Meaning and Usage
The verb '울다' means 'to cry' or 'to weep' and is used to describe the act of shedding tears, usually due to emotions like sadness, pain, or sometimes happiness. It is a common verb in everyday conversation and appears frequently in various contexts.
Emotional Expression
People use '울다' to express feelings of sorrow, frustration, or relief. For example, crying because of a sad movie or personal hardship is typical. It can also be used when babies or children cry, which is a natural behavior.
Common Collocations and Patterns
- 울다 + (아/어)서: to indicate cause, e.g., 슬퍼서 울다 (cry because of sadness).
- 울어도 괜찮다: to say it's okay to cry, often used to comfort someone.
- 밤새 울다: to cry all night, describing duration.
Register and Politeness
'울다' is a neutral verb and can be used in both formal and informal contexts by adjusting the sentence ending. For example, 울어요 (polite), 울어 (informal), 울었습니다 (formal past).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '울다' with '웃다' (to laugh). Remember, '울다' involves tears and sadness or strong emotion, while '웃다' is about smiling or laughing. Pay attention to context to avoid mixing these verbs.