Level 4

어기다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '어기다' means to break or violate a promise, rule, or agreement. It is commonly used when someone does not follow what was agreed upon or expected.

Common Contexts

You will often hear '어기다' in contexts involving promises, rules, laws, or parental wishes. It carries a negative connotation, implying a failure to keep commitments or obey regulations.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 약속을 어기다: to break a promise
  • 규칙을 어기다: to violate rules
  • 법을 어기다: to break the law
  • 뜻을 어기다: to go against someone's will

These collocations are frequent and useful for expressing various types of violations.

Register and Politeness

'어기다' is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Korean. It is appropriate in everyday conversation as well as formal contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '어기다' with '깨다' (to break physically). Remember, '어기다' is used for breaking intangible things like promises or rules, not physical objects.

Example Sentences

그는 약속을 어기고 늦게 도착했다.

Geuneun yaksogeul eogigo neutge dochakhaetda.

He broke his promise and arrived late.

규칙을 어기면 벌금을 내야 한다.

Gyuchigeul eogimyeon beolgeumeul naeya handa.

If you break the rules, you have to pay a fine.

그는 부모님의 뜻을 어기고 다른 길을 선택했다.

Geuneun bumonimui tteuseul eogigo dareun gireul seontaekhaetda.

He went against his parents' wishes and chose a different path.