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A1 verb #3,500 most common 9 min read

덮다

deopda Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 덮다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 덮다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners focus on the most basic physical actions of '덮다'. This primarily includes covering oneself with a blanket (이불을 덮다) and closing a book (책을 덮다). The emphasis is on understanding that '덮다' is used for things that are layered or folded, distinguishing it from '닫다' (to close a door). Learners should practice the present tense '덮어요' and the past tense '덮었어요' in simple Subject-Object-Verb sentences. The goal is to be able to describe basic bedtime routines or classroom actions. Vocabulary is limited to everyday objects like blankets, books, and pot lids.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of '덮다' to include more variety in objects and basic instructions. This includes using the instrumental particle '~으로' to specify what is being used to cover something (e.g., '음식을 랩으로 덮으세요'). Learners also begin to use the word in the context of weather, such as '눈이 땅을 덮었어요' (Snow covered the ground). The causative and auxiliary forms like '덮어 주다' (to cover for someone) are introduced, reflecting helpful actions toward others. Understanding the difference between '덮다' and '가리다' (to block/shield) becomes more important as learners describe their surroundings in more detail.

At the B1 level, the focus shifts toward more figurative and abstract uses of '덮다'. Learners start to encounter phrases like '실수를 덮다' (to cover up a mistake) or '사건을 덮다' (to cover up an incident). They should be comfortable using the passive form '덮이다' to describe states, such as '산이 안개에 덮여 있다' (The mountain is covered in fog). At this stage, learners are expected to understand the word in a variety of contexts, including news reports and more complex storytelling. They should also be able to use '덮다' in various grammatical structures, such as '~기 위해' (in order to cover) or '~ㄴ/은 채로' (while covered).

At the B2 level, learners should master the nuances of '덮다' in idiomatic expressions and professional contexts. This includes the common phrase '덮어놓고' (blindly/without condition), which is used to describe actions done without thinking or looking at the facts. Learners explore the use of '덮다' in literature and formal writing where it might describe darkness, silence, or emotions 'covering' a scene. The distinction between '덮다' and more specific verbs like '씌우다' (to put on/over) or '은폐하다' (to conceal/hide evidence) is refined. They should be able to discuss social issues, such as media 'cover-ups', using appropriate formal vocabulary.

At the C1 level, learners appreciate the subtle poetic and rhetorical uses of '덮다'. They can analyze how the word is used in classical and modern Korean literature to create atmosphere or symbolize concealment and protection. The use of '덮다' in complex grammatical constructions and high-level formal speech (like academic lectures or legal discussions) is expected. Learners should be able to explain the etymological roots and how the word relates to other words in the same family. They also understand the social implications of 'covering' in Korean culture, such as 'covering' for a family member's faults to maintain 'face' (체면).

At the C2 level, mastery of '덮다' is near-native. This includes an intuitive understanding of every possible nuance, from the most mundane physical act to the most complex metaphorical application. The learner can use '덮다' in creative writing, puns, and high-level debate. They are familiar with archaic or rare forms of the word used in historical dramas or classical texts. They can effortlessly switch between registers and know exactly when '덮다' is the most impactful word choice compared to its dozens of synonyms. Their use of the word reflects a deep integration into the Korean linguistic and cultural psyche.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

덮다 in 30 Seconds

Primary verb for 'covering' with blankets or cloths.
Standard word for 'closing' books or pot lids.
Used figuratively to mean 'covering up' secrets or mistakes.
Regular conjugation; distinct from '닫다' (close doors).

The Korean verb 덮다 (deopda) is a foundational action word primarily used to describe the act of placing one thing over another to conceal, protect, or enclose it. At its most basic level, it translates to 'to cover' or 'to close' (specifically for objects like books or lids). Unlike the English verb 'to close' which can apply to doors or windows (where Korean uses 닫다), 덮다 specifically implies a folding over or a layering action. This distinction is vital for learners to grasp early on to avoid common lexical errors. When you use 덮다, you are essentially creating a barrier or a layer between an object and the outside world.

Physical Covering: The most common usage involves blankets, clothes, or cloths. When you feel cold, you 이불을 덮다 (cover yourself with a blanket). This implies the blanket is laid over the body.
Enclosing Objects: This refers to putting lids on pots (뚜껑을 덮다) or closing a book (책을 덮다). The action involves bringing the top part down to meet the bottom part, effectively 'covering' the interior.

추우니까 이불을 꼭 덮으세요.

Since it is cold, please make sure to cover yourself with the blanket.

Beyond the physical, 덮다 extends into abstract and metaphorical domains. It is frequently used in the context of concealing secrets or mistakes. Just as a blanket hides what is beneath it, a person might 'cover up' a scandal or a fault to prevent others from seeing it. This figurative use is common in news reports and formal discussions. Furthermore, it can describe natural phenomena, such as snow covering the ground or darkness covering the city. In these instances, the word evokes a sense of totality and quietude, where the original surface is no longer visible under the weight of the new layer.

그는 자신의 실수를 덮으려고 노력했다.

He tried to cover up his own mistake.

Natural Phenomena: When snow falls heavily, we say 눈이 온 세상을 덮었다 (Snow covered the whole world). This uses the verb to describe an environmental state change.

In summary, 덮다 is a versatile verb that moves from the simple act of pulling up a blanket to the complex social act of hiding the truth. Its usage is defined by the concept of 'layering over' and 'concealing from view.' Whether you are finishing a study session by closing your book or watching the clouds cover the sun, 덮다 is the essential verb to describe that transition from open to covered.

Using 덮다 correctly requires understanding its object-oriented nature. As a transitive verb, it almost always takes an object marked with the particle ~을/를. The sentence structure follows the standard Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) pattern. Depending on the level of formality and the relationship between speakers, the verb will conjugate into various endings like 덮어요 (polite), 덮어 (casual), or 덮습니다 (formal).

Basic Conjugation: The stem is 덮-. In the present tense, it becomes 덮어요. In the past tense, it is 덮었어요. For the future, use 덮을 거예요. Notice that the final consonant 'ㅍ' remains consistent throughout.

책을 덮고 제 말을 들으세요.

Close your book and listen to me.

One of the most frequent sentence patterns involves the use of the instrumental particle ~으로 (with/by). This specifies what is being used to cover the object. For example, 'Cover the food with plastic wrap' would be 음식을 랩으로 덮으세요. Here, '랩' (wrap) is the tool used for covering. This pattern is essential for giving instructions in cooking, cleaning, or caring for others.

구름이 해를 덮어 버렸어요.

The clouds have completely covered the sun.

In more complex sentences, 덮다 can be combined with auxiliary verbs like ~어 주다 (to do something for someone). If you are covering a child with a blanket, you would say 아이에게 이불을 덮어 주었어요. This adds a nuance of care and service to the action. Additionally, the passive form 덮이다 (to be covered) is used when the focus is on the object being covered rather than the actor. For example, 산이 눈으로 덮여 있어요 (The mountain is covered with snow).

Imperative Forms: To tell someone to cover something, use 덮으세요 (polite) or 덮어라 (casual/command). This is common in recipes: 냄비 뚜껑을 덮으세요 (Cover the pot lid).

Finally, consider the negative forms. If you shouldn't cover something, you say 덮지 마세요. This is important in contexts like wound care, where some wounds need air to heal. Understanding these varied structures allows you to transition from simple observations to complex, nuanced communication in everyday Korean life.

You will encounter 덮다 in a wide variety of real-world Korean settings, ranging from the intimate atmosphere of a home to the professional environment of a classroom or kitchen. In a Korean household, the most common context is bedtime. Parents will often say to their children, 추우니까 이불 잘 덮고 자 (Cover yourself well with the blanket and sleep). This reflects the cultural importance of staying warm while sleeping to prevent catching a cold, a common concern in Korean parenting.

자, 이제 모두 책을 덮으세요. 시험을 시작하겠습니다.

Now, everyone close your books. We will begin the exam.

In educational settings, teachers use 덮다 constantly. When a lesson ends or a test begins, the command to 'close your books' (책을 덮다) is the standard signal. You might also hear it in a library or a bookstore when someone is finished browsing. The sound of a book being closed—the 'thud' of the cover meeting the pages—is linguistically captured by this verb. It signifies the end of a session of reading or studying.

In the Kitchen: Korean cuisine involves many stews and steamed dishes. A chef or a mother will say 뚜껑을 덮고 10분간 끓이세요 (Cover with the lid and boil for 10 minutes). The act of 'covering' is essential for 'steaming' (찜) or 'simmering' (찌개).
Weather Reports: On the news, meteorologists use 덮다 to describe fog (안개) or clouds (구름) blanketing an area. For example, 짙은 안개가 전국을 덮었습니다 (Thick fog has covered the entire country).

Lastly, you will see 덮다 in written instructions, such as on product packaging for microwave meals ('Cover and heat') or in DIY manuals. It is a functional, everyday word that bridges the gap between domestic care and professional precision. Whether you are listening to a grandmother's advice or a news anchor's report, 덮다 appears as a verb of protection, completion, and concealment.

One of the most frequent hurdles for English speakers learning Korean is the distinction between 'closing' a door and 'closing' a book. In English, we use the same verb 'close' for both. However, in Korean, 덮다 is strictly for items that involve a covering or folding action (like a book or a lid), while 닫다 is used for barriers that slide or swing shut (like doors, windows, or drawers). Saying 문을 덮으세요 instead of 문을 닫으세요 sounds very strange to a native speaker, as it implies you are trying to lay a blanket over the door.

Confusing 덮다 with 닫다: Remember: 닫다 = Doors, windows, drawers. 덮다 = Books, blankets, lids, eyes (when closing them with hands).

❌ 창문을 덮어 주세요. (Wrong)
✅ 창문을 닫아 주세요. (Correct)

Another common mistake involves the conjugation of 덮다. Many learners confuse it with the irregular verb 돕다 (to help). In 돕다, the 'ㅂ' changes to '우' or '오' (e.g., 도와요). However, 덮다 is a regular verb with a 'ㅍ' final consonant, so it remains 덮어, 덮으니, and 덮어서. Students often mistakenly apply the 'ㅂ' irregular rule to 'ㅍ' verbs, resulting in incorrect forms like 더워요 (which actually means 'it is hot' from 덥다). Pay close attention to the spelling: 덮다 (cover) vs 덥다 (hot).

A third mistake is using 덮다 when 가리다 (to hide/shield) is more appropriate. While they both involve concealment, 가리다 is used when you are blocking someone's view or shielding your eyes from the sun. 덮다 implies a physical layer being placed on top. If you use your hands to hide your face, you could use either, but 가리다 is more common for the act of 'hiding' from sight, whereas 덮다 is the physical act of 'covering' the surface.

Particle Errors: Learners sometimes forget to use the instrumental particle ~으로 for the material used to cover. Saying 이불을 아이를 덮다 is incorrect; it should be 아이를 이불로 덮다 (Cover the child with a blanket).

To truly master the concept of 'covering' in Korean, one must distinguish 덮다 from its close relatives. Each word carries a specific nuance that changes based on the object, the intention, and the result of the action. Understanding these synonyms and alternatives will allow you to describe scenes with much greater precision.

덮다 vs 가리다: 덮다 emphasizes placing a layer over something (e.g., a blanket). 가리다 emphasizes blocking the view or shielding (e.g., covering your eyes with your hands or a curtain blocking the window).
덮다 vs 씌우다: 씌우다 is the causative form of 쓰다 (to wear/put on head). It is used when you put a hat on someone or put a plastic bag over something. It implies fitting something onto or over an object, often to protect it.
덮다 vs 닫다: 닫다 is for 'closing' things like doors, windows, and shops. 덮다 is for 'closing' books or putting a lid on a pot.

햇빛을 가리다 (Block the sunlight)
책을 덮다 (Close the book)

In the context of 'hiding' something, 덮다 is often compared with 감추다 or 숨기다. While 덮다 implies covering the evidence or the surface (like covering up a mistake), 숨기다 means to put something in a place where it cannot be found. 감추다 is similar to 숨기다 but often carries a more deliberate or secretive tone, frequently used for emotions or physical objects.

Finally, there is 포장하다 (to wrap/pack). While 덮다 is just laying something over, 포장하다 implies a complete wrapping, usually for a gift or for shipping. By choosing the right word from this set, you show a sophisticated command of the Korean language and a deep understanding of the physical and social dynamics of 'covering'.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While '덮다' (cover) and '덥다' (hot) sound very similar, they have entirely different origins and conjugation rules.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʌp̚.t͈a/

US /dʌp̚.t͈a/

First syllable (덮)

Rhymes With

접다 (jeopda - to fold) 업다 (eopda - to carry on back) 잡다 (japda - to catch) 뽑다 (ppopda - to pull out) 굽다 (gupda - to bake) 돕다 (dopda - to help) 입다 (ipda - to wear) 좁다 (jopda - to be narrow)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'deob-da' with a voiced 'b'.
Confusing it with 'deop-da' (hot) which is spelled '덥다'.
Releasing the 'p' sound at the end of the first syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

Writing 2/5

Must remember the 'ㅍ' final consonant.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation of the double 't' in 'deop-ta' takes practice.

Listening 2/5

Can be confused with '덥다' (hot) in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

책 (book) 이불 (blanket) 눈 (snow) 손 (hand)

Learn Next

닫다 (close) 열다 (open) 펴다 (unfold) 가리다 (hide)

Advanced

은폐하다 (conceal) 엄폐하다 (cover/hide) 도포하다 (apply/coat)

Grammar to Know

Regular 'ㅍ' Verb Conjugation

덮다 -> 덮어, 덮으니, 덮어서

Instrumental Particle '~으로'

천으로 덮다 (Cover with cloth)

Passive Suffix '~이~'

덮다 -> 덮이다 (To be covered)

Auxiliary Verb '~어 주다'

덮어 주다 (Cover for someone)

Auxiliary Verb '~어 두다'

덮어 두다 (Cover and leave it)

Examples by Level

책을 덮으세요.

Close your book.

Imperative form (~으세요).

이불을 덮어요.

I cover myself with a blanket.

Present tense (polite).

우리는 뚜껑을 덮었어요.

We covered it with a lid.

Past tense (polite).

눈이 길을 덮어요.

Snow covers the road.

Subject-Object-Verb structure.

그것을 덮지 마세요.

Don't cover that.

Negative imperative (~지 마세요).

책을 덮고 자요.

Close the book and sleep.

Connective ending (~고).

이불이 따뜻하게 덮어줘요.

The blanket covers me warmly.

Adverbial use (따뜻하게).

상자를 덮으세요.

Cover the box.

Direct object with '을'.

음식을 랩으로 덮어 두세요.

Cover the food with plastic wrap (and leave it).

Instrumental particle (~으로) and auxiliary (~어 두다).

아기에게 이불을 덮어 주었어요.

I covered the baby with a blanket.

Benefactive auxiliary (~어 주다).

추우면 코트를 덮으세요.

If you are cold, cover yourself with a coat.

Conditional (~면).

먼지가 쌓이지 않게 덮어 놓으세요.

Cover it so that dust doesn't pile up.

Purpose clause (~지 않게).

그는 얼굴을 손으로 덮었어요.

He covered his face with his hands.

Instrumental particle (~으로).

마당이 낙엽으로 덮여 있어요.

The yard is covered with fallen leaves.

Passive state (~어 있다).

비가 올 것 같아서 차를 덮었어요.

I covered the car because it looked like it would rain.

Reason clause (~아/어서).

선물을 종이로 덮었어요.

I covered the gift with paper.

Simple transitive action.

정부는 그 사건을 조용히 덮으려 했다.

The government tried to quietly cover up the incident.

Intention (~으려 하다).

어둠이 온 마을을 덮었습니다.

Darkness covered the whole village.

Formal polite ending (~습니다).

과거를 덮고 새로 시작합시다.

Let's cover up the past and start anew.

Suggestive ending (~읍시다).

안개가 산을 완전히 덮어 버렸어요.

The fog has completely covered the mountain.

Auxiliary for completion (~어 버리다).

실수를 덮기 위해 거짓말을 했어요.

I told a lie in order to cover up my mistake.

Purpose (~기 위해).

그녀는 슬픔을 웃음으로 덮으려 노력했다.

She tried to cover her sadness with a smile.

Metaphorical use.

마루를 카펫으로 덮으면 더 따뜻해요.

It's warmer if you cover the floor with a carpet.

Conditional (~면).

증거를 덮는 것은 범죄입니다.

Covering up evidence is a crime.

Nominalization (~는 것).

그는 덮어놓고 내 말을 믿지 않았다.

He blindly didn't believe my words.

Idiomatic adverb (덮어놓고).

진실은 아무리 덮으려 해도 드러나기 마련이다.

No matter how much you try to cover it, the truth is bound to be revealed.

Concession (~아/어 해도) and inevitability (~기 마련이다).

파도가 해변을 집어삼킬 듯이 덮쳤다.

The waves attacked, covering the beach as if to swallow it.

Derived verb (덮치다 - to raid/attack/cover).

그의 명성이 모든 비난을 덮어 버렸다.

His fame covered up all the criticism.

Abstract transitive use.

부모님은 자식의 허물을 덮어 주시곤 한다.

Parents often cover up their children's faults.

Habitual action (~곤 하다).

사건의 진상을 덮으려는 시도가 발각되었다.

The attempt to cover up the truth of the case was discovered.

Noun modification (~려는 시도).

구름이 하늘을 빈틈없이 덮고 있다.

Clouds are covering the sky without any gaps.

Progressive state (~고 있다).

이 문제는 덮어두고 다음 주제로 넘어갑시다.

Let's set this problem aside (cover it) and move to the next topic.

Metaphorical 'set aside' (~어 두다).

역사의 어두운 면을 덮어버리는 것은 위험한 일이다.

It is a dangerous thing to cover up the dark side of history.

Complex nominalization as a subject.

정적만이 그 방을 무겁게 덮고 있었다.

Only silence was heavily covering the room.

Literary personification.

비리가 조직 전체를 덮고 있다는 의혹이 제기되었다.

Suspicions were raised that corruption is covering the entire organization.

Indirect quotation (~는다는 의혹).

그의 공적이 과거의 과오를 덮기에 충분했다.

His achievements were enough to cover his past mistakes.

Suffix (~기에) indicating reason/basis.

진눈깨비가 세상을 회색빛으로 덮어버렸다.

The sleet covered the world in a shade of gray.

Descriptive literary style.

그는 자신의 정체를 덮기 위해 가명을 사용했다.

He used a pseudonym to cover his identity.

Purpose clause with abstract noun.

논란이 잦아들자 사건은 결국 덮여버리고 말았다.

As the controversy died down, the case ended up being covered up.

Passive with regretful ending (~고 말았다).

자연의 신비가 베일에 덮여 있다.

The mysteries of nature are covered in a veil.

Idiomatic 'covered in a veil'.

권력의 힘으로 진실을 영원히 덮을 수는 없다.

You cannot cover the truth forever with the power of authority.

Emphasis on impossibility (~을 수는 없다).

그의 문체는 화려한 수식어로 본질을 덮고 있다.

His writing style covers the essence with flamboyant modifiers.

Critical literary analysis.

망각이라는 이불이 고통스러운 기억을 덮어주었다.

The blanket called 'oblivion' covered the painful memories.

Metaphorical apposition (~이라는).

사건을 무마하기 위해 덮어놓고 합의를 종용했다.

To settle the matter, they blindly urged for a settlement.

Advanced adverbial use with formal vocabulary.

빙하가 대륙을 덮었던 빙하기의 흔적이 남아 있다.

Traces of the Ice Age, when glaciers covered the continent, remain.

Retrospective noun modification (~았던).

그는 치부를 덮으려다 오히려 더 큰 화를 불렀다.

While trying to cover his shame, he instead invited a greater disaster.

Interrupted action/attempt (~으려다).

온갖 비난이 쏟아졌지만 그는 묵묵히 입을 덮었다.

All sorts of criticism poured in, but he silently kept his mouth shut (covered).

Metaphorical use for silence.

세월이 흐르면 모든 상처는 시간이라는 막에 덮이기 마련이다.

As time passes, all wounds are bound to be covered by the film of time.

Philosophical passive construction.

Common Collocations

이불을 덮다

책을 덮다

뚜껑을 덮다

눈이 덮다

실수를 덮다

안개가 덮다

얼굴을 덮다

사건을 덮다

수건으로 덮다

비닐로 덮다

Common Phrases

덮어놓고

— To do something blindly or without looking at the facts.

그는 덮어놓고 화부터 냈다.

덮어주다

— To cover up someone's faults or to cover someone with a blanket.

친구의 잘못을 덮어주었다.

덮어씌우다

— To frame someone or to put a cover over something forcefully.

나에게 죄를 덮어씌웠다.

책을 덮다

— To stop studying or reading.

이제 그만 책을 덮고 쉬자.

이불을 꼭 덮다

— To cover oneself tightly with a blanket.

감기 안 걸리게 이불 꼭 덮어.

뚜껑을 덮다

— To conclude something or literally put a lid on.

이제 이 논의는 뚜껑을 덮자.

어둠이 덮다

— To become dark (night falling).

어둠이 대지를 덮었다.

구름에 덮이다

— To be covered by clouds.

정상이 구름에 덮여 안 보인다.

베일에 덮이다

— To be shrouded in mystery.

그의 과거는 베일에 덮여 있다.

먼지에 덮이다

— To be covered in dust.

오래된 책들이 먼지에 덮여 있었다.

Often Confused With

덮다 vs 닫다

Used for doors and windows, while 덮다 is for books and lids.

덮다 vs 덥다

Means 'to be hot'. Spelled with 'ㅂ' instead of 'ㅍ'.

덮다 vs 돕다

Means 'to help'. It is an irregular verb.

Idioms & Expressions

"눈 가리고 아웅"

— To try to deceive someone with a shallow, obvious trick (literally: cover eyes and say 'meow').

그건 눈 가리고 아웅 하는 식의 대책이다.

Informal/Common

"허물을 덮다"

— To forgive and hide someone's flaws or mistakes.

진정한 친구는 서로의 허물을 덮어준다.

Neutral

"덮어놓고 믿다"

— To believe blindly without any evidence.

그의 말을 덮어놓고 믿으면 안 된다.

Neutral

"이불 속에서 활개 치다"

— To act brave only when no one is watching (literally: stretching limbs under the blanket).

그는 밖에서는 조용하면서 이불 속에서 활개 친다.

Informal

"하늘을 손바닥으로 가리다 (덮다)"

— To try to hide a truth that is too big to be hidden.

진실을 숨기는 것은 하늘을 손바닥으로 덮는 격이다.

Literary

"사건을 덮다"

— To suppress an investigation or scandal.

정치인들이 사건을 덮으려 애쓰고 있다.

Journalistic

"뚜껑을 열어보다"

— To see the final result (antonym idiom to 덮다).

결과는 뚜껑을 열어봐야 안다.

Neutral

"치부를 덮다"

— To cover up one's shameful parts or secrets.

자신의 치부를 덮기에 급급했다.

Formal

"어둠이 덮이다"

— Metaphor for a period of despair or ignorance.

나라에 어둠이 덮였던 시기였다.

Literary

"과거를 덮다"

— To forget or hide the past to move forward.

우리는 과거를 덮고 화해했다.

Neutral

Easily Confused

덮다 vs 가리다

Both mean to cover or hide.

가리다 focuses on blocking the view, while 덮다 focuses on the physical layer.

손으로 눈을 가리다 vs 이불을 덮다

덮다 vs 씌우다

Both involve putting something over something else.

씌우다 is for fitting things like hats or bags; 덮다 is for laying things over.

모자를 씌우다 vs 수건을 덮다

덮다 vs 닫다

Both translate to 'close' in English.

닫다 is for apertures (doors); 덮다 is for covers (books, lids).

문을 닫다 vs 책을 덮다

덮다 vs 숨기다

Both mean to hide something.

숨기다 is to put away out of sight; 덮다 is to put a layer on top.

돈을 숨기다 vs 실수를 덮다

덮다 vs 싸다

Both involve covering an object.

싸다 means to wrap around completely; 덮다 is just to cover the top.

선물을 싸다 vs 상자를 덮다

Sentence Patterns

[Object]을/를 덮다

이불을 덮다

[Object]을/를 [Material]으로 덮다

음식을 비닐로 덮다

[Object]이/가 [Material]에 덮이다

산이 눈에 덮이다

덮어놓고 [Verb]

덮어놓고 믿다

[Abstract Noun]을/를 덮다

치부를 덮다

[Person]에게 [Object]을/를 덮어 주다

아이에게 담요를 덮어 주다

[Object]을/를 덮어 두다

책을 덮어 두다

[Noun]이라는 베일에 덮이다

신비라는 베일에 덮이다

Word Family

Nouns

덮개 (cover/lid)

이불 (blanket)

뚜껑 (lid)

포장 (packaging)

Verbs

덮이다 (to be covered - passive)

덮치다 (to raid/attack/suddenly cover)

뒤덮다 (to completely cover)

덮어씌우다 (to frame/cover over)

닫다 (close)

가리다 (hide)

씌우다 (put over)

숨기다 (hide)

쓰다 (wear/use)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Korean.

Common Mistakes

문을 덮다 → 문을 닫다
You close doors with 닫다, not 덮다.
더워요 (meaning cover) → 덮어요
더워요 means 'it is hot'. 덮어요 means 'to cover'.
책을 닫다 → 책을 덮다
Books are closed using 덮다 because of the folding motion.
이불을 아이를 덮다 → 아이를 이불로 덮다
The person is the object (~을/를) and the blanket is the tool (~으로).
실수를 닫다 → 실수를 덮다
Metaphorical 'covering up' uses 덮다.

Tips

Regular Conjugation

Unlike 돕다 (to help), 덮다 is regular. Never change the ㅍ to a vowel.

The Book Rule

Always use 덮다 for closing books. Using 닫다 for books sounds very unnatural in Korean.

Pieup Power

Remember the ㅍ (pieup) is for 'Physical cover'. This helps distinguish it from 덥다 (hot).

Blind Faith

Use '덮어놓고 믿다' when someone believes something without any critical thinking.

Tensed Ending

The '다' in '덮다' is pronounced like 'tta'. Make it sharp and strong.

Cooking Commands

In recipes, '뚜껑을 덮으세요' is the most common way to say 'cover with a lid'.

Forgiveness

Use '허물을 덮어주다' to show a character's kindness in forgiving someone's flaws.

Snowy Scenes

When describing winter, '눈이 세상을 덮었다' is a very poetic and common phrase.

Passive State

Use '덮여 있다' to describe the state of being covered (e.g., a dusty table).

덮다 vs 가리다

If you are blocking the sun with your hand, use 가리다. If you are putting a cloth on the table, use 덮다.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Dope' (덮) blanket that you use to cover yourself when it's cold.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant hand closing a book or putting a lid on a steaming pot.

Word Web

Blanket Book Lid Secret Snow Fog Hide Close

Challenge

Try to use '덮다' in three different ways today: one for an object, one for weather, and one for a secret.

Word Origin

Native Korean word. Historically appeared in Middle Korean as '덥다' (deop-da).

Original meaning: To cover, to put a lid on.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when using '덮다' in legal contexts, as it can imply corruption or illegal concealment.

English speakers often use 'close' for books and doors, but Korean splits these. '덮다' is specifically for the folding/covering motion.

The movie 'The Cover-up' (unrelated title but same concept) Korean proverbs about covering the sky with a palm Common K-drama trope of 'covering up' corporate crimes

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Bedtime

이불 덮어
꼭 덮고 자
추우니까 덮어
담요 덮을래?

Classroom

책을 덮으세요
교과서 덮어
다 읽었으면 덮어
덮고 기다려

Kitchen

뚜껑 덮어
랩으로 덮어
수건으로 덮어
냄비 덮었어?

Weather

눈이 덮였어
안개가 덮었네
구름에 덮이다
세상을 덮다

Social/Legal

사건을 덮다
실수를 덮어주다
과거를 덮다
비리를 덮다

Conversation Starters

"어제 너무 추워서 이불을 세 개나 덮고 잤어요."

"이 책 다 읽었으면 이제 덮어도 돼요."

"요리할 때 뚜껑을 덮어야 빨리 익어요."

"눈이 온 세상을 하얗게 덮었네요. 너무 예뻐요."

"그 사람의 실수를 그냥 덮어주는 게 좋을까요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 '덮어두고' 싶었던 기억이나 실수가 있었나요? 왜 그랬나요?

겨울에 눈이 세상을 덮었을 때의 느낌을 묘사해 보세요.

누군가 나를 위해 이불을 덮어주었던 따뜻한 기억이 있나요?

책을 덮고 나서 가장 기억에 남는 문장은 무엇이었나요?

진실을 덮는 것과 밝히는 것 중 무엇이 더 중요하다고 생각하나요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you must use 닫다 for doors, windows, and drawers. 덮다 is only for books, lids, and things you cover with a layer.

No, it is a regular verb. The 'ㅍ' remains throughout all conjugations (덮어, 덮으니, 덮고).

덮다 is to lay something over (like a blanket), while 씌우다 is to put something on or over (like a hat or a plastic cover).

You can say '눈으로 덮여 있다' using the passive form 덮이다.

Yes, because a laptop involves a folding action similar to a book, you can say '노트북을 덮다'.

Yes, '덮개' means a cover or a lid.

It becomes '덮었어요' (deop-eoss-eo-yo).

It is an adverbial phrase meaning 'blindly', 'recklessly', or 'without checking the facts'.

Yes, you can say '상처를 거즈로 덮다' (Cover the wound with gauze).

Not always. It can be for protection (blanket) or completion (closing a book) as well as concealment.