Basic Meanings
The verb '들다' is very versatile in Korean. Its core meaning is 'to hold' or 'to carry' something physically, as in carrying a bag or an object.
Extended Uses
Besides physical holding, '들다' is also used to express the start or occurrence of events, such as meetings or classes ('회의가 들어요'). It can also mean 'to be inside' or 'to contain', describing something being included or present in a place ('에어컨이 들어 있다').
Common Collocations
- 가방을 들다: to carry a bag
- 회의가 들어가다/들다: a meeting starts
- 방에 에어컨이 들어 있다: the room has an air conditioner
Usage Notes
'들다' is an irregular verb in some conjugations, so learners should pay attention to its forms. It is a common verb used in everyday conversation, both in formal and informal contexts. Avoid confusing '들다' with '들리다' (to be heard) or '들어가다' (to enter), although they share the same root syllable.
Summary
Understanding '들다' helps learners describe physical actions, events starting, and presence of objects, making it a very practical verb in Korean.