Esta página no seu idioma

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

中文

हिन्दी

Início
Aprender
Coreano
Vocabulário
기어다니다

A2 verb #9,000 mais comum 8 min de leitura

기어다니다

gieodnaenida Top 9,000

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas 기어다니다 em 30 segundos

Explicação 기어다니다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should understand '기어다니다' as a word used for babies. Imagine a very young child who cannot walk yet. They use their hands and knees to move on the floor. In Korean, we say '아기가 기어다녀요' (The baby crawls around). You might also see this word when talking about simple insects like an ant (개미) in a garden. The most important thing to remember is the physical shape of the movement: low to the ground and slow. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on the subject and the action. If you see a baby on the floor, you can say '아기, 기어다녀요!' to practice. It is a very cute and common word in family settings.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

For A2 learners, '기어다니다' becomes more useful as you describe daily life and nature. You can use it to describe where something is crawling using the particles '-을/를' or '-에서'. For example, '방을 기어다니다' means crawling around the room. You should also start to notice the difference between '기다' (to crawl) and '기어다니다' (to crawl around). The '-다니다' part means the action happens repeatedly or in many directions. This level also introduces the idea of speed. Since crawling is slow, you will often hear it with '천천히' (slowly). You can also use it for small animals like turtles or crabs at the beach. It’s a great verb for adding detail to your descriptions of movement.

At the B1 level, you will encounter '기어다니다' in more metaphorical and varied contexts. One of the most common ways you will hear it is in traffic reports. When there are too many cars on the road, they move very slowly, like a baby crawling. Koreans say '차가 기어다녀요' to express that traffic is terrible. You should also be able to conjugate it into various forms like '기어다니고 있다' (is crawling) or '기어다니기 시작했다' (started to crawl). You might also use it to describe a feeling of something 'crawling' on your skin (소름이 돋다 or 벌레가 기어가는 느낌). Understanding the frustration behind the metaphorical use in traffic is key to sounding more native at this level.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

By B2, you should understand the nuance of '-어 다니다' as a grammatical structure applied to '기다'. This implies a sense of habit, wandering, or a lack of a specific destination. You can use '기어다니다' to describe a person's state of being. For instance, if someone is very sick or exhausted, they might 'crawl around' the house because they lack the strength to stand. You will also see this word in literature to describe a character's low social status or a state of humiliation. '바닥을 기어다니다' (crawling on the floor/bottom) is a common idiom for being at the lowest point of one's life. You should be comfortable using the verb in complex sentences with connectors like '-는데' or '-어서'.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the descriptive power of '기어다니다' in creative writing and high-level discourse. It can be used to evoke a specific atmosphere—perhaps a creepy one where shadows or insects are 'crawling' around a room, or a pathetic one where a person's dignity is stripped away. You should also distinguish it from more technical terms like '포복하다' (to crawl in a military or formal sense) and '서행하다' (to move slowly, used for vehicles). At this level, you can use '기어다니다' to critique social systems, such as describing how progress in a certain policy is 'crawling' (progressing at a snail's pace). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's emotional weight.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

For C2 speakers, '기어다니다' is a tool for precise and evocative expression. You might use it in a philosophical context to describe the human condition—perhaps how we are all 'crawling' on this earth compared to the vastness of the universe. You can analyze its use in classical or modern Korean literature, where it might symbolize subservience or the raw instinct for survival. You should also be able to use it ironically or sarcastically. For example, describing a high-tech car that is 'crawling' in a city center as a way to mock urban planning. Your command of the word should include its most obscure metaphorical applications and its ability to paint a vivid, often visceral, picture in the listener's mind.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

기어다니다 em 30 segundos

Literally means to crawl around on hands and knees, most commonly used for infants and insects.
A compound verb (기다 + 다니다) emphasizing movement in various directions or a habitual state.
Metaphorically describes extremely slow-moving traffic or slow progress in tasks.
Can convey a sense of humiliation or being at a low point in life in literary contexts.

The Korean verb 기어다니다 is a compound verb that combines two distinct actions: 기다 (to crawl) and 다니다 (to go around or attend). When merged, they create a nuanced meaning that describes the act of moving from place to place on all fours, or with the body pressed close to the ground, without a single specific destination. This word is most commonly associated with the developmental stages of human infants, but its utility extends far beyond the nursery into the realms of biology, urban transportation, and even metaphorical human struggle.

Physical Mechanics: In its most literal sense, it describes movement using hands and knees. For an infant, this is a milestone of independence. For an insect, it is their primary mode of navigation across a surface.

우리 아기가 이제 거실을 기어다녀요. (Our baby is now crawling around the living room.)

In a broader context, 기어다니다 is used to describe anything moving at an agonizingly slow pace. This is particularly prevalent in modern urban life when discussing traffic. When a highway is congested to the point where vehicles are barely moving, Koreans will say the cars are 'crawling around.' This usage highlights the frustration of restricted movement and the loss of the vehicle's primary function—speed.

Biological Context: It is used for insects like ants or spiders, and reptiles like turtles or lizards. It emphasizes the continuous, multi-directional movement of these creatures as they forage or explore.

벽에 작은 벌레가 기어다니고 있어요. (There is a small bug crawling around on the wall.)

Culturally, the word can also carry a tone of humility or even humiliation. In literature, a character might be described as 'crawling' to show they have been defeated or are in a state of extreme desperation, physically unable to stand tall. However, in daily life, it remains a neutral, descriptive term for slow, ground-based movement.

Metaphorical Speed: Used to describe slow progress in work, projects, or even the slow passage of time during a boring event.

차가 너무 막혀서 고속도로에서 기어다녔어요. (Traffic was so heavy that we were crawling on the highway.)

Using 기어다니다 correctly requires understanding its role as an active, intransitive verb that often takes a locational particle. Because it describes movement 'around' a space, the particle -을/를 is frequently used to indicate the space being traversed, or -에서 to indicate the general area where the action occurs.

Subject-Verb Agreement: The subject is usually a person (typically an infant), an animal (insect, reptile), or a vehicle (metaphorical). Example: '아기가(Subject) 기어다녀요(Verb).'

거북이가 모래 사장을 천천히 기어다닙니다. (The turtle is slowly crawling around the sandy beach.)

In terms of conjugation, 기어다니다 follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in '-다'. In the present tense, it becomes 기어다녀요 (polite) or 기어다닌다 (plain). In the past tense, it is 기어다녔어요. For the progressive form, which is very common when describing something currently happening, use 기어다니고 있어요.

Location Particles: Use '-을/를' when the focus is on the space being covered (e.g., '방을 기어다니다'). Use '-에서' when the focus is on the location where the crawling is happening (e.g., '방에서 기어다니다').

개미들이 부엌 바닥을 기어다니고 있어서 청소했어요. (I cleaned up because ants were crawling around the kitchen floor.)

Adverbs play a significant role in modifying this verb. Since crawling is inherently slow, adverbs like 천천히 (slowly) or 엉금엉금 (crawlingly) are natural fits. However, if you want to describe a fast-moving insect, you might use 빨리 (quickly). The verb can also be used with the '-기 시작하다' (start to) pattern to describe a developmental milestone for a baby.

Common Patterns: '기어다니기 시작하다' (To start crawling around), '기어다니는 모습' (The sight/appearance of crawling around).

아기가 온 집안을 기어다니기 시작하면 눈을 뗄 수 없어요. (Once a baby starts crawling around the whole house, you can't take your eyes off them.)

The environment in which you encounter 기어다니다 significantly changes its nuance. From the warm, domestic setting of a home to the stressful environment of a traffic jam, the word is versatile and descriptive. Understanding these contexts will help you interpret the speaker's emotion—whether it's the joy of a parent or the frustration of a commuter.

In the Home (Parenting): This is the most frequent context. Parents often discuss their child's progress. You will hear phrases like '이제 막 기어다녀요' (They've just started crawling around) or '하루 종일 기어다녀서 무릎이 까매졌어요' (Their knees got dark because they crawled around all day).

아기가 침대 위를 기어다니다가 떨어질까 봐 걱정돼요. (I'm worried the baby might fall while crawling around on the bed.)

In nature and science contexts, such as documentaries or biology lessons, the word describes the locomotion of invertebrates and certain vertebrates. A narrator might describe how a crab '기어다니다' on the ocean floor or how a caterpillar '기어다니다' on a leaf. Here, the word is purely scientific and descriptive.

Traffic Reports and Commuting: Radio traffic announcers use this word to describe extreme congestion. '차가 기어다니고 있습니다' implies that the speed is so low it resembles a crawl. It conveys a sense of stagnation and high density.

사고 때문에 차들이 도로에서 기어다니고 있어요. (Because of the accident, cars are crawling on the road.)

Metaphorical use in social commentary or literature often involves the word to describe someone who is 'crawling at the bottom' of society (바닥을 기어다니다). This highlights a lack of social mobility or a state of extreme poverty or suffering. It is a powerful image of being unable to stand up against life's hardships.

술에 취해서 집까지 기어다녔어. (I was so drunk I crawled all the way home—metaphorically or literally.)

While 기어다니다 is a relatively straightforward verb, learners often make subtle errors in choice of synonym or particle usage. The most common mistake is confusing it with its simpler counterpart, 기다, or its directional cousin, 기어가다.

Confusion with '기어가다': '기어가다' means to crawl to a specific place. '기어다니다' means to crawl around without a specific endpoint. If you say '아기가 방으로 기어다녀요', it sounds like the baby is wandering around in the room, but if you mean the baby is going into the room, use '기어가요'.

Incorrect: 아기가 엄마한테 기어다녀요.
Correct: 아기가 엄마한테 기어가요.

Another frequent error involves the misuse of particles when describing animals. For snakes or worms, which do not have limbs, the verb 기다 or 기어가다 is more common than 기어다니다, though the latter can be used if they are moving aimlessly. However, for fish, never use this word; use 헤엄치다 (swim). Using 'crawl' for a fish is a direct translation error from some languages but doesn't work in Korean.

Particle Errors: Learners often use '-에' instead of '-을/를' or '-에서'. While '-에' can sometimes work for location, '-을/를' is much more natural when describing the act of traversing a floor or a field.

Better: 바닥을 기어다니다.
Less Natural: 바닥에 기어다니다.

Finally, avoid using 기어다니다 to describe yourself 'walking around' a city as a tourist. Even if you are moving slowly, use 돌아다니다 (to walk/roam around). Using '기어다니다' would imply you were literally on your hands and knees, which might lead to some very confused looks from your Korean friends!

To truly master the concept of crawling in Korean, you must distinguish 기어다니다 from its synonyms. Each word has a specific nuance regarding direction, purpose, and the physical manner of the movement.

기다 vs. 기어다니다: 기다 is the basic verb 'to crawl'. It is neutral and doesn't specify duration or variety of direction. 기어다니다 is more descriptive of a continuous or habitual action of crawling 'here and there'.
기어가다 vs. 기어오다: These are directional. 기어가다 is to crawl away from the speaker toward a goal. 기어오다 is to crawl toward the speaker. Use these when the destination is the focus.

벌레가 구석으로 기어갔어요. (The bug crawled into the corner.)
벌레가 내 쪽으로 기어와요! (The bug is crawling toward me!)

For more formal or specialized contexts, you might encounter 포복하다 (pobok-hada). This is a Sino-Korean word used primarily in military contexts (low crawl, high crawl) or in very formal biological descriptions. It sounds technical and is rarely used in daily conversation about babies or household bugs.

서행하다 (Slow Movement): When describing traffic formally, 서행하다 (to go slowly) is used on signs and news reports. While '기어다니다' is common in speech to express frustration, '서행' is the official term for 'slow down' or 'slow traffic'.

Lastly, consider 꿈틀거리다 (to wriggle). This is used for worms or things that move their bodies in a wavy motion without necessarily traveling far. If a baby is just moving their limbs while lying down but not actually traversing the floor, you might use 버둥거리다 (to flounder/struggle) instead of crawling.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The suffix '-다니다' is used with many movement verbs to change a one-way action into a multi-directional or habitual one, like 'walk' (걷다) becoming 'walk around' (걸어다니다).

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ki.ʌ.da.ni.da/

US /ki.ʌ.da.ni.da/

Primary stress is on the first syllable '기', with a secondary light stress on '다'.

Rima com

날아다니다 (nara-danida) 뛰어다니다 (ttwieo-danida) 걸어다니다 (georeo-danida) 돌아다니다 (dora-danida) 쫓아다니다 (jjotcha-danida) 따라다니다 (ttara-danida) 넘나들다 (neomnadeulda - partial) 흘러다니다 (heulleo-danida)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'eo' as 'o'. It should be an unrounded open-mid back vowel.
Merging 'gi' and 'eo' into a single 'gyeo' sound too quickly.
Stressing the final 'da' too heavily.
Confusing 'da-ni-da' with 'da-ni-ra'.
Not pronouncing the 'n' in 'ni' clearly.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize as a compound of two common verbs.

Escrita 3/5

Requires correct spelling of '기어' and '다니다' together.

Expressão oral 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward.

Audição 2/5

Commonly heard in daily contexts.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

기다 다니다 아기 벌레 바닥

Aprenda a seguir

돌아다니다 뛰어다니다 걸어다니다 포복하다

Avançado

굼뜨다 서행하다 잠식하다

Gramática essencial

-어 다니다 (Compound Verb Pattern)

걸어다니다, 뛰어다니다, 날아다니다

-기 시작하다 (Start doing something)

아기가 기어다니기 시작했어요.

-는 것 같다 (It seems like...)

차가 기어다니는 것 같아요.

-을 때 (When...)

기어다닐 때 조심해야 해요.

-고 있다 (Progressive Tense)

개미가 기어다니고 있어요.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Exemplos por nível

아기가 방안을 기어다녀요.

The baby is crawling around the room.

Subject (아기) + Location (방안) + Verb (기어다녀요).

개미가 식탁 위를 기어다닙니다.

An ant is crawling around on the dining table.

The particle '-를' shows the ant is moving across the table surface.

동생은 아직 못 걸어요. 기어다녀요.

My younger sibling can't walk yet. They crawl around.

Contrast between '걷다' (walk) and '기어다니다'.

거북이가 천천히 기어다녀요.

The turtle is crawling around slowly.

Adverb '천천히' (slowly) modifies the verb.

강아지가 바닥을 기어다녀요.

The puppy is crawling around on the floor.

Used when a puppy is too young to walk properly.

작은 벌레가 기어다니고 있어요.

A small bug is crawling around.

'-고 있다' indicates the action is happening now.

아기가 엉금엉금 기어다녀요.

The baby is crawling around (onomatopoeia: ung-geum-ung-geum).

'엉금엉금' is the standard onomatopoeia for crawling.

게가 모래 위를 기어다녀요.

A crab is crawling around on the sand.

Location particle '- 위를' (on top of).

거실에 벌레가 기어다녀서 깜짝 놀랐어요.

I was surprised because a bug was crawling around in the living room.

'-아서/어서' indicates the reason for being surprised.

우리 조카는 이제 아주 빨리 기어다녀요.

My nephew crawls around very fast now.

Adverb '빨리' (fast) shows the baby's progress.

아이들이 숲속을 기어다니며 놀고 있어요.

The children are playing while crawling around in the woods.

'-며' indicates two actions happening simultaneously.

거북이들이 수족관 바닥을 기어다닙니다.

Turtles are crawling around the bottom of the aquarium.

Plural marker '-들' added to the subject.

아기가 기어다닐 때 무릎 보호대가 필요해요.

When a baby crawls around, they need knee pads.

'-을 때' means 'when'.

꽃밭에 나비 대신 벌레들이 기어다니고 있네요.

There are bugs crawling around in the flower garden instead of butterflies.

'-네요' expresses a realization or observation.

고양이가 낮은 자세로 기어다니며 사냥을 해요.

The cat hunts by crawling around in a low posture.

Describes the specific manner of movement.

침대 밑에 먼지가 기어다니는 것 같아요.

It feels like dust bunnies are crawling around under the bed.

Metaphorical use for inanimate objects moving in the wind.

출근 시간에는 차들이 도로 위를 기어다녀요.

During rush hour, cars crawl around on the road.

Metaphorical use for slow traffic.

사고가 나서 고속도로에서 한 시간 동안 기어다녔어요.

Because of an accident, we crawled on the highway for an hour.

Past tense '기어다녔어요' used for a completed experience.

아기가 온 집안을 기어다녀서 바닥을 매일 닦아야 해요.

Since the baby crawls all over the house, I have to wipe the floor every day.

'-어야 하다' expresses necessity.

거미가 천장을 기어다니는 것을 보고 소리를 질렀어요.

I screamed when I saw a spider crawling around on the ceiling.

'-는 것' turns the verb phrase into a noun clause.

술을 너무 많이 마셔서 집까지 기어다니듯 갔어요.

I drank so much I went home as if I were crawling.

'-듯' means 'as if'.

폭설 때문에 모든 차가 거북이처럼 기어다니고 있습니다.

Because of the heavy snow, all cars are crawling like turtles.

Simile '거북이처럼' (like a turtle).

인터넷 속도가 너무 느려서 기어다니는 수준이에요.

The internet speed is so slow it's at a crawling level.

Metaphorical use for digital speed.

군인들이 훈련장에서 땅을 기어다니며 연습합니다.

Soldiers practice by crawling around the ground at the training center.

Describes physical military training.

그는 실패 후 한동안 인생의 바닥을 기어다니는 기분이었다.

After the failure, he felt like he was crawling at the bottom of life for a while.

Idiomatic expression '바닥을 기어다니다' (hit rock bottom).

어둠 속에서 정체 모를 생명체가 기어다니는 소리가 들렸다.

In the darkness, the sound of an unidentified creature crawling around was heard.

Passive voice '들렸다' (was heard).

프로젝트 진행 속도가 너무 느려 마치 기어다니는 것 같다.

The project progress is so slow it's as if it's crawling around.

'- 것 같다' expresses a comparison or supposition.

가난했던 시절에는 벌레가 기어다니는 단칸방에서 살았다.

In the days of poverty, I lived in a single-room house where bugs crawled around.

Modifier '-는' describes the '단칸방' (one-room house).

그 소문은 사람들 사이를 은밀하게 기어다니며 퍼져 나갔다.

The rumor spread as it secretly crawled among the people.

Personification of a rumor.

고통스러운 기억들이 머릿속을 기어다니며 나를 괴롭힌다.

Painful memories crawl around my head and torment me.

Abstract use for mental distress.

좁은 골목길을 기어다니듯 빠져나가는 택시의 모습이 인상적이었다.

The sight of the taxi exiting the narrow alley as if crawling was impressive.

Describes precise, slow movement in a tight space.

그는 권력자들 앞에서 기어다니며 아첨을 떨었다.

He flattered the powerful by crawling before them.

Metaphorical use for subservience/flattery.

패배의 굴욕감 속에서 그는 차라리 땅을 기어다니고 싶다고 생각했다.

In the humiliation of defeat, he thought he would rather crawl on the ground.

Expresses extreme psychological state.

역사의 수레바퀴 아래에서 기어다니는 민초들의 삶은 고달팠다.

The lives of the common people crawling under the wheels of history were weary.

Literary metaphor for the oppressed.

안개가 지면을 기어다니듯 자욱하게 깔려 있었다.

The fog was spread thickly as if crawling along the ground.

Personification of natural phenomena.

그의 문장은 화려하지 않지만, 독자의 가슴 속을 기어다니며 깊은 울림을 준다.

His sentences are not flashy, but they crawl through the reader's heart and resonate deeply.

Metaphor for the impact of literature.

도시의 소음은 밤이 깊어갈수록 골목마다 기어다니며 스며들었다.

As the night deepened, the city noise crawled through every alley and seeped in.

Atmospheric description.

권력의 주변을 기어다니는 기회주의자들을 경계해야 한다.

One must be wary of opportunists who crawl around power.

Political metaphor.

빙하가 수천 년 동안 대지를 기어다니며 지형을 바꾸어 놓았다.

The glaciers crawled across the land for thousands of years, changing the topography.

Scientific personification of geological time.

공포가 척추를 타고 기어다니는 듯한 소름 끼치는 경험이었다.

It was a chilling experience, as if fear were crawling up my spine.

Physical sensation of an emotion.

실존의 무게에 짓눌려 기어다니는 인간의 숙명을 고찰하다.

Contemplating the fate of humans who crawl, crushed by the weight of existence.

Philosophical discourse.

언어는 사유의 표면을 기어다니는 벌레와 같아서 본질에 닿기 어렵다.

Language is like a bug crawling on the surface of thought, making it hard to reach the essence.

Epistemological metaphor.

자본의 논리가 전 지구를 기어다니며 모든 가치를 잠식하고 있다.

The logic of capital is crawling across the globe, eroding all values.

Socio-economic critique.

무의식의 심연 속을 기어다니는 원초적 욕망들을 마주하는 일은 고통스럽다.

It is painful to face the primal desires crawling in the abyss of the unconscious.

Psychoanalytic context.

시간이라는 거대한 뱀이 우주를 기어다니며 모든 존재를 삼킨다.

The giant serpent called Time crawls across the universe, swallowing all existence.

Mythological metaphor.

정치적 억압 아래에서 진실은 지하 통로를 기어다니며 생명을 유지했다.

Under political oppression, truth maintained its life by crawling through underground passages.

Historical metaphor for resistance.

그의 연기는 인간 내면의 가장 비루한 구석을 기어다니는 듯한 처절함을 보여주었다.

His acting showed a desperation as if crawling through the most wretched corners of the human interior.

Artistic critique.

문명의 이기들이 자연의 품 안을 기어다니며 상처를 남기고 있다.

The conveniences of civilization are crawling in the arms of nature, leaving scars.

Environmental critique.

Colocações comuns

아기가 기어다니다

벌레가 기어다니다

차가 기어다니다

바닥을 기어다니다

천천히 기어다니다

엉금엉금 기어다니다

기어다니기 시작하다

온 집안을 기어다니다

무릎으로 기어다니다

거북이처럼 기어다니다

Frases Comuns

기어다니는 수준

— Being at a beginner level or very slow. Used to describe skills or progress.

제 영어 실력은 아직 기어다니는 수준이에요.

기어다닐 때가 엊그제 같다

— It feels like yesterday when you were just a crawling baby. Used when someone has grown up fast.

네가 기어다닐 때가 엊그제 같은데 벌써 대학생이니?

벌레가 기어다니는 듯한 기분

— The feeling of something crawling on the skin. Used for itchiness or creeps.

팔에 벌레가 기어다니는 듯한 기분이 들어요.

기어다니지도 못하다

— To not even be able to crawl. Used for extreme weakness or lack of basic skill.

너무 아파서 기어다니지도 못하겠어요.

기어다니며 찾다

— To search for something while crawling, usually because it's small and on the floor.

바닥에 떨어진 반지를 기어다니며 찾았어요.

기어다니는 게 더 빠르겠다

— It would be faster to crawl. Used to complain about extremely slow traffic or transport.

이 버스는 기어다니는 게 더 빠르겠어요.

기어다니는 모습

— The sight or appearance of something crawling.

아기가 기어다니는 모습은 정말 사랑스러워요.

하루 종일 기어다니다

— To crawl around all day long.

아기가 하루 종일 기어다녀서 옷이 다 더러워졌어요.

좁은 틈을 기어다니다

— To crawl through narrow gaps.

고양이는 좁은 틈을 기어다니는 걸 좋아해요.

무릎이 닳도록 기어다니다

— To crawl until one's knees wear out. Metaphor for hard labor or desperation.

그는 성공을 위해 무릎이 닳도록 기어다니며 일했다.

Frequentemente confundido com

기어다니다 vs 기어가다

Focuses on the destination (to crawl to), whereas '기어다니다' focuses on moving around in a space.

기어다니다 vs 돌아다니다

General 'walking around'. Using '기어다니다' for a person walking implies they are on all fours.

기어다니다 vs 포복하다

A technical/military term for crawling, not used for babies or bugs in daily life.

Expressões idiomáticas

"바닥을 기어다니다"

— To be in a very miserable or low state; to hit rock bottom.

그 회사는 작년에 바닥을 기어다녔지만 올해는 회복했다.

Metaphorical

"기어다니는 놈 위에 나는 놈 있다"

— There is always someone better than you. (Variation of '뛰는 놈 위에 나는 놈 있다')

자만하지 마라, 기어다니는 놈 위에 나는 놈 있는 법이다.

Proverbial

"기어다니는 수준이다"

— To be at a very elementary or early stage of development.

우리 팀의 기술력은 아직 기어다니는 수준에 불과하다.

Casual/Business

"기어다니며 빌다"

— To beg for forgiveness in a very humble or desperate manner.

그는 잘못을 빌기 위해 기어다니며 애원했다.

Literary

"눈앞에서 기어다니다"

— To be visible right in front of one's eyes, often used for something annoying like bugs.

파리가 눈앞에서 기어다녀서 집중이 안 된다.

Casual

"기어다닐 힘도 없다"

— To be so exhausted that one doesn't even have the strength to crawl.

마라톤이 끝난 후에는 기어다닐 힘도 없었다.

Casual

"기어다니는 벌레만도 못하다"

— To be worse than a crawling bug. A severe insult to someone's character.

그런 짓을 하다니, 기어다니는 벌레만도 못한 놈이다.

Insult/Literary

"세월이 기어다니다"

— For time to move very slowly (usually used when waiting for something).

군대에서는 세월이 기어다니는 것 같다.

Casual

"머릿속을 기어다니다"

— For a thought or worry to persist and bother someone's mind.

그의 마지막 말이 하루 종일 머릿속을 기어다녔다.

Literary

"기어다니는 돈"

— Money that is earned very slowly or in small amounts.

기어다니는 돈을 모아서 언제 집을 사겠니?

Casual

Fácil de confundir

기어다니다 vs 기다

Both mean crawl.

'기다' is the simple action; '기어다니다' implies movement in various directions or a habitual action.

아기가 기다 (The baby crawls). 아기가 방을 기어다니다 (The baby crawls around the room).

기어다니다 vs 서행하다

Both describe slow movement.

'서행하다' is formal and used for vehicles; '기어다니다' is descriptive and can be metaphorical/emotional.

안개로 서행 중입니다 vs 차가 기어다녀요.

기어다니다 vs 헤엄치다

Movement of animals.

'헤엄치다' is for water (swimming); '기어다니다' is for surfaces (crawling).

물고기가 헤엄쳐요 vs 게가 기어다녀요.

기어다니다 vs 꿈틀거리다

Slow movement of small creatures.

'꿈틀거리다' is wriggling in place; '기어다니다' is traveling from one spot to another.

지렁이가 꿈틀거려요 vs 개미가 기어다녀요.

기어다니다 vs 배밀이

Both involve crawling.

'배밀이' is specifically sliding on the belly; '기어다니다' is usually on hands and knees.

아기가 배밀이를 하다가 이제 기어다녀요.

Padrões de frases

[Subject]이/가 [Location]을/를 기어다녀요.

아기가 방을 기어다녀요.

[Subject]이/가 [Adverb] 기어다니고 있어요.

개미가 천천히 기어다니고 있어요.

[Traffic/Vehicle]이/가 [Location]에서 기어다녀요.

차가 고속도로에서 기어다녀요.

[Subject]이/가 기어다니는 것 같아요.

벌레가 내 몸을 기어다니는 것 같아요.

[Abstract Subject]이/가 [Location]을/를 기어다니다.

공포가 온몸을 기어다녔다.

[Philosophical Subject]이/가 [Metaphorical Location]을/를 기어다니다.

인간은 대지 위를 기어다니는 존재다.

[Subject]은/는 아직 기어다니는 수준이에요.

제 실력은 아직 기어다니는 수준이에요.

[Subject]이/가 기어다니기 시작했어요.

조카가 벌써 기어다니기 시작했어요.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

기기 (Crawling)

기어다님 (The act of crawling around)

배밀이 (Belly crawling)

Verbos

기다 (To crawl)

기어가다 (To crawl away)

기어오다 (To crawl toward)

기어오르다 (To crawl up)

기어나가다 (To crawl out)

기어들어오다 (To crawl in)

Relacionado

아기 (Baby)

벌레 (Bug)

거북이 (Turtle)

교통 체증 (Traffic jam)

무릎 (Knee)

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos

Como usar

frequency

Common in daily life, especially regarding children and urban traffic.

Erros comuns

아기가 방에 기어다녀요. → 아기가 방을 기어다녀요.
While '-에' can be used, '-을/를' is more natural for movement across a surface.
물고기가 바닥을 기어다녀요. → 물고기가 바닥에서 헤엄쳐요.
Fish swim, they don't crawl, even if they are near the bottom.
집에 기어다녀요 (meaning 'I'm going home'). → 집에 기어가요.
Use '-가다' for a destination; '-다니다' is for moving around without a specific goal.
기다니다 → 기어다니다
You must include the '-어' connector in this compound verb.
차가 너무 빨라서 기어다녀요. → 차가 너무 느려서 기어다녀요.
Crawling is slow; you cannot use it for fast movement.

Dicas

Using the '-어 다니다' Suffix

Learn other verbs with this suffix like '걸어다니다' (walk around) or '뛰어다니다' (run around). It helps you understand the 'around' nuance easily.

Baby Talk

When talking to or about babies, use '엉금엉금' to sound more natural and affectionate.

Traffic Frustration

Use '차가 기어다녀요' to complain about Seoul traffic. It's a very common and relatable expression.

Skill Levels

If you are a beginner at something, saying '아직 기어다니는 수준이에요' is a humble way to describe your skills.

Insects

Use this for any bug you see on the floor or wall to describe its movement.

Don't Forget the '어'

Make sure to include '어' between '기' and '다니다'. '기다니다' is incorrect.

Traffic News

Listen to Korean radio traffic updates to hear this word used in a real-world context.

Descriptive Power

In stories, use it to describe shadows or fog to create a creepy or atmospheric mood.

Natural Flow

Practice saying '기어' quickly so it almost sounds like 'gyeo', but keep the two syllables distinct in careful speech.

Humility

Using '기어다니다' metaphorically for yourself shows humility, but using it for others can be an insult. Be careful!

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a car stuck in a low 'GEAR' (기어) that is forced to 'DANIDA' (다니다 - move around) slowly like a baby.

Associação visual

Imagine a baby in a 'gear' patterned onesie crawling around a living room floor.

Word Web

아기 벌레 느리다 바닥 무릎 교통 엉금엉금 다니다

Desafio

Try to use '기어다니다' to describe three things today: a baby, a bug, and the traffic you see on the news.

Origem da palavra

A compound of the native Korean verb '기다' (to crawl) and the auxiliary verb '-어 다니다' (to go around doing something).

Significado original: To be in a state of crawling while moving from place to place.

Koreanic (Native Korean)

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using it for people other than babies, as it can imply they are physically weak or in a humiliating position.

Similar to 'crawling' in English, it is used for both babies and traffic. However, Korean uses the 'around' (다니다) suffix more explicitly than English often does.

The children's song '개미 심부름' mentions ants crawling. Traffic reports on KBS/MBC news frequently use '기어다니다'. Literary works describing the 'Mincho' (common people) often use this to show their humble status.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

At Home

아기가 기어다녀요
벌레가 기어다녀요
바닥에 기어다니지 마
기어다니며 놀아요

In Traffic

차가 기어다녀요
도로가 꽉 막혀서 기어다녀요
한 시간째 기어다니고 있어요
기어다니는 게 더 빠르겠어요

In Nature

개미가 기어다녀요
거북이가 기어다녀요
벌레가 나무를 기어다녀요
게가 해변을 기어다녀요

Personal State

기어다닐 힘도 없어요
바닥을 기어다니는 기분이에요
술 취해서 기어다녔어요
너무 아파서 기어다녀요

Skill Level

아직 기어다니는 수준이에요
기어다닐 때가 엊그제 같아요
걸음마도 하기 전에 기어다녀요
기어다니는 단계예요

Iniciadores de conversa

"아기가 언제부터 기어다니기 시작했나요?"

"오늘 출근길에 차들이 기어다니지 않았어요?"

"집에 벌레가 기어다니는 걸 보면 어떻게 하세요?"

"너무 피곤해서 기어다닐 힘도 없었던 적이 있나요?"

"새로운 기술을 배울 때 기어다니는 수준에서 벗어나는 팁이 있나요?"

Temas para diário

오늘 길에서 기어다니는 벌레나 아기를 본 적이 있다면 묘사해 보세요.

교통 체증 때문에 차가 기어다녔던 경험과 그때의 기분을 써 보세요.

자신의 실력이 '기어다니는 수준'이라고 느껴지는 분야가 있다면 무엇인가요?

'바닥을 기어다니는' 힘든 시기를 어떻게 극복했는지 적어 보세요.

아이들이 기어다니는 모습을 보며 느낀 생명의 신비로움에 대해 써 보세요.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Yes, but usually metaphorically to mean they are very weak, drunk, or in a humiliating situation. Literally, it means they are on their hands and knees.

Yes, it is common to say '컴퓨터가 기어다녀요' when it is extremely slow.

'-을' emphasizes the space being covered (crawling across the floor), while '-에서' emphasizes the location where the crawling is happening (crawling in the room).

Usually '기다' or '기어가다' is used for snakes. '기어다니다' can be used if the snake is wandering around a certain area.

No, you can use '천천히' (slowly), '빨리' (fast), or '조용히' (quietly), but '엉금엉금' is the most iconic for babies and turtles.

You say '차가 기어다녀요' or '교통이 너무 막혀서 차들이 기어다니고 있어요'.

The word itself is neutral. For formal situations, you use formal endings like '기어다닙니다' or use '서행하다' for vehicles.

Not inherently. For babies, it's positive. For bugs or traffic, it's usually negative or neutral-descriptive.

Yes, '프로젝트가 기어다니는 수준이다' means it's progressing very slowly.

Literally '걷다' (walk) or '뛰다' (run). Metaphorically '질주하다' (to sprint/speed).

Cadastre-se grátis para ver dicas e notas