Korean word

흘리다

Pronunciation

Romanizationheullida

Meaning

  • verbspill

Example

컵을 들다가 커피를 흘렸어요.keo beul teul da ga keo pi reul heul lyeo sseo yo

I spilled coffee as I lifted the cup.

Illustration for 흘리다 (spill)

More examples

술이 좀 취해서 친구한테 비밀을 흘렸어요.su ri chom chwi hae seo chin gu han te pi mi reul heul lyeo sseo yo

I was a little drunk, so I let a secret slip to my friend.

Core concept

Liquid or small items slip out of a hand or container instead of staying where they were held.

Common phrases

  • 비밀을 흘리다pi mi reul heul li da

    let slip a secret

  • 눈물을 흘리다nun mu reul heul li da

    shed tears

  • 커피를 흘리다keo pi reul heul li da

    spill coffee

Similar words

쏟다ssottta: Send liquid or powder out of a container in a strong, flowing stream.
엎지르다eopjjireuda: Spill a container's contents by tipping the container over.
떨어뜨리다tteoreotteurida: Cause an object to fall from a hand or other support.
넘치다neomchida: Flow over a container's edge when the container is too full.

Definition in Korean

손이나 그릇에서 액체나 작은 물건이 밖으로 흘러나오거나 떨어지게 하다.so ni na keu reu se seo aek che na cha geun mul geo ni pa kkeu ro heul leo na o geo na tteo reo ji ge ha da

Word origin

The exact historical origin of this verb is uncertain, so it is best learned as causing liquid or small things to flow or fall out.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may expect a big mess, but this verb also covers a few drops or a small item falling from a hand.

Other meanings

  • let outverb
  • dripverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 흘려듣다heullyeodeutttatune outverb
  • 흘림heullimspillagenoun

Word lists with this word