심다
simda[ˈɕʰi(ː)mt͈a̠]
To plant in Korean is 심다 (simda). Wiktionary also lists 뿌리다 (ppurida) and 이식하다 (isikhada).
Meaning: to place in soil or other substrate in order that it may live and grow (verb)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 심다 | simda | [ˈɕʰi(ː)mt͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 뿌리다 | ppurida | [p͈uɾida̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 이식하다 | isikhada |
심다 is used for planting things that take root in the ground, such as trees, flowers or vegetables.
Which one should you use?
심다 means to plant something in the ground, whereas 뿌리다 means to scatter or sprinkle something (like seeds or water) over a surface. Additionally, 이식하다 is a more technical or formal term used specifically for transplanting a plant from one location to another.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 심다 in a polite, conversational style is 심었어요. To turn the verb 심다 into a noun meaning 'the act of planting', you add '-는 것'.
How do you pronounce it?
simda
Did you know?
- The verb 심다 is used when talking about getting a dental implant, as if the implant is being 'planted' into the jawbone.
- The word 뿌리다 can be used to describe scattering money or spending it lavishly on others, similar to the English 'throwing money around'.
- The verb 심다 can be used metaphorically in Korean to describe 'planting' an idea or an impression in someone's mind.
Examples in context
- 정원에 사과나무를 심다To plant an apple tree in a gardenThis sentence is useful for describing the act of planting an apple tree with 심다.
- 저 야채가 먹을만한 식물인지 알고 싶어요.I want to know if this vegetable is an edible plant.
- 화분에 꽃을 심다.hwabune kkocheul simda.To plant flowers in a pot.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are in the backyard.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨, 여기 나무를 심다.Minji ssi, yeogi namureul simda.Minji, let's plant a tree here.
- 민지 Min-ji좋아요. 어디에 심을까요?joayo. eodie simeulkkayo?Sounds good. Where should we plant it?
- 도현 Do-hyeon햇빛이 잘 드는 곳에 심어요.haetbichi jal deuneun gose simoyo.Plant it in a sunny spot.
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 제가 구멍을 팔게요.geureom jega gumeongeul palgeyo.Then I will dig the hole.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plant” translations and entries 심다, 뿌리다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
