What does it mean word for word?
놔둬 is a contraction of 놓아두어 (no-a-du-eo). The first part, 놓다 (no-ta), means "to place/put" and the second part, 두다 (du-da), means "to leave/keep".
Which one should you use?
While 놔둬 specifically means "leave it" or "let it be", other forms focus more on the act of stopping. For example, 그만해 is a casual way to say "leave it" or "stop it", whereas 그만하자 is an informal way to say "let's leave it" or "let's stop it". If you want to suggest ending a situation at a specific point, you can use 거기 그만하자, which means "let's stop it right there" or "let's leave it at that". Finally, for more direct commands to end an action, 그만하십시오 means "stop it" or "end it".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
놔둬 is an informal form used in casual speech with friends or people younger than you. If you need to be polite, use 놔두세요, which is the polite version used when speaking to someone older or in a formal setting. For highly formal situations, you can use 그만 두십시오 to say "please stop" or "please leave it" or 그만하십시오 to say "stop it" or "end it" directly. For a polite middle ground, 그만 두세요 is a polite way to tell someone to leave it or stop.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 놔둬 can be used as a command to tell someone to stop interfering with a situation or a physical object.
How do you pronounce it?
nwadwo
Did you know?
- In emotional contexts, 놔둬 is often used as a way to say 'leave me alone' when a speaker is feeling overwhelmed or sad, moving the meaning from a physical object to a mental state.
- While 놔둬 focuses on letting something remain, the word 놓다 (to put/place) is also used in many Korean expressions for 'releasing' or 'letting go' of a person or a job.
- The syllable 둬 (from 두다) can also be used in various idiomatic expressions involving 'keeping' or 'storing' things in one's heart or mind.
Examples in context
- 그만해, 괜한 걱정하지마Leave it, don't worry about it
- 그냥 놔둬.geunyang nwadwo.Just leave it alone.
- 그거 건드리지 말고 놔둬.geugeo geonduriji malgo nwadwo.Don't touch it, just leave it.
- 내 물건이니까 놔둬.nae mulgeoninikka nwadwo.It's my stuff, so leave it.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo is trying to fix Seoyeon's broken phone.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그거 고치려고 하지 말고 그냥 놔둬.geugeo gochiryeogo haji malgo geunyang nwadwo.Don't try to fix it, just leave it.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그래도 내가 좀 봐줄게.geuraedo naega jom bwajulge.Still, let me take a look.
- 서연 Seo-yeon아니, 진짜로 놔둬.ani, jinjjaro nwadwo.No, seriously, leave it.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo알았어, 안 건드릴게.arasseo, an geondeurilge.Okay, I won't touch it.
