Explanation at your level:
You use this word for things that move in the wind. Think of a flag. The wind hits the flag, and the flag goes 휘날리다. It is a very simple word for 'waving' or 'blowing'.
When you see a flag in the wind, you say 깃발이 휘날린다. It is a great word to describe movement. You can use it for hair, flags, or even pieces of paper. It makes your sentences sound much more descriptive.
At this level, you can use 휘날리다 to add color to your writing. Instead of just saying 'the wind blew the hair', you can say 'the hair was fluttering'. It implies a sense of grace and speed that simple verbs lack.
In B2, you notice the nuance of 휘날리다. It is not just 'blowing'; it is 'streaming' or 'fluttering'. It is often used in creative writing to set a scene, such as describing a hero running with their cape 휘날리며.
Advanced learners use this to evoke atmosphere. It appears in literary descriptions where the movement of an object reflects the internal state of a character or the intensity of a scene. It is a word of aesthetic choice.
At the mastery level, you recognize the etymological roots of 휘날리다. You understand how it contrasts with similar verbs like 날리다 (to make something fly) or 펄럭이다 (to flap). You choose it when you want to emphasize the elegant, continuous nature of the movement in the air.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means to flutter or wave in the wind.
- Used for light, airy objects.
- Common in literary and descriptive contexts.
- Perfect for setting a scene.
Hey there! Let's talk about 휘날리다. It is a beautiful Korean verb that paints a picture of movement in the air. Think of a flag catching the breeze or long hair streaming behind someone running.
The word carries a sense of graceful energy. It isn't just about moving; it's about being carried by the wind in a way that looks light and airy. Whether it's autumn leaves dancing in the air or a scarf trailing behind you, this word captures that exact moment perfectly.
The word 휘날리다 is a causative form derived from the root 휘날다. The prefix 휘- often suggests a swishing or rapid motion, while 날다 means 'to fly'.
Historically, this word has been used in Korean literature to describe the majesty of nature. It evolved from simple descriptions of birds taking flight to more nuanced descriptions of inanimate objects interacting with the wind. It is a classic example of how Korean verbs use sound-symbolic prefixes to create vivid imagery.
You will mostly use 휘날리다 when describing external objects. It is very common to see it paired with words like 깃발 (flag), 머리카락 (hair), or 치맛자락 (skirt hem).
In terms of register, it is quite neutral to literary. You might find it in a news report about a national flag, or in a romantic novel describing a character's hair blowing in the wind. It is rarely used for heavy objects, as the word implies a certain lightness.
While not strictly an idiom, the phrase 머리카락을 휘날리며 (with hair fluttering) is a classic trope in Korean media to show speed or freedom.
Another common usage is 깃발이 휘날리다, which is often used in patriotic or ceremonial contexts. You might also hear 먼지를 휘날리다, which means to kick up dust while running or moving fast.
As a verb, 휘날리다 follows standard conjugation rules. It is a regular verb. The pronunciation is [휘날리다], where the 'ㄹ' sounds are produced by tapping the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
It is often used in the present progressive form 휘날리고 있다 to describe an ongoing action. Because it is a transitive-leaning verb, it usually describes the subject being moved by the wind.
Fun Fact
The prefix '휘-' adds a sense of speed and swirling motion.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'hwee-nahl-lee-dah'
Sounds like 'hwee-nahl-lee-dah'
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'ㄹ' sound
- Stressing the wrong syllable
- Not holding the 'ㄴ' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Causative verbs
날다 -> 날리다
Progressive tense
휘날리고 있다
Descriptive verbs
휘날리는 꽃잎
Examples by Level
깃발이 휘날립니다.
The flag is fluttering.
Present tense
머리카락이 휘날려요.
Hair is fluttering.
Polite form
바람에 휘날립니다.
It flutters in the wind.
Prepositional phrase
꽃잎이 휘날립니다.
Petals are fluttering.
Subject + verb
치마가 휘날립니다.
The skirt is fluttering.
Subject + verb
먼지가 휘날립니다.
Dust is kicking up.
Subject + verb
수건이 휘날립니다.
The towel is fluttering.
Subject + verb
리본이 휘날립니다.
The ribbon is fluttering.
Subject + verb
바람이 불어 머리카락이 휘날린다.
운동장에 태극기가 휘날리고 있다.
봄바람에 벚꽃잎이 휘날린다.
그녀는 머리를 휘날리며 달렸다.
창밖으로 커튼이 휘날린다.
깃발이 높이 휘날린다.
바람에 옷자락이 휘날린다.
낙엽이 바람에 휘날린다.
승리의 깃발이 전장에 휘날린다.
그녀는 긴 머리를 휘날리며 웃었다.
바람에 휘날리는 머릿결이 아름답다.
전쟁터에 깃발이 휘날리고 있다.
가을바람에 낙엽이 사방으로 휘날린다.
그는 망토를 휘날리며 나타났다.
창문을 열자 커튼이 바람에 휘날렸다.
눈보라가 휘날리는 추운 겨울이다.
바람에 휘날리는 깃발은 자유의 상징이다.
그녀는 머리카락을 휘날리며 자전거를 탔다.
전쟁의 포화 속에서도 깃발은 휘날렸다.
바람에 휘날리는 치맛자락이 우아해 보였다.
그는 먼지를 휘날리며 차를 몰았다.
눈보라가 휘날리는 산 정상에 도착했다.
바람에 휘날리는 종이들이 거리를 덮었다.
그녀의 머릿결이 바람에 휘날리는 모습이 인상적이었다.
역사의 소용돌이 속에서 깃발이 휘날린다.
그는 망토를 휘날리며 위엄 있게 걸어갔다.
바람에 휘날리는 꽃잎은 마치 눈처럼 보였다.
그녀는 머리카락을 휘날리며 거친 파도를 헤쳐 나갔다.
전투의 함성과 함께 깃발이 휘날렸다.
바람에 휘날리는 깃발은 그들의 결의를 보여주었다.
그는 흙먼지를 휘날리며 질주했다.
눈보라가 휘날리는 광활한 설원이 펼쳐졌다.
바람에 휘날리는 깃발은 고독한 영웅의 상징이었다.
그녀는 머리카락을 휘날리며 비장한 표정으로 서 있었다.
눈보라가 휘날리는 밤, 그는 길을 잃었다.
역사의 뒤편에서 깃발이 휘날리는 모습이 그려진다.
그는 먼지를 휘날리며 질주하는 말 위에 있었다.
바람에 휘날리는 옷자락은 그녀의 다급함을 보여주었다.
꽃잎이 휘날리는 봄날의 오후는 평화로웠다.
전장의 깃발이 휘날리는 모습은 비극적이었다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"머리카락을 휘날리며"
Moving very fast or with great energy
그는 머리카락을 휘날리며 뛰었다.
casual"깃발을 휘날리다"
To show victory or presence
우리는 승리의 깃발을 휘날렸다.
formal"먼지를 휘날리다"
To move with great speed
차가 먼지를 휘날리며 사라졌다.
neutral"바람에 휘날리다"
To be at the mercy of the wind
낙엽이 바람에 휘날린다.
neutral"꽃잎처럼 휘날리다"
To scatter gracefully
종이들이 꽃잎처럼 휘날렸다.
literary"눈보라를 휘날리다"
To move through a storm
우리는 눈보라를 휘날리며 걸었다.
literaryEasily Confused
Root is same
날리다 is to make fly, 휘날리다 is to flutter
연을 날리다 vs 깃발이 휘날리다
Both mean move in wind
펄럭이다 is for flapping sounds
깃발이 펄럭이다
Both involve wind
흩날리다 is for scattering
꽃잎이 흩날리다
Both mean waving
나부끼다 is more delicate
머리카락이 나부끼다
Sentence Patterns
Subject + particle + 휘날리다
깃발이 휘날린다.
Subject + object + particle + 휘날리며 + verb
그녀는 머리카락을 휘날리며 달렸다.
Preposition + 휘날리다
바람에 휘날린다.
Noun + particle + 휘날리는 + noun
바람에 휘날리는 깃발.
Subject + particle + 휘날리고 있다
태극기가 휘날리고 있다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
휘날리다 implies lightness.
날리다 is just to make fly.
흔들다 is manual shaking.
It is descriptive, not business-like.
Must be something wind can move.
Tips
Visualizing
Imagine a flag waving.
Context
Use it for light things.
Poetry
Often used in spring poems.
Subject
Needs a light subject.
Flow
Keep it smooth.
Heavy items
Don't use for rocks.
Prefix
휘- means fast.
Flashcards
Use images.
Descriptive
Use for setting scenes.
Songs
Listen for it in ballads.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a flag 'Hwee-ing' (whistling) in the wind.
Visual Association
A flag waving on a pole.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe something you see out your window.
Word Origin
Korean
Original meaning: To be blown by the wind
Cultural Context
None.
Similar to 'flutter' or 'wave' in English.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At a sporting event
- 깃발이 휘날린다
- 응원가가 울린다
In a romantic scene
- 머리카락을 휘날리며
- 바람이 분다
In a storm
- 눈보라가 휘날린다
- 조심하세요
In a garden
- 꽃잎이 휘날린다
- 봄이 왔다
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever seen a flag 휘날리다?"
"What moves when it is windy?"
"Do you like autumn when leaves 휘날리다?"
"Describe a windy day."
"What is your favorite thing to watch in the wind?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a windy day.
Describe a character running.
What does a flag represent?
Write a poem about flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is for objects.
No, 'fly' is '날다'.
Yes, '휘날렸다'.
No, usually for air.
Yes, very common.
Usually '흩날리다' is better.
Sometimes, like a flag flapping.
Rarely, unless describing a flag.
Test Yourself
깃발이 ___.
Flags flutter.
Which means to flutter?
휘날리다 is the word.
Can a heavy rock 휘날리다?
Rocks are too heavy.
Word
Meaning
Flags flutter.
Subject + preposition + verb.
그녀는 머리카락을 ___ 달렸다.
Hair flutters while running.
Which is most similar?
펄럭이다 is a synonym.
휘날리다 is a formal verb.
It is often used in literature.
Subject + object + verb.
눈보라가 ___ 산을 올랐다.
Snowstorms flutter/blow.
Score: /10
Summary
휘날리다 is the perfect word to describe the graceful, rapid movement of light objects in the wind.
- Means to flutter or wave in the wind.
- Used for light, airy objects.
- Common in literary and descriptive contexts.
- Perfect for setting a scene.
Visualizing
Imagine a flag waving.
Context
Use it for light things.
Poetry
Often used in spring poems.
Subject
Needs a light subject.
Example
바람에 국기가 힘차게 휘날렸다.
Related Content
More nature words
~에 대한
A2About, regarding; indicating the topic or subject.
~게
A2Suffix to turn adjectives or verbs into adverbs.
공기
A1Air, atmosphere.
몽땅
B1All of it, entirely, completely.
온갖
B1All sorts of, every kind of.
~을/를 따라서
A2Along; indicating movement or position parallel to something.
동물
A1animal
개미
A1A small insect typically living in large colonies.
주위에
A2Surrounding something or someone; around.
그대로
A2Without changing; as it is.
