Level 2

막히다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '막히다' primarily means 'to be blocked' or 'to be clogged.' It is commonly used to describe physical blockages such as traffic jams, clogged toilets, or a blocked throat.

Common Contexts

  • Traffic: '차가 막히다' means the traffic is congested or jammed.
  • Plumbing: '변기가 막히다' refers to a toilet being clogged.
  • Physical sensation: '목이 막히다' describes a feeling of blockage in the throat, often due to emotion or illness.

Collocations and Patterns

  • '길이 막히다' (the road is blocked) – used when roads are congested or obstructed.
  • '숨이 막히다' (to feel suffocated) – used figuratively or literally to describe difficulty breathing.
  • '생각이 막히다' (to be stuck in thought) – less common, meaning mental blockage.

Register and Politeness

'막히다' is a neutral verb and can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the sentence ending.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '막히다' with '막다' (to block something actively). Remember, '막히다' is passive, meaning something is blocked or clogged, not that someone is blocking it.

Example Sentences

출근길에 차가 너무 많이 막혀서 지각했어요.

Chulgeungire chaga neomu mani makhyeoseo jigakhaesseoyo.

The traffic was so congested on the way to work that I was late.

변기가 막혀서 물이 내려가지 않아요.

Byeongiga makhyeoseo muri naeryeogaji anayo.

The toilet is clogged, so the water doesn't go down.

목이 막혀서 말을 제대로 할 수 없었어요.

Mogi makhyeoseo mareul jedaero hal su eopseosseoyo.

My throat was blocked, so I couldn't speak properly.