걷다 vs 거닐다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 걷다
Listen to 거닐다
| 걷다 | 거닐다 |
|---|---|
GEOT-da verb | geonilda verb |
| to walk (move on foot) | to stroll, to wander about leisurely |
How they differ
거닐다 emphasizes a leisurely, unhurried, often aimless movement and carries a more literary or poetic nuance; 걷다 is a neutral verb for walking without implying pace or purpose. 거닐다 often implies enjoying the surroundings, while 걷다 can describe any walking (commuting, exercise, moving from A to B).
When to use each
When to use 걷다: Use 걷다 when you want a neutral description of moving on foot without extra nuance about pace or purpose.
When to use 거닐다: Use 거닐다 when you want to emphasize a relaxed, meandering stroll or evoke a literary/pleasant atmosphere.
Side-by-side examples
- 저는 아침마다 강가를 30분쯤 걸어요.
(I walk along the river for about 30 minutes every morning.) - 저는 아침마다 강가를 30분쯤 거닙니다.
(I stroll along the river for about 30 minutes every morning.)
Register & nuance: 거닐다 is slightly more literary or poetic than 걷다 and is less common in casual spoken speech.