📋 Table of Contents
⚡ Quick Definition: What Does 맞다/틀리다 (matda / teullida) Mean?
맞다/틀리다, pronounced as matda / teullida, means “Right/Correct/Wrong / Hit/Strike / Agree / Different / Be accurate” in Korean. This essential Korean phrase appears frequently in K-dramas like Sky Castle, Reply 1988, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, My Mister.
When you search for matda / teullida, you’re looking to understand the deeper meaning behind this powerful Korean expression. The word matda / teullida carries emotional weight and cultural significance.
Korean speakers use matda / teullida in various contexts daily. Mastering this phrase opens doors to more natural Korean communication.
If you’ve watched K-dramas, you’ve heard matda / teullida multiple times. Understanding the complete matda / teullida meaning helps you grasp the emotion and cultural context.
Learning matda / teullida is essential for Korean conversation. The matda / teullida meaning becomes clearer through authentic Korean content.
🎵 How to Pronounce 맞다/틀리다 – matda / teullida Pronunciation Guide
Mastering matda / teullida Pronunciation
Romanization (English): matda / teullida
Japanese (Katakana): マッタ / トゥルリダ
When learning matda / teullida, pronunciation is absolutely critical. Korean pronunciation differs significantly from English.
The matda / teullida pronunciation requires attention to Korean vowel sounds and consonants. Many Korean learners struggle with matda / teullida at first.
Listen carefully to native Korean speakers saying matda / teullida in K-dramas like Sky Castle, Reply 1988, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, My Mister. Pay attention to how they pronounce matda / teullida in different emotional contexts.
- Listen to matda / teullida in K-dramas repeatedly
- Practice the matda / teullida tone and rhythm
- Focus on Korean vowel sounds in matda / teullida
- Don’t rush when saying matda / teullida
Watch Sky Castle, Reply 1988, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, My Mister and repeat after the characters. Hearing 맞다/틀리다 in context makes matda / teullida pronunciation natural.
📚 Complete Guide to Understanding matda / teullida
Deep Dive: The Full Meaning of matda / teullida
One of the most confusing Korean word pairs that even native speakers debate! 맞다 (matda) and 틀리다 (teullida) appear constantly in Korean conversations, K-dramas like Sky Castle and Reply 1988, and represent a fascinating cultural tension in Korean society.
Foreign learners struggle because 맞다 alone has nine different dictionary definitions, while the cultural debate “틀린 것이 아니라 다른 것이다” (It’s not wrong, it’s different) reveals deeper Korean values around conformity versus diversity. Understanding 맞다/틀리다 requires grasping both linguistic complexity and cultural philosophy.
The basic opposition seems simple: 맞다 means “right/correct” and 틀리다 means “wrong/incorrect.” But 맞다 carries nine distinct meanings that foreigners must navigate, while the critical distinction between 틀리다 (wrong) and 다르다 (different) has become a major social discourse in modern Korea about accepting diversity versus judging correctness. Let’s start with 맞다’s nine dictionary definitions, grouped by concept: GROUP A – Correctness and Agreement (Meanings 1-3):
Definition 1: 문제에 대한 답이 틀리지 아니하다 (Answer to a question is not wrong / Answer is correct). This is the most common meaning foreigners learn first. “답이 맞다” (the answer is correct), “계산이 맞다” (the calculation is correct). In Reply 1988, students constantly worry “시험 답이 맞았을까?” (Was my exam answer correct?). Sky Castle obsesses over 맞다/틀리다 in the education competition context – getting answers 맞다 determines your entire future.
Definition 2: 말, 육감, 사실 따위가 틀림이 없다 (Words, intuition, facts, etc. are accurate / without error). “네 말이 맞아” (What you said is correct/accurate), “예감이 맞았어” (My hunch was right), “사실이 맞다” (The fact is accurate). This extends beyond test answers to general accuracy and truth. When Koreans debate “내 말이 맞냐 틀리냐” (Is what I’m saying right or wrong?), they’re demanding truth acknowledgment.
Definition 3: ‘그렇다’ 또는 ‘옳다’의 뜻 (Meaning “yes” or “right” / expressing agreement). “맞아!” (Right! / Exactly! / Yes!), “맞아, 나도 그렇게 생각해” (Right, I think so too). This conversational use makes 맞다 a common interjection showing agreement or confirmation. K-dramas feature constant “맞아, 맞아!” exchanges when characters agree enthusiastically. GROUP B – Facing and Confronting (Meanings 4-6):
Definition 4: 오는 사람이나 물건을 예의로 받아들이다 (Receive/greet people or things with courtesy). “손님을 맞다” (greet guests), “새해를 맞다” (welcome the new year). This formal usage appears in ceremonies and official contexts. “설날을 맞아” (welcoming Lunar New Year) begins many holiday greetings.
Definition 5: 적이나 어떤 세력에 대항하다 (Confront/oppose enemy or some force). “적을 맞아 싸우다” (fight against the enemy). This confrontational meaning is less common in modern casual speech but appears in formal or dramatic contexts.
Definition 6: 시간이 흐름에 따라 오는 어떤 때를 대하다 (Face a certain time as it arrives). “봄을 맞다” (face/welcome spring), “시험을 맞다” (face the exam). This temporal usage shows 맞다’s versatility beyond simple correctness. GROUP C – Physical Contact and Harm (Meanings 7-9):
Definition 7: 외부로부터 어떤 힘이 가해져 몸에 해를 입다 (Suffer harm from external force being applied to body). “비를 맞다” (get caught in rain / be hit by rain), “눈을 맞다” (be hit by snow), “맞아서 아파” (It hurts from being hit). This physical harm meaning confuses foreigners – why does 맞다 mean both “correct” and “get hit”? Different word origins that became homonyms.
Definition 8: 침, 주사 따위로 치료를 받다 (Receive treatment with acupuncture, injection, etc.). “주사를 맞다” (get an injection/shot), “침을 맞다” (receive acupuncture). Hospital Playlist and medical K-dramas constantly use “주사 맞아야 해요” (You need to get a shot).
Definition 9: 쏘거나 던지거나 한 물체가 어떤 물체에 닿다 (Thrown or shot object touches/hits some object). “총에 맞다” (be shot/hit by bullet), “돌을 맞다” (be hit by stone). Action scenes in K-dramas use this frequently. Now the critical cultural concept: 틀리다 vs 다르다. This distinction has become a major social discourse in Korea. 틀리다 means “wrong/incorrect” – implying objective error. 다르다 means “different” – neutral difference without judgment.
The problem: many Koreans historically used 틀리다 when they meant 다르다, imposing “wrongness” on mere difference. The phrase “틀린 것이 아니라, 다른 겁니다” (It’s not wrong, it’s different) emerged as a social critique of Korea’s conformist, right-answer culture. In education, work, and society, Korea traditionally emphasized single correct answers (맞다) and penalized deviation as wrong (틀리다), leaving no space for different-but-valid alternatives (다르다).
Modern Korea increasingly challenges this, advocating that diversity (다름) shouldn’t be judged as incorrectness (틀림). Real dialogue examples showing this tension: “내 말이 맞냐 틀리냐. 어디 말을 해봐라” (Is what I’m saying right or wrong? Go ahead and speak) – demanding binary judgment, no middle ground. “이 문제는 누가 맞고 틀리고가 아니라 서로 의견이 다른 거에요” (This issue isn’t about who’s right or wrong, it’s that our opinions differ) – rejecting binary thinking, acknowledging difference. “맞아, 나도 그렇게 생각해” (Right, I think so too) – simple agreement using 맞다. “네 의견은 틀렸어. 그건 사실과 달라” (Your opinion is wrong. It differs from facts) – using 틀리다 for factual incorrectness (legitimate usage). “틀린 것이 아니라, 다른 겁니다” (It’s not wrong, it’s different) – the famous phrase defending diversity. “세상 일에 맞고 틀리고는 없어요. 다 각자의 생각이 있고 그것이 다른 겁니다” (In life there’s no right and wrong. Everyone has their thoughts and they’re different) – philosophical rejection of binary correctness, embracing plurality. Common mistakes foreign learners make:
MISTAKE 1: Using 틀리다 for “different” ❌ “우리는 틀려요” (We are wrong!) ✅ “우리는 달라요” (We are different!) This is the #1 error – saying someone is “wrong” when you mean “different” causes offense and misunderstanding.
MISTAKE 2: Confusing 맞다, 맞히다, 맞추다 These three similar-sounding words confuse everyone: – 맞다 (be correct): “답이 맞다” (answer is correct) – state of being right – 맞히다 (guess correctly): “답을 맞히다” (get answer right) – action of finding correct answer – 맞추다 (match/sync/tailor): “시간을 맞추다” (sync time), “옷을 맞추다” (get clothes tailored) ❌ “답을 맞았어” (Wrong grammar!) ✅ “답을 맞혔어” (I got answer right) OR “답이 맞아” (Answer is right)
MISTAKE 3: Not understanding physical 맞다 “비를 맞았어” doesn’t mean rain is correct – it means “I got caught in the rain / got rained on.” “주사를 맞다” doesn’t mean injection is correct – it means “receive injection.” Korean educational culture historically emphasized 맞다/틀리다 binary thinking. Sky Castle perfectly satirizes this – children’s entire worth measured by getting answers 맞다 versus 틀리다. No room for creativity, different perspectives, or alternative solutions. The pressure to be 맞다 and fear of being 틀리다 drives the intense competition and tragedy in the drama.
However, modern Korean society increasingly questions this binary. Twenty-Five Twenty-One features the comforting phrase “너는 틀리지 않았어” (You’re not wrong) – validating someone’s feelings or choices even if unconventional. My Mister explores how people labeled 틀리다 (wrong) by society are actually just 다르다 (different) – different paths, not wrong paths. The social discourse “틀린 것이 아니라 다른 것” advocates for: – Accepting diverse viewpoints as different, not wrong – Reducing judgment and increasing tolerance – Recognizing subjective vs objective matters – Valuing creativity and individuality over conformity But this creates tension: when IS something objectively 틀리다 versus subjectively 다르다? Factual matters: “2+2=5” is 틀리다 (wrong), not 다르다. Facts have correct answers. Opinions/preferences: “I like blue” vs “I like red” is 다르다 (different), not one being 틀리다. Values/beliefs: More complex – traditional Korea often treated these as 맞다/틀리다, modern Korea argues they’re 다르다. Understanding 맞다/틀리다/다르다 means understanding Korean social evolution – from rigid conformist culture demanding single right answers toward (slowly) accepting that many things are different rather than wrong.
The linguistic confusion reflects cultural confusion about when to judge correctness versus respect difference. For foreign learners: Master the nine meanings of 맞다, absolutely distinguish 틀리다 (wrong) from 다르다 (different), and recognize when Koreans are engaging with this cultural tension. Your understanding of these words reveals understanding of Korean society itself.
The complete meaning of matda / teullida extends far beyond simple translation. Korean speakers convey layers of meaning that English speakers might miss.
Understanding matda / teullida requires knowledge of Korean cultural values. Every context shapes the precise meaning of matda / teullida.
Korean learners discover that matda / teullida operates differently based on relationships and situations. Mastering matda / teullida means understanding these nuances.
The beauty of matda / teullida lies in its versatility. Native speakers have internalized how to use matda / teullida naturally.
Watch K-dramas like Sky Castle, Reply 1988, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, My Mister to observe matda / teullida in context. Each instance teaches you something new about Korean expression.
Why Learning matda / teullida Matters
Understanding matda / teullida is crucial for Korean learners. This phrase represents fundamental Korean communication patterns.
When you master matda / teullida, you develop cultural competency. Korean communication relies heavily on context, and matda / teullida demonstrates this perfectly.
The same matda / teullida pronunciation can convey different meanings. Tone, timing, and relationship dynamics all matter when using matda / teullida.
Korean learners who study matda / teullida improve their fluency dramatically. This phrase appears so frequently in conversation that it provides constant practice.
Every K-drama features matda / teullida multiple times. Natural exposure helps you understand the matda / teullida meaning deeply.
🎬 How 맞다/틀리다 is Used in K-Dramas
Featured in: Sky Castle, Reply 1988, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, My Mister
K-drama fans will recognize 맞다/틀리다 from popular shows. In Sky Castle, Reply 1988, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, My Mister, characters use matda / teullida in emotionally significant moments that showcase the true matda / teullida meaning.
Watching how 맞다/틀리다 is used in these dramas provides the best education in natural Korean expression. Pay attention to:
- The situations where characters say matda / teullida
- The tone and emotion behind 맞다/틀리다
- The responses and reactions to this phrase
- Body language and facial expressions accompanying it
Each K-drama offers different contexts for matda / teullida, helping you understand the full range of matda / teullida meaning.
🎭 Tone, Context & Usage Tips
Mastering the Nuances of 맞다/틀리다
✅ “맞아!” (maja!) – Right! / Exactly! / Yes, I agree! → Tone: Enthusiastic, confirming, agreeing → Used when: Someone says something you agree with completely → Voice: Bright, affirmative, sometimes repeated “맞아, 맞아!” → Example: Friend: “오늘 날씨 좋다” You: “맞아!” (Friend: Nice weather today. You: Right!) → K-drama scene: Reply 1988 – friends agreeing enthusiastically → Body language: Nodding vigorously, smiling, pointing
❌ “틀렸어!” (teullyeosseo!) – Wrong! / That’s incorrect! → Tone: Correcting, definitive, sometimes confrontational → Used when: Correcting factual errors, disagreeing with incorrect statement → Voice: Firm, clear, direct → Example: “2+2=5라고? 틀렸어!” (2+2=5? Wrong!) → K-drama scene: Sky Castle – teachers correcting exam answers → Body language: Shaking head, correcting gesture
🤔 “맞는 것 같아” (matneun geot gata) – I think it’s right / Seems correct → Tone: Uncertain, tentative, not fully confident → Used when: Not 100% sure but leaning toward agreement → Voice: Thoughtful, hedging → Example: “이 답이 맞는 것 같아” (I think this answer is right) → K-drama scene: Students checking homework together → Cultural note: Softer than definitive “맞아”
😤 “내 말이 맞냐 틀리냐?” (nae mari matnya teullinya?) – Is what I’m saying right or wrong? → Tone: Demanding, confrontational, insisting on judgment → Used when: Argument, wanting acknowledgment you’re correct → Voice: Forceful, challenging → Example: “내 말이 맞냐 틀리냐. 어디 말을 해봐라” (Is what I’m saying right or wrong? Go ahead and speak) → K-drama scene: Arguments demanding admission of correctness → Cultural note: Binary thinking – no middle ground 💭 “틀린 게 아니라 다른 거예요” (teullin ge anira dareun geoyeyo) – It’s not wrong, it’s different → Tone: Calm, philosophical, defending diversity → Used when: Rejecting binary judgment, advocating tolerance → Voice: Patient, explaining, sometimes frustrated → Example: Explaining different perspectives aren’t wrong → K-drama scene: Twenty-Five Twenty-One – validating different choices → Cultural significance: Major social discourse phrase
🏥 “주사 맞기 싫어” (jusa matgi sireo) – I don’t want to get a shot → Tone: Whiny, reluctant, childlike → Used when: At hospital, avoiding medical treatment → Voice: Complaining, fearful → Example: Child at clinic fearing injection → K-drama scene: Hospital Playlist – patients avoiding shots → Note: 맞다 meaning “receive treatment”
☔ “비 맞았어” (bi majasseo) – I got caught in the rain → Tone: Stating fact, sometimes annoyed → Used when: Explaining why you’re wet, got rained on → Voice: Matter-of-fact, sometimes frustrated → Example: Arriving soaked: “아, 비 맞았어” (Ah, got rained on) → Note: 맞다 meaning “be hit by” physical element
🎯 맞다’s Nine Meanings – Quick Reference: Correctness meanings (1-3): 1. “답이 맞다” – Answer is correct 2. “예감이 맞았어” – Hunch was right 3. “맞아!” – Right! / I agree! Facing meanings (4-6): 4. “손님을 맞다” – Greet guests 5. “적을 맞다” – Confront enemy 6. “시험을 맞다” – Face exam Physical meanings (7-9): 7. “비를 맞다” – Get rained on 8. “주사를 맞다” – Get injection 9. “총에 맞다” – Be shot
📊 CRITICAL Distinctions: 틀리다 (wrong/incorrect): – Factual error, objective incorrectness – “답이 틀렸어” – Answer is wrong – “계산이 틀렸어” – Calculation is wrong – Judgment of error 다르다 (different): – Neutral difference, no judgment – “의견이 달라” – Opinions differ – “우리는 달라” – We are different – Acknowledging variety
❌ NEVER confuse these: “너는 틀렸어” = You are WRONG (harsh judgment) “너는 달라” = You are DIFFERENT (neutral observation) 맞다 vs 맞히다 vs 맞추다: 맞다 (be correct): – State of being right – “답이 맞다” – Answer is correct – “시계가 맞다” – Clock is accurate 맞히다 (guess correctly / get right): – Action of finding right answer – “정답을 맞히다” – Get correct answer – “문제를 맞히다” – Answer question correctly 맞추다 (match / sync / tailor / guess): – Making things align – “시간을 맞추다” – Sync time – “옷을 맞추다” – Get tailored – “눈을 맞추다” – Make eye contact – “답을 맞추다” = 맞히다 (casual) Common Expressions: Agreement: “맞아, 맞아!” – Right, right! “그러게, 맞는 말이야” – Exactly, that’s right Correctness: “답이 맞았다!” – Got answer right! “맞는지 확인해봐” – Check if it’s correct Physical: “비 맞지 마” – Don’t get rained on “주사 맞고 왔어” – Got a shot Time/Matching: “시간 맞춰서 와” – Come at the right time “옷 맞추러 가자” – Let’s get clothes tailored Cultural Philosophy: “틀린 게 아니라 다른 거야” – Not wrong, just different “세상에 맞고 틀리고는 없어” – No absolute right/wrong in life
🎭 K-Drama Cultural Contexts: Sky Castle – Binary Perfectionism: “답이 맞다/틀리다” obsession Education = getting answers 맞다 No room for 다르다, only 맞다 vs 틀리다 Tragedy of binary thinking Reply 1988 – Exam Anxiety: “시험 답 맞았을까?” – constant worry “몇 개 맞혔어?” – How many did you get right? Education pressure through 맞다/틀리다 Twenty-Five Twenty-One – Validation: “너는 틀리지 않았어” – You’re not wrong Accepting different paths Challenging binary judgment culture My Mister – Society’s Judgments: People judged as 틀리다 by society Actually just 다르다 Redemption through accepting difference
⚠️ Critical Grammar: Subject-Object Difference: 답이 맞다 (Answer is correct) – 답 is subject 답을 맞히다 (Get answer right) – 답 is object 시계가 맞다 (Clock is accurate) – 시계 is subject 시계를 맞추다 (Set clock) – 시계 is object This grammar difference confuses learners constantly! ❌ Wrong: “답을 맞았어” ✅ Right: “답을 맞혔어” (I got it right) OR “답이 맞아” (It’s correct)
🌏 Cultural Evolution: Traditional Korea: – Strong 맞다/틀리다 binary – Conformity valued – Single correct answers – Difference seen as wrong (틀리다) Modern Korea: – Questioning binary thinking – “틀린 게 아니라 다른 것” – Valuing diversity (다름) – Reducing judgment culture – But still tension/debate This linguistic confusion reflects cultural transition – society evolving from rigid correctness culture toward accepting difference. Understanding 맞다/틀리다/다르다 = understanding Korean society’s journey!
💡 Learning Strategy: 1. Master 9 meanings of 맞다 separately 2. NEVER confuse 틀리다 (wrong) with 다르다 (different) 3. Distinguish 맞다/맞히다/맞추다 grammar 4. Understand cultural binary thinking context 5. Recognize when Koreans debate 틀림 vs 다름 When you navigate these complexities naturally, you’re not just speaking Korean – you’re understanding Korean thought patterns and social evolution! 🎯
When to Use matda / teullida
Context is everything when it comes to 맞다/틀리다. The matda / teullida meaning changes based on:
- Relationship: Who you’re speaking to
- Situation: Formal vs informal settings
- Emotion: Your emotional state and intent
- Timing: When in the conversation
Native Koreans naturally adjust their tone when saying matda / teullida. Learning these subtleties is crucial for truly understanding the matda / teullida meaning.
🌏 Cultural Background of 맞다/틀리다
Korean Cultural Values
To fully grasp the matda / teullida meaning, you need to understand Korean cultural context. 맞다/틀리다 reflects important aspects of Korean society including:
- Social hierarchy and respect
- Emotional expression norms
- Communication patterns
- Relationship dynamics
When Koreans use matda / teullida, they’re drawing on centuries of cultural tradition. This makes learning the matda / teullida meaning about more than just vocabulary – it’s cultural education.
Regional and Generational Differences
The use of 맞다/틀리다 can vary across Korea and between age groups. Younger Koreans might use matda / teullida differently than older generations. K-dramas from different eras show these variations in the matda / teullida meaning.
⚠️ Common Mistakes When Using 맞다/틀리다
What NOT to Do
Foreign learners often make mistakes with 맞다/틀리다. Avoid these common errors when using matda / teullida:
- Wrong tone: Using inappropriate emotional tone
- Wrong context: Formal phrase in casual setting or vice versa
- Wrong timing: Using at inappropriate moments
- Pronunciation errors: Mispronouncing matda / teullida
Understanding these mistakes helps you master the matda / teullida meaning more quickly. Watch K-dramas carefully to see correct usage of 맞다/틀리다.
📖 Related Korean Phrases
If you’re learning 맞다/틀리다, you’ll also want to know these related Korean expressions:
- seounhada Meaning: Complete Korean Guide – Another essential Korean phrase
- eotteokhae Meaning: Complete Korean Guide – Another essential Korean phrase
- aswipda Meaning: Complete Korean Guide – Another essential Korean phrase
Each of these phrases, like matda / teullida, plays an important role in Korean communication. Learning them together gives you a complete understanding of Korean expression.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About 맞다/틀리다
How do you write 맞다/틀리다 in Korean?
The Korean writing is: 맞다/틀리다. This is written in Hangul, the Korean alphabet.
Is matda / teullida formal or informal?
The formality level of 맞다/틀리다 depends on context and ending. Watch K-dramas like Sky Castle, Reply 1988, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, My Mister to see different formality levels in action.
Can I use 맞다/틀리다 with anyone?
Usage of matda / teullida depends on your relationship with the person. Korean has different speech levels based on age, status, and intimacy.
What’s the difference between 맞다/틀리다 and similar Korean phrases?
While 맞다/틀리다 means “Right/Correct/Wrong / Hit/Strike / Agree / Different / Be accurate”, other Korean expressions might convey similar but distinct meanings. Context and tone determine the best choice.
Where can I hear 맞다/틀리다 used naturally?
K-dramas like Sky Castle, Reply 1988, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, My Mister provide the best examples of natural matda / teullida usage. Netflix, Viki, and other streaming platforms offer great resources.
🔗 Additional Resources
Learn More About Korean
🎯 Summary: Mastering 맞다/틀리다
Understanding the matda / teullida meaning is essential for any Korean learner or K-drama fan. 맞다/틀리다 (matda / teullida) means “Right/Correct/Wrong / Hit/Strike / Agree / Different / Be accurate” but carries deeper cultural significance.
Key points to remember about matda / teullida:
- Master the pronunciation: matda / teullida
- Understand the cultural context behind 맞다/틀리다
- Learn from K-dramas like Sky Castle, Reply 1988, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, My Mister
- Practice tone and emotional expression
- Use appropriately based on relationship and situation
Keep practicing 맞다/틀리다, watch more K-dramas, and immerse yourself in Korean language and culture. Every phrase you learn, including matda / teullida, brings you closer to fluency!
Keywords: matda / teullida meaning, 맞다/틀리다 meaning in english, how to say right/correct/wrong / hit/strike / agree / different / be accurate in korean, matda / teullida pronunciation, korean phrase matda / teullida, Sky Castle korean phrases, learn matda / teullida korean, what does matda / teullida mean, matda / teullida in kdrama, korean expression 맞다/틀리다, matda / teullida translation, when to use matda / teullida, matda / teullida vs right/correct/wrong / hit/strike / agree / different / be accurate, korean right/correct/wrong / hit/strike / agree / different / be accurate phrase, how koreans say right/correct/wrong / hit/strike / agree / different / be accurate