A1 verb 2 min read

두르다

You use this word when you wrap something around an object or drizzle a liquid like oil over food.

dureuda
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use 두르다 when you put a scarf on. You also use it when you pour oil in a pan. It is a very useful action word for your daily life!

When you are cold, you 두르다 a scarf. When you cook, you 두르다 oil. It means to wrap or to drizzle something around a thing.

The verb 두르다 is essential for describing physical actions. Whether you are creating a boundary with a fence or preparing a meal by drizzling oil, this word captures the essence of encircling or coating.

Beyond basic physical actions, 두르다 implies a sense of completeness or protection. It is frequently used in culinary contexts to describe the specific technique of coating a pan, which is a nuance that adds precision to your Korean cooking vocabulary.

In advanced contexts, 두르다 can be used figuratively to describe being surrounded by an aura or a specific atmosphere. Its etymological connection to protection and boundary-setting makes it a powerful verb for descriptive writing and storytelling.

Mastering 두르다 requires understanding its shift from physical enclosure to metaphorical application. It reflects the Korean tendency to use verbs that visualize the movement of objects, whether it is fabric around a neck or liquid around a pan, showcasing a deep linguistic connection to spatial awareness.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Means to wrap or drizzle.
  • Used for clothing and cooking.
  • Neutral and common register.
  • Follows regular conjugation.

When we talk about 두르다, we are usually describing two main actions. First, it refers to wrapping something around an object, like a scarf around your neck or a fence around a garden.

Second, it is a very common word in the kitchen! If you are cooking and you need to add a little oil to your pan, you would use this verb to describe drizzling it around the surface. It implies a sense of encircling or covering an area.

The word 두르다 has deep roots in the Korean language, evolving from ancient terms related to encircling or surrounding. Historically, it was used to describe physical boundaries, like walls or protective barriers.

Over centuries, the usage expanded to include personal accessories and eventually culinary techniques. It is a native Korean word, meaning it does not stem from Chinese characters (Hanja), which gives it a very natural and domestic feel in everyday conversation.

You will hear 두르다 in many daily situations. In fashion, you 두르다 a scarf (목도리를 두르다). In cooking, you 두르다 oil (기름을 두르다).

It is generally used in neutral to casual registers. You can use it with friends, family, or in a professional cooking environment. It is not overly formal, making it a staple in your Korean vocabulary.

1. 기름을 두르다: To drizzle oil in a pan. 2. 목도리를 두르다: To wrap a scarf around one's neck. 3. 담을 두르다: To build a fence or wall around a property. 4. 띠를 두르다: To wear a sash or band around the waist. 5. 팔을 두르다: To wrap one's arm around someone's shoulder.

The verb 두르다 follows regular conjugation rules. Its stem is '두르-'. When combined with '-어', it becomes '둘러'.

Pronunciation is straightforward: doo-reu-da. The 'r' sound is a soft flap, similar to the 'tt' in the American English word 'butter'. It rhymes loosely with words ending in '-uda' sounds in Korean.

Fun Fact

The word is purely native, reflecting the ancient Korean lifestyle of building fences and wrapping oneself in fabric.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /du.ɾu.da/

Soft Korean 'r' sounds like a quick 'd' or 'r'.

US /du.ɾu.da/

Clear vowel sounds, watch the 'r' flap.

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing the 'r' as a hard English 'r'.
  • Ignoring the vowel length.
  • Confusing 'u' and 'eu' sounds.

Rhymes With

부르다 흐르다 누르다 구르다 찌르다

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to understand.

Writing 2/5

Simple sentence structure.

Speaking 2/5

Natural rhythm.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

기름 목도리 하다

Learn Next

둘러싸다 둘러보다

Advanced

장막 방어막

Grammar to Know

Verb conjugation

두르다 -> 둘러

Object particle

기름을

Location particle

팬에

Examples by Level

1

목도리를 두르다.

Scarf-object wrap.

Simple verb usage.

2

기름을 두르다.

Oil-object drizzle.

Culinary context.

3

옷을 두르다.

Clothes-object wrap.

Basic action.

4

담을 두르다.

Wall-object build.

Boundary.

5

띠를 두르다.

Sash-object wear.

Accessory.

6

수건을 두르다.

Towel-object wrap.

Daily habit.

7

천을 두르다.

Cloth-object wrap.

Material usage.

8

팔을 두르다.

Arm-object wrap.

Physical contact.

1

기름을 살짝 두르세요.

2

목도리를 따뜻하게 두르세요.

3

담을 높게 두르다.

4

허리에 띠를 두르다.

5

어깨에 숄을 두르다.

6

팬에 기름을 두르다.

7

머리에 수건을 두르다.

8

벽에 담쟁이를 두르다.

1

요리하기 전에 팬에 기름을 두르세요.

2

추운 날씨에는 목도리를 꼭 두르세요.

3

정원 주위에 울타리를 두르다.

4

그녀는 어깨에 아름다운 스카프를 둘렀다.

5

머리띠를 두르다.

6

허리에 앞치마를 두르다.

7

식탁 위에 천을 두르다.

8

비닐을 두르다.

1

그는 어깨에 팔을 두르고 위로했다.

2

프라이팬에 식용유를 골고루 두르다.

3

성벽을 두르다.

4

그녀는 머리에 화관을 둘렀다.

5

허리에 수건을 두르고 나왔다.

6

경계선을 두르다.

7

가장자리에 장식을 두르다.

8

그는 목에 훈장을 두르다.

1

그는 고독의 장막을 두르고 있었다.

2

성곽을 두른 도시의 풍경.

3

그녀는 자신만의 방어막을 두르다.

4

그는 어깨에 망토를 두르고 나타났다.

5

주변에 경계선을 두르다.

6

그는 머리에 띠를 두르고 결의를 다졌다.

7

그는 마음의 빗장을 두르다.

8

꽃으로 화관을 두르다.

1

그는 세월의 흔적을 얼굴에 두르고 있었다.

2

그는 신비로운 분위기를 두른 채 등장했다.

3

그는 고립의 벽을 두르고 세상과 단절했다.

4

그는 권위의 상징인 띠를 두르다.

5

그녀는 슬픔을 두르고 거리를 걸었다.

6

그는 지혜의 후광을 두르다.

7

그는 침묵의 갑옷을 두르다.

8

그는 승리의 월계관을 두르다.

Common Collocations

기름을 두르다
목도리를 두르다
담을 두르다
띠를 두르다
어깨에 두르다
머리에 두르다
팔을 두르다
테를 두르다
장식을 두르다
경계선을 두르다

Idioms & Expressions

"기름을 두르다"

To oil a pan

요리 전 기름을 두르다.

neutral

"목도리를 두르다"

To wear a scarf

추워서 목도리를 두르다.

neutral

"담을 두르다"

To fence in

집 주위에 담을 두르다.

neutral

"띠를 두르다"

To wear a sash

행사 때 띠를 두르다.

neutral

"팔을 두르다"

To put an arm around

친구 어깨에 팔을 두르다.

neutral

"머리에 두르다"

To wrap around the head

수건을 머리에 두르다.

neutral

Easily Confused

두르다 vs 감다

Both mean wrap.

감다 is for thread/bandage, 두르다 is for clothing/oil.

붕대를 감다 vs 목도리를 두르다.

두르다 vs 바르다

Both used for oil.

바르다 is to spread, 두르다 is to drizzle.

기름을 바르다 vs 기름을 두르다.

두르다 vs 싸다

Both mean wrap.

싸다 is for packing/hiding.

선물을 싸다.

두르다 vs 덮다

Both mean cover.

덮다 is for top surfaces.

이불을 덮다.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + Noun + 을/를 + 두르다

나는 목도리를 두르다.

A2

Location + Noun + 을/를 + 두르다

팬에 기름을 두르다.

B1

Subject + Noun + 에 + 팔을 두르다

그는 내 어깨에 팔을 두르다.

B1

Subject + Noun + 을/를 + 두르고 + Verb

목도리를 두르고 나가다.

B2

Subject + Noun + 을/를 + 둘러 + Verb

기름을 둘러 볶다.

Word Family

Nouns

두름 The act of wrapping or a bundle.

Verbs

둘러싸다 To surround.

Related

둘레 Circumference/Perimeter

How to Use It

frequency

8/10

Formality Scale

Formal (rarely) Neutral (common) Casual (common) Slang (none)

Common Mistakes

Using '바르다' for drizzling oil. → 기름을 두르다.
바르다 means to spread or smear, while 두르다 implies pouring in a circular motion.
Using '감다' for food. → 기름을 두르다.
감다 is for wrapping objects like thread, not for liquid.
Confusing with '두르리다'. → 두르다.
두르리다 is not a standard verb.
Using '싸다' for a scarf. → 목도리를 두르다.
싸다 means to wrap something to hide it or pack it.
Incorrect conjugation of '두르다'. → 둘러요.
The stem '두르-' changes to '둘러' when conjugated.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace Trick

Visualize a scarf circling your neck.

💡

When Native Speakers Use It

Every time they cook with oil.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Cooking is a big part of Korean daily life.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Think of it as 'encircling'.

💡

Say It Right

Keep the 'u' sound short.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't use it for spreading butter.

💡

Did You Know?

It's a native Korean word!

💡

Study Smart

Use it in sentences about your day.

💡

Listen Closely

Listen to cooking videos.

💡

Context Matters

Check if it's fabric or liquid.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'DOOR' (du) wrapped in a 'RUG' (ru).

Visual Association

A chef drizzling oil in a pan in a circular motion.

Word Web

Cooking Fashion Boundaries Protection

Challenge

Describe three things you can wrap around your body today.

Word Origin

Native Korean

Original meaning: To encircle or wrap.

Cultural Context

None.

The concept of 'drizzling' is the closest equivalent in culinary English.

Used in many Korean cooking shows like Baek Jong-won's programs.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Cooking

  • 기름을 두르세요
  • 살짝 두르다
  • 골고루 두르다

Winter

  • 목도리를 두르다
  • 따뜻하게 두르다
  • 숄을 두르다

Construction

  • 담을 두르다
  • 울타리를 두르다
  • 경계를 두르다

Fashion

  • 띠를 두르다
  • 머리띠를 두르다
  • 장식을 두르다

Conversation Starters

"오늘 추운데 목도리 두르셨어요?"

"요리할 때 기름을 얼마나 두르세요?"

"집 주위에 담을 두르는 게 좋을까요?"

"어깨에 숄을 두르니까 예쁘네요."

"허리에 띠를 두르는 패션 어때요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 요리하면서 기름을 두른 경험을 써보세요.

겨울에 목도리를 두르는 기분을 묘사해보세요.

담을 두른 정원을 상상해보세요.

띠를 두르는 전통 의상에 대해 생각해보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

No, it is usually for oil or fabric.

Yes, it follows standard conjugation.

둘렀다.

Usually '하다' or '차다' is used for jewelry.

Only if talking about fences or boundaries.

Not exactly, it means to wrap around.

Yes, '허리띠를 두르다'.

It is neutral and very common.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

팬에 기름을 ___.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 두르다

You use oil in a pan.

multiple choice A2

Which is correct for a scarf?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 목도리를 두르다

You wrap a scarf.

true false B1

두르다 means to eat.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It means to wrap or drizzle.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Both use the same verb.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Standard object-location-verb order.

fill blank B1

추운 날씨에 ___을 두르다.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 목도리

Scarf is worn around the neck.

multiple choice B2

Which context is '두르다' used in?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: Cooking

Specifically for drizzling oil.

true false C1

두르다 can be used metaphorically.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

Yes, like '두려움을 두르다'.

match pairs C1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Common collocations.

sentence order C2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Correct Subject-Location-Object-Verb.

Score: /10

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