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B1 verb 8 min read

틀다

teulda
Examples 틀다 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 틀다 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know '틀다' in very simple, daily contexts. Think of it as 'turning on' things like the TV or music. Beginners often learn '켜다' first for lights, but '틀다' is what you use when you want to listen to a song or watch a show. You might hear a teacher say 'CD를 틀게요' (I will play the CD). The most important thing to remember is the object: TV, radio, or music. You don't need to worry about the 'twisting' or 'wringing' meanings yet. Just focus on the idea of 'starting' a media device or a faucet. For example, if you want water, you '틀다' the faucet. If you want music, you '틀다' the music. It's a very useful word for basic requests in a Korean house or classroom.
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At the A2 level, you should start to see the connection between 'twisting' and 'turning on'. You will use '틀다' for things that involve a flow, like the air conditioner (에어컨) or the heater (히터). You'll also encounter it in basic directions, like '오른쪽으로 틀다' (turn to the right), although '돌다' is also common. You should be able to distinguish between '켜다' (for lights/computers) and '틀다' (for AC/water/music). A common sentence at this level would be '날씨가 더워서 에어컨을 틀었어요' (It was hot, so I turned on the AC). You might also see it used for twisting a towel or a small object, showing the physical motion of the verb.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to use '틀다' more flexibly. This includes using it for body movements, such as '몸을 틀다' (to twist one's body) during exercise or to look at someone behind you. You should also understand its use in more complex directional contexts, like '방향을 틀다' (to change direction), which can be used both literally (driving) and figuratively (changing a plan). You will also learn that '틀다' is used for hairstyles like buns (머리를 틀어 올리다). At this stage, you should feel comfortable using '틀다' in various social settings, like asking a taxi driver to adjust the radio or heater, and understand the nuance of 'flow' and 'rotation' that defines this verb.
At the B2 level, you should be familiar with the idiomatic and metaphorical uses of '틀다'. For example, '판을 틀다' means to completely change the situation or ruin someone's plans. You will encounter '틀다' in news articles describing shifts in political or economic direction. You should also be aware of the passive form '틀리다', which usually means 'to be wrong', and how it relates (or doesn't relate) to the active '틀다'. Your usage should show a clear understanding of the difference between '틀다' (to twist/turn on flow) and '비틀다' (to wring/distort with force). You might use it to describe a plot twist in a movie or a sudden shift in a conversation's tone.
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At the C1 level, you should have a deep appreciation for the literary and nuanced applications of '틀다'. This includes using it to describe complex physical actions, like '상투를 틀다' (to tie a traditional topknot), which carries historical and cultural weight. You will see '틀다' used in literature to describe a character's internal state or a 'twisted' personality (though '비뚤어지다' is also used). You can use '틀다' to describe intricate maneuvers in sports or dance. At this level, you should be able to use the word in professional settings to describe strategic pivots with precision. You understand that '틀다' implies a deliberate, often mechanical or forceful change in state or direction.
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At the C2 level, '틀다' becomes a tool for sophisticated expression. You can use it in philosophical or high-level academic contexts to describe the 'twisting' of logic or the redirection of historical narratives. You are fully aware of all archaic and dialectal nuances that might appear in classical Korean literature. You can distinguish between the subtlest differences of '틀다', '꼬다', '비틀다', and '꺾다' in any given context. Your mastery allows you to use the word to create puns or double meanings, playing on its sense of 'being wrong' (틀리다) and 'twisting'. You use it naturally in all registers, from the most informal slang to the highest formal speech, with perfect accuracy.
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Examples

틀다 in 30 Seconds

  • Core meaning: To turn on flow-based devices (water, AC, music) or twist objects.
  • Used for appliances with dials or valves like faucets, radios, and heaters.
  • Applies to physical actions like twisting the waist or wringing a towel.
  • Metaphorically means to change direction or mess up a plan.

The Korean verb 틀다 (teul-da) is a versatile and essential word that every intermediate learner must master. At its core, it describes a mechanical motion of twisting, rotating, or wringing. However, its most common daily application relates to 'turning on' devices that involve a flow—whether that be a flow of water, air, or sound. Unlike the general verb 켜다 (kyeo-da), which is used for lights or electronics that simply switch on, 틀다 carries a nuance of opening a valve or rotating a dial to initiate a process.

Mechanical Rotation
This is the literal sense of twisting something around an axis, such as wringing a wet towel or turning a steering wheel.
Initiating Flow
Used for faucets (water), heaters (warm air), and air conditioners. It implies the release of a substance from a source.
Media Playback
Commonly used for music, radio, or TV. This usage stems from the historical action of turning a physical knob to find a station or adjust volume.

날씨가 너무 더워서 에어컨을 틀었어요. (The weather was so hot, so I turned on the air conditioner.)

Beyond physical objects, 틀다 extends to the body and abstract concepts. You can twist your neck or waist (몸을 틀다), or even 'twist' the direction of a conversation or a plan. It is a word that bridges the gap between physical labor and modern convenience. In a household setting, you will hear it constantly: 'Turn on the tap,' 'Play some music,' or 'Turn the heater up.' It is less about the electrical current (which would be 켜다) and more about the engagement of a mechanism.

수도꼭지를 틀면 찬물이 나와요. (If you turn the faucet, cold water comes out.)

In social contexts, '틀다' can also describe the act of changing a relationship's direction or hindering a process. For instance, if someone 'twists' a deal (판을 틀다), they are changing the established order or ruining the current flow of things. This multifaceted nature makes it a high-frequency verb in both casual and professional Korean. Understanding the physical sensation of 'twisting' helps in remembering all its derived meanings.

노래 좀 틀어 줄래? (Could you play some music?)

Body Movement
Used in yoga or exercise contexts for twisting the torso or neck.
Directional Shift
Turning a vehicle or changing the path of an object.

Using 틀다 correctly requires understanding its object-verb relationship. Since it is a transitive verb, it almost always takes an object marked with 을/를. The sentence structure typically follows: [Subject] + [Object] + [틀다]. Depending on the object, the English translation varies between 'turn on', 'twist', 'wring', or 'change'.

With Appliances
라디오를 틀다 (Turn on the radio), TV를 틀다 (Turn on the TV), 히터를 틀다 (Turn on the heater).

추우니까 난방 좀 틀어 주세요. (It's cold, so please turn on the heating.)

When dealing with physical objects that require force, 틀다 indicates a rotation. For example, when you are driving and you turn the steering wheel, you '틀다' the wheel (핸들을 틀다). If you are wringing out a wet cloth, you '틀다' the cloth (걸레를 틀다). In these cases, the verb emphasizes the circular or twisting motion itself.

With Physical Force
몸을 옆으로 틀다 (Twist one's body to the side), 나사를 틀다 (Twist a screw - though '조이다' is more common for tightening).

A very common usage for B1 learners is in directional contexts. If you are giving directions to a taxi driver, you might say '오른쪽으로 틀어 주세요' (Please turn to the right). This implies a change in the vehicle's heading. It is slightly more dynamic than just saying 'turn' (돌다), as it implies the act of steering.

갑자기 방향을 틀어서 사고가 날 뻔했어요. (He suddenly changed direction, so an accident almost happened.)

Finally, '틀다' is used for hair styles that involve coiling, like a bun. '머리를 틀어 올리다' means to twist one's hair and put it up. This shows the verb's versatility in describing any action involving a spiral or rotating movement. Whether it's a faucet, a radio, or your own waist, if there's a rotation involved, '틀다' is your go-to verb.

With Hair and Style
머리를 틀다 (To twist/coil hair into a bun), 상투를 틀다 (To tie a traditional Korean topknot).

그녀는 더운지 머리를 틀어 올렸다. (She twisted her hair up because she was hot.)

In South Korea, you will encounter 틀다 in various everyday environments. One of the most frequent places is in a taxi or a car. Drivers often ask or are asked to '틀다' the air conditioner or the radio. If you're feeling chilly, you might ask the driver, '히터 좀 틀어 주실 수 있나요?' (Could you please turn on the heater?).

In a Taxi/Car
Adjusting the environment: AC, heater, music, or GPS navigation volume.

기사님, 라디오 소리 좀 틀어 주세요. (Driver, please turn on the radio.)

Another common setting is the home or a restaurant. When someone enters a room and finds it too quiet, they might say, '노래라도 좀 틀어 봐' (Play some music or something). In the kitchen, parents might tell children, '수도꼭지 꽉 틀지 마' (Don't turn the faucet on too hard/all the way). It's a word embedded in the domestic routine of managing resources and ambiance.

You will also hear this word in fitness and health contexts. Yoga instructors frequently use it when guiding students through stretches. '허리를 왼쪽으로 트세요' (Twist your waist to the left). In physical therapy, it’s used to describe the range of motion of joints. This physical aspect of the word is very literal and helps distinguish it from more abstract verbs.

숨을 내쉬면서 몸을 트세요. (Twist your body while exhaling.)

Lastly, in news or business reports, you might hear about '방향을 틀다' regarding economic policies or corporate strategies. If a company was focusing on hardware but decides to move to software, the news might say they '사업 방향을 틀었다' (They shifted/twisted their business direction). This metaphorical use signifies a significant pivot from the current path.

In Business/News
Used to describe a shift in strategy, policy, or public opinion.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 틀다 is confusing it with 켜다. While both can translate to 'turn on' in English, they are not interchangeable in Korean. 켜다 is used for things that use electricity to produce light or digital screens (lights, computers, smartphones). 틀다 is for things that involve flow, circulation, or mechanical rotation (water, air, music, TV).

Wrong Usage: Lights
Incorrect: 전등을 틀다 (Turn on the light). Correct: 전등을 켜다.
Wrong Usage: Computers
Incorrect: 컴퓨터를 틀다 (Turn on the computer). Correct: 컴퓨터를 켜다.

불을 켜주세요 (O) vs 불을 틀어주세요 (X). (Please turn on the light.)

Another mistake is using 틀다 when 돌리다 (to turn/spin) is more appropriate. While 틀다 implies a twist or a change in direction, 돌리다 is used for continuous spinning or rotating a dial to a specific value. For example, if you are rotating a microwave timer, you would use '돌리다'. If you are initiating the flow of heat, you use '틀다'.

Learners also struggle with the passive form. The passive of 틀다 is 틀리다, but 틀리다 is much more commonly used to mean 'to be wrong' or 'to be incorrect'. This can be very confusing! If you want to say 'the music was turned on', you usually use the active voice '음악이 나오고 있다' (music is coming out) or '음악을 틀어 놓았다' (someone left the music on) to avoid the ambiguity of '틀리다'.

답이 틀렸어요. (The answer is wrong - common use of the same-sounding passive.)

Finally, remember that for 'closing' or 'turning off', the antonym varies. For water or music, you can use '잠그다' (lock/shut off) or '끄다' (turn off). Using '틀다' in the negative '틀지 마' is correct for 'don't turn it on', but don't confuse the action of turning off with the action of twisting.

To truly master 틀다, it's helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related verbs. Each has a specific nuance that changes based on the object and the intensity of the action.

켜다 (Kyeo-da)
Focuses on electrical power and light. Use for: lights, computers, matches, candles.
비틀다 (Bi-teul-da)
A more forceful version of twisting. Often implies distortion or wringing with strength. Use for: wringing a neck, twisting a wet towel hard.
꺾다 (Kkeok-da)
Focuses on bending or snapping a direction sharply. Use for: snapping a flower, making a sharp turn in a car.

수건을 비틀어 짰다. (I twisted/wrung the towel dry.)

When talking about 'turning' in a car, 틀다 and 돌리다 are both used, but 틀다 emphasizes the change in orientation, while 돌리다 emphasizes the rotation of the wheel itself. If you say '핸들을 돌리다', you are talking about the physical act of spinning the wheel. If you say '방향을 틀다', you are talking about changing the car's heading.

In the context of music, '재생하다' (to play/reproduce) is a more formal, technical term used in apps and software. However, in spoken Korean, 틀다 remains the most natural choice. You might see '재생' on a button, but you would ask your friend, '노래 좀 틀어 줘'.

돌리다 (Dol-li-da)
To spin, rotate, or operate a machine. Used for washing machines or dials.
바꾸다 (Ba-kku-da)
To change. Used when the 'twist' is actually just a simple replacement or change of mind.

세탁기를 돌렸어요. (I ran/turned on the washing machine.)

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʰɯlda/
US /tʰɯldɑ/
Stress is equal on both syllables in standard Korean, though the first syllable '틀' carries the core meaning.
Rhymes With
들다 (deul-da) 물다 (mul-da) 불다 (bul-da) 풀다 (pul-da) 줄다 (jul-da) 졸다 (jol-da) 날다 (nal-da) 살다 (sal-da)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'eu' as 'u' (tool-da instead of teul-da).
  • Not aspirating the 't' enough, making it sound like 'deul-da'.
  • Confusing it with 'teul-li-da' (to be wrong) in pronunciation speed.
  • Dropping the 'l' sound (teu-da).
  • Over-emphasizing the second syllable.
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Examples by Level

1

TV를 틀어요.

Turn on the TV.

Present tense of 틀다.

2

노래를 틀어 주세요.

Please play some music.

-아/어 주세요 (request form).

3

수돗물을 틀었어요.

I turned on the tap water.

Past tense of 틀다.

4

라디오를 틀까요?

Shall I turn on the radio?

-(으)ㄹ까요? (suggestion form).

5

엄마가 음악을 틀어요.

Mom is playing music.

Subject marker -가.

6

비디오를 틀지 마세요.

Please don't play the video.

-지 마세요 (prohibition).

7

이 노래 틀어 봐.

Try playing this song.

-아/어 보다 (try doing something).

8

물을 조금만 틀어.

Turn on the water just a little.

Informal imperative.

1

더워서 에어컨을 틀었어요.

I turned on the AC because it was hot.

-어서/아서 (reason/cause).

2

추우니까 히터를 틀자.

Let's turn on the heater since it's cold.

-(으)니까 (reason) and -자 (let's).

3

수도꼭지를 오른쪽으로 틀어.

Turn the faucet to the right.

Directional particle -으로.

4

수건을 틀어 짰어요.

I wrung out the towel.

Compound action: 틀다 + 짜다.

5

운전할 때 핸들을 확 틀지 마세요.

Don't turn the steering wheel sharply while driving.

-(으)ㄹ 때 (when).

6

머리를 예쁘게 틀어 올렸네요.

You've twisted your hair up beautifully.

-아/어 올리다 (to do something upwards).

7

샤워기를 틀면 따뜻한 물이 나와요.

If you turn on the shower, warm water comes out.

-(으)면 (if/when).

8

가스레인지를 틀 때 조심하세요.

Be careful when you turn on the gas stove.

Object marker -를.

1

허리를 왼쪽으로 틀어 보세요.

Try twisting your waist to the left.

Body part + -을/를 + 틀다.

2

갑자기 차가 방향을 틀었어요.

The car suddenly changed direction.

Adverb 갑자기 (suddenly).

3

분위기를 바꾸려고 음악을 틀었다.

I played music to change the atmosphere.

-(으)려고 (in order to).

4

그는 고개를 틀어 뒤를 보았다.

He turned his head and looked back.

Sequential action using the root form.

5

수돗물을 계속 틀어 놓으면 안 돼요.

You shouldn't leave the tap water running.

-아/어 놓다 (to leave something in a state).

6

네비게이션 소리 좀 틀어 줄래?

Can you turn on the navigation sound?

Casual request -아/어 줄래?

7

그녀는 화가 났는지 몸을 홱 틀었다.

She twisted her body away quickly as if she were angry.

-는지 (guessing a reason).

8

병뚜껑을 반대로 틀어서 안 열려요.

It won't open because you twisted the bottle cap the wrong way.

Cause/effect -아서.

1

정부가 정책의 방향을 틀기 시작했다.

The government has started to shift its policy direction.

-기 시작하다 (start doing).

2

그의 말 한마디가 계획을 완전히 틀어 버렸다.

His single word completely messed up the plan.

-어 버리다 (completed action with emotion).

3

몸을 틀어서 공을 받아 냈어요.

I twisted my body and caught the ball.

Connecting two related actions.

4

소문을 듣고 그녀는 마음을 틀었다.

After hearing the rumor, she changed her mind.

Metaphorical use for 'mind/heart'.

5

그는 상투를 틀고 한복을 입었다.

He tied his hair in a topknot and put on hanbok.

Cultural specific usage.

6

일이 틀어지는 바람에 휴가를 못 갔다.

I couldn't go on vacation because things went wrong.

-는 바람에 (unexpected negative cause).

7

나사를 반대 방향으로 틀면 어떡해?

What if you twist the screw in the opposite direction?

-면 어떡해? (expressing concern/scolding).

8

그는 대화의 주제를 교묘하게 틀었다.

He subtly twisted the subject of the conversation.

Adverb 교묘하게 (subtly/cleverly).

1

그는 역사의 물줄기를 튼 위대한 인물이다.

He is a great figure who turned the tide of history.

Metaphorical 'water stream' of history.

2

심사가 틀린 그는 아무 말도 하지 않았다.

Being out of sorts, he didn't say anything.

Idiom '심사가 틀리다'.

3

작가는 소설의 결말을 예상치 못한 방향으로 틀었다.

The author twisted the ending of the novel in an unexpected direction.

Literary context.

4

몸을 꼬고 트는 고난도 동작을 선보였다.

They showcased high-difficulty movements of twisting and coiling the body.

Synonym pair 꼬다 and 틀다.

5

경영진은 위기 극복을 위해 사업 구조를 틀었다.

The management shifted the business structure to overcome the crisis.

Formal business context.

6

수돗물을 틀어 놓은 채 잠이 들고 말았다.

I ended up falling asleep with the tap water running.

-ㄴ 채 (while in the state of).

7

그는 비판의 화살을 다른 곳으로 틀려고 했다.

He tried to redirect the arrows of criticism elsewhere.

Metaphorical 'arrows of criticism'.

8

전통적인 방식을 틀어 새로운 예술을 창조했다.

By twisting traditional methods, a new art was created.

Creative context.

1

운명의 수레바퀴를 틀 수 있는 자는 누구인가?

Who is the one that can turn the wheel of fate?

Philosophical/Literary register.

2

그는 교묘한 논리로 상대방의 주장을 틀어버렸다.

He twisted the opponent's argument with subtle logic.

Sophisticated rhetorical usage.

3

고정관념을 트는 발상의 전환이 필요하다.

A shift in thinking that twists/breaks stereotypes is necessary.

Abstract concept manipulation.

4

시대의 흐름을 틀기에는 역부족이었다.

It was beyond one's power to turn the tide of the times.

Advanced idiom '역부족'.

5

그녀는 일생의 행로를 틀어 오지로 떠났다.

She changed her life's course and left for a remote area.

Narrative storytelling style.

6

정교하게 틀어 올린 머리 모양이 인상적이다.

The elaborately twisted hairstyle is impressive.

Adverb 정교하게 (elaborately).

7

사건의 본질을 틀어 허위 사실을 유포했다.

They twisted the essence of the case and spread false information.

Legal/Journalistic context.

8

자연의 순리를 틀려는 인간의 욕심이 화를 불렀다.

Human greed to twist the laws of nature brought disaster.

Moral/Philosophical tone.

Common Collocations

음악을 틀다
수도꼭지를 틀다
에어컨을 틀다
몸을 틀다
방향을 틀다
TV를 틀다
히터를 틀다
머리를 틀다
고개를 틀다
라디오를 틀다

Common Phrases

노래 좀 틀어 줘

— Please play some music. Used very casually among friends.

심심한데 노래 좀 틀어 줘.

물 좀 틀어 봐

— Try turning on the water. Used to check if the plumbing works.

수리가 끝났으니 물 좀 틀어 봐.

에어컨 세게 틀어

— Turn the AC on high. Used when it's very hot.

너무 덥다, 에어컨 세게 틀어.

방향을 오른쪽으로 틀어

— Turn the direction to the right. Common in navigation.

다음 교차로에서 방향을 오른쪽으로 틀어.

머리를 틀어 올리다

— To put one's hair up in a bun or twist.

여름에는 머리를 틀어 올리는 게 시원해요.

수도꼭지를 꽉 틀다

— To turn the faucet on all the way.

수도꼭지를 너무 꽉 틀면 물이 튀어요.

채널을 틀다

— To change or turn to a TV channel.

뉴스 채널로 틀어 주세요.

몸을 비틀어 틀다

— To twist and turn one's body (often in pain or exercise).

아파서 몸을 비틀어 틀었다.

난방을 틀다

— To turn on the heating system.

추우니까 거실에 난방 좀 틀자.

볼륨을 틀다

— To turn up the volume (though '높이다' is more common).

소리가 작으니 볼륨 좀 더 틀어 봐.

Idioms & Expressions

"심사가 틀리다"

— To be in a bad mood or to feel cranky/perverse.

그는 오늘 무슨 일이 있는지 심사가 틀려 있다.

Casual
"판을 틀다"

— To change the whole situation or mess up the current state of affairs.

그의 갑작스러운 퇴사가 프로젝트의 판을 틀어 버렸다.

Neutral/Business
"방향을 틀다"

— To change one's mind or the course of an action significantly.

그는 공무원 시험을 준비하다가 갑자기 사업으로 방향을 틀었다.

Neutral
"상투를 틀다"

— To get married (historically, as men would then wear a topknot).

그도 이제 상투를 틀었으니 어른 대접을 해줘야지.

Archaic/Idiomatic
"입을 틀어막다"

— To cover one's mouth or silence someone (uses a related root).

놀라서 입을 틀어막았다.

Neutral
"계획이 틀어지다"

— For a plan to go wrong or get messed up.

비가 오는 바람에 여행 계획이 틀어졌다.

Neutral
"사이가 틀어지다"

— For a relationship to go sour or become strained.

말다툼 끝에 두 사람의 사이가 틀어지고 말았다.

Neutral
"몸을 틀어박다"

— To shut oneself in a room or stay confined (related usage).

그는 하루 종일 방에 몸을 틀어박고 책만 읽었다.

Informal
"고집을 틀다"

— To be stubborn or insist on one's own way (less common but used).

그는 자기 의견만 맞다고 고집을 틀었다.

Casual
"쥐어틀다"

— To grasp and twist something tightly.

가슴을 쥐어트는 통증이 느껴졌다.

Descriptive

Word Family

Nouns

틀 (frame/mold)
비틀기 (twisting action)

Verbs

틀리다 (to be wrong / passive of twist)
비틀다 (to twist/wring)
뒤틀다 (to distort/twist back)
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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

点ける Japanese
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