Meaning and Usage
The verb '잘하다' means 'to do well' or 'to be good at' something. It is commonly used to express skill or competence in various activities, such as studying, cooking, sports, or exams.
Common Collocations
- 잘하다 + subject (e.g., 수학을 잘하다): to be good at a subject or skill.
- 잘하면: if (someone) does well, often used to express a positive condition or result.
- 시험을 잘 보다: to do well on an exam.
Register and Politeness
'잘하다' is a standard verb used in everyday conversation and can be conjugated into polite forms like '잘해요' or casual forms like '잘해'. It is neutral in formality and suitable for most contexts.
Tips for Learners
Learners sometimes confuse '잘하다' with '좋아하다' (to like). Remember, '잘하다' focuses on skill or performance, not preference. For example, '음악을 잘해요' means 'I am good at music,' not 'I like music.'
Use '잘하다' to compliment someone's ability or to describe your own competence in a positive way.