Meaning and Usage
The verb '감추다' means 'to hide' or 'to conceal' something physically or abstractly. It is commonly used when someone wants to keep an object, feeling, or fact out of sight or secret.
Common Contexts
You can use '감추다' when talking about hiding tangible things like documents or objects, as well as intangible things like emotions or mistakes.
Collocations and Patterns
- 감정을 감추다: to hide one's feelings; often used when someone does not want to show how they truly feel.
- 비밀을 감추다: to conceal a secret; used in contexts involving confidentiality.
- 실수를 감추다: to hide a mistake; common in situations where someone tries to avoid blame.
Register and Politeness
'감추다' is a neutral verb suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It can be combined with polite endings like '-어요' or '-습니다' depending on the situation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '감추다' with '숨기다', which also means 'to hide'. While both can be used interchangeably in many cases, '감추다' often implies a more deliberate or secretive action, whereas '숨기다' can be more general. Pay attention to context to choose the best verb.