Meaning and Usage
The verb '동의하다' means 'to agree' or 'to assent' to something, often used in formal or semi-formal contexts such as meetings, contracts, or proposals. It expresses consent or approval of an idea, plan, or condition.
Common Contexts
You will frequently encounter '동의하다' in business, legal, or academic settings where agreement is necessary. It is often paired with words like '계약서' (contract), '제안' (proposal), or '회의' (meeting).
Collocations and Patterns
- 동의하다 + 에: to agree to something (e.g., 계획에 동의하다 - agree to a plan)
- ~에 동의하지 않다: to disagree or not consent
- 모든 조건에 동의하다: to agree to all terms
Register and Politeness
'동의하다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal speech, but it is more common in written or formal spoken Korean. For casual agreement, Koreans might use '맞다' or '좋다' instead.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '동의하다' with '찬성하다' (to approve or support). While similar, '찬성하다' often implies active support or endorsement, whereas '동의하다' focuses on agreement or consent, which can be more passive.