Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '무리' has several related meanings. It can mean 'overdoing' or 'excessive effort,' often implying something is beyond one's capacity or unreasonable. It also refers to a 'group' or 'crowd' of people or animals.
Common Contexts
When used to describe effort, '무리하다' (to overdo) is a common verb form. For example, '무리하지 마세요' means 'Don't overexert yourself.'
When referring to groups, '무리' describes a collection of individuals acting together, like a group of children or animals.
Collocations and Patterns
- 무리하다: to overdo, to strain oneself; used when warning against excessive effort.
- 무리를 지어: forming a group; used to describe people or animals gathering.
- 무리한 계획: an unreasonable or excessive plan; used to caution about impractical goals.
Register and Nuance
'무리' is a neutral noun used in both formal and informal contexts. When used as '무리하다,' it often carries a cautionary tone.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '무리' with '불리' (disadvantage) due to similar sounds. Remember '무리' relates to excess or groups, not disadvantage.