Meaning and Usage
The verb '더하다' primarily means 'to add' or 'to increase,' but in many contexts, especially when describing conditions or feelings, it implies 'to get worse' or 'to intensify negatively.' It is often used to describe worsening situations such as illness, weather, or emotional states.
Common Collocations
- 더하다 + 아프다/병세: to worsen an illness or condition
- 더하다 + 스트레스/부담: to add stress or burden
- 점점 더하다: gradually get worse
Register and Politeness
'더하다' is a standard verb used in both formal and informal contexts. When used in polite speech, it appears as '더해요' or '더했습니다.'
Usage Tips
Learners often confuse '더하다' with simply 'to add' in a neutral sense. Remember that when used with negative nouns like '병세' (condition) or '스트레스' (stress), it implies worsening. To avoid confusion, pay attention to the nouns it modifies.
Summary
Use '더하다' to express the idea of something increasing in intensity, often negatively. It is common in everyday conversation when talking about worsening situations or adding burdens.