Meaning and Usage
The verb '낮추다' means 'to lower' or 'to make something low.' It is commonly used to describe physically lowering something, such as volume or height, but also metaphorically, such as lowering prices or one's attitude.
Common Collocations
- '목소리를 낮추다': to lower one's voice, often used when asking someone to speak more quietly.
- '가격을 낮추다': to lower the price, frequently used in shopping or business contexts.
- '자존심을 낮추다': to lower one's pride or ego, used in social or interpersonal situations.
Register and Politeness
'낮추다' is a neutral verb and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When combined with polite endings like '-세요' or '-습니다', it becomes polite.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '낮추다' with '내리다' (to lower or bring down). While both can mean 'to lower,' '낮추다' often implies making something lower in level or degree, whereas '내리다' can mean to physically bring something down or get off (a vehicle). For example, '음량을 낮추다' (lower volume) vs. '버스에서 내리다' (get off the bus).
Understanding these nuances will help you use '낮추다' accurately in various contexts.