Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to close" in Korean: 닫다
닫다datda
to close in Korean is 닫다 (datda). 닫다 keeps ㄷ before a vowel; 닫히다 means be closed and is a separate verb.
to close: an everyday statement
문을 닫아요.muneul dadayo.
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How to pronounce 닫다
Say it
datda
/tat̚t͈a/
Read 닫다 as datda. The spoken form 닫아요 is dadayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to close" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 닫다datda | to close Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 닫아요dadayo | to close (polite present) Use 닫아요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 닫아요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 닫았어요dadasseoyo | to close (polite past) Use 닫았어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 닫았어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 닫다 in real life
- 1to close: an everyday statement
문을 닫아요.
muneul dadayo.
I close the door.
닫아요 is the present form of 닫다.
- 2to close: a different situation
밤에 창문을 닫았어요.
bame changmuneul dadasseoyo.
I closed the window at night.
닫았어요 is the past form of 닫다.
- 3to close: a question or request
지금 가게를 닫아요?
jigeum gagereul dadayo?
Are you closing the shop now?
닫아요 is the present form of 닫다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 닫다
Incorrect: 닫다.
Correct: 닫아요.
When practicing to close, 닫다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 닫아요.
Incorrect: 어제 닫아요.
Correct: 어제 닫았어요.
When practicing to close, for a completed event yesterday, use 닫았어요; the present form 닫아요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
닫다 keeps ㄷ before a vowel; 닫히다 means be closed and is a separate verb. 닫아요 is the polite conversational form of 닫다; 닫았어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 닫다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
문을 닫아요.
muneul dadayo.
I close the door.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
밤에 창문을 닫았어요.
bame changmuneul dadasseoyo.
I closed the window at night.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to close" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to close" in Korean
How do I use 닫다 in polite speech?
닫아요 is the polite conversational form of 닫다; 닫았어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 닫다 in a past-tense sentence?
닫았어요 is the polite past form. 닫다 keeps ㄷ before a vowel; 닫히다 means be closed and is a separate verb.
What does 닫아요 mean here?
닫아요 is used for to close. For example, 문을 닫아요. means “I close the door.”
What should I remember about 닫다?
닫다 keeps ㄷ before a vowel; 닫히다 means be closed and is a separate verb.
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