만료되다

§ Korean Verb: 만료되다

Definition

To expire; to come to an end, especially a period of validity.

만료되다 (man-nyo-doe-da) is a verb that you'll use often in daily life, especially when dealing with things that have a set period of validity. Think about passports, visas, licenses, memberships, or even food products. It means something has reached its end date and is no longer valid.

Let's break down how to use it.

§ Basic Usage

만료되다 is an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. The thing that is expiring is the subject of the sentence.

The visa's validity period has expired.

This coupon expires tomorrow.

§ Common Nouns Used with 만료되다

You'll often see 만료되다 used with specific types of nouns. Here are some common ones:

• 유효기간 (yu-hyo-gi-gan): period of validity (e.g., of a visa, passport, or coupon)
• 계약 (gye-yak): contract
• 면허 (myeon-heo): license (e.g., driver's license)
• 회원권 (hoe-won-gwon): membership (e.g., gym membership)
• 여권 (yeo-gwon): passport
• 비자 (bi-ja): visa

My driver's license is expiring soon.

My membership expires next month.

§ Expressing When Something Expires

You can use time expressions with particles like ~에 or ~까지 to indicate when something expires.

~에 (at/on)

Use with specific dates or times.

The contract expires on December 31st.

~까지 (until)

Indicates the expiration point.

This ticket expires until the end of this month.

§ Related Expressions

Sometimes you might see 만료되다 combined with other grammar points to express different nuances.

• 만료될 예정이다 (man-nyo-doel ye-jeong-i-da): It is expected to expire. (Used for future expiration)
• 만료일 (man-nyo-il): expiration date
• 만료기간 (man-nyo-gi-gan): expiration period

My passport is expected to expire soon.

Please check the product's expiration date.

Using 만료되다 correctly will help you communicate important information about validity and deadlines in Korean. Keep an eye out for it on documents, packaging, and in conversations!

§ Understanding 만료되다

The Korean verb 만료되다 (mallyodoeda) means 'to expire' or 'to come to an end,' specifically referring to a period of validity. It's a really useful word to know when you're dealing with things like deadlines, contracts, or even food. But because English has a few ways to say 'expire,' it can sometimes lead to confusion. Let's break down some common mistakes and make sure you're using it correctly.

DEFINITION

To expire; to come to an end, especially a period of validity.

§ Mistake 1: Using it for living things or general ending

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is using 만료되다 for situations where something 'ends' but isn't necessarily about a validity period. For example, you wouldn't say a person 'expires' or a party 'expires.' 만료되다 is specific to things that have a set term or period.

Instead of 만료되다, you'd use words like 죽다 (jukda) for a person dying, or 끝나다 (kkeunnada) for an event ending. Remember, 만료되다 has a formal, often administrative, feel to it.

§ Mistake 2: Confusing it with 'running out of' or 'finished'

Sometimes learners might try to use 만료되다 when they mean something has 'run out' or is 'finished' in a general sense, like running out of milk or finishing a task. This isn't correct. 만료되다 specifically implies a fixed duration coming to an end.

• Running out of something (like supplies): Use 다 떨어지다 (da tteoreojida) or 없다 (eopda).
• Finishing a task: Use 끝나다 (kkeunnada) or 마치다 (machida).

§ Mistake 3: Incorrectly applying it to situations where something is 'old' or 'stale'

While 'expiry' is often associated with food, 만료되다 isn't the go-to word for describing food that has gone bad due to age. It's more about the expiration date printed on the package.

If you want to say food is spoiled, you'd use something like 상하다 (sanghada). If you want to talk about the expiration date itself, you can say 유통기한 (yutonggihan).

§ Mistake 4: Not recognizing the passive form

만료되다 is inherently a passive verb. The '되다' part indicates that something 'becomes expired' or 'is expired.' This means you usually don't need an object or an agent doing the expiring. The item itself expires.

You wouldn't say '내가 여권을 만료하다' (I expire the passport). The passport itself expires.

§ When to use 만료되다 correctly

Always remember that 만료되다 is for things that have a specific period of validity. Here are some perfect examples:

• Contracts: 계약이 만료되다 (gyeok-i mallyodoeda) - The contract expires.
• Licenses/Permits: 면허증이 만료되다 (myeonheojeungi mallyodoeda) - The license expires.
• Passports/Visas: 비자가 만료되다 (bija-ga mallyodoeda) - The visa expires.
• Coupons/Vouchers: 쿠폰이 만료되다 (kuponi mallyodoeda) - The coupon expires.
• Subscriptions: 구독이 만료되다 (gudogi mallyodoeda) - The subscription expires.

§ Summary

Keep these points in mind:

• Use 만료되다 for things with a set period of validity (contracts, licenses, passports, coupons, subscriptions).
• Don't use it for living things or general endings.
• It's not for 'running out of' or 'finishing' general items or tasks.
• It's for the expiration *date* of food, not food that has simply gone bad.
• Remember it's a passive verb – the item itself expires.

By focusing on these specific contexts, you'll master 만료되다 in no time. Good luck with your Korean studies!