Meaning and Usage
The verb '선언하다' means to declare or proclaim something officially or publicly. It is often used in formal contexts such as government announcements, legal statements, or official company declarations.
Common Contexts
- Political or governmental declarations (e.g., policies, states of emergency).
- Legal or personal declarations (e.g., innocence, intentions).
- Business announcements (e.g., bankruptcy, mergers).
Collocations and Patterns
- '정책을 선언하다' (declare a policy): used when announcing official government plans.
- '무죄를 선언하다' (declare innocence): used in legal or personal contexts.
- '파산을 선언하다' (declare bankruptcy): common in business contexts.
Register and Politeness
'선언하다' is a formal verb and typically appears in written or formal spoken Korean. It is not used in casual conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '선언하다' with '말하다' (to say) or '발표하다' (to announce). '선언하다' implies a formal, official, or public proclamation, often with legal or authoritative weight, whereas '말하다' is general speech and '발표하다' is more about presenting information or results.