무시하다
To deliberately act as if someone or something does not exist or is not important.
Explanation at your level:
You use 무시하다 when you do not look at someone. Imagine you are playing a game and you do not hear your friend. You are ignoring them. This is a very simple way to say 'I do not care about this right now.'
At this level, you can use it to talk about rules. If you do not follow a rule, you are ignoring it. For example, 'I ignored the stop sign.' It is a common word to describe when you choose to act like something is not important.
Use this word when discussing social interactions or professional advice. It often implies a negative feeling. If someone ignores your advice, you might feel frustrated. It is a useful word for expressing when someone is being rude or dismissive of your contributions.
At this level, consider the nuance of 무시하다. It is not just 'not seeing'; it is 'disregarding.' It is often used in debates or formal complaints. You might say, 'The company ignored the safety concerns of the employees,' which shows a serious lack of consideration.
In advanced contexts, 무시하다 can describe the dismissal of data, evidence, or complex theories. It is frequently used in academic or legal writing to highlight instances where relevant information was intentionally overlooked. It carries a weight of responsibility.
Mastering this word involves understanding its cultural weight. In Korean society, 무시하다 is a sensitive term. Being told you are 'ignoring' someone is a serious social critique. It touches on concepts of respect and hierarchy, where ignoring someone is often seen as a direct challenge to their status.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means to ignore or disregard.
- It is a deliberate action.
- Commonly used in daily life.
- Important to use carefully.
The Korean verb 무시하다 is a powerful word used to describe the act of ignoring someone or something on purpose. Think of it as a social 'delete' button where you choose to act as if a person, a rule, or an idea simply isn't there.
It is important to note that 무시하다 is not just about missing something by accident. It is a deliberate act. Whether you are ignoring a warning sign while driving or giving someone the 'cold shoulder' at a party, you are making a choice to treat the subject as unimportant.
The word 무시하다 is a Sino-Korean word, meaning it is derived from Chinese characters (Hanja). Specifically, it comes from 無 (무), meaning 'none' or 'lack of,' and 視 (시), meaning 'to see' or 'to look at.'
Historically, the combination literally translates to 'not looking at' or 'lack of vision' regarding a subject. Over centuries, this evolved from a literal description of not turning one's eyes toward someone to the abstract psychological concept of disregarding someone's value or authority entirely.
You will hear 무시하다 in many different settings, from casual arguments to serious professional environments. In a casual setting, you might say someone is ignoring your text messages. In a professional setting, it might refer to ignoring safety protocols or expert advice.
Common collocations include 의견을 무시하다 (ignore an opinion) or 경고를 무시하다 (ignore a warning). It is considered a strong word, so be careful when using it to describe people, as it can sound quite accusatory or aggressive.
While 무시하다 is a verb itself, it is often used in common expressions. For example, 본체만체하다 is a related idiom meaning to pretend not to see someone, which is a specific form of 무시하다.
Another common way to express this is 안중에도 없다, which means someone or something is not even in one's field of vision—a very strong way to say you are completely ignoring them.
Grammatically, 무시하다 is a regular verb. It follows the standard Korean conjugation rules for verbs ending in -하다. You can change it to 무시했다 for the past tense or 무시할 것이다 for the future.
Pronunciation-wise, emphasize the 'mu' and 'shi' clearly. It is a four-syllable word that flows smoothly. There are no complex batchim (final consonants) to trip you up, making it relatively easy to pronounce for beginners.
Fun Fact
The character 視 is also used in words like 'television' (텔레비전/TV), showing the connection to 'seeing'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear syllables, no stress on specific parts.
Consistent with Korean phonetic rules.
Common Errors
- Mixing up 'mu' and 'moo'
- Slurring the 'ha' sound
- Misplacing the pitch accent
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to speak
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb conjugation
무시하다 -> 무시했다
Object marker
말을 무시하다
Negative command
무시하지 마세요
Examples by Level
그는 나를 무시해요.
He / me / ignores.
Simple present tense.
경고를 무시하지 마세요.
그는 내 말을 무시했다.
규칙을 무시하면 안 돼요.
그녀는 나를 무시하고 지나갔다.
신호를 무시하지 마세요.
그는 내 의견을 무시했다.
왜 나를 무시해?
모두가 그를 무시했다.
전문가의 조언을 무시해서는 안 됩니다.
그는 사람들의 시선을 무시하고 행동했다.
데이터를 무시하면 결과가 나빠질 수 있습니다.
그녀는 나의 노력을 무시했다.
법을 무시하는 것은 위험합니다.
그는 내 전화를 무시했다.
상대방을 무시하는 태도는 좋지 않아요.
그는 위험을 무시하고 강을 건넜다.
그는 자신의 건강을 무시한 대가를 치렀다.
상대방의 감정을 무시하는 것은 예의가 아니다.
그는 모든 반대 의견을 무시하고 프로젝트를 강행했다.
역사적 사실을 무시하는 것은 위험한 일이다.
그는 자신의 실수를 무시하려고 노력했다.
그는 사회적 규범을 무시하는 경향이 있다.
전문 지식을 무시하는 태도는 지양해야 한다.
그는 내 경고를 무시하더니 결국 사고를 냈다.
그는 자신의 직관을 무시하고 논리적 판단을 따랐다.
정부는 시민들의 목소리를 무시해서는 안 된다.
그는 자신의 잠재력을 무시하고 낮은 목표를 세웠다.
그는 비판을 무시하고 자신의 예술적 신념을 지켰다.
그는 현실을 무시한 채 이상적인 계획만 세웠다.
그는 타인의 고통을 무시하는 냉혈한이다.
그는 자신의 내면의 소리를 무시하지 않았다.
그는 관습을 무시하고 새로운 방식을 도입했다.
그는 권위주의적 태도로 하급자의 의견을 무시했다.
그는 도덕적 가치를 무시한 채 이익만을 쫓았다.
그는 증거를 무시하고 자신의 주장을 고집했다.
그는 세간의 평판을 무시하고 자신의 길을 걸었다.
그는 운명론을 무시하고 스스로 미래를 개척했다.
그는 인간의 존엄성을 무시하는 행위에 분노했다.
그는 과학적 근거를 무시한 주장을 반박했다.
그는 자신의 고통을 무시하며 일에 몰두했다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"본체만체하다"
to pretend not to see
그는 나를 본체만체했다.
neutral"안중에도 없다"
to be out of one's concern
그는 내 마음은 안중에도 없다.
neutral"찬밥 신세"
to be treated as unimportant
나는 찬밥 신세가 되었다.
casual"거들떠보지도 않다"
to not even glance at
그는 내 선물을 거들떠보지도 않았다.
neutral"무시로 일관하다"
to consistently ignore
그는 질문에 무시로 일관했다.
formal"뒷전으로 밀리다"
to be pushed to the back/ignored
내 의견은 뒷전으로 밀렸다.
neutralEasily Confused
similar sounds
fear vs ignore
무서워하다 is to be afraid.
passive form
to ignore vs to be ignored
무시당했다 is passive.
similar meaning
belittle vs ignore
경시하다 is more formal.
similar meaning
miss by mistake vs ignore on purpose
간과하다 is accidental.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Object + 를/을 + 무시하다
그는 내 말을 무시했다.
Subject + Object + 를/을 + 무시하지 마라
경고를 무시하지 마라.
Subject + Object + 를/을 + 무시할 수 없다
그의 의견을 무시할 수 없다.
Subject + Object + 를/을 + 무시하는 태도
그를 무시하는 태도는 나쁘다.
Subject + Object + 를/을 + 무시한 채
그는 내 말을 무시한 채 나갔다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
무시하다 is active ignoring, not passive forgetting.
You can't ignore something you don't know exists.
They sound similar but mean ignore vs fear.
무시하다 can sound rude; use milder terms in business.
무시하다 is for people/ideas, not digital files.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place a sign that says 'Ignore' in your doorway.
Context Matters
Avoid using it toward your boss!
Cultural Insight
Ignoring is a major social taboo in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
It conjugates just like all other -하다 verbs.
Say It Right
Practice the 'mu' and 'shi' separately.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse it with 'fear' (무서워하다).
Did You Know?
It has roots in ancient Chinese characters.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences about your daily life.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'MOO-cow' (무) that 'SEES' (시) you but turns away.
Visual Association
A person turning their head away from someone speaking.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to identify three things you are currently ignoring (like a notification) today.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Not to look at (無: none, 視: sight)
Cultural Context
Can be perceived as very rude if used toward elders or superiors.
Similar to 'to ignore' or 'to disregard'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- 의견을 무시하다
- 지시를 무시하다
- 규정을 무시하다
in relationships
- 나를 무시해?
- 감정을 무시하다
- 연락을 무시하다
in driving
- 신호를 무시하다
- 속도 제한을 무시하다
- 경고를 무시하다
in study
- 중요한 부분을 무시하다
- 데이터를 무시하다
- 질문을 무시하다
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever been ignored?"
"Is it ever okay to ignore someone?"
"How do you feel when someone ignores you?"
"What is the most common thing people ignore?"
"How can we avoid ignoring others?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt ignored.
Describe a situation where someone should have been ignored.
How does ignoring someone affect a relationship?
Reflect on a time you ignored a warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, usually, unless you are ignoring something inanimate like a minor error.
Yes, you can ignore a rule or a sign.
존중하다 (to respect).
It can be used in both formal and informal settings.
No, it is an active choice.
무시당했다.
Yes, very common in daily conversation.
Yes, if they ignore your call!
Test Yourself
그는 나를 ___.
무시한다 fits the context of 'He ignores me'.
Which means to ignore?
무시하다 is the correct verb.
무시하다 is a positive word.
It is generally negative.
Word
Meaning
Matching opposites.
Subject + Object + Verb order.
Score: /5
Summary
무시하다 is a strong verb for intentionally ignoring someone or something, so use it with caution!
- Means to ignore or disregard.
- It is a deliberate action.
- Commonly used in daily life.
- Important to use carefully.
Memory Palace
Place a sign that says 'Ignore' in your doorway.
Context Matters
Avoid using it toward your boss!
Cultural Insight
Ignoring is a major social taboo in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
It conjugates just like all other -하다 verbs.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
More emotions words
받아들이다
A2To accept, to embrace, to take in.
아파하다
A2To feel pain or sorrow.
감탄스럽다
A2To be admirable or wonderful; to inspire awe.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2To admire or to marvel; to express wonder.
기특하다
B1Admirable for a good deed or thought; commendable.
충고
B1Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action; advice.
애정
B1Affection; a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
애틋하다
B2To be tender, fond, or wistful.
살갑다
B2To be warm, friendly, affectionate.
