Level 4

덮이다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '덮이다' means 'to be covered' or 'to be covered over' by something else. It is a passive form derived from '덮다' (to cover). It describes a state where an object or surface is hidden or enclosed by another layer, such as snow, dust, curtains, or other materials.

Common Contexts

This verb is often used in everyday situations to describe physical coverage, like a table covered with dust or a mountain covered with snow. It can also describe something being covered in a way that affects visibility or access, such as windows covered by curtains.

Collocations and Patterns

  • '눈이 ~을 덮이다' (something is covered with snow): used to describe snowy scenes.
  • '먼지로 덮이다' (be covered with dust): common in cleaning contexts.
  • '커튼으로 덮이다' (be covered with curtains): used when something is blocked or hidden.

Register and Politeness

'덮이다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is a descriptive verb and does not carry honorifics.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '덮이다' with '덮다'. Remember that '덮이다' is passive, so the subject is the thing being covered, not the one doing the covering. For example, '책상이 덮이다' means 'the desk is covered', not 'cover the desk'.

Example Sentences

눈이 산을 덮였다.

Nuni saneul deopyeotda.

The mountain was covered with snow.

책상이 먼지로 덮여 있어서 닦아야 했다.

Chaeksangi meonjiro deopyeo isseoseo dakkaya haetda.

The desk was covered with dust, so I had to wipe it.

창문이 커튼으로 덮여 있어서 빛이 들어오지 않았다.

Changmuni keoteun-euro deopyeo isseoseo bichi deureooji anh-assda.

The window was covered with curtains, so no light came in.