Level 3

먹이다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '먹이다' means 'to feed' someone or something, typically a person or an animal. It implies actively giving food to another, often when they cannot feed themselves. It is a causative form related to '먹다' (to eat), meaning 'to make someone eat.'

Common Contexts

This verb is frequently used when talking about feeding babies, children, pets, or animals. It often appears in caregiving contexts where the subject helps or supports another by providing food.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 먹이다 + object (e.g., 밥을 먹이다): to feed (someone) rice/food
  • 아이에게 먹이다: to feed a child
  • 강아지에게 먹이다: to feed a puppy/dog

Register and Politeness

'먹이다' is a neutral verb and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but the sentence ending and honorifics will adjust the politeness level.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '먹이다' with '먹다.' Remember, '먹이다' is causative, so it always involves feeding someone else, not eating yourself. For example, '아기가 밥을 먹어요' means 'The baby eats rice,' but '엄마가 아기에게 밥을 먹여요' means 'The mother feeds the baby rice.'

Example Sentences

아기가 혼자 밥을 먹기 어려워서 엄마가 먹여 주었어요.

Agiga honja babeul meokgi eoryeowoseo eommaga meokyeo jueosseoyo.

The baby had difficulty eating alone, so the mother fed him.

강아지에게 사료를 먹이고 산책을 시켰어요.

Gangajiege saryoreul meokigo sanchaekeul sikyeosseoyo.

I fed the puppy dog food and took it for a walk.

그는 아이들에게 좋은 음식을 먹이려고 노력해요.

Geuneun aideurege joeun eumsigeul meokiryeogo noryeokhaeyo.

He tries to feed the children good food.