Meaning and Usage
The verb '부담하다' means to bear or shoulder a responsibility, cost, or burden. It is commonly used in formal and semi-formal contexts, especially when talking about financial costs or responsibilities that someone takes on.
Common Collocations
- 부담하다 비용 (bear the cost): Used when referring to paying expenses.
- 책임을 부담하다 (bear responsibility): Used when taking accountability for something.
- 부담을 느끼다 (feel burdened): Although '부담하다' is active, this phrase uses the noun '부담' to express feeling pressured.
Register and Politeness
'부담하다' is a neutral to formal verb, often found in written language, business, and official contexts. It is less common in casual spoken Korean.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse '부담하다' with '부담되다'. The former is active (to bear a burden), while the latter is passive or descriptive (to feel burdened). For example, '비용을 부담하다' means 'to bear the cost', but '비용이 부담된다' means 'the cost feels burdensome'.
Understanding this distinction helps in using the word correctly in different contexts.