Meaning and Usage
The verb 붙잡히다 is a passive form meaning 'to be caught' or 'to be seized.' It is commonly used when someone is physically caught or apprehended, often by authorities or in situations involving escape or capture.
Common Contexts
This verb is frequently used in news reports, police or crime-related contexts, and everyday situations where someone is caught doing something wrong or trying to escape.
Collocations and Patterns
- 붙잡히다 + 에게: indicates who caught the person (e.g., 경찰에게 붙잡히다 - caught by the police).
- 붙잡히다 + after an action: often used to describe being caught after attempting something (e.g., 도망치려 했지만 붙잡혔다 - tried to escape but was caught).
Register and Politeness
붙잡히다 is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Korean. It is not particularly formal or informal.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 붙잡히다 with 붙잡다, which means 'to catch' or 'to hold' in the active voice. Remember 붙잡히다 is passive, so the subject is the one being caught, not the one doing the catching.