Level 4

녹이다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '녹이다' primarily means 'to melt' or 'to dissolve' something by applying heat or another method. It is commonly used in cooking contexts, such as melting ice, chocolate, or butter. Beyond the literal sense, '녹이다' can also be used metaphorically to describe softening or warming someone's feelings or attitude.

Common Collocations

  • 얼음을 녹이다: to melt ice, often by applying warm water or heat.
  • 초콜릿을 녹이다: to melt chocolate, usually for cooking or decorating.
  • 마음을 녹이다: to melt someone's heart, meaning to soften their feelings or make them more sympathetic.

Register and Politeness

'녹이다' is a standard verb used in both formal and informal contexts. It is neutral in politeness and can be conjugated accordingly depending on the situation.

Learner Tips

A common confusion is mixing '녹이다' with '녹다'. '녹다' is intransitive, meaning 'to melt' by itself, while '녹이다' is transitive, meaning 'to melt something'. For example, 얼음이 녹다 (the ice melts), but 얼음을 녹이다 (to melt the ice). Remember to use '녹이다' when you are the one causing the melting.

Example Sentences

얼음을 녹이기 위해 따뜻한 물을 부었어요.

Eoreumeul nokigi wihae ttatteushan mureul buosseoyo.

I poured warm water to melt the ice.

초콜릿을 녹여서 케이크 위에 부었어요.

Chokolliseuteul nokyeoseo keikeu wie buosseoyo.

I melted the chocolate and poured it over the cake.

그는 상대방의 마음을 녹이는 따뜻한 말투를 사용했어요.

Geuneun sangdaebangui maeumeul nokineun ttatteushan maltureul sayonghaesseoyo.

He used warm words that melted the other person's heart.