Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to fall" in Korean: 떨어지다
떨어지다tteoreojida
to fall in Korean is 떨어지다 (tteoreojida). 떨어지다 means fall or drop; 넘어지다 specifically describes falling over.
to fall: an everyday statement
나뭇잎이 떨어져요.namusipi tteoreojyeoyo.
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How to pronounce 떨어지다
Say it
tteoreojida
/t͈ʌɾʌtɕita/
Read 떨어지다 as tteoreojida. The spoken form 떨어져요 is tteoreojyeoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to fall" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 떨어지다tteoreojida | to fall Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 떨어져요tteoreojyeoyo | to fall (polite present) Use 떨어져요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 떨어져요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 떨어졌어요tteoreojyeosseoyo | to fall (polite past) Use 떨어졌어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 떨어졌어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 떨어지다 in real life
- 1to fall: an everyday statement
나뭇잎이 떨어져요.
namusipi tteoreojyeoyo.
Leaves fall.
떨어져요 is the present form of 떨어지다.
- 2to fall: a different situation
어제 책이 바닥에 떨어졌어요.
eoje chaegi badage tteoreojyeosseoyo.
The book fell onto the floor yesterday.
떨어졌어요 is the past form of 떨어지다.
- 3to fall: a question or request
눈이 나무에서 떨어져요?
nuni namueseo tteoreojyeoyo?
Is snow falling from the tree?
떨어져요 is the present form of 떨어지다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 떨어지다
Incorrect: 떨어지다.
Correct: 떨어져요.
When practicing to fall, 떨어지다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 떨어져요.
Incorrect: 어제 떨어져요.
Correct: 어제 떨어졌어요.
When practicing to fall, for a completed event yesterday, use 떨어졌어요; the present form 떨어져요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
떨어지다 means fall or drop; 넘어지다 specifically describes falling over. 떨어져요 is the polite conversational form of 떨어지다; 떨어졌어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 떨어지다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
나뭇잎이 떨어져요.
namusipi tteoreojyeoyo.
Leaves fall.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 책이 바닥에 떨어졌어요.
eoje chaegi badage tteoreojyeosseoyo.
The book fell onto the floor yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to fall" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to fall" in Korean
How do I use 떨어지다 in polite speech?
떨어져요 is the polite conversational form of 떨어지다; 떨어졌어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 떨어지다 in a past-tense sentence?
떨어졌어요 is the polite past form. 떨어지다 means fall or drop; 넘어지다 specifically describes falling over.
What does 떨어져요 mean here?
떨어져요 is used for to fall. For example, 나뭇잎이 떨어져요. means “Leaves fall.”
What should I remember about 떨어지다?
떨어지다 means fall or drop; 넘어지다 specifically describes falling over.
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