Meaning and Usage
The verb '흘러내리다' describes the action of a liquid or semi-liquid substance flowing or running down from a higher place to a lower place, often by gravity. It is commonly used to describe natural flows like rainwater, sweat, or melted substances.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '흘러내리다' in everyday situations involving liquids moving down surfaces, such as rainwater running down a window, sweat dripping down the face, or chocolate melting and running down fingers.
Collocations and Patterns
- '땀이 흘러내리다' (sweat runs down): used to describe perspiration dripping down the body.
- '물이 흘러내리다' (water runs down): common for describing water flowing down surfaces.
- '눈물이 흘러내리다' (tears run down): used when tears flow down the cheeks.
Register and Politeness
'흘러내리다' is a neutral verb suitable for both spoken and written Korean. It is neither formal nor informal, so it fits well in everyday conversation and descriptive writing.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '흘러내리다' with '떨어지다' (to fall). The difference is that '흘러내리다' emphasizes a flowing motion down a surface, while '떨어지다' implies dropping or falling freely through the air. For example, sweat '흘러내리다' down the face but a leaf '떨어지다' from a tree.