This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 verb 4 min read

묵다

When Koreans say 묵다, they usually mean staying somewhere temporarily, like at a hotel or a friend's house. It's often used when you're traveling or away from your usual home. You can also use it for food that's been around for a while, like aged kimchi, but the primary meaning at this level is about staying somewhere overnight or longer. It implies a temporary residence, not a permanent one. So, if you're planning a trip, you might say you're going to 묵다 at a particular place.

Practice it

Let's talk about the Korean verb 묵다 (mukda). This word is very practical and you'll hear it often in conversations, especially when people are talking about travel or staying somewhere. It means 'to stay overnight,' 'to lodge,' or 'to reside for a night or longer.'

§ Understanding 묵다 (mukda)

The core meaning of 묵다 is about staying somewhere temporarily, typically for one or more nights. It's a common word you'll encounter in everyday conversations about travel plans, business trips, or even just crashing at a friend's place.

DEFINITION: To stay overnight; to lodge or reside for a night or longer.

§ Where you actually hear this word — work, school, news

You'll find 묵다 used in various contexts. Here are some common situations:

Travel and Vacations: When people talk about going on a trip, they often use 묵다 to describe where they will be staying.
Business Trips: If someone is traveling for work, they might mention where they're lodging using this verb.
News and Reports: Sometimes in news reports, especially related to tourism or emergencies, you might hear this word used to describe people staying in certain accommodations.

Let's look at some examples to help you understand how to use 묵다 naturally.

저희는 제주도에서 3일 밤을 묵을 예정이에요.
(We plan to stay for three nights in Jeju Island.)

어디에 묵으실 건가요?
(Where will you be staying / lodging?)

출장 가서 호텔에 묵었습니다.
(I stayed in a hotel for my business trip.)

친구가 저희 집에 묵었어요.
(My friend stayed at our house.)

Understanding 묵다 will greatly help you when discussing travel plans or accommodation in Korean. Keep practicing these examples, and you'll be using it like a native speaker in no time!

§ Understanding 묵다 (mukda)

The Korean verb 묵다 (mukda) is a versatile word that primarily means 'to stay overnight,' 'to lodge,' or 'to reside for a night or longer.' It's a fundamental verb for discussing travel and accommodation. You'll hear it often when people talk about where they slept or are planning to sleep when away from home.

§ Common Uses of 묵다

Here are some common situations where you would use 묵다:

When staying at a hotel, guesthouse, or hostel.
When camping or staying in a tent.
When visiting a friend or family member's house and sleeping there.
When referring to any temporary lodging situation for one or more nights.

저 호텔에서 하룻밤 묵었어요.

Translation hint: I stayed overnight at that hotel.

부산에서 이틀 묵을 예정이에요.

Translation hint: I'm planning to stay for two days in Busan.

§ Similar Words and When to Use 묵다 vs. Alternatives

While 묵다 is great for 'staying overnight,' there are other Korean verbs that relate to staying or residing, and understanding their nuances will make your Korean sound more natural.

살다 (salda): This verb means 'to live' or 'to reside' and is used for long-term residency. If you live in a city, a house, or a country for an extended period, you use 살다. It implies a more permanent or semi-permanent situation, not just a temporary overnight stay.

저는 서울에 살아요.

Translation hint: I live in Seoul.

머무르다 (meomuruda): 머무르다 also means 'to stay,' but it can be more general than 묵다. While it can include overnight stays, it also applies to staying somewhere for a period of time without necessarily implying sleeping there. For example, you might 머무르다 at a cafe for a few hours. When referring to accommodation, 묵다 specifically emphasizes the 'overnight' aspect, whereas 머무르다 can be a bit broader.

잠시 여기 머물러도 될까요?

Translation hint: Can I stay here for a moment?

체류하다 (cheryuhada): This verb is a more formal way of saying 'to stay' or 'to sojourn,' often used in official contexts like visa applications or immigration. It usually implies a longer, planned stay, especially in a foreign country.

저는 한국에 3개월간 체류할 예정입니다.

Translation hint: I plan to stay in Korea for 3 months.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

When talking about staying at a hotel or an inn.

호텔에 묵다 (to stay at a hotel)
여관에 묵다 (to stay at an inn)
어디에서 묵을 거예요? (Where will you be staying?)

When discussing plans for a trip or travel.

며칠 묵을 예정이에요. (I plan to stay for a few days.)
여행 가서 어디에 묵었어요? (Where did you stay when you traveled?)
친구 집에서 묵었어요. (I stayed at a friend's house.)

When asking or telling someone about where they stayed.

지난 주말에 어디에 묵었니? (Where did you stay last weekend?)
저는 게스트하우스에서 묵었어요. (I stayed at a guesthouse.)
이번에는 다른 곳에 묵고 싶어요. (I want to stay somewhere else this time.)

When referring to the duration of a stay.

하룻밤 묵었어요. (I stayed for one night.)
오랫동안 묵을 수 있나요? (Can I stay for a long time?)
이틀만 묵을게요. (I'll only stay for two days.)

When making a reservation or inquiry about accommodation.

방에 묵을 수 있나요? (Can I stay in a room?)
몇 명이 묵을 건가요? (How many people will be staying?)
예약하고 묵으세요. (Please make a reservation and stay.)

Conversation Starters

"여행 가면 보통 어디에 묵으세요? (Where do you usually stay when you travel?)"

"친구 집에 묵어본 적 있어요? (Have you ever stayed at a friend's house?)"

"가장 기억에 남는 숙소는 어디였어요? (What was the most memorable place you've stayed?)"

"한국에서 어디에 묵고 싶어요? (Where do you want to stay in Korea?)"

"이번 주말에 어디에서 묵을 계획이에요? (Where are you planning to stay this weekend?)"

Journal Prompts

이번 여름 휴가에 어디에서 묵고 싶은지 구체적으로 써보세요. (Write in detail about where you want to stay this summer vacation.)

만약 한국 여행을 간다면, 어떤 종류의 숙소에 묵고 싶은가요? 왜요? (If you were to go on a trip to Korea, what kind of accommodation would you want to stay in? Why?)

누군가 우리 집에 묵는다고 하면, 어떻게 준비할 건가요? (If someone were to stay at your house, how would you prepare?)

과거에 묵었던 곳 중에 가장 좋았던 곳과 가장 안 좋았던 곳을 비교해서 써보세요. (Compare and write about the best and worst places you've stayed in the past.)

묵는 동안 경험하고 싶은 특별한 활동이나 경험이 있다면 무엇인가요? (If there are any special activities or experiences you'd like to have while staying, what are they?)