조심하다 vs 주의하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 조심하다
Listen to 주의하다
| 조심하다 | 주의하다 |
|---|---|
joo-SIM-ha-da verb | juihada verb |
| to be careful; to watch out and avoid danger or mistakes | to pay attention; to be cautious |
How they differ
주의하다 is broader and more formal than 조심하다. It often means being attentive to warnings, rules, details, or possible problems, while 조심하다 focuses more on personally avoiding danger, mistakes, or unsafe actions.
When to use each
When to use 조심하다: Use 조심하다 when you want to say someone should act carefully to avoid harm or a mistake in a concrete situation.
When to use 주의하다: Use 주의하다 when you want to stress attention, warning, or careful awareness rather than physical caution.
Side-by-side examples
- 길이 미끄러우니 조심하세요.
(The road is slippery, so please be careful.) - 문법 오류에 주의하세요.
(Please pay attention to grammar errors.)
Register & nuance: 주의하다 is more formal and common in written notices, instructions, and public warnings.