This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Korean
Vocabulary
비우다

A1 verb 7 min read

비우다

biuda

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 비우다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 비우다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '비우다' is taught as a basic action verb meaning 'to empty.' You use it for simple daily tasks. Think of it as the opposite of '채우다' (to fill). At this level, you should focus on physical objects. For example, after drinking all your milk, you have 'emptied' the glass. When the trash is full, you 'empty' the trash can. The grammar is simple: [Object] + 을/를 + 비워요. It is an essential verb for basic household chores and eating out. You will often see it in the past tense '비웠어요' to say you finished your food or drink. It's one of the first 500 verbs a student learns because it describes completing a physical task.

At the A2 level, the meaning of '비우다' expands to include spatial vacating. You learn to use it when talking about leaving a place. For example, '집을 비우다' means to be away from home, and '자리를 비우다' means to be away from your seat. This is very important for basic office Korean or when making appointments. You also start to see the pattern '비워 두다' (to keep empty), which is used when asking someone to save a spot for you or when you are keeping a drawer empty for new things. You should be able to conjugate it into various polite and casual forms and use it with basic connectors like '-고' or '-어서'.

At the B1 level, '비우다' starts to be used for abstract concepts like time and schedules. Instead of just emptying a trash can, you are now 'emptying your schedule' (일정을 비우다) to meet a friend. You also encounter the word in more nuanced social contexts, such as a waiter asking if they can clear a plate. At this level, you should understand the causative nature of the word—that you are *causing* something to become empty. You will also begin to see it in common idiomatic expressions related to 'emptying the mind' (마음을 비우다), though you might not use them fluently yet. Your ability to use '비우다' in complex sentences with conditions (e.g., '시간을 비우면 만날 수 있어요') is expected.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the metaphorical and psychological uses of '비우다.' This includes 'emptying one's heart' (마음을 비우다) or 'emptying oneself of greed' (욕심을 비우다). These phrases are common in Korean literature, self-help, and daily discussions about stress and mental health. You should also understand its use in professional settings, such as vacating a position or office (직위를 비우다). You can distinguish between '비우다' and its synonyms like '털다' (to shake out) or '치우다' (to tidy up) based on the specific nuance of the situation. Your use of the verb should feel natural in both formal and informal registers.

At the C1 level, you explore the philosophical and literary depths of '비우다.' In Korean aesthetics and Zen-influenced thought, 'emptying' is a profound concept. You might analyze texts that discuss 'the beauty of emptiness' (비움의 미학). You understand how '비우다' functions in high-level political discourse, such as when a leader 'vacates' a seat of power to allow for change. You are also aware of rare or specialized usages, such as in medical contexts (emptying the bowels) or technical contexts (emptying a data buffer). Your vocabulary includes advanced Hanja-based synonyms, but you know when '비우다' is the more evocative, native choice.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '비우다.' You can use it to express subtle irony or poetic imagery. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its root '비다.' You can engage in deep philosophical debates about the concept of 'Sunyata' (emptiness) using '비우다' as a central verb. You are also sensitive to the social implications of 'emptying'—for instance, how 'emptying a village' (마을을 비우다) might imply a tragedy like a natural disaster or forced relocation. You use the word with the same nuance and cultural weight as a native speaker, recognizing every idiomatic, slang, and formal application in the Korean language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

비우다 in 30 Seconds

비우다 is a common Korean verb meaning 'to empty' or 'to vacate,' used for physical objects and spaces.
It is the causative form of '비다' (to be empty), requiring an object with the particles -을/를.
Beyond physical emptying, it is used for 'clearing time' and 'emptying the mind' of stress or greed.
Key phrases include '자리를 비우다' (to be away from one's desk) and '마음을 비우다' (to let go).

The Korean verb 비우다 (bi-uda) is a versatile transitive verb primarily translated as 'to empty' or 'to vacate.' In its most literal sense, it describes the physical act of removing contents from a container, such as a glass, a trash can, or a box. However, its usage extends far beyond physical objects, reaching into spatial, temporal, and psychological realms. For instance, when you leave your house or office, you are 'vacating' or 'leaving' it empty, which is also expressed using 비우다. Furthermore, it is a key term in Korean mindfulness and philosophy, where one is encouraged to 'empty' the mind or heart of greed and worry.

Physical Emptying: This refers to removing tangible items. Examples include emptying a glass of water (물잔을 비우다) or a plate of food (접시를 비우다). It implies a completed action where the container is now void of its previous contents.
Spatial Vacating: Used when someone leaves a location unoccupied. If you go on vacation, you 'empty the house' (집을 비우다). If you step away from your desk, you 'empty your seat' (자리를 비우다). This is crucial in professional and social etiquette.
Metaphorical/Emotional: Often used in idioms like '마음을 비우다' (to empty one's mind/heart), suggesting a release of expectations, greed, or stress to achieve peace.

접시를 깨끗하게 비웠어요.

Translation: I emptied the plate completely (I ate everything).

In a social context, you might hear this word at a restaurant when a server asks if they can take away an empty plate, or in an office when someone asks where a colleague is. It is a fundamental word because it bridges the gap between basic survival needs (eating/cleaning) and high-level emotional intelligence (letting go). Understanding 비우다 allows a learner to navigate daily chores, professional boundaries, and deep conversations about mental health. Whether you are clearing your schedule for a friend or clearing a room for a new tenant, 비우다 is the essential verb for making space.

내일 오후 시간을 비워 둘게요.

Translation: I will keep my schedule empty tomorrow afternoon.

Grammatically, 비우다 is the causative form of the adjective/intransitive verb '비다'. This means it always takes an object marked by the particles -을/를. The sentence structure is typically [Subject] + [Object]-을/를 + [비우다]. Because it is a regular verb ending in '-다', it conjugates simply. In the present tense, it becomes 비워요 (polite) or 비워 (informal). In the past tense, it is 비웠어요.

Direct Objects: Common objects include 쓰레기통 (trash can), 잔 (glass), 병 (bottle), 방 (room), 집 (house), and 자리 (seat/position).
Temporal Objects: Use it with 시간 (time) or 일정 (schedule) to mean 'to clear' or 'to make time'.

쓰레기통을 좀 비워 주시겠어요?

Translation: Could you please empty the trash can?

When using 비우다 in the context of leaving a place, it often implies a temporary absence. For example, '자리를 비우다' doesn't mean you threw your chair away; it means you stepped away from your spot. Similarly, '집을 비우다' often means you are out of the house for a while, perhaps on a trip or at work. In more formal contexts, such as a job resignation or a political exit, it can mean vacating a post or position (직위를 비우다).

그는 잠시 자리를 비웠습니다.

Translation: He has stepped away from his seat for a moment.

In Korea, 비우다 is a word you will encounter daily in various settings. In a domestic setting, parents often tell children to 'empty their bowls' (밥그릇을 비우다) to encourage them to finish their meals. In waste management—a very organized system in Korea—you will see signs about 'emptying' bottles and cans before recycling them. If you call an office and the person you are looking for is in a meeting or out for lunch, the receptionist will likely say, '지금 자리를 비우셨습니다' (They are currently away from their desk).

At the Restaurant: Waiters might ask, '다 비우셨나요?' (Have you finished/emptied everything?) before clearing the table.
In Corporate Culture: Managers might ask employees to 'clear their Friday afternoon' (금요일 오후를 비워 두세요) for a team-building event.

여행 가는 동안 집을 비워야 해요.

Translation: I have to leave the house empty while I go on a trip.

In the media, especially in self-help books or talk shows, the phrase '마음을 비우다' (empty the mind) is used constantly. It is the Korean equivalent of 'letting go of expectations' or 'finding inner peace.' When a famous athlete or celebrity is interviewed after a failure, they might say, '마음을 비우고 다시 시작하겠다' (I will empty my mind and start again), meaning they are letting go of the pressure and greed for success to focus on the basics. This cultural nuance of 'emptying' as a positive, restorative act is a key part of the Korean psyche.

욕심을 비우면 행복해집니다.

Translation: If you empty yourself of greed, you become happy.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing 비우다 (to empty) with 비다 (to be empty). Since English uses the word 'empty' as both an adjective ('The glass is empty') and a verb ('Empty the glass'), learners often forget that Korean requires two different words. Remember: 비다 is a state (the room is empty), while 비우다 is an action (I emptied the room).

Transitivity Error: Incorrect: '방이 비워요' (The room empties - sounds like the room is an agent). Correct: '방이 비어 있어요' (The room is empty) or '방을 비워요' (I empty the room).
Confusing with '치우다': '치우다' means to clean up or move things away. While '비우다' means to make a space empty, '치우다' focuses on the act of tidying. You 'empty' (비우다) a trash can, but you 'clean up' (치우다) the trash on the floor.

❌ 방이 비워요. (Wrong)
✅ 방이 비어 있어요. (Right)

Another mistake involves the phrase '자리를 비우다.' Some learners think this means to 'give up a seat' permanently (like giving a seat to an elderly person). While it can mean that, it more commonly means 'to be away from one's desk.' If you want to say 'give up a seat for someone,' the verb 양보하다 (to yield/concede) is more appropriate. Using 비우다 in that context might sound like you are just leaving for a bathroom break.

While 비우다 is the general term for emptying, several other words can be used depending on the context and the intensity of the action. Choosing the right synonym adds precision to your Korean. For example, when talking about emptying a stomach or bowels, or even a very specific container, other verbs might be more natural.

털다 (Teolda): To shake out or dust off. Often used when emptying a bag or a pocket by shaking it. '주머니를 털다' (to empty pockets).
쏟다 (Ssotda): To pour out. Use this when the act of emptying involves pouring liquid or a large amount of small items (like grains or coins) out of a container.
게우다 (Geuda): A more specific, often unpleasant term for emptying the stomach (vomiting or spitting up).

가방을 탈탈 털어서 비웠어요.

Translation: I emptied the bag by shaking it out thoroughly.

In formal or academic settings, you might encounter 공석으로 만들다 (to make a vacancy) instead of '자리를 비우다.' In the context of clearing out a building or a large area, 퇴거시키다 (to evict/make vacate) is used. When discussing the 'emptying' of resources or a bank account, 고갈시키다 (to deplete) is a powerful alternative. However, for 90% of daily situations, 비우다 remains the most natural and frequently used choice.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word '비우다' is part of a productive family of causative verbs in Korean that use the '-우-' suffix, such as '깨우다' (to wake someone up) from '깨다' (to wake up).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bi.u.da/

US /bi.u.da/

The primary stress is on the first syllable '비' (bi), but Korean is generally a syllable-timed language.

Rhymes With

지우다 (to erase) 피우다 (to bloom/smoke) 키우다 (to raise/grow) 치우다 (to clean/move) 끼우다 (to insert) 씌우다 (to cover) 틔우다 (to sprout) 띄우다 (to float)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '비' as '배' (bae).
Blending '비' and '우' into a single '뷰' (byu) sound.
Over-aspirating the 'ㅂ' (b) sound like a 'p'.
Forgetting the length of the '우' sound.
Confusing the pronunciation with '배우다' (to learn).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

The word is short and common in early reading materials.

Writing 2/5

Conjugation is regular but requires understanding the causative '-우-'.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is simple, but choosing the right context (mind vs. trash) is key.

Listening 1/5

Clearly pronounced and frequently heard in daily life.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

비다 (to be empty) 있다 (to exist/be) 없다 (to not exist/be) 물건 (thing) 자리 (seat)

Learn Next

채우다 (to fill) 치우다 (to clean/move) 남기다 (to leave behind) 버리다 (to throw away) 정리하다 (to organize)

Advanced

고갈시키다 (to deplete) 퇴거하다 (to vacate/evict) 해소하다 (to resolve/clear) 방출하다 (to release/emit)

Grammar to Know

Causative Verbs (-이/히/리/기/우/구/추)

비다 -> 비우다, 자다 -> 재우다

-어/아 두다 (Keeping a state)

자리를 비워 두세요.

-기 위해 (Purpose)

방을 비우기 위해 짐을 옮겼어요.

Honorifics in Professional Settings

자리를 비우셨습니다. (Polite honorific)

Object Particles -을/를

쓰레기통을(O) 비우다(V).

Examples by Level

물병을 비워요.

I empty the water bottle.

Present tense, polite.

우유 잔을 비웠어요.

I emptied the milk glass.

Past tense.

쓰레기통을 비우세요.

Please empty the trash can.

Imperative form (-으세요).

밥을 다 비웠어요.

I finished (emptied) all the rice.

Used to mean eating everything.

이 상자를 비울까요?

Shall I empty this box?

Suggestive form (-을까요).

가방을 비워 주세요.

Please empty the bag for me.

Request form (-어 주세요).

컵을 비우지 마세요.

Don't empty the cup.

Negative imperative (-지 마세요).

접시를 비우고 싶어요.

I want to empty the plate (finish the food).

Desiderative form (-고 싶다).

잠시 자리를 비워도 될까요?

May I leave my seat for a moment?

Permission form (-아도 되다).

휴가 동안 집을 비웠어요.

I left the house empty during vacation.

Spatial use.

서랍을 하나 비워 두었어요.

I kept one drawer empty (for you).

Resultative state (-어 두다).

방을 언제 비워야 해요?

When do I have to vacate the room?

Obligation form (-어야 하다).

화장실을 비워 주세요.

Please vacate the bathroom.

Polite request.

그는 사무실을 자주 비워요.

He is often away from the office.

Habitual action.

주머니를 비우고 세탁하세요.

Empty your pockets and then do the laundry.

Sequential action (-고).

자리를 비우지 마세요.

Don't leave your seat.

Prohibition.

주말에 시간을 좀 비워 줄 수 있어?

Can you clear some time this weekend?

Informal ability form (-ㄹ 수 있어).

회의를 위해 오후 일정을 비웠습니다.

I cleared my afternoon schedule for the meeting.

Formal past tense.

그는 마음을 비우고 경기에 임했다.

He entered the game with an empty (calm) mind.

Metaphorical use.

그릇을 깨끗이 비우는 것이 예의예요.

It is polite to empty your bowl completely.

Gerund form (-는 것).

술잔을 비우며 이야기를 나눴어요.

We talked while emptying our glasses.

Simultaneous action (-며).

창고를 비우느라 힘들었어요.

I had a hard time emptying the warehouse.

Reasoning form (-느라).

자리를 비운 사이에 전화가 왔어요.

A call came while I was away from my desk.

Temporal clause (-ㄴ 사이에).

머릿속을 비우고 싶어서 여행을 가요.

I'm going on a trip because I want to clear my head.

Reasoning form (-어서).

욕심을 비워야 진정한 행복을 찾을 수 있다.

You must empty yourself of greed to find true happiness.

Philosophical usage.

그는 자신의 자리를 비워 후배에게 양보했다.

He vacated his position to give way to his junior.

Career/Position context.

냉장고를 비우기 위해 요리를 했어요.

I cooked to empty out the fridge.

Purpose form (-기 위해).

마음을 비우니 오히려 일이 잘 풀리네요.

Now that I've emptied my mind, things are actually working out well.

Discovery/Result (-니).

건물을 비우라는 명령이 내려졌다.

An order was issued to vacate the building.

Indirect quotation (-라는).

그 작가는 원고지를 비워 둔 채 고민에 빠졌다.

The writer fell into deep thought, leaving the paper empty.

State maintenance (-ㄴ 채).

속을 비우고 검사를 받아야 합니다.

You must empty your stomach (fast) before the check-up.

Medical context.

과거의 아픔을 비워 내는 과정이 필요해요.

A process of emptying out past pain is necessary.

Auxiliary verb (-어 내다) for emphasis.

예술가는 캔버스를 비움으로써 창조를 시작한다.

An artist begins creation by emptying the canvas.

Method/Means (-음으로써).

권력의 자리를 비우는 것은 쉬운 일이 아니다.

Vacating a seat of power is no easy task.

Nominalization.

그는 모든 기대를 비우고 담담하게 결과를 기다렸다.

He emptied all expectations and waited for the result calmly.

Adverbial use.

도심의 소음을 피해 산사를 찾아 마음을 비웠다.

I escaped the city noise and visited a mountain temple to empty my mind.

Sequential actions.

정부는 해당 지역을 비우고 신도시를 건설하기로 했다.

The government decided to clear the area and build a new city.

Decision form (-기로 하다).

그의 연기는 자아를 비운 듯한 순수함이 느껴졌다.

His acting felt pure, as if he had emptied his ego.

Suppositional form (-ㄴ 듯한).

데이터 저장 공간을 비우기 위해 불필요한 파일을 삭제했다.

I deleted unnecessary files to free up (empty) data storage space.

Technical context.

삶의 무게를 비우지 못해 괴로워하는 사람들이 많다.

There are many people who suffer because they cannot empty the weight of life.

Negative ability (-지 못하다).

비움의 미학은 한국 전통 건축의 핵심 요소 중 하나이다.

The aesthetics of emptiness is one of the core elements of traditional Korean architecture.

Abstract noun form (비움).

그 고승은 일생을 통해 소유를 비우는 삶을 실천했다.

The high priest practiced a life of emptying possessions throughout his life.

Formal narrative.

진정한 소통은 자신의 편견을 비우는 데서 시작된다.

True communication begins with emptying one's own prejudices.

Dependent noun (데서).

풍경 속에 자신을 비워 내어 자연과 하나가 되었다.

By emptying himself into the landscape, he became one with nature.

Poetic expression.

역사의 뒤안길로 사라지며 그는 조용히 자리를 비웠다.

Disappearing into the backroads of history, he quietly vacated his position.

Literary style.

텅 빈 충만이라는 역설은 마음을 비울 때 비로소 이해된다.

The paradox of 'empty fullness' is only understood when the mind is emptied.

Philosophical paradox.

그는 마지막 술잔을 비우고는 다시는 돌아오지 않을 길을 떠났다.

He emptied his last glass and set off on a journey from which he would never return.

Emphasis particle (-는).

무(無)의 공간을 비워 둠으로써 존재의 의미를 부각시켰다.

By keeping the space of 'nothingness' empty, the meaning of existence was highlighted.

Advanced abstract syntax.

Common Collocations

마음을 비우다

자리를 비우다

쓰레기통을 비우다

시간을 비우다

술잔을 비우다

집을 비우다

접시를 비우다

머릿속을 비우다

욕심을 비우다

방을 비우다

Common Phrases

싹 비우다

— To empty completely or 'wipe clean.' Usually used for food.

그는 밥그릇을 싹 비웠다.

탈탈 비우다

— To empty by shaking everything out. Often used for money or small items.

지갑을 탈탈 비워도 돈이 없어요.

비워 두다

— To keep something empty or reserved for later use.

옆 자리는 비워 두세요.

깨끗이 비우다

— To empty cleanly or thoroughly.

창고를 깨끗이 비웠습니다.

속을 비우다

— To empty one's stomach (fasting) or to express one's inner feelings.

건강검진 전에는 속을 비워야 해요.

자리를 오래 비우다

— To be away from one's spot for a long time.

자리를 너무 오래 비우지 마세요.

일정을 비우다

— To clear one's schedule.

중요한 손님을 위해 일정을 비웠어요.

잔을 비우다

— To finish a drink, often used in drinking culture (bottoms up).

자, 다 같이 잔을 비웁시다!

머리를 비우다

— To stop thinking about complicated things; to clear one's head.

복잡할 때는 머리를 비우는 게 최고예요.

서랍을 비우다

— To empty a drawer.

새 옷을 넣으려고 서랍을 비웠어요.

Often Confused With

비우다 vs 비다

비다 is 'to be empty' (state), while 비우다 is 'to empty' (action).

비우다 vs 치우다

치우다 means to clean or tidy up; 비우다 specifically means to make a void.

비우다 vs 배우다

A common beginner mistake due to similar pronunciation; 배우다 means 'to learn'.

Idioms & Expressions

"마음을 비우다"

— To let go of greed, expectations, or worries; to achieve a state of calm.

마음을 비우니 세상이 아름다워 보여요.

Common

"손을 비우다"

— To finish a task so that one is free to do something else (literally: to empty one's hands).

지금 바쁘니까 손을 비우면 도와줄게요.

Neutral

"자리를 비우다"

— To be absent from a position or location temporarily.

부장님이 잠시 자리를 비우셨습니다.

Business

"속을 비우다"

— To fast or have an empty stomach; sometimes to speak one's mind completely.

수술을 위해 어젯밤부터 속을 비웠다.

Neutral

"욕심을 비우다"

— To discard greedy thoughts.

욕심을 비우면 다툼이 없어진다.

Literary

"머릿속을 비우다"

— To stop worrying or overthinking.

휴가 때는 머릿속을 비우고 쉬어야 해.

Informal

"주머니를 비우다"

— To spend all one's money.

쇼핑을 하느라 주머니를 다 비웠어요.

Informal

"자리를 비워 주다"

— To step aside to let someone else take a position or sit down.

어르신을 위해 자리를 비워 드렸어요.

Polite

"술잔을 비우다"

— To complete a toast or finish drinking.

우리는 밤새 술잔을 비우며 노래했다.

Neutral

"창고를 비우다"

— To sell off all inventory (clearance).

폐업을 앞두고 창고를 비우고 있습니다.

Business

Easily Confused

비우다 vs 비다

Both relate to emptiness.

비다 is an intransitive verb/adjective describing a state (The room is empty). 비우다 is a transitive verb describing an action (I empty the room).

방이 비어 있어요 (The room is empty) vs. 방을 비웠어요 (I emptied the room).

비우다 vs 치우다

Both are used in cleaning contexts.

치우다 focuses on moving things out of the way or tidying. 비우다 focuses on the container or space becoming empty.

책상을 치우다 (Clean the desk) vs. 서랍을 비우다 (Empty the drawer).

비우다 vs 털다

Both can mean emptying a bag or pocket.

털다 implies a specific physical motion (shaking or dusting). 비우다 is the general result.

주머니를 털다 (Shake out pockets) vs. 주머니를 비우다 (Empty pockets).

비우다 vs 쏟다

Both are used when contents come out.

쏟다 focuses on the content being poured out (usually liquid). 비우다 focuses on the container becoming empty.

물을 쏟다 (Pour water) vs. 컵을 비우다 (Empty the cup).

비우다 vs 버리다

Emptying often involves throwing things away.

버리다 means 'to throw away' the contents. 비우다 means 'to empty' the container.

쓰레기를 버리다 (Throw away trash) vs. 쓰레기통을 비우다 (Empty the trash can).

Sentence Patterns

[Object]-을/를 비워요.

컵을 비워요.

잠시 [Place]-을/를 비웁니다.

잠시 자리를 비웁니다.

[Time]-을/를 비워 줄 수 있어요?

내일 시간을 비워 줄 수 있어요?

[Emotion]-을/를 비우고 [Action].

욕심을 비우고 명상을 해요.

[Concept]-을/를 비움으로써 [Result].

자아를 비움으로써 평화를 얻는다.

[Object]-을/를 비우지 마세요.

병을 비우지 마세요.

[Object]-을/를 비워 두세요.

방을 비워 두세요.

[Object]-을/를 비우느라 [Difficulty].

짐을 비우느라 힘들었어요.

Word Family

Nouns

비움 (emptying/emptiness)

공석 (vacancy)

공백 (blank space)

Verbs

비다 (to be empty - intransitive/adjective)

비워지다 (to become empty - passive)

비워 두다 (to keep empty)

Adjectives

비어 있는 (empty - participial form)

텅 빈 (completely empty)

채우다 (to fill)

가득하다 (to be full)

부재중 (absent)

양보 (concession/yielding)

청소 (cleaning)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation, office settings, and psychological discussions.

Common Mistakes

Using '비다' instead of '비우다' with an object. → 쓰레기통을 비우다.
You cannot say '쓰레기통을 비다' because '비다' is intransitive. '비우다' is the action of emptying.
Using '비우다' to mean 'to clean the floor'. → 바닥을 청소하다.
'비우다' is for containers or spaces. For floors or general cleaning, use '청소하다' or '치우다'.
Confusing '비우다' with '배우다'. → 한국어를 배우다.
Learners often say '한국어를 비워요' by mistake. '배우다' is to learn, '비우다' is to empty.
Saying '자리를 비우다' to mean 'I quit my job'. → 직장을 그만두다.
'자리를 비우다' usually means a temporary absence. If you quit, use '그만두다' or '사직하다'.
Using '비우다' without the object particle in formal writing. → 일정을 비우시기 바랍니다.
In formal contexts, omitting '을/를' after '일정' makes the sentence sound too casual or incomplete.

Tips

Remember the Object Particle

Since '비우다' is transitive, always use '을' or '를'. If you forget, the sentence might sound like the object is doing the emptying itself!

Finishing Your Meal

In Korea, showing an empty bowl (그릇을 비우다) is a great way to show you enjoyed the food. It's a silent compliment to the host.

Office Etiquette

If you are leaving your desk for a break, tell your nearby colleagues '잠시 자리 좀 비울게요.' It's polite and keeps them informed.

Don't confuse with 배우다

Beginners often mix up '비우다' (to empty) and '배우다' (to learn). Remember: 'Bi-uda' is about 'Blanking' things out.

Mindfulness

When you feel overwhelmed, tell yourself '마음을 비우자' (Let's empty the mind). It's a powerful psychological tool in Korean culture.

Clearing Time

When scheduling a meeting, ask '시간 좀 비워 줄 수 있어요?' It sounds more flexible and polite than just asking if they are busy.

Recycling Tip

In Korea, you must 'empty' (비우다) all containers before putting them in the recycling. Look for the word '비우다' on recycling instruction signs.

Empty Hands

'손을 비우다' means finishing what you're doing. If someone asks for help, you can say '손 비우면 도와줄게' (I'll help once my hands are free).

Vacating vs. Leaving

'집을 비우다' is the standard way to say you're going out for a long time. It doesn't mean the house is for sale!

Drinking Games

In Korean drinking culture, '잔을 비우다' is the goal of a toast. Be prepared to hear this a lot at company dinners (회식).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'BEE' (비) flying 'UP' (우) and out of a jar, leaving it empty. BEE + UP + DA = 비우다.

Visual Association

Visualize a trash can being flipped upside down so everything falls out. The action of flipping it is '비우다'.

Word Web

Trash can Empty mind Vacant seat Clear schedule Empty glass Vacation Letting go Cleaning

Challenge

Try to use '비우다' three times today: once when you finish a meal, once when you throw away trash, and once when you take a deep breath to relax your mind.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle Korean root '비-' (to be empty), which is the base for the adjective '비다'. The suffix '-우-' is a causative morpheme added to make it transitive.

Original meaning: To cause something to be empty.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

When saying '속을 비우다' (empty the stomach), be aware it can refer to medical preparation or illness, so use it carefully in social settings.

In English, we often say 'clear' (clear your head) or 'leave' (leave the room), whereas Korean uses 'empty' (비우다) for both. English speakers might find 'empty the seat' a bit strange at first.

The book 'The Beauty of Emptiness' (비움의 미학) discussing Korean architecture. Zen Buddhist teachings popular in Korea about emptying the ego. The common phrase 'Bottoms up!' is often translated as '잔을 비우다' in Korean movies.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At Home

쓰레기통 비웠어?
냉장고를 비워야 해.
서랍 좀 비워 줄래?
집 비울 때 문 잘 잠가.

At Work

잠시 자리를 비우겠습니다.
오후 일정을 비워 놨어요.
회의실을 비워 주세요.
담당자가 자리를 비웠습니다.

Eating/Drinking

접시를 다 비웠네요.
잔을 비웁시다!
밥그릇 비우고 가.
속을 비우고 왔어요.

Mental Health

마음을 비우세요.
욕심을 비워야 해요.
머릿속을 비우고 싶어요.
생각을 비우면 편해져요.

Travel/Moving

방을 비워야 하는 날짜.
캐리어를 비워 왔어요.
호텔 방을 비워 주셔야 합니다.
짐을 비워서 가볍게 가요.

Conversation Starters

"어제 마음을 비우기 위해 뭘 하셨나요?"

"일주일 동안 집을 비우면 누가 화분에 물을 주나요?"

"가장 최근에 밥그릇을 싹 비운 맛집은 어디인가요?"

"내일 오후에 저를 위해 시간을 좀 비워 주실 수 있나요?"

"스트레스를 받을 때 머릿속을 어떻게 비우시나요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 비워낸 것들에 대해 써보세요. (예: 쓰레기, 나쁜 생각, 냉장고 음식)

'마음을 비운다'는 것은 나에게 어떤 의미인가요?

내가 자리를 비운 사이에 일어났던 재미있는 일이 있나요?

내 인생에서 지금 당장 비워야 할 욕심은 무엇인가요?

방을 완전히 비우고 새로 꾸민다면 어떻게 하고 싶나요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, '속을 비우다' is very common. It can mean fasting before a health check-up or simply having an empty stomach. For example, '검사 전에는 속을 비워야 해요' (You must empty your stomach before the exam).

'자리를 비우다' usually implies a temporary absence, like stepping away from your desk for a meeting. '자리를 떠나다' can mean leaving more permanently or physically moving away from a spot. In an office, '자리를 비우다' is the standard polite phrase.

You use '시간을 비우다.' For example, '나를 위해 시간을 좀 비워 줄 수 있어?' (Can you clear some time for me?). It sounds very natural in Korean.

No, it's a very common secular phrase used by everyone. People say it when they are stressed, when they want to stop being greedy, or when they are preparing for a big challenge without too much pressure.

Yes, you can say '저장 공간을 비우다' (empty storage space) or '휴지통을 비우다' (empty the recycle bin/trash on a computer).

The most common opposite is '채우다' (to fill). For example, '잔을 비우다' (empty the glass) vs. '잔을 채우다' (fill the glass).

Not necessarily. It usually means you are out of the house for a while (like on vacation). If you moved out permanently, you would usually say '이사를 가다' (to move) or '방을 빼다' (to vacate a rented room).

No, you cannot 'empty a person' in a literal sense. You can only empty abstract things *of* a person, like '자아를 비우다' (empty the ego) or '마음을 비우다' (empty the mind).

'싹' is an adverb meaning 'completely' or 'cleanly.' So '싹 비웠어요' means 'I emptied it completely' or 'I finished every last bit,' often used for delicious food.

You add '-(으)시-', so it becomes '비우시다.' In the polite present tense, it is '비우세요' or '비우십니다.' For example, '자리를 비우셨습니다' (He/She is away from their desk).