Meaning and Usage
The verb '토하다' means 'to vomit' or 'to throw up.' It is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe the physical act of vomiting due to illness, motion sickness, or other causes.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '토하다' when someone talks about feeling sick, especially with stomach problems or after eating something bad. It is a straightforward and neutral term, suitable for both casual and formal situations.
Collocations and Patterns
- '토하다 + (아프다/심하다)' — to vomit due to pain or severity (e.g., '토할 것 같다' means 'feel like vomiting')
- '자꾸 토하다' — to vomit repeatedly
- '토해서 병원에 가다' — to go to the hospital because of vomiting
Usage Notes
'토하다' is a verb that directly describes the action of vomiting. It is not used metaphorically. Learners sometimes confuse it with '구토하다,' which is a more formal or medical term for vomiting. '토하다' is more common in daily speech.
Avoid using '토하다' in overly polite or formal writing; instead, use '구토하다' or medical terms if necessary.