입다
ipda[ip̚t͈a̠]
In Korean, the verb for 'to wear' depends on what item you are putting on. The default form is 입다 (ipda). Wiktionary also lists 신다 (sinda) and 쓰다 (sseuda).
Meaning: to have on (clothes or accessories) (verb)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 입다 | ipda | [ip̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 신다 | sinda | [ˈɕʰi(ː)nt͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 쓰다 | sseuda | [s͈ɯda̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 끼다 | kkida | [k͈ida̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈk͈i(ː)da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Korean uses different verbs for 'to wear' based on which part of the body the accessory or clothing covers.
Which one should you use?
The choice of verb is determined by the specific item being worn: * 입다 is used for clothing worn on the torso or legs, such as shirts, pants or dresses. * 신다 is used specifically for footwear, such as shoes, socks or boots. * 쓰다 is used for items worn on the head, such as hats or glasses. * 끼다 is used for tight-fitting accessories that are slipped onto or between parts of the body, such as gloves or rings.
How do you pronounce it?
ipda
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use a single verb for everything, but in Korean, you must choose the correct verb based on the body part being covered.
Did you know?
- The verb 입다 is used not only for clothing but also in the idiomatic expression for 'suffering' or 'sustaining' a loss or damage.
- In traditional Korean culture, wearing shoes 신다 inside a house is a significant social faux pas and a sign of disrespect.
- The verb 쓰다 is a polysemous word that means 'to wear' for hats, but it also means 'to write' and 'to use'.
Examples in context
- 신발을 신다To wear or put on shoesThis sentence is useful for showing how to use 신다 with footwear.
- 모자를 쓰다To wear a hatThis sentence is useful for showing how to use 쓰다 with headwear.
- 차림새를 잘하셨네요.You are well-dressed.
- 오늘은 좀 예쁜 옷을 입었어.I wore pretty clothes today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wear” translations and entries 입다, 신다, 쓰다, 끼다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
