Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to hug" in Korean: 안다
안다anda
to hug in Korean is 안다 (anda). 안다 means hold or hug; 안아요 is different from 알아요, the form of know.
to hug: an everyday statement
아이를 안아요.aireul anayo.
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How to pronounce 안다
Say it
anda
/anta/
Read 안다 as anda. The spoken form 안아요 is anayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to hug" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 안다anda | to hug Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 안아요anayo | to hug (polite present) Use 안아요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 안아요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 안았어요anasseoyo | to hug (polite past) Use 안았어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 안았어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 안다 in real life
- 1to hug: an everyday statement
아이를 안아요.
aireul anayo.
I hold the child.
안아요 is the present form of 안다.
- 2to hug: a different situation
친구를 안았어요.
chingureul anasseoyo.
I hugged my friend.
안았어요 is the past form of 안다.
- 3to hug: a question or request
아기를 안아요?
agireul anayo?
Shall I hold the baby?
안아요 is the present form of 안다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 안다
Incorrect: 안다.
Correct: 안아요.
When practicing to hug, 안다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 안아요.
Incorrect: 어제 안아요.
Correct: 어제 안았어요.
When practicing to hug, for a completed event yesterday, use 안았어요; the present form 안아요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
안다 means hold or hug; 안아요 is different from 알아요, the form of know. 안아요 is the polite conversational form of 안다; 안았어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 안다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
아이를 안아요.
aireul anayo.
I hold the child.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
친구를 안았어요.
chingureul anasseoyo.
I hugged my friend.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to hug" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to hug" in Korean
How do I use 안다 in polite speech?
안아요 is the polite conversational form of 안다; 안았어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 안다 in a past-tense sentence?
안았어요 is the polite past form. 안다 means hold or hug; 안아요 is different from 알아요, the form of know.
What does 안아요 mean here?
안아요 is used for to hug. For example, 아이를 안아요. means “I hold the child.”
What should I remember about 안다?
안다 means hold or hug; 안아요 is different from 알아요, the form of know.
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