Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to play" in Korean: 놀다
놀다nolda
to play in Korean is 놀다 (nolda). 놀다 means play or spend time having fun; playing an instrument normally uses 치다 or another specific verb.
to play: an everyday statement
아이들이 밖에서 놀아요.aideuri bakkeseo norayo.
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How to pronounce 놀다
Say it
nolda
/nolta/
Read 놀다 as nolda. The spoken form 놀아요 is norayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to play" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 놀다nolda | to play Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 놀아요norayo | to play (polite present) Use 놀아요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 놀아요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 놀았어요norasseoyo | to play (polite past) Use 놀았어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 놀았어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 놀다 in real life
- 1to play: an everyday statement
아이들이 밖에서 놀아요.
aideuri bakkeseo norayo.
The children play outside.
놀아요 is the present form of 놀다.
- 2to play: a different situation
어제 친구와 놀았어요.
eoje chinguwa norasseoyo.
I hung out with a friend yesterday.
놀았어요 is the past form of 놀다.
- 3to play: a question or request
주말에 어디에서 놀아요?
jumare eodieseo norayo?
Where do you hang out on weekends?
놀아요 is the present form of 놀다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 놀다
Incorrect: 놀다.
Correct: 놀아요.
When practicing to play, 놀다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 놀아요.
Incorrect: 어제 놀아요.
Correct: 어제 놀았어요.
When practicing to play, for a completed event yesterday, use 놀았어요; the present form 놀아요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
놀다 means play or spend time having fun; playing an instrument normally uses 치다 or another specific verb. 놀아요 is the polite conversational form of 놀다; 놀았어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 놀다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
아이들이 밖에서 놀아요.
aideuri bakkeseo norayo.
The children play outside.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 친구와 놀았어요.
eoje chinguwa norasseoyo.
I hung out with a friend 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 play" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to play" in Korean
How do I use 놀다 in polite speech?
놀아요 is the polite conversational form of 놀다; 놀았어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 놀다 in a past-tense sentence?
놀았어요 is the polite past form. 놀다 means play or spend time having fun; playing an instrument normally uses 치다 or another specific verb.
What does 놀아요 mean here?
놀아요 is used for to play. For example, 아이들이 밖에서 놀아요. means “The children play outside.”
What should I remember about 놀다?
놀다 means play or spend time having fun; playing an instrument normally uses 치다 or another specific verb.
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