Meaning and Usage
The verb '멎다' primarily means 'to stop' or 'to cease,' often used for natural phenomena or bodily functions like bleeding. It is an intransitive verb, so it does not take a direct object.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear '멎다' when talking about rain stopping, bleeding ceasing, or even metaphorically when something like a heartbeat seems to stop due to shock or surprise.
Collocations and Patterns
- 비가 멎다: the rain stops
- 피가 멎다: bleeding stops
- 심장이 멎다: the heart stops (figuratively or literally)
These collocations are common in everyday conversation and news reports.
Register and Politeness
'멎다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, when speaking politely, you might use the polite form '멎어요' or '멎었습니다.'
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse '멎다' with '멈추다,' which also means 'to stop.' The difference is that '멎다' is often used for natural or involuntary stopping (like rain or bleeding), while '멈추다' is more general and can be used for people or machines stopping intentionally.
Understanding this nuance will help you choose the right verb in context.