Meaning and Usage
The verb '미루다' primarily means 'to postpone' or 'to delay' something, such as an event, task, or decision. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when talking about rescheduling plans or delaying actions.
Another important meaning is 'to infer' or 'to guess' based on indirect information. This usage is less frequent but important in contexts where someone makes an educated guess or assumption.
Common Collocations
- 미루다 + 일정/회의/약속: to postpone a schedule, meeting, or appointment.
- 미루다 + 숙제/일: to delay homework or work.
- 상황을 미루어 짐작하다: to infer the situation.
Register and Politeness
'미루다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When giving advice or commands, it often appears with polite endings like '-세요' or '-지 마세요'.
Learner Tips
A common mistake is confusing '미루다' with '늦추다' (also meaning to delay). '미루다' often implies postponing to a later time, while '늦추다' can mean making something later but sometimes with a nuance of making it later than planned. Also, remember that '미루다' can mean both 'postpone' and 'infer' depending on context, so pay attention to surrounding words.