Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '잘못' primarily means 'mistake' or 'fault.' It is often used to indicate responsibility or error in a situation.
Common Contexts
'잘못' is frequently used in everyday conversation when discussing faults, errors, or blame. It can refer to personal mistakes or incorrect actions by others.
Collocations and Patterns
- 잘못하다: to do something wrong
- 잘못되다: to go wrong, to be mistaken
- 잘못을 인정하다: to admit a mistake
These collocations help express various nuances of error and responsibility.
Register and Politeness
'잘못' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When combined with polite verbs like '인정하다' or '사과하다,' it fits well in polite conversation.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse '잘못' with '틀리다' (to be incorrect). '잘못' often implies fault or responsibility, while '틀리다' simply means something is wrong or incorrect without implying blame.