주다

§ Giving to people and animals

The most common mistake learners make with 주다 is not using the correct honorific or humble forms when 'giving' something. 주다 is the basic form, but Korean has different ways to say 'to give' depending on who you are giving to.

If you are giving something to someone older or of higher status, you should use 드리다 (deu-ri-da). This is a humble form, showing respect to the recipient.

DEFINITION

드리다 (deu-ri-da): To give (humble form, to an elder/superior)

Translation hint: I gave a present to the teacher.

On the other hand, if you are giving something to an animal or someone younger or of lower status, you can use 주다. For very casual situations with friends, 주다 is also fine. However, using 드리다 for a pet would sound very strange and overly formal.

DEFINITION

주다 (ju-da): To give (general form, to peers, younger people, animals)

Translation hint: I gave food to the puppy.

§ Receiving from others

Another common point of confusion is using 주다 when you should be using 받다 (bat-da) or 얻다 (eot-da). 주다 means 'to give' (you are the giver), while 받다 means 'to receive' (you are the receiver). These are different concepts.

DEFINITION

받다 (bat-da): To receive

Translation hint: I received a present.

Some learners might try to use 주다 in a passive sense, like 'I was given a gift.' In Korean, you generally express this actively using 받다.

§ Giving help or favors

When you want to say 'to give help' or 'to do a favor', 주다 is often combined with other verbs in a grammatical structure to mean 'do [verb] for someone' or 'give the favor of doing [verb]'. This is the -아/어 주다 structure.

DEFINITION

-아/어 주다: To do [verb] for someone, to give the favor of doing [verb]

For example, 'to help' is 돕다 (dop-da), but 'to help someone' is 도와주다 (do-wa-ju-da).

Translation hint: I will help you with your homework. (Literally: I will give the favor of helping with homework.)

Mistakes happen when learners just use the base verb instead of the -아/어 주다 form when indicating a favor or an action done for someone else's benefit.

• Incorrect: 제가 숙제를 돕다.

• Correct: 제가 숙제를 도와주다.

Similarly, if you are asking someone to do something for you, you also use the -아/어 주다 structure, often in polite request forms like -아/어 주세요 (-a/eo ju-se-yo).

Translation hint: Please open the door (for me).

§ Understanding 주다 (juda) and its Nuances

When you're learning Korean, one of the first verbs you'll encounter for 'to give' is 주다 (juda). It's a fundamental word, but like many verbs, it has some specific uses and polite forms you need to know. This section will help you understand 주다 and when to use it compared to other similar words.

§ Basic Use of 주다 (juda)

주다 is the most common and versatile verb for 'to give'. You can use it in almost any situation where something is being given from one person to another, or from a person to an object (like giving water to a plant). It's a standard, neutral verb.

Translation hint: I give a gift.

Translation hint: Please give me water. (Here, 주세요 is the polite imperative form of 주다).

§ 드립니다 (deurimnida): The Humble Form of 주다

When you want to show respect to the person you are giving something to, you should use 드립니다 (deurimnida) or 드리다 (deurida) as the base form. This is the humble form of 주다. You use it when you are the giver and the recipient is older than you, has higher status, or is someone you want to show particular respect to.

Remember:

Use 드립니다 when you are giving something to someone who deserves respect.

Translation hint: I give a gift to the teacher. (Showing respect to the teacher).

§ 드리다 (deurida) vs. 주다 (juda) in Everyday Conversation

It's crucial to understand the difference between 주다 and 드리다 to avoid sounding rude or overly formal. Most of the time, especially with friends or people younger than you, 주다 is perfectly fine. When in doubt, it's safer to use 드리다 with people you don't know well or want to be respectful towards.

Key Difference:

Use 주다 for neutral or informal giving. Use 드리다 for humble giving (showing respect to the receiver).

Translation hint: I gave a book to my friend. (Informal use of 주다).

Translation hint: I gave my parents pocket money. (Polite and humble use of 드리다).

§ Giving Favors or Services

주다 is also used when you perform a favor or service for someone. In this context, it's often attached to another verb. This is a very common and important grammatical pattern.

Structure:

Verb Stem + 아/어/여 + 주다 = To do [Verb] for someone

Translation hint: I helped with the homework (literally, 'I gave the favor of helping').

Translation hint: Please open the door for me.

§ Alternatives to 주다 and when to use them

While 주다 and 드리다 cover most 'giving' situations, there are a few other words that have similar meanings but are used in specific contexts.

• 선물하다 (seonmulhada): To present a gift
  This verb specifically means to 'give a present' or 'gift'. While you can use 주다 with '선물' (gift), 선물하다 emphasizes the act of gifting itself.

Translation hint: I gave flowers to my girlfriend (as a gift).

• 바치다 (bachida): To offer, dedicate, sacrifice
  This word has a stronger, more formal, or even solemn nuance. It implies giving something valuable or making a sacrifice, often to a higher power, a nation, or a cause. You wouldn't use this in everyday 'to give' situations.

Translation hint: To dedicate one's life to the homeland.

In summary, for most A1-level interactions, 주다 is your go-to verb for 'to give'. Remember to use 드리다 when showing respect, and be aware of the verb + 아/어/여 주다 pattern for doing favors. Happy learning!