알다

First attested in the Yongbi eocheon'ga (龍飛御天歌 / 용비어천가), 1447, as Middle Korean 알〯다〮 (Yale: ǎltá).

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key):

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• Phonetic hangul:
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

알다 • (alda) (infinitive 알아, sequential 아니)

1. (transitive) to know, understand (to have information or knowledge about an object or situation through education, experience, thoughts, etc.)

   난 그들이 알고 있는 것이 무엇인지 안다.

   Nan geudeur-i algo inneun geos-i mueos-inji anda.

   I know just what they know.

   제 전화번호 알아요?

   je jeonhwabeonho arayo?

   Do you know my phone number?

2. to know; realize (to realize or feel a fact or situation through awareness or senses.)
   • 2018, Experts: Polio Could Again Spread Worldwide

     그러한 팀들은 그 지역의 문화와 관습을 잘 알 것 같다.

     Geureohan tim-deur-eun geu jiyeog-ui munhwa-wa gwanseub-eul jal al geot gatda.

     Such teams are likely to be aware of an area’s culture and customs.

3. to know; understand; appreciate (to realize or feel a psychological state in one's mind.)
4. be on one's own; be independent
5. to know; can
6. be one's concern
7. to know; realize; realize the fun in
8. to care about

   걱정마. 내가 알아서 할게. (informal non-polite style)

   Geokjeong-ma. Nae-ga ar-aseo halge.

   Don't worry. I'll take care of it.

9. will; say yes

   그 여자에게 당신이 여기 있다고 말해요. — 알겠어요. 고마워요. 피트

   Geu yeoja-ege dangsin-i yeogi itdago malhaeyo. - Algesseoyo. Gomawoyo. Piteu

   Tell her you’re here.—Right, thanks, Pete.

   • 2016, VOA Learning English‎, archived from the original on 13 November 2018:
     # to know (to have met someone before or get along with him/her as an acquaintance.)

   마샤가 제 룸메이트이에요. — 저는 마샤를 알고 지내요. 좋은 분이지요.

   Masya-ga je rummeiteu-ieyo. - Jeo-neun Masya-reul algo jinaeyo. Jo'eun bun-ijiyo.

   Marsha is my roommate. — I know Marsha. She is nice.

10. to regard; think of
11. to know; think (to consider or assume a fact as being of a certain quality.)

• 모르다 (moreuda, “to not know”)

• 알리다 (allida, “to make known”)
• 아뢰다 (aroeda, “to notify, to inform”)

• 알다 in Korean-English Learners' Dictionary, National Institute of Korean Language, cc by-sa 2.0 kr.