Key Facts
- Hangul: 묶다 (mukda)
- Meaning: to tie
- Part of speech: verb (동사)
- Level: B1
- Stem: 묶
- Class: regular
- Objects: transitive
- Spoken as: [묵따]
- Honorific polite: 묶으세요
What Does 묶다 Mean?
묶다 means to tie or bundle things together. The classic phrase is 머리를 묶다 (tie up your hair), and the verb also fits shoelaces and string around books. The thing being tied takes 을/를, and the tool, if you name one, takes 으로, as in 끈으로 묶다. It does not cover neckties; those use a different verb.
How Do You Pronounce 묶다?
The dictionary form is said [묵따]: the double ㄲ is pronounced as an unreleased ㄱ at the end of the syllable, and the ㄷ of 다 turns tense. Before a vowel the consonant moves across to the next syllable, so 묶어요 is said [무꺼요] and the past 묶었어요 is said [무꺼써요]. The formal present 묶습니다 comes out as [묵씀니다], and the present modifier 묶는 as [뭉는].
How Do You Use 묶다 in a Sentence?
머리를 묶어요.
I tie up my hair.
No subject is stated, which is natural in speech. 머리를 is the object and the polite present 묶어요 describes a habit or what you are doing now.
신발 끈을 묶었어요.
I tied my shoelaces.
신발 끈을 (shoelaces) is the object. The past 묶었어요 is the polite past; the shoes are now tied.
책을 끈으로 묶으면 들기 편해요.
If you tie the books with string, they are easy to carry.
끈으로 marks the string as the tool. The conditional 묶으면 gives a practical tip, and 들기 편해요 states the benefit.
How Does Mukda Conjugation Work?
묶다
| Form | Korean | Romanization | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polite present | 묶어요 | ||
| Polite past | 묶었어요 | ||
| Polite future (plan) | 묶을 거예요 | ||
| Polite future (intention or guess) | 묶겠어요 | ||
| Formal present | 묶습니다 | ||
| Formal past | 묶었습니다 | ||
| Formal future | 묶을 것입니다 | ||
| Casual present | 묶어 | ||
| Casual past | 묶었어 | ||
| Casual future | 묶을 거야 | ||
| Want to (polite) | 묶고 싶어요 | ||
| Honorific polite | 묶으세요 | ||
| Because / and then | 묶어서 | ||
| Conditional (if) | 묶으면 | ||
| Present modifier (before a noun) | 묶는 | ||
| Past modifier (before a noun) | 묶은 | ||
| Future modifier (before a noun) | 묶을 | ||
| Negative with 안 (short) | 안 묶어요 | ||
| Negative (long form) | 묶지 않아요 |
| Form | Korean | Sound if different |
|---|---|---|
| Polite present | 묶어요 | [무꺼요] |
| Polite past | 묶었어요 | [무꺼써요] |
| Polite future (plan) | 묶을 거예요 | [무끌꺼예요] |
| Polite future (guess) | 묶겠어요 | [묵께써요] |
| Formal present | 묶습니다 | [묵씀니다] |
| Formal past | 묶었습니다 | [무껃씀니다] |
| Formal future | 묶을 것입니다 | [무끌꺼심니다] |
| Casual present | 묶어 | [무꺼] |
| Casual past | 묶었어 | [무꺼써] |
| Casual future | 묶을 거야 | [무끌꺼야] |
| Want to (polite) | 묶고 싶어요 | [묵꼬 시퍼요] |
| Honorific polite | 묶으세요 | [무끄세요] |
| Because / and then | 묶어서 | [무꺼서] |
| Conditional (if) | 묶으면 | [무끄면] |
| Modifier, present | 묶는 | [뭉는] |
| Modifier, past | 묶은 | [무끈] |
| Modifier, future | 묶을 | [무끌] |
| Short negative | 안 묶어요 | [안 무꺼요] |
| Long negative | 묶지 않아요 | [묵찌 아나요] |
Is 묶다 Regular or Irregular?
묶다 is regular. The stem 묶 is unchanged in every form, and only vowel harmony picks the ending: ㅜ in the stem takes 어, so 묶어요 and 묶었어요. A consonant-final stem also needs the linking 으 before endings like -면, which is why you get 묶으면 and 묶으세요. The 아/어 choice is explained in how to conjugate Korean verbs in the present tense.
Common Mistake with 묶다
Wrong: ✗ 넥타이를 묶어요
Correct: ✓ 넥타이를 매요
Why: The tempting mistake is to put on a necktie with 묶다. Korean uses 매다 for neckties and similar knots, so the correct sentence is 넥타이를 매요. Keep 묶다 for hair, bundles and ropes.
묶다 Versus 매다 and 풀다 and 싸다
| Word | How it differs |
|---|---|
| 매다 | 매다 ties a knot such as a necktie or shoelace; 묶다 bundles or fastens things together. |
| 풀다 | 풀다 is the opposite: to untie. |
| 싸다 | 싸다 means to wrap something, not to tie it. |
Getting Ready for Exercise
Two friends are preparing to exercise. One checks their hair and shoelaces before they start.
Hana
머리를 묶어요?
Meorireul mukkeoyo?
Are you tying your hair up?
Jisu
네. 신발 끈도 묶었어요.
Ne. Sinbal kkeundo mukkeosseoyo.
Yes. I’ve tied my shoelaces, too.
Hana
저도 머리를 묶을 거예요.
Jeodo meorireul mukkeul geoyeyo.
I’m going to tie my hair up, too.
머리를 묶어요 describes tying up hair, 묶었어요 reports a completed action, and 묶을 거예요 states a plan. 머리 can mean the head or hair; this collocation makes the hair meaning clear. The speakers use the same verb for hair and shoelaces because both are being fastened.
Hair, String and Bundles
머리를 묶다 is the everyday phrase for tying up your hair. It does not name one exact hairstyle. A ponytail is one possibility, but the verb alone does not specify the position, height or shape. The listener needs a description or the visible result to know the style.
끈으로 묶다 means to tie something with string or a cord. The thing being tied takes 을/를, while 끈으로 names the material used to fasten it. In 책을 끈으로 묶다, the books are the object and the string is the tool. Switching the markers would change their roles.
단단히 묶다 means to tie securely or tightly. 단단히 describes how firmly something is fastened. It is useful in practical instructions for a package or a bundle that must hold together. It adds information about the fastening, rather than telling you what object is being tied.
하나로 묶다 means to tie or group things into one. The phrase can be literal, as with several items made into one bundle, or figurative, as with topics grouped together. 하나로 describes the combined result. Look at the objects to decide whether a real cord is involved.
When Tying Becomes a Figure of Speech
손발을 묶다 literally means to tie someone's hands and feet. Figuratively, it means restricting their ability to act. In a discussion of rules or authority, it may describe limits on what a person or organisation can do. The phrase does not by itself establish that anyone has been physically restrained.
Shopping descriptions can also use 묶다 for products grouped together for sale. The basic image is the same as bundling books: separate items become one set. There may be packaging or a shared price rather than actual string. The surrounding product description supplies those details.
For everyday use, start with hair, shoelaces and bundles. 묶어요 is neutral polite speech, while 묶으세요 can give a polite instruction. The verb itself does not carry a special level of respect, so you can use the same vocabulary at home, during exercise or in a packing task.
Spelling Stays 묶 Even When the Sound Changes
The spelling 묶는 keeps ㄲ, but the table gives its pronunciation as [뭉는]. The ㄲ changes to a nasal sound before ㄴ. This happens in speech; it does not create a new stem or make 묶다 irregular. Use 묶 when forming the next written ending.
묶어요 has the tense consonant at the start of the next syllable, while 묶다 closes the first syllable before 다. Compare the existing audio clips to hear why the same spelling can sound different in these two positions. Neither pronunciation requires adding a new vowel to the stem.
In 묶을 거예요, keep a space before 거예요. 묶을 by itself is a modifier that can introduce a following noun. The future expression uses that modifier with 거예요; it is not one long dictionary word.
| Related word | Meaning | Useful connection |
|---|---|---|
| 끈 | string / cord | The material used in 끈으로 묶다. |
| 매듭 | knot | Names the knot made by tying. |
| 머리끈 | hair tie | Used to tie hair up. |
| 풀다 | to untie / loosen | Describes undoing the fastening. |
The gym and fitness vocabulary lesson gives a useful setting for preparing your hair, shoes and exercise equipment.
Mini Drill: Keep the Stem
- Give the polite past of 묶다.
- Complete “if you tie”: 묶____.
- Give the polite instruction form from the table.
- Which marker identifies the string used for tying: 끈을 or 끈으로?
Show drill answers
- 묶었어요.
- 묶으면.
- 묶으세요.
- 끈으로 identifies the tool; the item being tied takes 을/를.
Quick Self-Test
- Does 머리를 묶다 specify a single hairstyle?
- What does 단단히 add to 묶다?
- Which verb means to undo the fastening?
Show answers
- No. It means tying up hair without naming the exact style.
- It says to tie securely or tightly.
- 풀다.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Say 'Tie up Your Hair' in Korean?
Say 머리를 묶어요. The hair takes 를 and the polite present is 묶어요.
Can I Use 묶다 for a Necktie?
No. A necktie is put on with 매다, as in 넥타이를 매요.
Why Is 묶다 Pronounced [묵따]?
The final ㄲ closes the syllable and the following ㄷ turns tense. Before a vowel, as in 묶어요, the ㄲ moves forward.
What Is the Opposite of 묶다?
풀다, to untie or loosen.
Which Words Are Related to 묶다?
What Should You Learn Next?
Practise 묶다 beside 풀다, then compare 싸다 (wrap) and 접다 (fold) for the other ways of handling paper and bundles. You can check other forms in the Korean verb conjugator or browse the Korean verb dictionary.