Level 1

맵다

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Meaning and Usage

The adjective '맵다' describes a spicy or hot taste that causes a tingling or burning sensation on the tongue. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when talking about food.

Common Collocations

  • '맵다' + 음식 (food): to describe spicy dishes.
  • '너무 맵다' (too spicy): to express that the spiciness is strong or overwhelming.
  • '맵다' + 느낌 (feeling): to describe the sensation caused by spicy food.

Register and Nuance

'맵다' is an informal, neutral word used in casual and formal contexts alike. It is not a polite or honorific term but is widely acceptable in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '맵다' with '뜨겁다' (hot temperature). Remember, '맵다' refers to spicy taste, not temperature. For example, '맵다' is for chili peppers, while '뜨겁다' is for hot soup.

Practical Tip

When you want to ask if food is spicy, you can say: "이거 맵나요?" (Is this spicy?). This is a common and useful phrase in restaurants.

Example Sentences

이 김치는 너무 매워서 물이 필요해요.

I gimchineun neomu maewoseo muri piryohaeyo.

This kimchi is too spicy, so I need water.

맵다라는 표현은 음식이 혀를 자극할 때 사용해요.

Maepdaraneun pyohyeoneun eumsigi hyeoreul jageukhalkkae sayonghaeyo.

The expression '맵다' is used when food stimulates the tongue.

매운 음식을 좋아하는 사람들은 맵다를 긍정적으로 생각해요.

Maeun eumsigeul joahaneun saramdeureun maepdareul geungjeongjeogeuro saenggakhaeyo.

People who like spicy food think of '맵다' positively.