion with '뚫다' (Piercing): If you are making a hole through something (like a wall or an earlobe for earrings), use '뚫다'. '파다' is for hollowing out or making a depression, not necessarily going all the way through.

귀를 뚫다 (To pierce ears) vs. 귀를 파다 (To clean/pick ears).

Incorrect Particles: Sometimes learners say '땅에 파다' (dig in the ground) when they mean '땅을 파다' (dig the ground). While both can be used, '땅을 파다' is the standard way to express the action of digging the soil itself.

마당을 파요. (I dig the yard.) - Standard transitive usage.

Finally, remember that '파다' can be rude in certain contexts. Talking about 'picking' (파다) body parts in a formal setting is taboo. Use more polite terms like '청소하다' (clean) if you must discuss ear hygiene in a polite way. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Korean sound much more natural and precise.

To enrich your Korean vocabulary, it is essential to know words that are related to 파다 but offer different shades of meaning. Depending on whether you are talking about construction, art, or deep study, a different word might be more appropriate.

굴착하다 (To Excavate): This is a formal, Sino-Korean word used in engineering and construction. You wouldn't use this for a dog in a yard; you use it for building subways or foundations.

새기다 (To Carve/Engrave): While '파다' can mean carve, '새기다' is more specific to the artistic act of engraving letters or patterns. It focuses on the mark being left behind.

캐다 (To Dig Up/Extract): As mentioned before, '캐다' is used when the goal is to obtain something from the ground, like gems, coal, or edible roots.

산에서 나물을 캐요. (I dig up/harvest wild greens in the mountain.)

탐구하다 (To Investigate/Explore): This is the formal alternative to the metaphorical '파다'. It is used in academic or scientific contexts to mean 'deeply research'.

Choosing between these words depends on the context and the level of formality. If you are writing a technical report, '굴착' is better. If you are talking to a friend about your hobby of studying history, '역사를 깊게 파고 있어' (I'm digging deep into history) sounds more natural and passionate. Understanding these synonyms allows you to tailor your language to your specific situation, moving from basic communication to nuanced expression.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, '파다' was also used to describe the act of carving woodblocks for printing Buddhist scriptures, showing its long association with both labor and literacy.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pʰa.da/

US /pʰɑ.dɑ/

The stress is equal on both syllables, as is typical in Korean phonology.

Rhymes With

자다 (jada - to sleep) 사다 (sada - to buy) 가다 (gada - to go) 타다 (tada - to ride) 마다 (mada - each) 바다 (bada - sea) 마다 (mada - each) 나다 (nada - to occur)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'p' without enough air (making it sound like 'bada' which means 'sea').
Over-emphasizing the second syllable.
Vowel reduction in the second syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to its short form and frequent usage.

Writing 3/5

Simple to conjugate but requires knowledge of appropriate objects.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with '바다' (sea) if not heard clearly.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

땅 구멍 삽 손 만들다

Learn Next

캐다 묻다 새기다 뚫다 조각하다

Advanced

굴착 발굴 탐구 은폐 폭로

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb (타동사)

땅(을) 파다. (Object marker '을' is required.)

Regular Conjugation

파다 -> 파요, 팠어요, 팔 거예요.

Passive Form -이다

파다 -> 파이다 (To be hollowed out).

Causative Form -게 하다

구멍을 파게 했어요. (I made them dig a hole.)

Compound Verb Formation

파다 + 내다 = 파내다 (To dig out).

Examples by Level

강아지가 땅을 파요.

The puppy digs the ground.

Simple present tense: 파다 + 아요 = 파요.

여기에 구멍을 파세요.

Dig a hole here.

Imperative form: Verb stem + 세요.

아이들이 모래를 파요.

The children are digging the sand.

Subject (children) + Object (sand) + Verb.

누가 땅을 팠어요?

Who dug the ground?

Past tense: 파다 + 았어요 = 팠어요.

저는 구멍을 파고 싶어요.

I want to dig a hole.

-고 싶다 (want to).

삽으로 파요.

Dig with a shovel.

Instrumental particle -(으)로.

작은 구멍을 파요.

Dig a small hole.

Adjective (작은) modifying the noun (구멍).

여기 파지 마세요.

Don't dig here.

Negative imperative: -지 마세요.

코를 파지 마세요.

Don't pick your nose.

Standard phrase for nose picking.

엄마가 귀를 파 주셨어요.

Mom cleaned my ears for me.

Auxiliary verb -어 주다 (do something for someone).

도장을 새로 팠어요.

I had a new seal carved.

Context of carving/engraving.

나무에 이름을 파서 새겼어요.

I carved my name into the tree.

Sequential action: -아서/어서.

우물을 파는 것은 힘들어요.

Digging a well is hard.

Gerund form: -는 것.

땅을 깊게 파야 해요.

You have to dig the ground deeply.

Obligation: -아야/어야 하다.

무엇을 파고 있어요?

What are you digging?

Present progressive: -고 있다.

함정을 파서 동물을 잡아요.

Dig a trap to catch animals.

Purpose and method.

그는 한 우물만 파는 사람이에요.

He is a person who focuses on only one field.

Idiomatic use of 'digging one well'.

이 문제를 더 깊이 파봅시다.

Let's dig deeper into this problem.

Metaphorical use for investigation; -아/어 보다 (try doing).

역사 공부를 파기 시작했어요.

I started digging into studying history.

Metaphor for intense study.

경찰이 사건의 배후를 파고 있어요.

The police are digging into the background of the case.

Metaphor for investigation.

땅을 파다가 보물을 찾았어요.

While digging the ground, I found a treasure.

Interrupted action: -다가.

도랑을 파서 물을 뺐어요.

I dug a ditch to drain the water.

Practical application of digging.

구덩이를 파고 나무를 심으세요.

Dig a pit and plant a tree.

Sequential instructions.

그는 자기 무덤을 파고 있어요.

He is digging his own grave.

Idiomatic expression for self-sabotage.

기자가 정계의 비리를 파헤쳤어요.

The reporter dug up/uncovered corruption in the political world.

Intensive form: 파헤치다.

유물을 파내기 위해 발굴을 시작했다.

Excavation began to dig out artifacts.

Directional verb: 파내다 (dig out).

그는 평생 동안 한 분야만 팠다.

He dug into only one field for his entire life.

Emphasis on lifelong dedication.

함정을 파 놓았으니 조심하세요.

Be careful because a trap has been dug (and set).

State of completion: -아/어 놓다.

바닥이 움푹 파여 있었다.

The floor was hollowed out/depressed.

Passive voice: 파이다.

그는 남의 약점을 파고드는 데 선수다.

He is an expert at digging into others' weaknesses.

Compound verb: 파고들다 (penetrate/dig into).

진실을 파헤치는 과정은 고통스러웠다.

The process of digging up the truth was painful.

Nominalized phrase as subject.

수로를 파서 논에 물을 댔다.

They dug a canal to supply water to the rice paddies.

Agricultural context.

작가는 인간의 내면을 깊이 파고든다.

The author digs deep into the human inner self.

Literary metaphor for psychological depth.

오랜 세월 강물이 바위를 파 놓았다.

Over many years, the river water hollowed out the rock.

Natural erosion described with '파다'.

비판적인 시각으로 그 이론을 파헤쳐 보자.

Let's dig up/scrutinize that theory from a critical perspective.

Academic scrutiny.

그의 말은 내 가슴을 파고들었다.

His words dug into (pierced) my heart.

Emotional impact metaphor.

사건의 핵심을 파악하기 위해 끝까지 팠다.

I dug until the end to grasp the core of the incident.

Persistence in understanding.

그는 조각칼로 섬세하게 나무를 팠다.

He delicately carved the wood with a carving knife.

Precision in craftsmanship.

정부는 지하 터널을 파기로 결정했다.

The government decided to dig an underground tunnel.

Large-scale infrastructure context.

과거의 아픔을 굳이 파헤칠 필요는 없다.

There is no need to go out of your way to dig up past pain.

Metaphor for reopening old wounds.

학문적 열정으로 미지의 영역을 파헤치다.

To delve into unknown territories with academic passion.

High-level abstract usage.

그의 문체는 독자의 의식 깊숙이 파고든다.

His writing style penetrates deep into the reader's consciousness.

Sophisticated literary analysis.

지질학자들은 지층의 구조를 면밀히 팠다.

Geologists dug into the structure of the strata meticulously.

Scientific precision.

권력의 근간을 파헤치는 다큐멘터리.

A documentary that digs up the foundations of power.

Political and social critique.

세월의 풍파가 그의 얼굴에 주름을 파 놓았다.

The hardships of time have carved wrinkles into his face.

Poetic description of aging.

그 이론의 모순점을 집요하게 파고들었다.

He persistently dug into the contradictions of that theory.

Logical and argumentative rigor.

전통의 맥을 잇기 위해 한 우물을 팠다.

To continue the tradition, he focused on only one path.

Cultural preservation context.

무덤을 파는 행위는 금기시되어 왔다.

The act of digging up graves has been considered taboo.

Anthropological/Cultural taboo.

Common Collocations

구멍을 파다

땅을 파다

우물을 파다

코를 파다

귀를 파다

도장을 파다

함정을 파다

무덤을 파다

도랑을 파다

깊이 파다

Common Phrases

한 우물을 파다

— To focus on one thing persistently until success is achieved.

성공하려면 한 우물을 파야 한다.

자기 무덤을 파다

— To do something that will lead to one's own ruin or trouble.

거짓말을 하는 것은 자기 무덤을 파는 일이다.

땅 파면 돈이 나오나

— A rhetorical question asked to someone being wasteful with money.

돈 좀 아껴 써. 땅 파면 돈이 나오니?

귀를 파 주다

— To clean someone else's ears, often seen as an act of intimacy or care.

할머니가 무릎에 눕혀 귀를 파 주셨다.

사건을 파헤치다

— To investigate a matter thoroughly to uncover hidden truths.

검찰이 비리 사건을 파헤치고 있다.

도장을 파러 가다

— To go to a shop to have a personal seal made.

계약을 위해 도장을 파러 가야 해요.

깊게 파고들다

— To penetrate deeply into a subject, emotion, or physical space.

그 질문은 핵심을 파고들었다.

구덩이를 파다

— To dig a pit or a large hole.

쓰레기를 묻기 위해 구덩이를 팠다.

홈을 파다

— To carve a groove or a slot into a surface.

나사가 들어갈 홈을 팠다.

뿌리를 파다

— To dig up the roots of a plant or metaphorically find the source of a problem.

문제의 뿌리를 파야 해결할 수 있다.

Often Confused With

파다 vs 팔다

Meaning 'to sell'. Easy to confuse because of the similar sound, but '팔다' has a final consonant 'ㄹ'.

파다 vs 펴다

Meaning 'to unfold' or 'to spread'. The vowels 'ㅏ' and 'ㅕ' are the main difference.

파다 vs 패다

Meaning 'to split wood' or 'to beat someone'. The vowel sound is different.

Idioms & Expressions

"한 우물을 파다"

— Stick to one job or field to become an expert.

그는 30년 동안 한 우물만 파서 명장이 되었다.

common

"자기 무덤을 파다"

— To cause one's own destruction.

그의 오만한 행동은 결국 자기 무덤을 파는 꼴이 되었다.

common

"남의 함정을 파다"

— To plot against someone else.

남의 함정을 파는 사람은 결국 자기가 빠지게 된다.

literary

"땅 파서 장사하다"

— Used to say that one cannot give something away for free or for too little profit.

내가 땅 파서 장사하는 것도 아니고, 그렇게 깎아줄 수는 없어요.

informal

"귀가 파이다"

— To be sick of hearing something (rare/dialectal usage).

그 소리는 귀가 파이도록 들었다.

dialect

"속을 파다"

— To try to find out someone's secret thoughts.

그는 내 속을 파려고 자꾸 질문을 던졌다.

informal

"뿌리까지 파헤치다"

— To investigate something to its very origin.

이번 기회에 비리의 뿌리까지 파헤쳐야 한다.

formal

"구멍을 파고 숨다"

— To hide away in shame or fear.

너무 창피해서 구멍이라도 파고 숨고 싶었다.

informal

"우물을 파도 한 우물을 파라"

— A proverb advising to concentrate effort on one task.

이것저것 손대지 말고 우물을 파도 한 우물을 파라.

proverb

"목을 파다"

— To cut a low neckline in clothing (fashion context).

여름 옷이라 목을 깊게 팠어요.

neutral

Easily Confused

파다 vs 캐다

Both involve the ground.

'파다' is making a hole; '캐다' is extracting something like roots or minerals.

땅을 파서 감자를 캤어요.

파다 vs 뚫다

Both create holes.

'파다' is hollowing out; '뚫다' is piercing all the way through.

귀를 뚫은 게 아니라 귀를 팠어요.

파다 vs 새기다

Both can mean carve.

'파다' emphasizes removing material; '새기다' emphasizes the letters/design left behind.

도장에 이름을 새기기 위해 나무를 팠다.

파다 vs 묻다

Opposite actions in the same context.

'파다' is taking out; '묻다' is putting in and covering.

구멍을 파고 타임캡슐을 묻었다.

파다 vs 쑤시다

Both involve poking into a hole.

'쑤시다' is more about a repeated, sometimes painful poking motion.

귀를 너무 세게 쑤시지 마세요.

Sentence Patterns

[Noun]을/를 파다

땅을 파요.

[Body Part]을/를 파다

코를 파요.

[Tool]로 파다

삽으로 파요.

[Abstract Noun]을/를 파다

한 우물을 파다.

파다가 [Action]

땅을 파다가 보물을 찾았어요.

파헤치다/파내다

진실을 파헤치다.

깊숙이 파고들다

가슴 깊숙이 파고들다.

[Metaphor]을/를 파 놓다

세월이 주름을 파 놓았다.

Word Family

Nouns

파기 (pagi - the act of digging)

구덩이 (gudeongi - a pit/hole)

굴착 (gulchak - excavation)

Verbs

파이다 (paida - to be dug, passive)

파내다 (panaeda - to dig out)

파헤치다 (pahechida - to dig up/expose)

파고들다 (pagodeulda - to dig into/penetrate)

Adjectives

파인 (pain - hollowed/dug, used as a modifier)

깊게 파인 (gipge pain - deeply hollowed)

삽 (sap - shovel)

괭이 (gwaengi - hoe)

구멍 (gumeong - hole)

흙 (heulk - soil)

땅 (ttang - ground)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Korean.

Common Mistakes

감자를 파다 → 감자를 캐다
Use '캐다' when you are extracting something edible or valuable from the ground.
귀를 뚫다 (when meaning cleaning) → 귀를 파다
'뚫다' means to pierce for earrings. '파다' means to clean.
바다 (meaning dig) → 파다
Confusing the 'p' and 'b' sounds. 'Bada' is the sea.
땅에 파다 → 땅을 파다
While '에' can be used for location, the action is usually applied directly to the ground as an object.
팔다 (meaning dig) → 파다
'팔다' means to sell. Don't add the 'ㄹ' consonant to the stem.

Tips

Physical Context

Always use '을/를' with the thing you are digging, like '땅을 파다'.

Persistence

Use '한 우물을 파다' to compliment someone's long-term dedication to their craft.

Careful with Ears

When someone cleans your ears, say '귀(를) 파 주다'.

Stamps

If you need a name stamp in Korea, look for a sign that says '도장' and tell them '도장 하나 파 주세요'.

Investigating

Use '파고들다' when you want to describe someone getting to the bottom of a difficult problem.

Passive Voice

Use '파이다' when describing a dent in a car or a hole in the road that already exists.

Social Manners

Never use '코를 파다' or '귀를 파다' in a professional setting.

Harvesting

Remember: '파다' for the hole, '캐다' for the potato!

Aspiration

Put your hand in front of your mouth; you should feel a puff of air when you say 'Pa' in 'Pada'.

Storytelling

Use '파헤치다' in stories to build suspense when a character is uncovering a mystery.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'PA'th. You need to 'PA'da (dig) the ground to make a 'PA'th.

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a large 'P' shaped shovel digging into the earth.

Word Web

Ground (땅) Hole (구멍) Shovel (삽) Nose (코) Ear (귀) Stamp (도장) Well (우물) Research (연구)

Challenge

Try to use '파다' in three different ways today: once for a physical action, once for a body part (like cleaning ears), and once for a hobby you are 'digging into'.

Word Origin

'파다' is a native Korean word (pure Korean) that has existed since Middle Korean. It has maintained its core meaning of removing material to create a space for centuries.

Original meaning: To hollow out or to scoop out.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Avoid using '코를 파다' (picking nose) in polite company as it is considered unhygienic and rude.

In English, 'dig' is often used for 'liking' something (I dig that), but in Korean, '파다' is not used this way. For 'liking,' use '좋아하다'.

The movie 'The Tunnel' (터널) features extensive scenes of '파다' as rescuers try to reach a trapped man. Traditional Korean seal carving (Jeongak) is a recognized art form. Korean folk tales often involve characters digging for hidden treasure or wells.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Gardening

꽃을 심으려고 땅을 파요.
깊게 파야 하나요?
삽으로 파세요.
구멍이 너무 작아요.

Hygiene

코 파지 마세요.
귀 파줄까?
면봉으로 귀를 파요.
코를 파면 코피가 나요.

Construction

도로를 파고 있어요.
포크레인으로 땅을 파요.
파이프를 묻으려고 파요.
어디를 파야 하죠?

Art/Craft

도장을 파러 왔어요.
나무에 무늬를 파요.
이름을 파 주세요.
섬세하게 파야 해요.

Metaphorical/Study

한 우물을 파세요.
사건을 깊이 파고 있어요.
수학만 파고 있어요.
진실을 파헤쳐야 해요.

Conversation Starters

"정원에 나무를 심고 싶은데, 구멍을 얼마나 깊게 파야 할까요?"

"혹시 근처에 도장 파는 곳이 어디 있는지 아세요?"

"어렸을 때 어머니가 귀를 파 주셨던 기억이 나세요?"

"요즘 특별히 깊게 파고 있는 취미나 공부가 있으신가요?"

"한국 사람들은 왜 '한 우물을 파라'는 말을 자주 할까요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 '한 우물을 파기' 위해 노력한 일에 대해 써보세요.

어렸을 때 흙을 파고 놀았던 기억이 있다면 묘사해 보세요.

만약 당신이 땅을 파다가 보물을 발견한다면 무엇을 하고 싶나요?

당신이 가장 깊게 '파고' 싶은 학문 분야는 무엇인가요?

누군가가 당신의 약점을 '파헤친다면' 어떻게 대응할 것인가요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but usually in the form '파헤치다' or '파다' with the object '진실' (truth). It implies looking for something hidden.

Yes, it is considered very informal and socially inappropriate in public settings. It is mostly used with children or close family.

'파다' is the everyday word for digging. '굴착하다' is a technical term used in construction and engineering.

The phrase is '자기 무덤을 파다'. It is used exactly like the English idiom.

You can, but '조각하다' or '깎다' is more common for 3D statues. '파다' is better for seals or engravings.

No. Unlike English 'I dig it', '파다' in Korean slang means 'to be obsessed with' or 'to study only one thing'.

It means to focus on one single path or career to achieve success, rather than trying many different things.

Yes, '귀를 파다' is the standard way to say cleaning or picking one's ears.

Yes, it follows the regular conjugation rules for verbs ending in 'ㅏ'.

The passive form is '파이다', which means 'to be dug' or 'to be hollowed out'.