Usage and Meaning
The verb '금하다' primarily means to prohibit or forbid something, often used in formal or official contexts such as rules, laws, or regulations. It can also mean to restrain oneself from doing something, like abstaining from alcohol or smoking.
Common Contexts
You will often see '금하다' in signs, official announcements, or formal advice. For example, '흡연을 금하다' means 'to prohibit smoking.' It is a formal word, so in casual conversation, people might use '하지 마세요' or '금지하다' instead.
Collocations and Patterns
- '금하다' + noun (e.g., 흡연을 금하다): to prohibit a specific action
- '금하도록 권고하다': to advise abstaining from something
- '금지하다' vs '금하다': '금지하다' is more common in everyday use, while '금하다' is more formal and often found in written or official language.
Register and Politeness
'금하다' is formal and often used in written language or formal speech. It is not typically used in casual conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '금하다' with '금지하다.' While both mean 'to prohibit,' '금지하다' is more commonly used in spoken Korean, and '금하다' is more formal and literary. Use '금하다' when you want to sound official or formal.