Mastering Korean Verbs: 입다 vs 벗다 and Clothing Rules

Form

• Present: 입어요ibeoyo (Polite) / 입어ibeo (Casual)
• Past: 입었어요ibeosseoyo (Polite) / 입었어ibeosseo (Casual)
• Future: 입을 거예요ibeul geoyeyo (Polite) / 입을 거야ibeul geoya (Casual)

Meaning range

입다ipda is strictly for 'putting on' or 'wearing' items that cover the trunk of your body or your legs. This includes t-shirts, sweaters, skirts, trousers, and dresses. It is NOT used for things you put on your head, hands, or feet.

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Neutral/Polite. It is a standard dictionary verb used in all social settings.

Common mistakes

Wrong: 양말을 입다yangmareul ipda (To wear socks) Right: 양말을 신다yangmareul sinda (To wear socks)

Examples

• 날씨가 추워서 코트를 입었어요.nalssiga chuwoseo koteureul ibeosseoyo. — It was cold, so I wore a coat.
• 오늘 무슨 옷을 입을 거예요?oneul museun oseul ibeul geoyeyo? — What clothes are you going to wear today?
• 저는 보통 청바지를 자주 입어요.jeoneun botong cheongbajireul jaju ibeoyo. — I usually wear blue jeans often.
• 파티에 드레스를 입고 갔어요.patie deureseureul ipgo gasseoyo. — I wore a dress to the party.
• 새 옷을 입으니까 기분이 좋아요.sae oseul ibeunikka gibuni johayo. — I feel good because I'm wearing new clothes.

Form

• Present: 벗어요beoseoyo (Polite) / 벗어beoseo (Casual)
• Past: 벗었어요beoseosseoyo (Polite) / 벗었어beoseosseo (Casual)
• Future: 벗을 거예요beoseul geoyeyo (Polite) / 벗을 거야beoseul geoya (Casual)

Meaning range

Unlike the 'wearing' verbs which are specific, 벗다beotda is the universal verb for 'taking off' or 'removing' anything from your body. Whether it is a hat, shoes, a shirt, or even glasses, you use 벗다beotda.

Common mistakes

Wrong: 안경을 빼다angyeoeul ppaeda (To take off glasses - '빼다' means to pull out/remove from a slot) Right: 안경을 벗다angyeoeul beotda (To take off glasses)

Examples

• 집에 들어오면 신발을 벗으세요.jibe deureoomyeon sinbareul beoseuseyo. — Please take off your shoes when you enter the house.
• 더우면 잠바를 벗어도 돼요.deoumyeon jambareul beoseodo dwaeyo. — You can take off your jacket if you are hot.
• 안경을 벗으니까 못 알아봤어요.angyeoeul beoseunikka mot arabwasseoyo. — I didn't recognize you because you took off your glasses.
• 모자를 벗고 인사하세요.mojareul beotgo insahaseyo. — Take off your hat and greet.
• 코트를 어디에 벗어 둘까요?koteureul eodie beoseo dulkkayo? — Where should I take off and leave my coat?