Meaning and Usage
헤아리다 means to guess, surmise, or understand someone's feelings, thoughts, or situations. It often implies a thoughtful or empathetic effort to comprehend something that is not explicitly stated.
Common Contexts
This verb is frequently used when talking about understanding others' emotions or perspectives, especially in interpersonal communication. It can also be used in situations where one tries to estimate or infer something indirectly.
Collocations and Patterns
- 상대방의 마음을 헤아리다: to understand the other person's feelings
- 상황을 헤아리다: to grasp or comprehend the situation
- 입장을 헤아리다: to consider someone's position or standpoint
Register and Politeness
헤아리다 is a standard verb suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is often used in written and spoken Korean when discussing empathy or thoughtful consideration.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 헤아리다 with 헤매다 (to wander) or 헤치다 (to clear a path). Remember, 헤아리다 specifically relates to understanding or estimating, not physical movement.