Korean word

벌리다

Pronunciation

Romanizationpeollida

Meaning

  • verbspread

Example

그는 팔을 벌렸다.keu neun pa reul peol lyeot tta

He spread his arms.

Illustration for 벌리다 (spread)

More examples

아이가 놀라서 눈을 벌렸다.a i ga nol la seo nu neul peol lyeot tta

The child widened their eyes in surprise.

Core concept

Separate parts are pushed or extended away from each other, making an object or opening wider.

Common phrases

  • 입을 벌리다i beul peol li da

    open one's mouth

  • 눈을 벌리다nu neul peol li da

    widen one's eyes

  • 팔을 벌리다pa reul peol li da

    spread one's arms

Similar words

넓히다neolpida: Expands the width, area, or range of something on purpose.
펴다pyeoda: Unfolds or straightens a folded, wrinkled, or bent item.
펼치다pyeolchida: Unfolds a compact item and lays it out so its full surface can be seen.
열다yeolda: Opens a closed object, door, or place to allow access.

Definition in Korean

물체나 신체의 일부를 바깥으로 펴서 너비나 간격을 크게 하는 동사로, 눈이나 입을 크게 여는 뜻으로도 쓰인다.mul che na sin che ui il bu reul pa kka teu ro pyeo seo neo bi na kan gyeo geul keu ge ha neun tong sa ro nu ni na i beul keu ge yeo neun tteu seu ro do sseu in da

Word origin

The origin of this verb is uncertain, so its meaning is best learned from its established use rather than an unverified decomposition.

Usage tips

  • For body parts, this word focuses on spreading them apart rather than simply changing from closed to open, a useful distinction from English open.

Other meanings

  • openverb
  • widenverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word