Meaning and Usage
The verb '밀다' primarily means 'to push' or 'to shove' something physically. It is commonly used when describing actions like pushing a door, a car, or people in a crowd. The passive form '밀리다' often describes situations where something is being pushed or crowded from behind.
Common Contexts
- Physical actions: pushing doors, carts, or objects.
- Describing crowded situations where people or things are pushed.
- Used in everyday conversations about moving objects or clearing paths.
Collocations and Patterns
- 문을 밀다 (to push a door): a very common phrase when entering or exiting.
- 차를 밀다 (to push a car): used when a car cannot start or needs to be moved manually.
- 밀려나다 (to be pushed out): often used in passive or figurative senses.
Register and Politeness
'밀다' is a neutral verb suitable for everyday conversation. It can be used politely with appropriate endings like '-세요' or '-습니다'.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '밀다' with '누르다' (to press). '밀다' involves pushing forward or away, while '누르다' means pressing down or holding something down. Remember that '밀다' implies movement caused by force applied forward or outward.