Saturday, April 14, 2012

비슷해도 달라

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)

2. 흐르다 → 흘러요
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)

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".

Thursday, April 05, 2012

분홍빛


사진으로 보는 것보다 실물이 훨씬 더 멋진 분홍빛 벚꽃. 파아란 하늘과 잘 어우러진 벚꽃을 그저 보면서 감탄만 할뿐. 왠지 이 화면은 유학 시절의 낭만도 떠오르게 한다.