Meaning and Usage
The verb '맞서다' means to stand opposite or confront someone or something, often implying opposition or resistance. It is commonly used when describing facing challenges, opposition, or conflict directly.
Common Contexts
- Facing fears or difficulties: '두려움에 맞서다' (stand up to fear)
- Confronting opponents or authorities: '경찰에 맞서다' (stand against the police)
- Opposing ideas or people: '의견에 맞서다' (confront an opinion)
Collocations and Patterns
- 맞서 싸우다: to fight against, emphasizing active resistance
- 맞서다 + 에: indicating the target of confrontation
- 두려움에 맞서다: to face fear
Register and Nuance
'맞서다' is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Korean. It often carries a strong sense of courage or determination when used in contexts like facing fears or opposition.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '맞서다' with simply '서다' (to stand). Remember that '맞서다' specifically implies facing or confronting something, not just standing physically opposite.