Meaning and Usage
The verb '머물다' primarily means 'to stay' or 'to remain' at a place for some time. It is often used when talking about staying overnight or temporarily residing somewhere.
Common Contexts
You will hear '머물다' in contexts like staying at a friend's house, a hotel, or any place where you do not permanently live. It can also imply staying for a short or extended period depending on the sentence.
Collocations and Patterns
- '하루 동안 머물다' (stay for one day): used to specify the duration of stay.
- '오래 머물다' (stay long): emphasizes a longer period of staying.
- '집에 머물다' (stay at home): common phrase for remaining at home.
Register and Politeness
'머물다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The polite form is '머물어요' or '머물렀어요' for past tense.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '머물다' with '살다' (to live). '머물다' implies a temporary stay, while '살다' means to live permanently or long-term. Use '머물다' when referring to short-term stays or visits.