Meaning and Usage
The verb '외다' primarily means to memorize or recite something by heart, often through repetition. It is commonly used when talking about learning vocabulary, speeches, or orders that need to be remembered exactly.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '외다' in educational settings, such as students memorizing words or texts. It is also used in military or formal contexts where repeating orders verbatim is critical.
Collocations and Patterns
- '단어를 외다' (to memorize words): used when learning vocabulary.
- '내용을 외다' (to memorize content): used for speeches or study material.
- '명령을 외다' (to repeat an order): common in military or disciplined environments.
Register and Nuance
'외다' is neutral in formality and can be used in both casual and formal speech. It emphasizes the act of memorization by repetition rather than just understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '외다' with '암기하다', which also means to memorize. While similar, '외다' often implies active repetition and verbal recitation, whereas '암기하다' is more general memorization. Using '외다' highlights the process of repeating aloud or mentally to fix something in memory.