Level 4

풀어지다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '풀어지다' primarily means 'to become loose' or 'to come undone.' It is often used to describe physical things like clothes or knots that loosen over time. Another common use is in cooking, especially with noodles, where it means the noodles become soft or soggy after overcooking.

Common Contexts

  • Clothes or accessories becoming loose or unfastened.
  • Food texture changes, especially noodles getting soft.
  • Figurative use for emotional or mental relaxation, such as stress easing.

Collocations and Patterns

  • '옷이 풀어지다' (clothes get loose): used when clothes lose their tight fit.
  • '면이 풀어지다' (noodles get soft): common in cooking contexts.
  • '스트레스가 풀어지다' (stress is relieved): figurative, emotional relaxation.

Register and Nuance

'풀어지다' is neutral and commonly used in everyday conversation. It can describe both physical and abstract loosening or softening. Be careful not to confuse it with '풀다,' which means 'to untie' or 'to solve' actively; '풀어지다' is passive or intransitive, indicating something becomes loose by itself.

Learner Tip

A common mistake is to use '풀어지다' actively, but it is intransitive. For example, say '옷이 풀어졌어요' (the clothes got loose) rather than '옷을 풀어졌어요.'

Example Sentences

옷이 너무 꽉 끼면 금방 풀어져서 불편해요.

Osi neomu kkwak kkimyeon geumbang puleojyeoseo bulpyeonhayo.

If clothes are too tight, they quickly get loose and become uncomfortable.

라면을 오래 끓이면 면이 풀어져서 맛이 없어요.

Ramyeoneul orae kkeurimyeon myeoni puleojyeoseo masi eopseoyo.

If you boil ramen for too long, the noodles get soft and lose their taste.

스트레스가 풀어지면 마음도 편안해져요.

Seuteureseuga puleojimyeon maeumdo pyeonanhaejyeoyo.

When stress is relieved, the mind also becomes relaxed.