Meaning and Usage
The adverb '몰래' means 'secretly' or 'quietly' and is used when someone does something without others knowing, often to avoid attention or to keep it private. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe actions done in a hidden or discreet manner.
Common Collocations
- 몰래 하다: to do something secretly
- 몰래 들어가다: to enter quietly or secretly
- 몰래 보다: to look secretly
These collocations emphasize the hidden or discreet nature of the action.
Register and Politeness
'몰래' is neutral in politeness and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the tone of the sentence and the verbs used with it can affect the overall politeness.
Usage Tips
When using '몰래', the speaker implies that the action is done without permission or knowledge of others, often with a sense of secrecy or stealth. It is different from simply doing something quietly; it carries a nuance of concealment.
A common learner mistake is confusing '몰래' with '조용히' (quietly). While '조용히' focuses on the volume or noise level, '몰래' emphasizes secrecy and hiddenness. For example, '몰래 들어가다' means to enter without being noticed, not just quietly.
Example Summary
The examples show '몰래' used with verbs like '준비하다' (prepare), '먹다' (eat), and '쓰다' (write), illustrating secret preparation, secret eating, and secret writing respectively.