밟다

First attested in the Seokbo sangjeol (釋譜詳節 / 석보상절), 1447, as Middle Korean ᄇᆞᆲ〯다〮 (Yale: pǒlp-tá). Derived from 발 (bal, “foot”).

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key):
• Phonetic hangul:
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

밟다 • (bapda) (infinitive 밟아, sequential 밟으니)

1. (literally, figuratively) to step (on), to tread, to trample

   밤길을 걷다가 쇠똥이라도 밟으면 그 물컹한 느낌이 싫었다.

   Bamgir-eul geotda-ga soettong'irado balbeumyeon geu mulkeonghan neukkim-i sireotda.

   While I was walking at night, the squashy feeling of stepping on even cow dung would make me nauseous.

2. to go through (a process, a procedure, etc.)

   그는 현재 대학교에서 법학 과정을 밟고 있다.

   Geu-neun hyeonjae daehakgyo-eseo beophak gwajeong-eul bapgo itda.

   He is currently working on his law degree at a university.

   공항에서 입국 수속을 밟았다. ― Gonghang-eseo ipguk susog-eul balbatda. ― went through immigration at the airport.

3. to follow, to trail, to shadow (a person)

   Synonym: 미행(尾行)하다 (mihaenghada)

   경찰이 용의자의 뒤를 밟았다. ― Gyeongchar-i yong'uija-ui dwi-reul balbatda. ― The police followed the suspect.