Meaning and Usage
The verb '조심하다' means 'to be careful' or 'to take caution.' It is commonly used in everyday conversation to advise or remind someone to avoid danger or mistakes.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '조심하다' when talking about safety, such as crossing the street, driving, or handling fragile objects. It can also be used more broadly to mean being cautious in behavior or speech.
Politeness and Form
'조심하다' is a standard verb and can be conjugated into polite forms like '조심하세요' to give polite advice or warnings.
Common Collocations
- '조심하다 + 장소/상황' (e.g., 길, 운전): to be careful in a place or situation
- '조심해서 + 동사' (e.g., 운전하세요): advising someone to do something carefully
- '조심하지 않다': to be careless or not cautious
Learner Tips
A common mistake is confusing '조심하다' with '주의하다,' which also means 'to be careful.' '조심하다' often implies personal caution or careful behavior, while '주의하다' can be more formal or used in warnings and instructions. Use '조심하다' in everyday spoken Korean for natural advice or reminders.