Meaning and Usage
The verb '배우다' means 'to learn' or 'to acquire knowledge or skills.' It is commonly used in everyday conversation when talking about studying languages, subjects, or new skills.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '배우다' when someone talks about formal education (like 학교에서 배우다 - learning at school) or informal learning (like 배우는 것 - the act of learning).
Collocations and Patterns
- 한국어를 배우다: to learn Korean (language learning)
- 기술을 배우다: to learn a skill
- 배우고 있다: to be in the process of learning
Register and Politeness
'배우다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When combined with polite endings like '-요', it becomes polite.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '배우다' with '공부하다' (to study). '배우다' focuses more on acquiring knowledge or skills, often from a teacher or experience, while '공부하다' emphasizes the act of studying or practicing.