Korean word

다하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationtahada

Meaning

  • verbdo one's best

Example

그는 직장에서 최선을 다했어요.keu neun chik jjang e seo choe seo neul ta hae sseo yo

He did his best at work.

Illustration for 다하다 (do one's best)

More examples

시험 합격을 위해 노력을 다했어요.si heom hap kkyeo geul wi hae no ryeo geul ta hae sseo yo

I did my best to pass the exam.

Core concept

The whole of something is brought to its limit, either through full effort or complete use.

Common phrases

  • 최선을 다하다choe seo neul ta ha da

    do one's best

  • 노력을 다하다no ryeo geul ta ha da

    make every effort

  • 정성을 다하다cheong seong eul ta ha da

    devote oneself wholeheartedly

Similar words

노력하다noryeokada: Steady work and repeated attempts support progress toward a goal.
최선을 다하다choeseoneul tahada: Using every possible effort to achieve the best result.
바치다pachida: Placing time, effort, or possessions at the service of a person or goal shows devotion.
다 쓰다ta sseuda: Using an item from beginning to end leaves nothing of it unused.

Definition in Korean

마음과 힘을 모두 쏟아 어떤 일이나 사람을 위해 최선을 다하거나, 어떤 것의 양이나 에너지가 모두 없어져 끝나다.ma eum gwa hi meul mo du sso da eo tteon i ri na sa ra meul wi hae choe seo neul ta ha geo na eo tteon keo sui yang i na e neo ji ga mo du eop sseo jeo kkeun na da

Word origin

The verb 다 (da, "all") combines with 하다 (hada, "do"), creating the idea of doing everything possible and extending to something being completely used up.

Usage tips

  • With a person as subject, it emphasizes wholehearted effort rather than merely finishing a task, while supplies or energy can be the thing that reaches its limit.

Other meanings

  • run outverb
  • fulfillverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word