Korean word

붙잡다

Pronunciation

Romanizationputjjaptta

Meaning

  • verbgrab

Example

친구가 내 팔을 붙잡았어요.chin gu ga nae pa reul put jja ba sseo yo

My friend grabbed my arm.

Illustration for 붙잡다 (grab)

More examples

그 노래가 사람들의 마음을 붙잡았어요.keu no rae ga sa ram deu rui ma eu meul put jja ba sseo yo

The song captured people's hearts.

Core concept

Hands close around a moving target so it is secured rather than allowed to escape, whether the target is physical or figurative.

Common phrases

  • 마음을 붙잡다ma eu meul put jjap tta

    capture the heart

  • 손목을 붙잡다son mo geul put jjap tta

    grab the wrist

Similar words

잡다chaptta: To take hold of something with the hand or a tool and keep it secure.
붙들다puttteulda: To hold a person or part of something tightly so movement is stopped.
체포하다chepohada: To officially arrest and take a person into custody because of suspected crime.
붙잡히다putjjapida: To be caught and held by someone so free movement is no longer possible.

Definition in Korean

범인이나 탈출하려는 대상을 붙들어 잡다; 기회나 흐름을 놓치지 않고 움켜쥐다라는 비유적 의미로도 쓰인다.peo mi ni na tal chul ha ryeo neun tae sang eul put tteu reo chap tta ki hoe na heu reu meul no chi ji an ko um kyeo jwi da ra neun pi yu jeok ui mi ro do sseu in da

Word origin

It is formed from native Korean elements associated with sticking close and grabbing, which makes its basic image easy to connect with its wider uses.

Usage tips

  • As a transitive verb, it normally takes a direct object, which helps learners notice what or whom the action affects.

Other meanings

  • catchverb
  • hold backverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word