Explanation at your level:
You use 적어두다 when you write something on paper. If you have a new word, you 적어두다. It helps you remember things. You can say 'I write it down' in Korean as '적어둬요'. It is very easy to use!
At this level, you start using 적어두다 for tasks. For example, 'I will write down the address.' You use it with -아/어 두다. It is perfect for shopping lists or homework reminders. It shows you are planning ahead.
Intermediate learners use 적어두다 to describe processes. You might say, 'I wrote down the instructions so I wouldn't forget.' It is common in professional emails or when giving advice to friends. It implies a sense of responsibility and organization.
At the B2 level, 적어두다 is used to describe maintaining records or keeping track of data. It is often used in business contexts, such as 'The manager wrote down the feedback.' It highlights the transition from a simple action to a strategic one.
Advanced users employ 적어두다 to discuss archival or reflective practices. You might 'write down' observations or insights for future synthesis. It carries a nuance of intentionality—you are not just recording, you are curating knowledge for later use.
Mastery involves using 적어두다 in literary or metaphorical contexts. One might 'write down' a memory or a feeling to preserve it against time. It bridges the gap between physical writing and mental retention, showing a high level of fluency in expressing cognitive processes.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- Means to write down for future use.
- Combines 'write' and 'keep'.
- Very common in daily Korean.
- Essential for organization.
Hey there! 적어두다 is a super useful Korean verb that essentially means 'to write something down for later.' Think of it as your brain's backup drive. When you hear a great idea or need to remember a meeting time, you 적어두다 to keep it safe.
The structure is simple: 적다 (to write) + 두다 (to leave/keep). By adding -어 두다, you are emphasizing that the action of writing is done to 'keep' the information for a future moment. It is a very common, everyday word that makes you sound much more natural in Korean!
The word 적다 has roots in Middle Korean, originally meaning 'to record or mark.' It has been used for centuries to describe putting ink to paper. The auxiliary verb 두다 comes from the concept of placing or putting something in a specific location.
Historically, as literacy spread, the need to 적어두다 became vital for merchants and scholars. It evolved from a physical act of marking items to a cognitive tool for memory management. It is a purely native Korean construction, reflecting the practical nature of the language.
You will use 적어두다 constantly in daily life. Whether you are at a grocery store or in a business meeting, it fits perfectly. Common collocations include 메모장에 적어두다 (write in a memo pad) or 수첩에 적어두다 (write in a notebook).
It is neutral in register, meaning you can use it with friends, colleagues, or even in semi-formal settings. It is slightly more deliberate than just saying 쓰다 (to write), because it implies you have a specific intention to keep the information for later.
While not an idiom itself, it appears in phrases like 귀담아 적어두다 (to listen carefully and write down). Another is 마음속에 적어두다, which metaphorically means to 'keep something in your heart' or 'make a mental note.' You might also hear 잊지 않게 적어두다, which literally means 'write it down so you don't forget it.' These phrases emphasize the importance of the information being recorded.
Grammatically, 적어두다 follows the -어 두다 pattern, which is used to show an action is done in preparation. The pronunciation is straightforward: [저거두다]. Note the liaison—the 'ㅇ' at the start of '어' catches the 'ㄱ' sound from '적'.
It is a transitive verb, so it usually takes the object particle -을/를. For example, 전화번호를 적어두다 (write down the phone number). It is a regular verb, so conjugation is very predictable.
Fun Fact
It is a compound verb reflecting Korean's focus on preparation.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Korean pronunciation.
Standard Korean pronunciation.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'eo' sound
- Failing to link the 'g' sound
- Incorrect stress on 'du'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avançado
Grammar to Know
-어 두다
써 두다
Object particles
을/를
Verb conjugation
적어두어요
Examples by Level
이름을 적어두세요.
Name-object marker write-down-please.
Imperative form.
주소를 적어두었어요.
전화번호를 적어두세요.
메모를 적어두다.
날짜를 적어두다.
할 일을 적어두다.
아이디어를 적어두다.
비밀번호를 적어두다.
시간을 적어두다.
잊지 않게 수첩에 적어두었어요.
회의 내용을 꼼꼼히 적어두다.
선생님이 말씀하신 것을 적어두다.
나중에 보려고 적어두다.
중요한 정보를 적어두다.
계획을 미리 적어두다.
질문을 적어두다.
연락처를 적어두다.
그는 나중에 참고하려고 정보를 적어두었다.
회의 결과를 기록장에 적어두는 습관이 있다.
잊어버릴까 봐 손등에 적어두다.
그녀는 매일 감사한 일을 적어두다.
데이터를 엑셀에 적어두다.
면접 질문을 적어두다.
아이디어를 잊지 않게 적어두다.
약속 시간을 적어두다.
그는 인생의 교훈을 일기장에 적어두었다.
역사적 사실을 후대를 위해 적어두다.
그의 철학을 문장으로 적어두다.
그 순간의 감정을 적어두다.
꿈을 잊지 않게 적어두다.
회의의 핵심을 적어두다.
지시 사항을 적어두다.
관찰한 내용을 적어두다.
그는 찰나의 영감을 잊지 않으려 급히 적어두었다.
역사의 한 페이지를 기록으로 적어두다.
그의 마지막 유언을 종이에 적어두다.
자신만의 비법을 노트에 적어두다.
미래의 나에게 보내는 편지를 적어두다.
그날의 사건을 상세히 적어두다.
지혜를 후세에 남기기 위해 적어두다.
그의 생각을 글로 적어두다.
Colocações comuns
Idioms & Expressions
"마음속에 적어두다"
To keep something in mind.
그의 조언을 마음속에 적어두었다.
neutral"머릿속에 적어두다"
To memorize.
중요한 내용을 머릿속에 적어두다.
casual"기억에 적어두다"
To commit to memory.
그 순간을 기억에 적어두다.
literary"눈에 적어두다"
To observe carefully.
풍경을 눈에 적어두다.
literary"기록으로 적어두다"
To document.
사건을 기록으로 적어두다.
formalEasily Confused
Similar sound.
주다 means for someone else.
적어주세요 vs 적어두세요.
Similar meaning.
놓다 is more about placing.
적어놓다 vs 적어두다.
Similar meaning.
기록 is more formal.
기록하다 vs 적어두다.
Similar meaning.
메모 is a loanword.
메모하다 vs 적어두다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Object + -을/를 + 적어두다
나는 이름을 적어두었다.
Location + -에 + 적어두다
수첩에 적어두다.
Purpose + -기 위해 + 적어두다
잊지 않기 위해 적어두다.
Adverb + 적어두다
따로 적어두다.
Passive + 적어두다
메모가 적어두어졌다.
Família de palavras
Nouns
Verbs
Relacionado
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Erros comuns
Missing the auxiliary verb.
Both are correct, but '두다' implies keeping.
적어주다 means writing for someone else.
Grammar error.
버리다 implies completion with regret.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a pen saving data.
Native usage
Use it for all reminders.
Cultural context
Koreans love memos.
Grammar shortcut
Just add -어 두다.
Say it right
Link the sounds.
Mistake
Don't forget the '두다'.
Did you know?
It's a compound verb.
Study smart
Write new words down.
Daily life
Use it for shopping lists.
Advanced usage
Use with -기 위해.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Jeog (Jot) + eo (it) + duda (do it).
Visual Association
A notebook with a pen on it.
Word Web
Desafio
Write 3 things you need to do today in Korean.
Origem da palavra
Korean
Original meaning: To write and keep.
Contexto cultural
None.
Similar to 'jot down' or 'note down'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School
- 숙제를 적어두다
- 시험 날짜를 적어두다
- 선생님 말씀을 적어두다
Work
- 회의 내용을 적어두다
- 연락처를 적어두다
- 업무를 적어두다
Travel
- 주소를 적어두다
- 길을 적어두다
- 식당 이름을 적어두다
Daily life
- 장 볼 것을 적어두다
- 비밀번호를 적어두다
- 아이디어를 적어두다
Conversation Starters
"오늘 할 일을 적어두셨나요?"
"중요한 정보를 어디에 적어두나요?"
"왜 사람들은 정보를 적어둘까요?"
"전화번호를 적어두는 편인가요?"
"어떤 것을 적어두는 것이 좋을까요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 적어두고 싶은 중요한 일은 무엇인가요?
기억하기 위해 무엇을 적어두었나요?
적어두는 습관이 왜 중요한가요?
가장 자주 적어두는 것은 무엇인가요?
Perguntas frequentes
8 perguntasIt is neutral.
Yes, absolutely.
Yes, it implies keeping/saving.
Regular verb conjugation.
Yes, metaphorically.
Not necessarily.
Yes.
Very.
Teste-se
잊지 않게 ___.
적어두세요 means write it down.
Which means to write down?
적어두다 is the correct verb.
적어두다 means to forget.
It means to remember by writing.
Word
Significado
Direct translation.
Subject/Location + Object + Verb.
Pontuação: /5
Summary
Always 적어두다 to keep your memory sharp and organized!
- Means to write down for future use.
- Combines 'write' and 'keep'.
- Very common in daily Korean.
- Essential for organization.
Memory Palace
Visualize a pen saving data.
Native usage
Use it for all reminders.
Cultural context
Koreans love memos.
Grammar shortcut
Just add -어 두다.
Related Content
Mais palavras de academic
입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
