Meaning and Usage
The verb '기르다' primarily means 'to raise' or 'to nurture,' often used when talking about raising children, animals, or plants. It also means 'to grow' in the context of growing hair, beards, or even cultivating land.
Common Contexts
- Raising children or pets: 사랑과 관심을 가지고 아이를 기르다 (to raise a child with love and care).
- Growing hair or beard: 수염을 기르다 (to grow a beard).
- Cultivating or farming: 땅을 기르다 (to cultivate land).
Collocations and Patterns
- 아이를 기르다: to raise a child.
- 머리를 기르다: to grow hair.
- 수염을 기르다: to grow a beard.
- 땅을 기르다: to cultivate land.
Register and Politeness
'기르다' is a standard verb used in both formal and informal contexts. It is neutral in politeness and can be combined with polite endings like '-아요/어요' or formal endings.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '기르다' with '키우다,' which also means 'to raise.' While they overlap, '기르다' often emphasizes nurturing or growing over time, especially with living things or hair, whereas '키우다' is more general for raising or increasing size. Remember that '기르다' is also used for growing hair or cultivating land, which '키우다' does not cover.