Meaning and Usage
The verb '맡기다' means to entrust someone with a task, responsibility, or object. It often implies giving someone else the duty or care of something temporarily or permanently.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear '맡기다' in contexts involving delegating work, leaving children or pets in someone's care, or handing over important items or responsibilities.
Collocations and Patterns
- '맡기다 + 에게' (entrust to someone): Indicates the person who receives the responsibility.
- '맡기다 + ~기로 하다' (decide to entrust): Used when making a decision to delegate.
- '맡기다 + object' (entrust something): The thing or task being entrusted.
Register and Politeness
'맡기다' is neutral and commonly used in both formal and informal situations. It is polite enough for workplace conversations.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse '맡기다' with '맡다' (to take on or to smell). Remember, '맡기다' is the causative form meaning 'to entrust', while '맡다' means 'to take responsibility' or 'to smell'. For example, '일을 맡다' means 'to take on a task', whereas '일을 맡기다' means 'to entrust a task to someone'.