What Does “Seoltuk-hada” (설득하다) Mean?
The verb “seoltuk-hada” (설득하다) means “to persuade” or “to convince” in English. It is commonly used when you want to express the act of influencing someone’s thoughts, opinions, or decisions through reasoning or argument.
Breaking Down the Word
“Seoltuk” (설득) is the noun form, meaning “persuasion” or “convincing,” and “hada” (하다) is the verb “to do.” Combined, “seoltuk-hada” literally means “to do persuasion,” which translates as “to persuade.”
How to Use “Seoltuk-hada” in Sentences
When using “seoltuk-hada” in a sentence, it typically follows the object (the person or group you wish to persuade). The structure is:
[Person/Object] + 을/를 + 설득하다
Examples in Everyday Conversation
- 친구를 설득하다 (chingu-reul seoltuk-hada) – to persuade a friend
- 부모님을 설득하다 (bumonim-eul seoltuk-hada) – to convince one’s parents
- 고객을 설득하다 (gogaek-eul seoltuk-hada) – to persuade a customer
Example sentences:
- 나는 부모님을 설득해서 여행을 가게 됐어요.
I persuaded my parents, so I was able to go on a trip. - 그는 친구를 설득하려고 노력했어요.
He tried to persuade his friend.
Common Situations for “Seoltuk-hada”
“Seoltuk-hada” is useful in various scenarios, including:
- Negotiations or debates
- Business meetings and proposals
- Personal situations, like convincing family or friends
- Sales and marketing contexts
Tips for Using “Seoltuk-hada” Naturally
- Pair “seoltuk-hada” with appropriate honorifics based on who you are talking to.
- Use it in different tenses, such as “설득했다” (past), “설득하고 있다” (present continuous), or “설득할 것이다” (future).
- Combine with polite endings like “설득해요” (seoltuk-haeyo) or formal endings like “설득합니다” (seoltuk-hamnida).
Related Expressions
To expand your vocabulary, here are related verbs and phrases:
- 권유하다 (gwonyuhada) – to recommend or suggest
- 납득시키다 (napdeuk-sikida) – to make someone understand/accept
- 설명하다 (seolmyeong-hada) – to explain
Practice Makes Perfect
Mastering words like “seoltuk-hada” will help you sound more fluent and persuasive in Korean. Try creating your own sentences or practice using the word in different contexts with language partners or AI tools like Talkpal. The more you use it, the more naturally it will come to you in real conversations.
Conclusion
Understanding how to use “seoltuk-hada” is an essential step for Korean learners aiming for confident and effective communication. Whether you want to convince a friend, a parent, or a colleague, this verb will serve you well in everyday conversations and formal situations alike. Keep practicing, and explore more Korean language tips and resources on the Talkpal – AI language learning blog to continue your journey toward fluency.
