Below are three common verbs which are similar in form:
1. 흘리다 → 흘려요
2. 흐르다 → 흘러요
3. 흐리다 → 흐려요
Without checking the dictionary, fill in the blank below with the correct verb:
A. 날씨가 _____
B. 눈물을 _____
C. 시간이 _____
If you're not confused, I am. Even with helping words, I am still not certain which goes where sometimes.
For a long time, I was unable to resolve these three verbs because I never gave much thought to them. Sometimes I thought they were the same. Sometimes, I mistook one for the other. Not only do they look alike, the meaning of '흘려요' and '흘러요' is also quite similar in a way. They both have something to do with the flow of liquid.
With the help of dictionary, it is quite clear the three verbs are different in meaning:
1. 흘리다 → 흘려요
Definition: 밖으로 내다
('come out' as in to shed or to spill)
('come out' as in to shed or to spill)
2. 흐르다 → 흘러요
Definition: 높은 곳에서 낮은 곳으로 움직이거나 넘쳐서 떨어지다
(move, overflow or drop from a high place to a low place)
Definition: 높은 곳에서 낮은 곳으로 움직이거나 넘쳐서 떨어지다
(move, overflow or drop from a high place to a low place)
3. 흐리다 → 흐려요
Definition: 분명하지 않다
(not clear, blur)
Definition: 분명하지 않다
(not clear, blur)
Hence, the answers are: A(3), B(1), C(2)
These three verbs are one example of "I thought I know but I actually don't".
