This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 verb #1,500 most common 12 min read

넘어지다

neomeojida
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 넘어지다 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 넘어지다 in your Level:
At the A1 beginner level, the focus is on learning the most basic, essential vocabulary for survival and simple daily communication. 넘어지다 is introduced as a core action verb. Beginners learn to associate this word with the physical act of falling down. The primary goal is to be able to state that an accident occurred, usually in the past tense. Learners will practice simple sentences like 저는 넘어졌어요 (I fell) or 아이가 넘어졌어요 (The child fell). At this stage, the grammatical complexity is kept to a minimum. Students learn to recognize the word in spoken language, often accompanied by physical gestures or expressions of pain. They also learn basic responses, such as asking 괜찮아요? (Are you okay?) when someone else falls. The vocabulary is heavily tied to immediate physical experiences and basic body movements. Understanding this word allows A1 learners to communicate basic physical distress or describe a simple event that just happened, which is a crucial step in building foundational conversational skills in Korean. The focus is purely on the literal, physical meaning of losing balance and hitting the ground.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 elementary level, learners begin to expand their use of 넘어지다 by adding context and detail to their sentences. They move beyond simple statements and start explaining the reasons and locations associated with the fall. This involves integrating location particles like 에서 (e.g., 길에서 넘어졌어요 - I fell on the street) and causal conjunctions like 아/어서 (e.g., 미끄러워서 넘어졌어요 - It was slippery, so I fell). A2 learners also start to use the word in conjunction with other verbs to describe a sequence of events, such as 뛰다가 넘어졌어요 (I fell while running). This level introduces the ability to tell a very short, simple story about an accident. Furthermore, learners begin to understand the difference between 넘어지다 (falling over) and 떨어지다 (falling from a height), avoiding a common beginner mistake. They might also learn basic imperative forms to warn others, like 넘어지지 마세요 (Don't fall). The vocabulary remains focused on physical events, but the grammatical structures allow for much more expressive and detailed communication about those events, enabling learners to navigate daily life and basic medical situations more effectively.
At the B1 intermediate level, the usage of 넘어지다 becomes more sophisticated and narrative-driven. Learners are expected to be able to recount detailed stories about accidents, including the circumstances leading up to the fall, the fall itself, and the aftermath (e.g., injuries, going to the hospital). They will use more complex grammar patterns, such as 넘어질 뻔했어요 (I almost fell) to describe near-misses, which adds a layer of nuance to their storytelling. B1 learners also begin to encounter the word in broader contexts, such as news reports about icy roads or sports commentary. They start to understand related vocabulary like 엎어지다 (fall forward) and 미끄러지다 (slip), allowing them to be more precise in their descriptions. While the primary meaning remains physical, learners at this stage might start to recognize very basic metaphorical uses, such as a plan falling apart, though literal usage still dominates. The focus is on fluency, accuracy in complex sentences, and the ability to express subtle differences in how an event occurred, moving from simple statements to engaging narratives.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 upper-intermediate level, learners have a strong grasp of the physical and literal uses of 넘어지다 and begin to comfortably explore its metaphorical and abstract applications. In B2, falling is not just about gravity; it can represent failure, setbacks, or encountering significant obstacles in life or business. Learners might read articles or listen to speeches where a company's failure is described with imagery related to falling or stumbling. They understand proverbs and idiomatic expressions that use the concept of falling to teach lessons about resilience, such as the famous 'fall down seven times, stand up eight' concept. Grammatically, B2 learners can seamlessly integrate the verb into complex, multi-clause sentences, expressing hypothetical situations (만약 거기서 넘어졌다면... - If I had fallen there...) or expressing regret. They are fully aware of the nuanced differences between 넘어지다, 쓰러지다, and 떨어지다, and use them accurately without hesitation. The word becomes a tool not just for describing physical accidents, but for discussing abstract concepts of success, failure, and human struggle in a culturally appropriate manner.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 advanced level, the use of 넘어지다 is characterized by native-like fluency, precision, and a deep understanding of cultural and literary nuances. C1 learners can effortlessly use the word in highly abstract, metaphorical, and poetic contexts. They might analyze literature where falling symbolizes a moral failing, a loss of status, or a psychological collapse. They are comfortable with rare or highly specific compound words and idiomatic expressions derived from the concept of falling. In conversation, they can use the word humorously, sarcastically, or with deep empathy, adjusting their register perfectly to the situation. They understand the subtle emotional weight the word carries in different contexts, from the minor embarrassment of a public trip to the devastating impact of a major life failure. At this level, grammar is no longer a barrier; the focus is on stylistic choice and rhetorical effect. C1 learners can manipulate the imagery of 넘어지다 to persuade, entertain, or evoke strong emotions in their audience, demonstrating a mastery of the language that goes far beyond literal definitions.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 mastery level, the learner's command of 넘어지다 is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. They possess an exhaustive knowledge of the word's etymology, historical usage, and regional variations. C2 learners can engage in complex philosophical or sociological discussions where the concept of 'falling'—whether societal, economic, or personal—is a central theme. They can effortlessly invent new metaphors or play with the word's meaning in creative writing or sophisticated debate. They understand the most obscure idioms and colloquialisms related to falling and can use them naturally. At this pinnacle of language proficiency, 넘어지다 is not just a vocabulary item; it is a conceptual tool used to deconstruct and articulate the most complex aspects of the human condition. The C2 learner navigates the subtle boundaries between related words with absolute precision, using language not just to communicate facts, but to shape thought and express the deepest layers of cultural and intellectual meaning.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

넘어지다 in 30 Seconds

  • The Korean verb 넘어지다 is an essential A2 level word that describes the physical action of losing balance and falling over onto the ground.
  • It is strictly an intransitive verb, meaning it cannot take a direct object, and is often used with location particles like 에 or 에서.
  • Beyond physical falls, it can be used metaphorically in advanced contexts to describe the failure of a business, a plan, or a personal endeavor.
  • Commonly confused with 떨어지다 (to fall from a height) and 쓰러지다 (to collapse from illness), 넘어지다 specifically focuses on tripping or losing footing.
The Korean verb 넘어지다 is a fundamental vocabulary word that primarily means to fall over, to trip, or to lose one's balance and collapse onto the ground. Understanding this word is crucial for learners because it describes a very common physical event that happens in everyday life. When a person is walking, running, or even just standing, they might encounter an obstacle, slip on a slick surface like ice or water, or simply lose their footing, resulting in a fall. This action is captured perfectly by the word 넘어지다. It is an intransitive verb, which means it does not take a direct object. You cannot fall something; you simply fall. The physical mechanics of 넘어지다 usually involve a transition from an upright, vertical position to a horizontal position on the ground. This is distinct from dropping an object, which would use a different verb like 떨어뜨리다, or an object falling from a height, which is 떨어지다. The word 넘어지다 is specifically focused on the loss of balance of a person or an upright object like a tree, a bicycle, or a building, although for buildings and large structures, 무너지다 is often more appropriate. When learning 넘어지다, it is helpful to visualize the sudden, often unexpected nature of the action. You are walking down the street, feeling fine, and suddenly your toe catches on an uneven paving stone. Gravity takes over, your arms flail as you try to regain your balance, but it is too late. You hit the ground. That entire sequence of events, the loss of control and the impact with the earth, is encompassed by 넘어지다. In addition to the physical act of falling, 넘어지다 carries an emotional weight. Falling in public can be embarrassing. It can cause physical pain, scrapes, bruises, or even more serious injuries like broken bones or sprains. Therefore, the word is frequently used in contexts involving hospitals, doctors, and expressions of sympathy or concern. When someone says 넘어졌어요, the natural response is to ask 괜찮아요? or 다쳤어요?. The etymology of the word is also fascinating. It is a compound of the verb 넘다, which means to cross over, to exceed, or to go beyond, and the auxiliary verb structure 어지다, which indicates a change of state or becoming something. So, literally, 넘어지다 means to become gone over or to be crossed over, painting a vivid picture of a body tipping past its center of gravity and going over the edge of balance. This literal translation helps cement the meaning in the learner's mind. Furthermore, the concept of falling is universal, but the specific situations where one might fall can vary. In Korea, with its distinct four seasons, falling on icy sidewalks during the freezing winter months is a very common occurrence, making 넘어지다 a highly seasonal word that spikes in usage during December, January, and February. Similarly, during the monsoon season in summer, slippery, rain-slicked streets provide another common environment for people to experience this verb firsthand. Beyond humans, inanimate objects that stand upright can also 넘어지다. A vase on a table, a book standing on a shelf, or a bicycle parked on the street can all fall over. The core concept remains the same: a loss of vertical stability resulting in a horizontal resting state. Mastering this word opens up the ability to describe accidents, explain injuries, and relate physical mishaps, which are essential communicative functions for any language learner navigating the real world.
Physical Action
The act of losing balance and hitting the ground.
Intransitive Nature
It cannot take an object. You just fall.
Emotional Context
Often associated with pain, embarrassment, or sudden surprise.

길에서 넘어지다.

얼음 위에서 넘어지다.

뛰다가 넘어지다.

자전거가 넘어지다.

크게 넘어지다.

Using 넘어지다 correctly in Korean requires an understanding of its grammatical properties and the typical sentence structures it inhabits. As an intransitive verb, it describes an action that the subject performs without affecting a direct object. Therefore, you will never see the object particles 을 or 를 used with the word that is falling. Instead, the subject of the sentence, marked by 이, 가, 은, or 는, is the entity that experiences the fall. For example, 내가 넘어졌어요 means I fell. The most common particles used in conjunction with 넘어지다 are location and cause particles. To express where the fall occurred, you use the location particles 에 or 에서. If the fall happened at a specific dynamic location where an action was taking place, 에서 is appropriate, such as 길에서 넘어졌어요 (I fell on the street) or 운동장에서 넘어졌어요 (I fell on the playground). If you are describing falling onto a specific surface or into a state, 에 might be used, though 에서 is far more common for the general location of the accident. Another critical grammatical component is expressing the cause or reason for the fall. This is frequently done using grammatical structures like 아/어서 (because/so) or 기 때문에 (because of). For instance, 얼음이 미끄러워서 넘어졌어요 translates to Because the ice was slippery, I fell. Similarly, 돌에 걸려서 넘어졌어요 means I tripped over a stone and fell, literally I caught on a stone so I fell. The verb is highly versatile in its conjugations. In the present tense, it is 넘어져요, but because falling is usually an instantaneous event that has already happened by the time you talk about it, the past tense 넘어졌어요 is overwhelmingly more common in daily conversation. When warning someone not to fall, you would use the negative imperative form 넘어지지 마세요 (Please do not fall) or 조심하세요, 넘어질 수 있어요 (Be careful, you might fall). The future tense or presumptive form 넘어질 거예요 (will fall / might fall) is used when predicting an accident, perhaps when seeing someone walking on a very icy path. Additionally, the modifier form 넘어지는 (falling) can be used to describe nouns, such as 넘어지는 사람 (a falling person), while the past modifier 넘어진 (fallen) describes a state, like 넘어진 자전거 (a fallen bicycle). Advanced learners will also encounter the expression 넘어질 뻔하다, which means almost fell. This is an incredibly useful phrase for describing near-misses, such as 미끄러워서 넘어질 뻔했어요 (It was slippery, so I almost fell). Understanding these various grammatical connections and conjugations is essential for integrating 넘어지다 smoothly into natural Korean speech. It allows the speaker to not just state the fact of a fall, but to provide the rich context of where, why, and how it happened, turning a simple vocabulary word into a powerful tool for storytelling and communication.
Location Particles
Use 에서 to indicate where the fall happened, like 길에서.
Causal Structures
Combine with 아/어서 to explain why you fell, like 미끄러워서.
Near Misses
Use ㄹ 뻔하다 to say you almost fell.

계단에서 넘어지다.

돌에 걸려 넘어지다.

앞으로 넘어지다.

뒤로 넘어지다.

쾅 하고 넘어지다.

The verb 넘어지다 is ubiquitous in Korean daily life, appearing in a wide variety of contexts ranging from casual conversations to formal news reports. One of the most common places you will hear this word is in environments involving children. Playgrounds, schools, and parks are prime locations for physical activity, and consequently, for falling. Parents and teachers frequently use the word when comforting a crying child: 넘어졌어? 많이 아파? (Did you fall? Does it hurt a lot?) or when issuing warnings: 뛰지 마, 넘어져! (Don't run, you'll fall!). The word is deeply tied to the experience of growing up and learning to navigate the physical world. Another major context is during the winter season. Korea experiences cold winters with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures. Icy sidewalks (빙판길) are a notorious hazard, and during this time, news broadcasts frequently feature segments warning citizens to be careful not to slip and fall. You will hear phrases like 빙판길에서 넘어지지 않도록 조심하세요 (Please be careful not to fall on the icy roads). In medical settings, such as hospitals or clinics, 넘어지다 is a critical piece of vocabulary. When a patient arrives with an injury, the doctor or nurse will inevitably ask how it happened. Explaining that you fell (넘어져서 다쳤어요) is the first step in receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment, whether it is for a simple scrape, a sprained ankle, or a broken bone. Sports and physical activities also provide a rich context for this word. In soccer, basketball, skiing, or skating, falling is a normal part of the game. Commentators will describe a player losing their balance and falling, and athletes will discuss their falls during practice or competition. Beyond the literal physical contexts, 넘어지다 is occasionally used in metaphorical or abstract ways, particularly in literature, motivational speeches, or business contexts. In these situations, falling represents failure, making a mistake, or experiencing a setback. A motivational speaker might say, 일곱 번 넘어져도 여덟 번 일어난다, which is a famous proverb meaning Fall down seven times, stand up eight. This highlights the cultural value placed on resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. In business, a company that fails or goes bankrupt might be described metaphorically as having fallen, although words like 망하다 or 도산하다 are more direct. However, the imagery of stumbling and falling is universally understood as a symbol of encountering difficulties. Therefore, mastering 넘어지다 not only equips you to handle practical, everyday situations involving physical accidents but also opens the door to understanding deeper cultural expressions of struggle, failure, and the determination to rise again. It is a word that bridges the gap between the physical reality of gravity and the emotional reality of human experience.
Childhood
Frequently heard on playgrounds when kids are running and playing.
Winter Weather
Common in news warnings about icy roads and slipping hazards.
Hospitals
Used to explain the cause of an injury to medical professionals.

아이가 넘어지다.

빙판길에서 넘어지다.

스키를 타다가 넘어지다.

운동장에서 넘어지다.

실수로 넘어지다.

When learning the Korean verb 넘어지다, students frequently encounter a few specific pitfalls, primarily related to confusing it with other verbs that translate to fall in English. English uses the single word fall for a wide variety of actions: falling over, falling from a height, falling asleep, falling in love, and so on. Korean, however, is much more specific. The most common mistake is using 넘어지다 when you should use 떨어지다. 떨어지다 means to fall from a height or to drop. If an apple falls from a tree, a book falls off a desk, or a person falls off a roof, the correct verb is 떨어지다. Using 넘어지다 in these contexts sounds nonsensical to a native speaker, as it would imply the apple or the book was standing upright on the ground and simply lost its balance. 넘어지다 is strictly for losing balance while on a surface. Another frequent point of confusion is with the verb 쓰러지다. While both involve ending up on the ground, the cause and nuance are different. 쓰러지다 means to collapse, usually due to internal reasons like illness, exhaustion, fainting, or weakness. If someone passes out from the heat, they 쓰러지다. If someone trips over a rock, they 넘어지다. Using 넘어지다 for a medical collapse fails to convey the seriousness of the internal condition, while using 쓰러지다 for a simple trip sounds overly dramatic. Additionally, learners sometimes mistakenly try to use 넘어지다 transitively. Because English allows phrases like I fell the tree (meaning I chopped it down), learners might try to say 나무를 넘어졌어요. This is grammatically incorrect. 넘어지다 cannot take an object. To express knocking something over, you must use the causative form 넘어뜨리다 or 넘뜨리다. So, 나무를 넘어뜨렸어요 means I knocked the tree over. Finally, pronunciation can sometimes be a minor hurdle. The double consonant in the related word 떨어지다 is absent here, but the transition between the syllables 넘, 어, and 지 requires smooth vocalization. Ensure you are not pausing awkwardly between the syllables. By paying close attention to the specific physical mechanics of the fall—is it a loss of balance on the ground, a drop from a height, or a collapse from weakness?—learners can easily avoid these common mistakes and use 넘어지다 with native-like accuracy.
Vs. 떨어지다
Do not use for falling from heights. Use 떨어지다 instead.
Vs. 쓰러지다
Do not use for fainting or collapsing from illness. Use 쓰러지다.
Transitive Error
Cannot be used with object particles to mean 'knock over'.

잘못된 표현: 지붕에서 넘어지다.

올바른 표현: 지붕에서 떨어지다.

잘못된 표현: 병으로 넘어지다.

올바른 표현: 병으로 쓰러지다.

길에서 넘어지다 (Correct).

The Korean language is rich in vocabulary describing physical actions, and there are several words similar to 넘어지다 that offer slightly different nuances or describe specific types of falling. Understanding these subtle differences can greatly enhance your expressive capabilities. As previously discussed, 쓰러지다 is a close synonym but is used for collapsing due to weakness, illness, or exhaustion, rather than tripping. A large tree falling over due to a storm might also be described with 쓰러지다, emphasizing the collapse of a massive structure. Another interesting related word is 엎어지다. This specifically means to fall forward, landing on one's face or stomach. If you trip and do a face-plant, 엎어지다 is the most accurate description. It carries a slightly more comical or severe visual image than the general 넘어지다. Conversely, 자빠지다 means to fall backward, landing on one's back or bottom. However, 자빠지다 is considered somewhat colloquial, slangy, or even slightly vulgar depending on the context. It is often used in a derogatory or humorous way, and learners should be cautious about using it in formal situations. You might hear someone say 뒤로 자빠졌다 to emphasize a dramatic backward fall. Another related concept is 미끄러지다, which means to slip or slide. While slipping often leads to falling, they are distinct actions. You can 미끄러지다 on the ice without actually 넘어지다 if you manage to catch your balance. Often, the two are combined to describe the full sequence of events: 미끄러져서 넘어졌어요 (I slipped and fell). Finally, the verb 뒹굴다 means to roll around on the ground. After someone falls (넘어지다), they might roll around in pain (뒹굴다). By learning these related verbs, you can paint a much more precise and vivid picture of an event. Instead of just saying someone fell, you can specify if they collapsed from exhaustion, face-planted, fell backward comically, or slipped first. This level of detail is what separates a beginner from an intermediate or advanced speaker, allowing for richer storytelling and clearer communication in Korean.
엎어지다
To fall forward, face-first.
자빠지다
To fall backward (colloquial/informal).
미끄러지다
To slip, which often causes a fall.

앞으로 엎어지다.

뒤로 자빠지다.

미끄러져서 넘어지다.

쓰러져서 넘어지다 (Unnatural combination).

크게 넘어지다.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

아/어서 (Reason)

다가 (Interruption)

ㄹ 뻔하다 (Near miss)

지 않게 (Negative purpose)

는 것 (Nominalization)

Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

저는 길에서 넘어졌어요.

I fell on the street.

Past tense of the verb used with location particle 에서.

2

아이가 넘어졌어요.

The child fell.

Subject particle 가 used with the noun child.

3

어제 넘어졌어요.

I fell yesterday.

Time word 어제 used with past tense.

4

넘어져서 아파요.

I fell, so it hurts.

Conjunction 어서 used to show cause and effect.

5

조심하세요, 넘어져요.

Be careful, you will fall.

Present tense used as a warning for the immediate future.

6

눈이 와서 넘어졌어요.

It snowed, so I fell.

Cause and effect with weather.

7

크게 넘어졌어요.

I fell hard.

Adverb 크게 (big/hard) modifying the verb.

8

여기서 넘어졌어요.

I fell here.

Location word 여기 with particle 서.

1

얼음이 미끄러워서 넘어졌어요.

The ice was slippery, so I fell.

Adjective 미끄럽다 conjugated with 어서 to show reason.

2

뛰다가 넘어졌어요.

I fell while running.

Grammar pattern 다가 showing an action interrupted by another.

3

자전거를 타다가 넘어졌어요.

I fell while riding a bike.

Using 다가 with an object-verb phrase.

4

돌에 걸려서 넘어졌어요.

I tripped over a stone and fell.

Particle 에 used with the cause of tripping (걸리다).

5

넘어지지 않게 조심하세요.

Be careful not to fall.

Negative purpose pattern 지 않게.

6

계단에서 넘어져서 다리를 다쳤어요.

I fell on the stairs and hurt my leg.

Connecting two past tense events with 어서.

7

어두워서 안 보여서 넘어졌어요.

It was dark and I couldn't see, so I fell.

Multiple causal clauses.

8

넘어졌지만 괜찮아요.

I fell, but I'm okay.

Contrastive conjunction 지만.

1

비가 와서 길이 미끄러우니까 넘어지지 않도록 주의하세요.

It's raining and the road is slippery, so please be careful not to fall.

Complex sentence with 니까 (reason) and 도록 (purpose).

2

어릴 때 자전거에서 넘어진 흉터가 아직도 있어요.

I still have a scar from falling off my bike when I was young.

Noun modifier form (넘어진) describing a past state.

3

서두르다가 하마터면 계단에서 넘어질 뻔했어요.

I was rushing and almost fell down the stairs.

Grammar pattern ㄹ 뻔하다 for near misses.

4

선수가 경기 중에 크게 넘어졌지만 다시 일어났습니다.

The athlete fell hard during the match but got back up.

Formal narrative style.

5

길이 얼어붙어서 넘어지는 사람들이 많았어요.

The road was frozen, so there were many people falling.

Present modifier (넘어지는) describing an ongoing situation.

6

너무 피곤해서 길을 걷다가 쓰러지듯 넘어졌어요.

I was so tired that I fell as if collapsing while walking.

Using 듯 (as if) to compare actions.

7

그는 돌부리에 걸려 앞으로 엎어지듯 넘어졌다.

He tripped over a stone and fell forward as if face-planting.

Combining descriptive verbs for vivid imagery.

8

넘어졌을 때 창피해서 아픈 줄도 몰랐어요.

When I fell, I was so embarrassed I didn't even realize it hurt.

Time clause (을 때) and complex emotional description.

1

사업에 실패해서 크게 넘어졌지만, 그는 포기하지 않았습니다.

He fell hard failing in business, but he didn't give up.

Metaphorical use of falling for failure.

2

인생에서 몇 번 넘어지느냐보다 어떻게 일어나느냐가 중요합니다.

How you get up is more important than how many times you fall in life.

Abstract philosophical statement using interrogative endings.

3

그 스캔들로 인해 정치인의 명성이 하루아침에 무너지듯 넘어졌다.

Due to the scandal, the politician's reputation fell as if collapsing overnight.

Advanced metaphorical usage with abstract nouns.

4

빙판길 낙상 사고로 넘어지는 노인 환자가 급증하고 있습니다.

The number of elderly patients falling due to icy road accidents is rapidly increasing.

Formal news report vocabulary (낙상, 급증).

5

아무리 조심해도 예상치 못한 장애물에 걸려 넘어질 수밖에 없는 때가 있다.

No matter how careful you are, there are times when you inevitably trip over unexpected obstacles.

Complex grammar 수밖에 없다 (no choice but to).

6

그녀는 충격적인 소식을 듣고 다리에 힘이 풀려 주저앉듯 넘어졌다.

Hearing the shocking news, her legs gave out and she fell as if sinking down.

Vivid descriptive phrasing.

7

실패를 두려워하여 넘어지기를 거부한다면 결코 성장할 수 없다.

If you refuse to fall out of fear of failure, you can never grow.

Using the nominalized form (기) as an object.

8

경제가 휘청거리며 수많은 기업들이 도미노처럼 넘어지고 있다.

As the economy falters, countless companies are falling like dominoes.

Simile (처럼) combined with metaphorical falling.

1

칠전팔기의 정신으로, 수없이 넘어져도 굴하지 않고 다시 일어서는 끈기가 필요하다.

With the spirit of 'fall seven times, stand up eight', we need the perseverance to rise again without yielding, no matter how many times we fall.

Use of four-character idiom (사자성어) and highly formal vocabulary.

2

그의 논리는 기초적인 사실 관계에서부터 걸려 넘어지며 모순을 드러냈다.

His logic tripped over basic factual relationships, revealing its contradictions.

Metaphorical use applied to abstract concepts like logic and argument.

3

시대의 격랑 속에서 거대한 제국조차 허무하게 넘어지는 것을 역사는 증명한다.

History proves that even massive empires fall vainly amidst the turbulent waves of an era.

Literary and historical register.

4

타인의 시선에 얽매여 자신의 길에서 넘어지는 우를 범하지 말아야 한다.

One must not commit the folly of stumbling on one's own path by being bound by the gaze of others.

Philosophical and advisory tone.

5

단순한 실족으로 넘어졌다고 치부하기에는 그 배후에 얽힌 구조적 모순이 너무나 깊다.

To dismiss it as a simple misstep and fall is to ignore the structural contradictions entangled behind it that are far too deep.

Analytical and critical phrasing.

6

권력의 정점에서 한순간에 나락으로 넘어지는 인간 군상의 비애를 그린 작품이다.

It is a work that depicts the sorrow of human figures falling from the pinnacle of power into the abyss in an instant.

Artistic and literary critique style.

7

자만심이라는 돌부리에 걸려 넘어지지 않도록 항시 스스로를 경계해야 할 것이다.

One must constantly guard oneself so as not to trip over the stone of arrogance.

Metaphorical warning using formal endings.

8

시장은 작은 악재 하나에도 크게 휘청거리며 연쇄적으로 넘어질 위기에 처해 있다.

The market is teetering greatly even at a single piece of bad news, facing the crisis of a chain-reaction fall.

Economic and financial terminology.

1

존재의 심연으로 넘어지는 듯한 그 아득한 절망감은 필설로 다 형용하기 어렵다.

That distant sense of despair, as if falling into the abyss of existence, is difficult to fully describe with pen and tongue.

Highly poetic and existential language.

2

역사의 수레바퀴 앞에서 개인의 의지는 때로 무력하게 넘어지고 바스러질 뿐이다.

In front of the wheel of history, the will of an individual sometimes merely falls helplessly and crumbles.

Fatalistic literary metaphor.

3

그 사상은 시대의 한계를 넘지 못하고 결국 스스로의 모순에 걸려 넘어지고 말았다.

That ideology could not overcome the limitations of its era and ultimately ended up tripping over its own contradictions.

Academic analysis of historical thought.

4

언어의 그물망 사이로 빠져나가 끝내 의미의 지평 너머로 넘어지는 침묵의 순간들.

The moments of silence that slip through the net of language and ultimately fall beyond the horizon of meaning.

Avant-garde poetic imagery.

5

거짓된 번영의 환상이 깨어지는 순간, 사회 전체가 걷잡을 수 없는 혼란 속으로 넘어졌다.

The moment the illusion of false prosperity shattered, the entire society fell into uncontrollable chaos.

Sociological critique.

6

인간은 본디 불완전한 존재이기에 끊임없이 넘어지면서도 그 상흔을 통해 진리를 모색해 나가는 것이다.

Because humans are inherently imperfect beings, they constantly fall, yet seek out truth through those scars.

Philosophical discourse on human nature.

7

그의 문장은 화려한 수사에 취해 비틀거리다 결국 서사의 뼈대마저 잃고 넘어지는 우를 범했다.

His sentences, intoxicated by flashy rhetoric, staggered and ultimately committed the folly of falling, losing even the skeleton of the narrative.

Harsh literary criticism.

8

모든 가치가 전도된 시대에, 올바르게 서 있으려는 노력 자체가 곧 넘어짐을 각오하는 순교적 행위가 되었다.

In an era where all values are inverted, the very effort to stand upright has become a martyrlike act of preparing to fall.

Profound socio-political commentary.

Common Collocations

길에서 넘어지다
얼음에서 넘어지다
크게 넘어지다
앞으로 넘어지다
뒤로 넘어지다
걸려 넘어지다
미끄러져 넘어지다
자주 넘어지다
실수로 넘어지다
다시 넘어지다

Common Phrases

넘어질 뻔하다
넘어지지 않게 조심하다
넘어져서 다치다
넘어지고 일어서다
넘어질 듯 말 듯
벌렁 넘어지다
쿵 넘어지다
훌쩍 넘어지다
픽 넘어지다
와르르 넘어지다

Often Confused With

넘어지다 vs 떨어지다

넘어지다 vs 쓰러지다

넘어지다 vs 미끄러지다

Idioms & Expressions

"일곱 번 넘어져도 여덟 번 일어난다"
"돌부리에 채여 넘어지다"
"제 꾀에 넘어지다"
"바람에 넘어지다"
"함정에 빠져 넘어지다"
"유혹에 넘어지다"
"말에 넘어가다"
"속아 넘어가다"
"산통 깨지듯 넘어지다"
"도미노처럼 넘어지다"

Easily Confused

넘어지다 vs

넘어지다 vs

넘어지다 vs

넘어지다 vs

넘어지다 vs

Sentence Patterns

Sign up free to see all examples

How to Use It

nuance

Strictly for losing balance on a surface. Not for dropping objects or falling from heights.

restrictions

Intransitive only. Cannot be used in passive voice as it is already an unaccusative verb.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 넘어지다 instead of 떨어지다 for falling from a height.
  • Using object particles (을/를) with 넘어지다.
  • Using 넘어지다 instead of 쓰러지다 for fainting or collapsing from illness.
  • Pronouncing it exactly as spelled without applying the liaison rule (너머지다).
  • Using the present tense when describing a past accident.

Tips

Intransitive Verb

Never use 을/를 with 넘어지다. It is an intransitive verb.

Location Particle

Use 에서 to indicate the place where you fell, e.g., 길에서.

Liaison Rule

Pronounce it as 너머지다 for natural speech.

Not for Heights

Do not use this word if you fall off a ladder. Use 떨어지다.

Expressing Concern

Always ask 괜찮아요? if you see someone fall.

Causal Connectors

Use 아/어서 to explain why you fell, e.g., 미끄러워서.

Near Misses

Memorize the phrase 넘어질 뻔했어요 for times you almost fall.

Medical Context

This is a crucial word to know if you need to visit a doctor in Korea.

Winter Word

You will hear this word constantly during icy Korean winters.

Metaphorical Use

Remember that falling can also mean failing in business or life.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine someone named 'Neo' (너) 'mopping' (머) the floor, slipping, and saying 'Gee' (지) as they fall 'down' (다). Neo-mop-gee-da -> 넘어지다.

Word Origin

Native Korean

Cultural Context

When someone falls, it is polite to immediately ask '괜찮으세요?' (Are you okay?) or '다치지 않으셨어요?' (Did you not get hurt?).

There are no major superstitions about falling, but falling on a significant day like an exam day might be seen as a bad omen metaphorically.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"어릴 때 크게 넘어져서 다친 적 있어요?"

"겨울에 빙판길에서 넘어진 적 있어요?"

"최근에 실수로 넘어진 적이 있나요?"

"자전거 타다가 넘어져 본 적 있어요?"

"넘어졌을 때 가장 창피했던 기억이 뭐예요?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you fell and got hurt.

Write about a metaphorical 'fall' or failure in your life and how you recovered.

Explain the difference between 넘어지다 and 떨어지다 with examples.

Write a warning message to a friend about icy roads.

Describe a funny incident where you or someone else tripped.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you cannot. 넘어지다 is only for things that stand upright and lose their balance. For dropping an object, use 떨어뜨리다.

넘어지다 is tripping or falling over on the ground. 떨어지다 is falling from a high place, like a roof or a tree, down through the air.

No, that is incorrect because 넘어지다 cannot take an object. To say you knocked a tree over, use the causative form 넘어뜨리다: 나무를 넘어뜨렸어요.

You use the grammar pattern ㄹ 뻔하다. The correct phrase is 넘어질 뻔했어요.

Because of Korean liaison rules (연음). The final consonant ㅁ in 넘 moves to the empty consonant position in the next syllable 어, making it sound like 너머.

While technically possible if a building tipped over perfectly intact, the word 무너지다 (to collapse, crumble) is much more natural and commonly used for structures.

The most common and polite response is 괜찮으세요? (Are you okay?) or 다치지 않았어요? (Did you not get hurt?).

They are similar, but 자빠지다 specifically means to fall backward and is considered informal or slightly vulgar slang. 넘어지다 is the standard, polite word.

Yes, in advanced contexts, it can mean to fail at a task or business, similar to 'stumbling' or 'falling' in English.

The past tense 넘어졌어요 is the most common because you usually talk about a fall after it has already happened.

Sign up free for tips & notes

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write 'I fell' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

넘어졌어요.

Past tense.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Past tense.

writing

Write 'I fell on the street' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

길에서 넘어졌어요.

Location particle.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Location particle.

writing

Write 'The child fell' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

아이가 넘어졌어요.

Subject particle.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Subject particle.

writing

Write 'I almost fell' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

넘어질 뻔했어요.

Near miss grammar.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Near miss grammar.

writing

Write 'Be careful not to fall' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

넘어지지 않게 조심하세요.

Negative purpose.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Negative purpose.

writing

Write 'I slipped and fell' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

미끄러져서 넘어졌어요.

Causal connection.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Causal connection.

writing

Write 'I fell while running' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

뛰다가 넘어졌어요.

Interruption grammar.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Interruption grammar.

writing

Write 'I fell hard' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

크게 넘어졌어요.

Adverb usage.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Adverb usage.

writing

Write 'I fell forward' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

앞으로 넘어졌어요.

Direction.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Direction.

writing

Write 'I fell backward' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

뒤로 넘어졌어요.

Direction.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Direction.

writing

Write 'The bicycle fell' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

자전거가 넘어졌어요.

Object falling.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Object falling.

writing

Write 'I fell because of the ice' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

얼음 때문에 넘어졌어요.

Cause grammar.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Cause grammar.

writing

Write 'I fell on the stairs' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

계단에서 넘어졌어요.

Location.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Location.

writing

Write 'I tripped over a stone and fell' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

돌에 걸려 넘어졌어요.

Complex cause.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Complex cause.

writing

Write 'Don't fall' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

넘어지지 마세요.

Negative imperative.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Negative imperative.

writing

Write 'I will fall' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

넘어질 거예요.

Future tense.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Future tense.

writing

Write 'I fall often' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

자주 넘어져요.

Present tense adverb.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Present tense adverb.

writing

Write 'I didn't fall' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

안 넘어졌어요.

Negative past.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Negative past.

writing

Write 'I fell by mistake' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

실수로 넘어졌어요.

Reason adverb.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Reason adverb.

writing

Write 'I fell again' in Korean.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

다시 넘어졌어요.

Repetition adverb.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Repetition adverb.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Speaking practice.

listening

What did the person say?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

What is the warning?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

What happened to the child?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

Did the person fall?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

What fell?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

How did they fall?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

How did they fall?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

Which way did they fall?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

Which way did they fall?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

Why did they fall?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

Where did they fall?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

When did they fall?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

Where did they fall?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

Why did they fall?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

listening

Why did they fall?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Listening practice.

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

Sign up free to practice

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

転ぶ Japanese
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!