Meaning and Usage
The verb '무서워하다' means 'to be afraid of' or 'to fear' something. It is used to express a feeling of fear or fright towards a person, object, or situation. This verb is often used with the object of fear marked by the particle '을/를'.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear '무서워하다' when talking about children or people expressing fear about something like darkness, heights, animals, or scary situations. It is a descriptive verb that conveys emotional reaction.
Collocations and Patterns
- 무서워하다 + object (e.g., 무서워하는 아이들): to be afraid of something
- 무서워하지 마세요: a polite command meaning 'don't be afraid'
- 무서워서 + verb: expressing a reason caused by fear (e.g., 무서워서 못 가요 - I can't go because I'm scared)
Register and Politeness
'무서워하다' is a standard verb used in everyday conversation and can be conjugated into polite or casual forms depending on the context. It is not formal or honorific.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '무섭다' (an adjective meaning 'scary') with '무서워하다' (a verb meaning 'to be afraid'). Remember, '무섭다' describes the thing that causes fear, while '무서워하다' describes the feeling of fear experienced by someone.