📖 Words B1

참다

chamda

to endure / to hold back / to suppress

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What it means

참다 means to endure, hold back, or suppress — often used for holding back tears, suppressing feelings, or enduring difficult situations. Very common in K-drama emotional contexts.

Nuance & when to use

눈물을 참다 = to hold back tears. 화를 참다 = to hold back anger. 참을 수 없어요 = I can't hold back / I can't endure. 참아요 = endure / hold on. 한국 문화에서 참는 것 = endurance in Korean culture. Korea has a cultural value of 인내 (endurance) — 참다 reflects this.

⚠ Common mistake

참다 (to hold back / endure) ≠ 기다리다 (to wait). 참아요 can mean "hold on" but 기다려요 specifically means "wait."

Example sentences

눈물을 참았어요. Nunmureul chamasseoyo. I held back my tears.
더 이상 참을 수 없어요. Deo isang chameul su eopseoyo. I can't endure it any longer.
조금만 참아요. Jogeumman chamayo. Just endure a little more.

See also

인내 견디다 버티다
References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗
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More B1 lessons

귀찮아요 gwichanhayo It's bothersome / I can't be bothered 기쁨 gippeum joy 괜히 gwaenhi for no reason / pointlessly / in vain
← 존댓말 최애 →

FAQ

When is this used?

눈물을 참다 = to hold back tears. 화를 참다 = to hold back anger. 참을 수 없어요 = I can't hold back / I can't endure. 참아요 = endure / hold on. 한국 문화에서 참는 것 = endurance in Korean culture. Korea has a cultural value of 인내 (endurance) — 참다 reflects this.

What's a common mistake?

참다 (to hold back / endure) ≠ 기다리다 (to wait). 참아요 can mean "hold on" but 기다려요 specifically means "wait."

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