At the A1 level, '밀다' is taught as a basic action verb meaning 'to push.' Students learn it alongside '당기다' (to pull) to navigate physical spaces. The focus is on simple sentences like '문을 미세요' (Push the door) or '상자를 밀어요' (I push the box). At this stage, the ㄹ-irregular conjugation is introduced as a rule to remember: the 'ㄹ' disappears when followed by honorific endings like '-세요'. The vocabulary is limited to physical objects that can be moved by hand. Students also learn the basic present, past, and future tenses of the verb to describe simple daily activities.
At the A2 level, the meaning of '밀다' expands to include grooming and hygiene. Students learn '수염을 밀다' (to shave a beard) and '때를 밀다' (to scrub skin), which are essential for understanding Korean daily life and culture. The use of '밀다' with directional particles like '옆으로' (to the side) or '안으로' (inside) is emphasized. Learners start to see '밀다' in compound forms like '밀어주다' (to push for someone/to help by pushing). The focus remains on concrete, physical actions, but the variety of objects increases to include things like strollers (유모차) and shopping carts (카트).
At the B1 level, students encounter the metaphorical uses of '밀다.' This includes 'pushing back' a schedule or appointment ('일정을 밀다'). While '미루다' is also used, '밀다' is common in colloquial speech. Students also learn '밀다' in the context of support or endorsement, such as '후보를 밀다' (to support a candidate). The passive form '밀리다' (to be pushed, to be backlogged) is introduced here, which is crucial for describing traffic jams (차가 밀리다) or being behind on work (일이 밀리다). The nuance of '밀다' as 'to flatten' (like rolling dough) is also covered.
At the B2 level, the focus shifts to more complex compound verbs and idiomatic expressions. '밀어붙이다' (to push through/force) and '밀어내다' (to oust/displace) are common in news and business contexts. Students learn to distinguish between '밀다' and more specific verbs like '누르다' (to press) or '박다' (to drive/ram). The use of '밀다' in digital contexts, such as 'formatting a computer' (컴퓨터를 밀다), is explored. Learners are expected to use the verb accurately in diverse registers, from casual slang to formal reporting, and understand the subtle social implications of 'pushing' someone in a professional hierarchy.
At the C1 level, '밀다' is used in literary and highly nuanced social contexts. This includes the concept of '밀당' (push and pull) in psychological or romantic dynamics in depth. Students explore the use of '밀다' in describing large-scale physical changes, such as urban development ('동네를 싹 밀다' - to completely level/demolish a neighborhood for redevelopment). The verb is also seen in abstract philosophical discussions about 'pushing' the boundaries of a field or 'pushing' one's limits. Subtle differences between '밀다' and its synonyms in classical literature or formal speeches are analyzed.
At the C2 level, mastery of '밀다' involves understanding its most obscure and specialized uses. This includes technical jargon in construction, specialized culinary terms, or archaic uses found in historical documents. The student can use '밀다' to convey precise nuances in creative writing, such as the 'pushing' of a breeze or the 'pushing' of a thought into the subconscious. They understand the etymological roots and how the verb has evolved in the modern Korean lexicon. At this level, the speaker can use the verb with perfect naturalness in any context, including wordplay, complex metaphors, and high-level professional negotiations.

밀다 em 30 segundos

  • Primary meaning: To push (physical force).
  • Secondary meaning: To shave (hair/beard) or scrub (skin).
  • Metaphorical meaning: To support/back someone or an idea.
  • Temporal meaning: To postpone or push back a schedule.

The Korean verb 밀다 (milda) is a foundational action verb primarily meaning 'to push.' However, its semantic range in Korean extends far beyond the simple physical act of applying force to move an object away from oneself. In its most literal sense, it is the direct antonym of 당기다 (danggida), which means 'to pull.' You will encounter this word immediately upon entering any commercial building in Korea, as doors are almost always labeled with either '미시오' (Push) or '당기시오' (Pull).

Physical Displacement
Applying pressure to move an object like a car, a door, or a cart.
Grooming and Hygiene
The act of shaving hair (beard, head) or scrubbing skin to remove dead cells (때를 밀다).
Temporal Shifting
Pushing back an appointment or delaying a deadline to a later time.

무거운 상자를 구석으로 밀다. (To push a heavy box into the corner.)

Beyond the physical, 밀다 carries a significant metaphorical weight in social and professional contexts. It can mean to 'back' or 'support' someone, such as a political candidate or a colleague for a promotion. In this sense, you are 'pushing' them forward toward success. It also appears in the context of 'pushing through' a crowd or 'pushing' a specific agenda or product in marketing.

이번 선거에서 우리는 김 후보를 적극적으로 밀기로 했습니다. (We decided to actively support/push Candidate Kim in this election.)

In modern slang and digital contexts, 밀다 can also refer to 'wiping' or 'resetting' a device. For example, '폰을 밀다' means to factory reset a phone, effectively 'pushing' all the old data out to start fresh. This versatility makes it one of the most high-frequency verbs in the Korean language, appearing in daily chores, professional strategy meetings, and personal grooming routines alike.

컴퓨터가 너무 느려서 하드디스크를 싹 밀었어요. (The computer was so slow I completely wiped/formatted the hard drive.)

Support/Endorsement
Promoting a person or an idea to ensure its success.
Leveling/Flattening
Using a bulldozer or similar tool to level ground or demolish a building.

군대에 가기 전에 머리를 짧게 밀었다. (I shaved my head short before going to the army.)

Using 밀다 correctly requires understanding its conjugation and the specific particles it pairs with. As a consonant-ending stem (ㄹ-irregular), it behaves uniquely when meeting certain endings. When the stem 밀- meets an ending starting with ㄴ, ㅂ, or ㅅ, the 'ㄹ' is dropped. For example, 밉니다 (formal polite) and 미세요 (honorific polite) are the correct forms, not 밀습니다 or 밀세요.

Object Particle (을/를)
Since it is a transitive verb, the object being pushed always takes the object particle. (예: 문을 밀다, 유모차를 밀다).
Directional Particle (으로/로)
To indicate where you are pushing something, use the directional particle. (예: 옆으로 밀다 - push to the side).

이 버튼을 밀면 문이 열립니다. (If you push this button, the door opens.)

In the context of shaving, 밀다 is used for hair on the face or head. For facial hair, '수염을 밀다' is common, though '면도하다' (to shave) is a more specific Sino-Korean alternative. For the head, '머리를 밀다' specifically suggests a buzz cut or a completely bald shave. If you use this at a hair salon, be careful, as the stylist might take it literally and reach for the clippers!

When discussing schedules, 밀다 is often used with '뒤로' (back). '일정을 뒤로 밀다' means to postpone. Conversely, '앞으로 당기다' means to move it earlier. In a professional setting, you might hear '마감 기한을 좀 밀 수 있을까요?' (Can we push back the deadline a bit?). This is slightly more colloquial than using the formal '연기하다' (to postpone).

약속 시간을 한 시간 뒤로 밀어도 될까요? (Can we push the appointment back by an hour?)

Compound Verbs
밀어내다 (to push out/oust), 밀어붙이다 (to push hard/force), 밀어주다 (to support/back someone).

Finally, in the context of physical force, 밀다 can be intensified. 밀치다 is used when the push is sudden, rough, or aggressive, like shoving someone in a crowd. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right level of intensity for your description.

The most common place to encounter 밀다 is at the entrance of any building. The imperative form 미시오 (Push) is standard signage. In daily life, you'll hear it at home when rearranging furniture or in a supermarket when someone asks you to move your cart: '카트 좀 옆으로 밀어 주시겠어요?' (Could you push your cart to the side?).

백화점 문에 '미시오'라고 적혀 있어요. (It says 'Push' on the department store door.)

In Korean media, particularly news and political commentary, 밀다 is used to describe political backing. You might hear a reporter say, '당에서는 이번 후보를 전폭적으로 밀어주고 있습니다' (The party is giving full support to this candidate). This 'pushing' implies providing resources, funding, and public endorsement.

In the tech industry or among gamers, '밀다' is used for clearing content or resetting systems. A gamer might say '퀘스트를 다 밀었다' meaning they have cleared or 'pushed through' all the quests. A developer might say '서버를 밀고 다시 설치하자' (Let's wipe the server and reinstall). This usage reflects the modern digital adaptation of the verb.

주말 내내 밀린 드라마를 다 밀었어요. (I 'pushed through' / binged all the backlogged dramas over the weekend.)

In the Kitchen
밀대로 반죽을 밀다 (To roll out dough with a rolling pin - 'milda' here means to flatten/roll).
On the Road
차가 고장 나서 뒤에서 밀어야 했어요 (The car broke down, so we had to push from behind).

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is with the ㄹ-irregular conjugation. Many students say 밀어요 (correct) but then incorrectly say 밀습니다 instead of 밉니다. Remember the 'N-B-S' rule: when the stem ends in 'ㄹ' and meets a suffix starting with 'ㄴ', 'ㅂ', or 'ㅅ', the 'ㄹ' falls away.

Another mistake is confusing 밀다 with 미루다 (to postpone). While 밀다 can be used for 'pushing back' a schedule (especially with '뒤로'), 미루다 is the more standard and common verb for procrastination or intentional delay. Using 밀다 for a schedule sounds more like 'shifting' the block of time, whereas 미루다 focuses on the delay itself.

숙제를 내일로 미뤘어요 (I postponed my homework until tomorrow - Better than '밀었어요').

Learners also sometimes use 밀다 when they should use 누르다 (to press). In English, we 'push' a button, but in Korean, you usually 누르다 (press) a button. You only 밀다 a button if it's a sliding switch or if you are applying force to move the entire button mechanism inward in a specific way. For doorbells, elevators, and keyboards, always use 누르다.

밀다 vs. 누르다
밀다: Moving something away from you.
누르다: Applying pressure onto a surface (pressing a button).
밀다 vs. 밀치다
밀다: General pushing.
밀치다: Shoving or pushing away roughly.

To expand your vocabulary, it's helpful to look at words related to 밀다. The most direct relative is 밀치다, which adds a sense of force or suddenness. If someone is being rude in a subway, they might 밀치다 you to get past. Another common variation is 밀어붙이다, which means to push something strongly or to force a situation to a conclusion.

그는 자신의 의견을 끝까지 밀어붙였다. (He pushed his opinion through to the end.)

For grooming, 면도하다 (to shave) is the Sino-Korean equivalent. While '수염을 밀다' is perfectly fine, '면도하다' is more formal and specific to shaving a beard. For hair on the head, '삭발하다' is the formal term for shaving one's head completely, often for religious or protest reasons.

밀어내다 (To push out)
To displace someone or something from a position or space.
밀려나다 (To be pushed out)
The passive form, often used when someone loses their job or position due to competition.
내밀다 (To stick out/push out)
To extend a hand or stick out one's tongue (혀를 내밀다).

Finally, consider 당기다 (to pull). In many contexts, these two are inseparable. In physics, in doors, and even in relationships (the famous '밀당' or 'mil-dang' - push and pull), knowing both is essential for describing interaction and dynamics.

How Formal Is It?

Nível de dificuldade

Gramática essencial

ㄹ-irregular conjugation

Object particle 을/를

Directional particle 으로/로

Benefactive -아/어 주다

Passive -기/리/기/티 (밀리다)

Exemplos por nível

1

문을 미세요.

Push the door.

Imperative form of 밀다 (ㄹ drops before -세요).

2

저는 상자를 밀어요.

I push the box.

Present tense polite form.

3

동생이 유모차를 밀어요.

My younger sibling pushes the stroller.

Subject + Object + Verb structure.

4

이것을 옆으로 미세요.

Push this to the side.

Directional particle -으로.

5

누가 차를 밀고 있어요?

Who is pushing the car?

Present progressive -고 있다.

6

자전거를 밀면서 가요.

I walk while pushing the bicycle.

Simultaneous action -면서.

7

책상을 밀지 마세요.

Don't push the desk.

Negative imperative -지 마세요.

8

어제 무거운 짐을 밀었어요.

I pushed heavy luggage yesterday.

Past tense -었-.

1

아버지는 매일 수염을 미세요.

My father shaves his beard every day.

Using 밀다 for shaving.

2

목욕탕에서 때를 밀었어요.

I scrubbed my skin at the public bath.

Cultural expression '때를 밀다'.

3

카트를 저쪽으로 밀어 주세요.

Please push the cart over there.

Request form -아/어 주세요.

4

머리를 아주 짧게 밀었어요.

I shaved my hair very short.

Using 밀다 for hair on the head.

5

눈을 옆으로 밀어냈어요.

I pushed the snow to the side.

Compound verb 밀어내다.

6

반죽을 밀대로 미세요.

Roll the dough with a rolling pin.

Using 밀다 for flattening/rolling.

7

친구를 뒤에서 밀어줬어요.

I pushed my friend from behind (on a swing).

Benefactive form -어 주다.

8

청소기를 밀고 있어요.

I am pushing the vacuum cleaner.

Common household use.

1

회의를 다음 주로 밀기로 했어요.

We decided to push the meeting to next week.

Metaphorical use for postponing.

2

차가 너무 밀려서 늦었어요.

I was late because the traffic was so backed up.

Passive form 밀리다 (to be pushed/backed up).

3

이번 프로젝트를 강력하게 밀고 있어요.

I am strongly pushing this project.

Pushing an idea or project.

4

숙제가 자꾸 밀려서 걱정이에요.

I'm worried because my homework keeps piling up.

밀리다 used for backlogged work.

5

우리 팀은 김 대리를 과장으로 밀고 있다.

Our team is pushing for Mr. Kim to be manager.

Pushing/supporting a person for a role.

6

컴퓨터가 이상해서 싹 밀었어요.

The computer was acting up, so I wiped it completely.

Slang for formatting/resetting.

7

사람들에게 밀려서 넘어질 뻔했어요.

I almost fell after being pushed by people.

Passive use in a crowd.

8

벽을 밀어도 꿈쩍도 안 해요.

Even if I push the wall, it doesn't budge.

Concessive ending -어도.

1

정부는 새로운 정책을 밀어붙이고 있다.

The government is pushing through a new policy.

밀어붙이다 (to push hard/force).

2

경쟁 업체에 밀려 시장 점유율이 떨어졌다.

Pushed out by competitors, our market share fell.

Passive 밀리다 in a business context.

3

그는 군중을 밀치고 앞으로 나갔다.

He shoved through the crowd and went forward.

밀치다 (to shove/push roughly).

4

마감 기한을 더 이상 밀 수 없습니다.

We cannot push the deadline back any further.

Using 밀다 for temporal limits.

5

오래된 건물을 밀고 공원을 만들 거예요.

They will level the old building and build a park.

밀다 meaning to level/demolish.

6

그 배우는 소속사에서 적극적으로 미는 신인이다.

That actor is a rookie the agency is actively pushing.

Adjective form 민 (that they push).

7

뒤로 밀리지 않게 꽉 잡으세요.

Hold on tight so you don't get pushed back.

Negative purpose -지 않게.

8

그는 자신의 주장을 끝까지 밀고 나갔다.

He pushed his argument through to the very end.

밀고 나가다 (to push forward/persist).

1

연애에서는 밀당이 중요하다고들 하죠.

People say 'push and pull' is important in dating.

밀당 (밀고 당기기) - psychological tug-of-war.

2

파도가 해변으로 모래를 밀어 올렸다.

The waves pushed the sand up onto the beach.

Literary use for natural forces.

3

그는 주류 사회에서 밀려난 비운의 천재였다.

He was an ill-fated genius pushed out of mainstream society.

Metaphorical displacement.

4

기존의 가치관을 밀어내고 새로운 사상이 자리 잡았다.

New ideas took root, pushing out existing values.

Abstract conceptual displacement.

5

그는 한계를 밀어붙이며 훈련에 매진했다.

He devoted himself to training, pushing his limits.

Pushing abstract limits.

6

바람이 구름을 산 너머로 밀어 보냈다.

The wind pushed the clouds over the mountain.

Nature as an agent.

7

그의 제안은 이사회에서 뒤로 밀려났다.

His proposal was pushed back (deprioritized) by the board.

Deprioritization in a formal context.

8

시장은 신제품을 시장에 밀어 넣기 위해 혈안이 되어 있다.

The market is desperate to push new products into the market.

밀어 넣다 (to push/shove in).

1

역사의 수레바퀴를 뒤로 밀 수는 없다.

One cannot push back the wheels of history.

Philosophical/Idiomatic use.

2

그는 자신의 욕망을 의식의 저편으로 밀어 두었다.

He pushed his desires to the far side of his consciousness.

Psychological displacement.

3

대지는 겨우내 품었던 생명을 지표면 위로 밀어 올린다.

The earth pushes up the life it held all winter to the surface.

Poetic personification of nature.

4

정치적 이해관계에 밀려 진실이 외면당했다.

Pushed aside by political interests, the truth was ignored.

Abstract passive displacement.

5

그는 문명의 이기를 밀어내고 자급자족의 삶을 택했다.

He pushed away the conveniences of civilization and chose self-sufficiency.

Rejection of concepts.

6

빙하가 바위를 밀고 내려오며 지형을 바꾸어 놓았다.

The glacier pushed rocks down and changed the terrain.

Geological force.

7

그 시인은 언어의 한계를 밀어붙여 새로운 시세계를 열었다.

The poet pushed the limits of language to open a new poetic world.

Creative/Linguistic boundary pushing.

8

세월의 흐름에 밀려 옛 기억들이 희미해져 갔다.

Pushed by the flow of time, old memories faded away.

Time as an active force.

Sinônimos

밀치다 면도하다 연기하다 후원하다 밀어붙이다 내밀다 박다 누르다

Antônimos

당기다 끌다 앞당기다 멈추다

Colocações comuns

문을 밀다
수염을 밀다
때를 밀다
유모차를 밀다
일정을 밀다
후보를 밀다
반죽을 밀다
카트를 밀다
등을 밀다
싹 밀다

Frequentemente confundido com

밀다 vs 미루다 (to postpone)

밀다 vs 누르다 (to press)

밀다 vs 당기다 (to pull)

Fácil de confundir

밀다 vs 미루다

밀다 vs 누르다

밀다 vs 밀치다

Padrões de frases

Como usar

grooming

Shaving or scrubbing.

physical

Direct force away from body.

metaphorical

Supporting or delaying.

Erros comuns
  • Using '밀으세요' instead of '미세요'.
  • Using '밀다' for buttons instead of '누르다'.
  • Forgetting the ㄹ-drop in '밉니다'.
  • Confusing '밀다' with '미루다' in formal contexts.
  • Using '밀다' for pulling (which is '당기다').

Dicas

The ㄹ-Irregular Rule

Always drop the 'ㄹ' when the next sound is ㄴ, ㅂ, or ㅅ. This is the most common mistake for learners.

Bathhouse Etiquette

If you go to a Korean bathhouse, '때 밀기' is a must-try experience for deep exfoliation.

Push vs. Press

Remember: push a door (밀다), but press a button (누르다). Don't mix them up!

Tech Talk

Use '밀다' when you're talking about formatting your computer or phone to sound more natural.

Mastering Mil-dang

Understanding '밀당' will help you navigate Korean social dynamics and romantic relationships.

Supporting Colleagues

Use '밀어주다' when talking about supporting someone's promotion or a new idea.

Traffic Reports

When you hear '밀려요' on the radio, it means you should expect delays on that road.

Postponing Plans

While '밀다' works for schedules, '미루다' or '연기하다' are often better for formal writing.

Rolling Dough

A rolling pin is called a '밀대' (mil-dae), literally a 'pushing stick'.

Crowd Safety

'밀지 마세요' (Don't push) is an important phrase to know in crowded places.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine a 'Mill' (밀) stone that you have to 'push' (밀다) to grind grain.

Origem da palavra

Native Korean word.

Contexto cultural

'Mil-dang' is considered an essential skill in Korean dating culture.

'미시오' is the standard polite imperative on doors.

Professional scrubbers (seshin-sa) are hired to '밀다' your skin.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Iniciadores de conversa

"문이 안 열리는데, 밀어야 하나요?"

"요즘 일이 많이 밀렸어요?"

"수염을 매일 미세요?"

"이번 선거에서 누구를 밀 거예요?"

"때 밀러 목욕탕에 갈까요?"

Temas para diário

오늘 내가 뒤로 미룬 일들에 대해 써보세요.

누군가를 진심으로 밀어준(응원한) 경험이 있나요?

한국의 목욕탕 문화(때 밀기)에 대해 어떻게 생각하나요?

내 인생에서 가장 밀어붙이고 있는 목표는 무엇인가요?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Usually no. Use '누르다' for buttons. Use '밀다' only if it's a sliding mechanism.

Yes. Because it's an ㄹ-irregular verb, the ㄹ drops before -ㅂ니다.

It means traffic is heavy or backed up. It's the passive form of 밀다.

Yes, '다리 털을 밀다' is common.

It's short for '밀고 당기기' (pushing and pulling), referring to romantic mind games.

You can say '마감 기한을 뒤로 밀다'.

Yes, in casual speech, '폰을 밀다' means to factory reset it.

밀다 is a general push; 밀치다 is a sudden, rough shove.

Yes, '반죽을 밀다' is the standard expression.

In ㄹ-irregular verbs, the ㄹ drops before 'ㅅ', so it becomes 미세요.

Teste-se 180 perguntas

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

Foi útil?
Nenhum comentário ainda. Seja o primeiro a compartilhar suas ideias!