입히다

The Korean verb 입히다 (iphida) is the causative form of the base verb 입다 (ipda), which means 'to wear' or 'to put on clothes.' In Korean grammar, adding the suffix '-히-' transforms the action from something the subject does for themselves into an action the subject performs on someone or something else. Therefore, 입히다 primarily translates to 'to dress someone,' 'to clothe someone,' or 'to make someone wear something.' This verb is essential in daily life, particularly in contexts involving caregiving, parenting, and even metaphorical situations where one 'clothes' an object with a layer or 'inflicts' an abstract quality upon a person.

Direct Physical Action

The most common use is when a parent dresses a child, or a caregiver helps a patient put on their clothes. It implies a level of assistance or control over the person being dressed.

Beyond the literal act of putting clothes on a body, 입히다 extends into several abstract and technical domains. In the realm of interpersonal relations and law, it is used to describe causing someone to experience harm, damage, or loss. This is a crucial distinction for intermediate and advanced learners. For instance, '손해를 입히다' means 'to cause damage' or 'to inflict a loss.' Here, the 'clothing' is metaphorical—the subject is effectively wrapping the victim in the state of having suffered a loss. This usage is very common in news reports, legal documents, and formal apologies.

Metaphorical Infliction

When used with words like 'damage' (손해), 'injury' (상처), or 'humiliation' (망신), the verb describes the act of causing these negative states to befall another person.

In technical or artistic contexts, 입히다 refers to applying a layer of material to a surface. For example, a carpenter might 'clothe' a piece of furniture in a coat of lacquer, or a digital artist might 'clothe' a 3D model in a specific texture. This 'coating' nuance stems from the idea of covering something's exterior. You might hear this in the kitchen as well, such as '튀김옷을 입히다,' which means to coat something in batter before frying. This demonstrates the versatility of the word from the nursery to the construction site and the kitchen.

Socially, the act of 입히다 can carry heavy connotations of care or status. In historical dramas (Sageuk), you will often see court ladies dressing the king or queen. In these contexts, the honorific version 입혀 드리다 is used to show high respect. Conversely, dressing a pet in a cute outfit is a popular modern hobby in Korea, and you will find countless social media posts using this verb to describe the latest canine or feline fashion. Understanding the breadth of 입히다 allows you to navigate both the most intimate family moments and the most professional legal or technical discussions.

Using 입히다 correctly requires a clear understanding of Korean causative sentence structures. Because this verb involves an agent (the one doing the dressing) and a recipient (the one being dressed), the particles used are vital for clarity. The basic formula is: [Subject/Agent] + [Recipient]에게/한테 + [Clothing/Object]을/를 + 입히다. This structure clearly identifies who is performing the action, who is receiving it, and what item is being used.

The Dative Recipient

The person being dressed is usually marked with '에게' (formal) or '한테' (informal). This highlights their role as the indirect beneficiary or recipient of the action.

In some cases, the recipient can also be marked with the object marker '-을/를' if the focus is more on the person being 'processed' or 'affected' rather than just receiving an item. For example, '아이를 입히다' simply means 'to dress the child.' However, when you specify the item of clothing, the 'Recipient-에게 Object-을' pattern is far more common and sounds more natural in standard Korean.

When we transition to the metaphorical use of 입히다, the structure remains similar, but the 'clothing' becomes an abstract noun. If you cause someone damage, the sentence becomes: [Subject] + [Victim]에게 + 손해를 + 입히다. Notice how the logic of 'putting something onto someone' holds true even when the 'something' is a financial loss or an emotional wound. This pattern is extremely productive and appears frequently in news headlines regarding corporate negligence or criminal activity.

Passive vs. Causative

Do not confuse '입히다' (to dress someone) with '입다' (to wear). While '입다' is a simple transitive verb, '입히다' is its causative counterpart. If you say '내가 입었어,' you wore it. If you say '내가 입혔어,' you made someone else wear it.

In formal settings, particularly when referring to the actions of elders or superiors, you must use the honorific suffix '-시-'. For example, if a grandmother is dressing her grandson, and you are speaking about her, you would say '할머니께서 손자에게 옷을 입히십니다.' If you are the one dressing the grandmother, you would use the humble form '입혀 드립니다.' Mastering these variations is key to sounding natural and respectful in Korean society. Finally, in the passive voice, one might say '피해를 입었다' (to suffer damage, literally 'to wear damage'), which is the counterpart to '피해를 입히다' (to cause damage).

You will encounter 입히다 in a variety of real-world environments, ranging from the domestic to the professional. In a typical Korean household with young children, the morning routine is filled with this verb. Parents will say things like "빨리 옷 입혀 줄게" (I'll dress you quickly) or ask each other "아기 옷 입혔어?" (Did you dress the baby?). It is a word rooted in care and the daily labor of parenting.

The Hospital and Care Center

In medical settings, nurses and caregivers use this word when assisting patients who cannot dress themselves. It is a professional yet compassionate term used in patient care plans and daily reports.

Another very common place to hear 입히다 is in the pet industry. Korea has a booming pet fashion market. In pet grooming salons or clothing shops, staff will talk about '입히기 쉬운 옷' (clothes that are easy to put on [the pet]). You will hear pet owners discussing whether their dogs like being 'dressed' or if they struggle when their owners try to 'clothe' them for a walk in the cold winter. This usage highlights the expansion of the word to non-human recipients.

Switching to the news and media, 입히다 takes on a more serious tone. Whenever there is a report about a fire, a financial scam, or an environmental disaster, the reporters will use the phrase '피해를 입히다' (to cause damage). For example, "이번 산불이 지역 주민들에게 막대한 피해를 입혔습니다" (This forest fire caused enormous damage to local residents). In this context, the word is formal and carries the weight of responsibility and consequence.

The Digital and Artistic World

In tech talks or art classes, you'll hear about '색을 입히다' (to apply color) or '디자인을 입히다' (to apply a design). This is used when adding a final layer of aesthetic or functional detail to a project.

Lastly, in the kitchen, chefs and home cooks use the word when coating food. Whether it's '밀가루를 입히다' (coat with flour) or '계란물을 입히다' (coat with egg wash), the verb describes the essential step of preparing ingredients for frying or baking. It is a word that spans from the most delicate tasks, like dressing a newborn, to the most robust industrial processes, like coating steel, making it a truly ubiquitous part of the Korean language.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning 입히다 is confusing it with other 'dressing' verbs. In English, we use 'put on' or 'wear' for almost everything—hats, shoes, gloves, and shirts. However, Korean is much more specific. 입히다 is strictly for clothing that covers the torso or the whole body (like shirts, pants, and dresses). If you try to use it for shoes or hats, it will sound very strange to a native speaker.

Mistake 1: The Wrong Accessory

Do not use '입히다' for shoes. For shoes, you must use '신기다' (the causative of 신다). For hats, use '씌우다' (the causative of 쓰다). For gloves or rings, use '끼우다'.

Another common error involves the particles. Learners often forget that the person being dressed is an indirect object. They might say '아이를 옷을 입히다,' which is technically understandable but less natural than '아이에게 옷을 입히다.' The '에게/한테' particle clearly marks the recipient of the 'wearing' action. If you use '를' for both the person and the clothes, the sentence feels 'heavy' and grammatically cluttered.

Confusion also arises between 입히다 and 입게 하다. While both mean 'to make someone wear something,' 입히다 implies a direct, physical involvement (like actually putting the shirt over the child's head), whereas 입게 하다 is more indirect (like telling the child to go put on a shirt or making it a rule that they must wear one). If you physically help the person, always choose 입히다.

Mistake 2: Metaphorical Misuse

Using '입히다' for positive abstract things like 'happiness' or 'love' is not common. It is almost exclusively used for negative impacts like 'damage' (손해), 'harm' (피해), or 'injury' (상처).