Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to wash" in Korean: 씻다
씻다ssitda
to wash in Korean is 씻다 (ssitda). 씻다 is regular despite its final ㅆ; use it for washing the body, hands, or food.
to wash: an everyday statement
손을 씻어요.soneul ssiseoyo.
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How to pronounce 씻다
Say it
ssitda
/s͈it̚t͈a/
Read 씻다 as ssitda. The spoken form 씻어요 is ssiseoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to wash" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 씻다ssitda | to wash Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 씻어요ssiseoyo | to wash (polite present) Use 씻어요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 씻어요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 씻었어요ssiseosseoyo | to wash (polite past) Use 씻었어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 씻었어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 씻다 in real life
- 1to wash: an everyday statement
손을 씻어요.
soneul ssiseoyo.
I wash my hands.
씻어요 is the present form of 씻다.
- 2to wash: a different situation
아침에 얼굴을 씻었어요.
achime eolgureul ssiseosseoyo.
I washed my face this morning.
씻었어요 is the past form of 씻다.
- 3to wash: a question or request
과일을 먼저 씻어요?
gwaireul meonjeo ssiseoyo?
Do you wash the fruit first?
씻어요 is the present form of 씻다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 씻다
Incorrect: 씻다.
Correct: 씻어요.
When practicing to wash, 씻다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 씻어요.
Incorrect: 어제 씻어요.
Correct: 어제 씻었어요.
When practicing to wash, for a completed event yesterday, use 씻었어요; the present form 씻어요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
씻다 is regular despite its final ㅆ; use it for washing the body, hands, or food. 씻어요 is the polite conversational form of 씻다; 씻었어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 씻다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
손을 씻어요.
soneul ssiseoyo.
I wash my hands.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
아침에 얼굴을 씻었어요.
achime eolgureul ssiseosseoyo.
I washed my face this morning.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to wash" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to wash" in Korean
How do I use 씻다 in polite speech?
씻어요 is the polite conversational form of 씻다; 씻었어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 씻다 in a past-tense sentence?
씻었어요 is the polite past form. 씻다 is regular despite its final ㅆ; use it for washing the body, hands, or food.
What does 씻어요 mean here?
씻어요 is used for to wash. For example, 손을 씻어요. means “I wash my hands.”
What should I remember about 씻다?
씻다 is regular despite its final ㅆ; use it for washing the body, hands, or food.
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