Meaning and Usage
The verb '들키다' means 'to be caught' or 'to be discovered,' often used when someone’s secret, mistake, or wrongdoing is revealed unintentionally. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe situations where someone is found out or exposed.
Common Contexts
'들키다' is frequently used in contexts involving secrets, lies, cheating, or any hidden actions that become known to others. It often carries a negative nuance, implying embarrassment or trouble for the person caught.
Collocations and Patterns
- '거짓말이 들키다' (a lie is caught): used when someone’s dishonesty is exposed.
- '비밀이 들키다' (a secret is discovered): used when confidential information is revealed.
- '몰래 ~ 하다가 들키다' (doing something secretly and getting caught): emphasizes the act of being caught while trying to hide something.
Register and Politeness
'들키다' is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts, but it is more common in spoken language. It is often combined with past tense endings to describe completed actions.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse '들키다' with '잡히다' (to be caught physically). '들키다' focuses more on being found out or exposed, especially for secrets or mistakes, rather than physical capture. Remember to use '들키다' when talking about being discovered or exposed rather than physically caught.