Level 5

짖다

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Meaning and Usage

The verb '짖다' specifically refers to the barking or crying sound made by dogs or similar animals. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when describing animal behavior.

Common Contexts

You will often hear '짖다' in contexts involving dogs reacting to strangers, noises, or other stimuli. It can also be used metaphorically in some expressions, but primarily it denotes the literal barking sound.

Collocations and Patterns

  • '개가 짖다': The dog barks; the most common collocation.
  • '계속 짖다': To keep barking; used to describe continuous barking.
  • '낯선 사람을 보면 짖다': Bark at strangers; describes a dog's protective or alert behavior.

Register and Politeness

'짖다' is a neutral verb and can be used in both formal and informal contexts without change. However, when speaking politely, the verb ending changes (e.g., 짖어요).

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '짖다' with '울다' (to cry) which is used for humans or animals expressing sadness or pain. Remember, '짖다' is for barking sounds, mostly dogs, while '울다' is for crying or howling sounds.

Example Sentences

밤에 개가 계속 짖어서 잠을 잘 수 없었어요.

Bame gaega gyesok jitjaseo jameul jal su eopseosseoyo.

The dog kept barking at night, so I couldn't sleep.

그 개는 낯선 사람을 보면 짖는다.

Geu gaeneun natsseon sarameul bomyeon jitneunda.

That dog barks when it sees strangers.

아이들이 놀다가 개가 짖자 놀라서 도망갔다.

Aideuri noldaga gaega jitja nollaseo domanggatta.

The children were playing, but when the dog barked, they got scared and ran away.