Meaning and Usage
The verb '만나다' primarily means 'to meet' or 'to encounter' someone. It is used in everyday conversation to describe meeting friends, family, colleagues, or new people. It can refer to both planned meetings and chance encounters.
Common Contexts
- Meeting friends or acquaintances socially.
- Meeting someone important or for business.
- Encountering someone for the first time.
Collocations and Patterns
- 친구를 만나다 (meet a friend): casual social meeting.
- 사람을 만나다 (meet a person): general meeting.
- 처음 만나다 (meet for the first time): first encounter.
Register and Politeness
'만나다' is a standard verb used in polite and casual speech. The formality depends on the verb ending, not the verb itself.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '만나다' with '보다' (to see). '만나다' implies an intentional meeting or encounter, while '보다' can mean simply to see or watch without interaction. Use '만나다' when you meet someone in person or have a meeting.