Level 6

경고하다

No base JSON record found for this token.

Usage of '경고하다'

'경고하다' means 'to warn' or 'to caution' someone about potential danger, rules, or consequences. It is a formal verb often used in official or serious contexts such as safety instructions, workplace rules, or legal warnings.

Common Contexts

You will frequently see '경고하다' used when authorities, companies, or individuals issue warnings to prevent harm or rule violations. For example, police warning about safety, companies warning employees about punctuality, or signs warning about hazards.

Collocations and Patterns

  • '경고하다 + (에게)' : to warn someone
  • '경고하다 + (하지 말라고)' : to warn not to do something
  • '경고를 받다' : to receive a warning

These patterns help express who is warned and what behavior is discouraged.

Register and Politeness

'경고하다' is neutral to formal and is appropriate in written and spoken formal contexts. It is not used casually among close friends.

Common Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse '경고하다' with '주의하다' (to be careful). '경고하다' implies an official or serious warning, often with consequences, while '주의하다' is more about general caution without formal warning.

Example Sentences

운전 중에는 항상 안전벨트를 매라고 경고합니다.

Unjeon jungeneun hangsang anjeonbeltreul maerago gyeonggohamnida.

They always warn to wear a seatbelt while driving.

회사는 직원들에게 지각하지 말라고 여러 번 경고했다.

Hoesaneun jigwondeurege jigakaji mallago yeoreo beon gyeonggohaetda.

The company warned the employees several times not to be late.

경찰은 위험한 행동을 하지 말라고 경고했다.

Gyeongchareun wiheomhan haengdong-eul haji mallago gyeonggohaetda.

The police warned not to engage in dangerous behavior.