내보내다

The Korean verb 내보내다 (naebonaeda) is a versatile compound verb formed by combining 내다 (to put out/produce) and 보내다 (to send). At its core, it describes the action of causing someone or something to move from an interior space to an exterior one. This movement can be physical, metaphorical, or commercial. In daily life, you might use it when asking someone to let the cat out, when a company sends products overseas, or when a television station airs a new documentary. Understanding the nuance of 내보내다 requires looking at the boundary being crossed—whether it is a door, a national border, or the transition from a studio to the public airwaves.

Physical Movement

This is the most literal use. It involves directing a person, animal, or object out of a room, building, or confined area. For example, if a fly gets into your house, you would try to 내보내다 the fly.

Beyond physical space, 내보내다 is the standard term for 'exporting' in a general sense. While formal economic reports might use 수출하다, 내보내다 is frequently used in conversation to describe sending goods to foreign markets. It implies the act of pushing domestic products out into the wider world. Similarly, in the media industry, it refers to broadcasting. When a TV station 'sends out' a signal or a program to be viewed by the public, they are 내보내다-ing that content. This encompasses everything from news segments to reality shows.

Economic/Trade Context

Refers to the act of shipping products or resources to other countries. It carries a sense of national productivity and global reach.

Another common usage involves the discharge of substances. Engineers might talk about 내보내다 in the context of releasing steam from a valve or draining water from a tank. In social contexts, it can also mean to dismiss someone or ask them to leave, though this can range from a polite 'showing someone out' to a more forceful 'expelling' depending on the tone and particles used. In sports, a coach might 내보내다 a player onto the field, effectively 'sending them out' to compete.

Media/Broadcasting

Used when a radio or television station airs a program. It suggests the transmission of information from a source to a wide audience.

Finally, 내보내다 can be used for letting out secrets or news. While 소문을 내다 (to spread a rumor) is common, 내보내다 can be used when an official statement is 'sent out' to the press. It is a word that emphasizes the transition from a private or internal state to a public or external one. Whether it's a physical body leaving a room or a digital signal leaving a satellite, 내보내다 captures the dynamic of 'outward movement' perfectly.

Using 내보내다 correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure, which typically involves a subject (the sender), an object (what is being sent), and often a destination or a starting point marked by particles. Because it is a transitive verb, the object is always marked with 을/를. The place from which something is sent out is often marked with 에서 (from), and the destination is marked with 으로/로 (to/towards) or 에 (to).

Basic Structure

[Subject]이/가 [Object]을/를 [Destination]으로 내보내다. (Subject sends Object to Destination.)

When using 내보내다 in the context of exporting, the destination is usually a foreign country or 'overseas' (해외). In this case, the sentence often takes a more formal tone. For example, 'The company exports cars to America' would be '회사가 자동차를 미국으로 내보냅니다.' Note the use of the formal ending -ㅂ니다 which is common in business or reporting contexts. If you are talking about broadcasting, the 'destination' is often 'broadcast' (방송) or 'on air' (전파).

Broadcasting Usage

[Station]에서 [Program]을/를 방송으로 내보내다. (The station airs the program.)

In more complex sentences, 내보내다 can be combined with other verbs using the -아/어 connection. For instance, 밀어내보내다 (to push out) or 몰아내보내다 (to drive out/chase out). These combinations add descriptive flavor to the action. Furthermore, when dealing with people, the nuance can change based on the relationship. Using 내보내다 for a guest might sound like you are 'showing them out' politely, but if used in a conflict, it sounds like you are 'kicking them out'.

Dismissal/Expulsion

Used when asking someone to leave a group or a physical location. '그를 방에서 내보내세요' (Send him out of the room.)

When writing, pay attention to the tense. The past tense 내보냈다 is very common when reporting news or historical exports. The future or intentional form 내보낼 것이다 is often used in business planning. In daily conversation, the polite present 내보내요 or the imperative 내보내세요 are the most frequent forms you will encounter. By mastering these patterns, you can accurately describe everything from household tasks to international trade.

You will encounter 내보내다 in a variety of real-world settings in Korea. One of the most common places is on the evening news. News anchors frequently use this word when discussing South Korea's economic performance. You'll hear phrases like '반도체를 세계 각국으로 내보내고 있습니다' (We are sending/exporting semiconductors to various countries around the world). In this context, it sounds professional and dynamic, emphasizing Korea's role as a global exporter. It's also used when the news reports on a specific broadcast segment that was recently aired.

In News and Media

Listen for it during economic segments or when a reporter mentions a 'special broadcast' (특집 방송) being sent out.

In a domestic or household setting, you'll hear parents or pet owners using this word. If a dog is scratching at the door, someone might say '강아지 좀 밖으로 내보내 줘' (Please let the dog out). Or, if a room is stuffy, someone might suggest '환기하게 창문을 열고 공기를 좀 내보내자' (Let's open the window and let some air out to ventilate). It's a very practical, everyday word in these scenarios. You might also hear it in schools when a teacher asks a student to go to the office or step out of the classroom for a moment.

In Daily Life

Used for air, trash, pets, or people moving out of a specific room or house.

Sports broadcasts are another prime location for this word. Commentators use 내보내다 when a manager makes a substitution or sends a pinch hitter to the plate. '감독이 드디어 에이스 투수를 내보냅니다' (The manager finally sends out the ace pitcher). This usage highlights the strategic 'sending' of a resource into a field of action. Whether it's a player onto a field or a product into a market, the word conveys the sense of 'deploying' something from a place of preparation to a place of performance.

In Industry and Science

Factories 'send out' smoke or waste, and computers 'send out' data signals. It's used in technical manuals to describe discharge or output.

Lastly, if you work in an office in Korea, you might hear this in the context of mail or shipments. While 보내다 is more common for a single letter, 내보내다 might be used for a large batch of catalogs or marketing materials being 'sent out' to clients. It emphasizes the volume and the outward direction from the office. Understanding these diverse contexts—from the emotional drama of a K-drama to the dry facts of an economic report—will help you grasp the full spectrum of 내보내다.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 내보내다 with its base verb 보내다. While 보내다 simply means 'to send' (like sending a text or a gift), 내보내다 specifically implies sending something *out* of a boundary. If you say '편지를 내보냈어요' (I sent out the letter), it sounds slightly odd unless you mean you sent it out from a specific office or in a large batch. Usually, for a single letter, 보내다 is the correct choice. Use 내보내다 when the 'outward' direction from a container or room is the focus.

Confusion with '보내다'

Mistake: Using '내보내다' for general sending (like a message). Correction: Use '보내다' for general sending, '내보내다' for sending out of a space.

Another common error involves the passive vs. active distinction. Some learners use 내보내다 when they mean something just 'went out' on its own. For example, if the air in a room naturally circulates out, you should use 나가다 (to go out) or 빠지다 (to drain out). 내보내다 requires an agent (a person or a machine) that is actively doing the sending. If you say '공기가 내보내요', it sounds like the air is sending something else out! It should be '공기를 내보내요' (Someone sends the air out).

Learners also struggle with the nuance of 'expelling' people. While 내보내다 can mean to ask someone to leave, using it in the wrong context can sound very rude. If you want to say you 'showed a guest to the door', 배웅하다 is much better. Using 내보내다 for a person often implies you are getting rid of them or they are no longer welcome. Be careful when using this with people you want to remain on good terms with!

Politeness and Nuance

Mistake: Using '내보내다' for a guest. Correction: Use '배웅하다' (to see someone off) for guests to avoid sounding like you are kicking them out.

Finally, avoid overusing 내보내다 for 'exporting' in academic writing. While perfectly fine in conversation, formal papers usually prefer 수출하다 (to export). Using the more colloquial 내보내다 in a high-level economics essay might make the writing seem less professional. Conversely, using 수출하다 when talking about letting your dog out is a funny mistake—it would sound like you are 'exporting' your dog to the backyard!

Korean has several verbs that overlap with 내보내다, and choosing the right one depends on the specific context. The most common alternative is 보내다 (to send). As mentioned, 보내다 is the general term. If the 'outward' movement from a specific container or room isn't the main point, 보내다 is safer. For example, 'sending a gift' is always 보내다, never 내보내다.

내보내다 vs. 보내다

내보내다: Focuses on the exit from a space (sending out).
보내다: Focuses on the delivery to a recipient (sending).

In the context of trade, 수출하다 (to export) is the formal counterpart. While 내보내다 is common in speech, 수출하다 is used in news headlines, textbooks, and business contracts. It specifically refers to international trade. Similarly, for broadcasting, 방송하다 (to broadcast) or 방영하다 (to televise) are more specific. While you can say '방송을 내보내다', using 방송하다 as a single verb is often more direct.

내보내다 vs. 수출하다

내보내다: Colloquial, general 'sending out' of goods.
수출하다: Formal, technical term for international export.

When it comes to people, 쫓아내다 is a much stronger and more negative version of 내보내다. It means 'to kick out' or 'to chase away'. Use 내보내다 if you want to be relatively neutral, but use 쫓아내다 if there is conflict or force involved. On the other hand, 출시하다 is used when 'sending out' a new product to the market (to release/launch), which is a specific type of 'sending out'.

내보내다 vs. 쫓아내다

내보내다: To send out (neutral/polite).
쫓아내다: To kick out/expel (forceful/negative).

Finally, for fluids or gases, 배출하다 (to discharge/exhaust) is the technical term. You might see this on an air conditioner or a car's exhaust system. While 내보내다 works in casual talk ('공기를 내보내다'), 배출하다 is the word of choice for engineering and environmental science. By learning these distinctions, you can move from a basic understanding of 'sending out' to a sophisticated command of the Korean language.