Meaning and Usage
The verb '남다' primarily means 'to remain' or 'to be left over.' It is commonly used when something is left after a portion has been used or consumed, such as food, time, or tasks.
Common Contexts
- Food: When some food is not eaten and remains.
- Time: When there is still some time left before a deadline or event.
- Tasks or items: When something is left to be done or kept for later.
Collocations and Patterns
- 음식이 남다 (food remains): Used to talk about leftover food.
- 시간이 남다 (time remains): Used to indicate remaining time.
- ~을/를 남기다 (to leave something): Often used in causative form related to '남다' meaning to leave something behind.
Register and Politeness
'남다' is a neutral verb and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Politeness is shown through sentence endings rather than the verb itself.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '남다' with '남기다.' '남다' is intransitive (something remains), while '남기다' is transitive (someone leaves something). For example, '음식이 남다' (food remains) vs. '음식을 남기다' (to leave food uneaten). Understanding this distinction helps avoid errors.