目錄
Korean “입다, 쓰다, 신다” can all be translated into English as verbs like “wear,” “put on,” or “have on,” but they are not interchangeable in Korean. Clothes use “입다,” hats and glasses use “쓰다,” while shoes and socks use “신다.” When you move on to rings, watches, backpacks, and scarves, other verbs appear as well, including “끼다, 차다, 메다, 두르다.”
English usually does not require this level of distinction between different ways of wearing something, so when learners first see expressions such as “모자를 쓰다” and “신발을 신다,” it is easy to treat them as items on a vocabulary list. In practice, it is much easier to remember them if you first look at where the item is worn and then consider whether it is slipped on, fastened, carried on the back, or wrapped around the body.
Another point that is easy to misread is “입고 있다.” When “-고 있다” follows a clothing verb, it often does not mean that someone is halfway through putting the item on. Instead, the item has already been put on and the resulting state is continuing. This article starts with these two ways of thinking and compares the most common Korean verbs used for wearing clothes and accessories.
What’s the Difference Between Korean “입다, 쓰다, 신다”? Start with Where the Item Is Worn
Korean chooses different verbs depending on where an item is worn and how it is secured to the body. “입다” is used for clothes covering the body, “쓰다” for items worn on the head or face, and “신다” for footwear and socks.
These combinations are not improvised based on the shape of an item. They are conventional expressions established through everyday usage. Even though listeners might still guess what you mean by “모자를 입다,” it sounds as if you are treating a hat like a piece of clothing that goes over the body.
Where the item is worn is only the first level of distinction. For rings, watches, and backpacks, you also need to consider whether the item is slipped onto the body, fastened around it, carried over the shoulder, or wrapped around it.
- 셔츠를 입다：Wear a shirt
- 모자를 쓰다：Wear a hat
- 신발을 신다：Wear shoes
- 반지를 끼다：Wear a ring
- 시계를 차다：Wear a watch
- 가방을 메다：Carry a bag over the shoulder
- 목도리를 두르다：Wear a scarf
Korean Clothing and Accessory Verbs: Position Guide for “입다, 쓰다, 신다, 끼다, 차다”
Items used with Korean clothing and accessory verbs generally take the object particle “을／를.” Nouns with a final consonant take “을,” while nouns without one take “를.”
- 옷＋을＋입다 → 옷을 입다
- 모자＋를＋쓰다 → 모자를 쓰다
- 신발＋을＋신다 → 신발을 신다
| Verb | Main Position or Action | Common Combinations | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| “입다” | Covers the body, upper body, or lower body | 옷、셔츠、코트、바지、치마、원피스 | Wear clothes, pants, skirts |
| “쓰다” | Worn on the head or face | 모자、안경、마스크、헬멧 | Wear a hat, glasses, mask, helmet |
| “신다” | Worn on the feet | 신발、양말、구두、부츠、슬리퍼 | Wear shoes or socks |
| “끼다” | Slipped into, fitted onto, or worn tightly on a smaller body part | 반지、장갑、귀걸이、콘택트렌즈 | Wear a ring, gloves, earrings, contact lenses |
| “차다” | Fastened around the wrist or similar area | 시계、팔찌 | Wear a watch or bracelet |
| “매다” | Tied or fastened with a strap or cord | 벨트、넥타이、안전띠 | Fasten a belt, tie a necktie, buckle a seat belt |
| “메다” | Carried over the shoulder or on the back | 가방、배낭 | Carry a bag or backpack |
| “두르다” | Wrapped around the neck or body | 목도리、스카프、수건 | Wear a scarf or wrap a towel |
| “걸치다” | Lightly draped or thrown over the body | 겉옷、외투、담요 | Throw on a jacket or drape a blanket over oneself |
How Do Korean Clothing and Accessory Verbs Work? A Complete Guide from Body Position to Resulting State and Accessories
“입다, 쓰다, 신다” Use ①｜Choose the Basic Verb Based on Where the Item Is Worn
The most direct way to distinguish “입다, 쓰다, 신다” is to look at where the item goes on the body. Clothes covering the torso or legs use “입다,” items worn on the head or face use “쓰다,” and shoes or socks use “신다.” Korean “입다” covers a broader range than Japanese “着る.” Shirts, coats, pants, and skirts all use “입다,” so the verb does not change depending on whether the clothing is worn on the upper or lower body.
- Example:오늘은 흰 셔츠를 입었어요.
Romanization：o-neul-eun huin syeo-cheu-reul i-beo-sseo-yo.
Translation：I wore a white shirt today.
“셔츠” covers the upper body, so it is used with “입다.” The past form “입었어요” indicates that the shirt has already been put on. - Example:햇빛이 강해서 모자를 썼어요.
Romanization：haet-bi-chi gang-hae-seo mo-ja-reul sseo-sseo-yo.
Translation：I wore a hat because the sunlight was strong.
“모자” is worn on the head, so “쓰다” is used. “썼어요” in this sentence is the past form of “쓰다.” - Example:비가 와서 장화를 신었어요.
Romanization：bi-ga wa-seo jang-hwa-reul si-neo-sseo-yo.Translation：It was raining, so I wore rain boots.
“장화” is footwear, so it takes “신다.” You cannot say “장화를 입다.”
“입다, 쓰다, 신다” Use ②｜Using “-고 있다” to Describe the Resulting State of Wearing Something
“입고 있다, 쓰고 있다, 신고 있다” usually describe an item that has already been put on and remains in that state. Although English may translate these as “is wearing,” the image is not of someone halfway through the action of getting dressed.
“그 사람은 코트를 입고 있어요” means that the person currently has a coat on. If you want to describe someone who is literally in the middle of putting their arms through the sleeves and has not finished dressing yet, “코트를 입는 중이에요” is more precise.
- Example:그 사람은 검은 코트를 입고 있어요.
Romanization：geu sa-ra-meun geo-meun ko-teu-reul ip-go i-sseo-yo.
Translation：That person is wearing a black coat.
“입고 있어요” describes the visible state of the coat already being on the person’s body, not the action of putting an arm through the sleeve. - Example:지금 안경을 쓰고 있어서 글자가 잘 보여요.
Romanization：ji-geum an-gyeong-eul sseu-go i-sseo-seo geul-jja-ga jal bo-yeo-yo.
Translation：I’m wearing glasses right now, so I can see the letters clearly.
“쓰고 있다” indicates that the glasses are currently being worn on the face. “쓰다” can also mean “to write,” but because “안경” appears in the sentence, it will not be interpreted as writing. - Example:아이들이 실내화를 신고 있어요.
Romanization：a-i-deu-ri sil-nae-hwa-reul sin-go i-sseo-yo.
Translation：The children are wearing indoor shoes.
“신고 있다” focuses on the state of the shoes currently being worn on the feet and is common in school, classroom, and indoor activity contexts.
“끼다, 차다, 메다, 두르다”｜Choose the Verb Based on How the Accessory Is Secured
Rings, watches, backpacks, and scarves cannot all be used with “입다.” Korean further distinguishes them according to how the object is attached to the body.
“끼다” has the sense of slipping something into place, fitting it in, or wearing it tightly against a body part. “차다” refers to fastening something around the wrist or similar area. “메다” means carrying something over the shoulder or on the back. “두르다” means wrapping something around the neck or body.
- Example:추워서 장갑을 꼈어요.
Romanization：chu-wo-seo jang-ga-beul kkyeo-sseo-yo.
Translation：It was cold, so I put on gloves.
Gloves fit over the hands, so Korean uses “장갑을 끼다,” not “입다.” - Example:아버지는 매일 시계를 차고 다녀요.
Romanization：a-beo-ji-neun mae-il si-gye-reul cha-go da-nyeo-yo.
Translation：My father wears a watch every day.
“시계를 차다” is a fixed combination. “차고 다니다” means regularly going around or going out while wearing a watch. - Example:날씨가 추워서 목도리를 둘렀어요.
Romanization：nal-ssi-ga chu-wo-seo mok-do-ri-reul dul-leo-sseo-yo.
Translation：It was cold, so I wrapped a scarf around my neck.
A scarf is wrapped around the neck, so “두르다” is used. If it is simply draped casually over the shoulders, “걸치다” may also be possible.
What’s the Difference Between Korean “-고 있다” and “-는 중이다”? Wearing State vs. the Process of Putting Something On
“-고 있다” can indicate either an action in progress or a resulting state that continues after an action has been completed. Clothing and accessory verbs commonly fall into the second category.
“-는 중이다” clearly indicates that an action is currently in progress and has not yet been completed. When you see “입는 중이다” or “신는 중이다,” the image is usually someone in the middle of getting dressed, putting on shoes, or adjusting clothing.
| Expression | Sentence Focus | Meaning in Clothing Contexts |
|---|---|---|
| 옷을 입고 있다 | Resulting state after completion | Wearing clothes |
| 옷을 입는 중이다 | Action still in progress | In the middle of putting clothes on |
| 신발을 신고 있다 | Resulting state after completion | Wearing shoes |
| 신발을 신는 중이다 | Action still in progress | In the middle of putting shoes on |
| 모자를 쓰고 있다 | Resulting state after completion | Wearing a hat |
| 모자를 쓰는 중이다 | Action still in progress | In the middle of putting a hat on |
▌“입고 있다”｜Describing What Someone Is Currently Wearing and Their Appearance
- Example:민지는 파란 원피스를 입고 있어요.
Romanization：min-ji-neun pa-ran won-pi-seu-reul ip-go i-sseo-yo.
Translation：Minji is wearing a blue dress.
The sentence describes Minji’s current appearance. The dress has already been put on.
▌“입는 중이다”｜Indicating That the Action of Getting Dressed Is in Progress
- Example:민지는 지금 파란 원피스를 입는 중이에요.
Romanization：min-ji-neun ji-geum pa-ran won-pi-seu-reul im-neun jung-i-e-yo.
Translation：Minji is putting on a blue dress right now.
“입는 중이다” focuses on the process of getting dressed. She may be fastening a zipper or putting her arms through the sleeves.
▌Clothing Verb＋“-고”｜Connecting Putting on Shoes or a Hat with the Next Action
- Example:신발을 신고 나갈게요.
Romanization：sin-ba-reul sin-go na-gal-ge-yo.
Translation：I’ll put on my shoes and go out.
Here, “신고” is not part of the “wearing state＋있다” construction. It connects the two actions of putting on shoes and going outside. The shoes are put on first, and the next action follows.
Common Mistakes with “입다, 쓰다, 신다, 끼다, 차다”
Korean clothing and accessory verbs cannot be selected based only on their English translation. English “wear” can cover hats, rings, and watches, but Korean changes the verb according to where and how the item is worn.
| Item | Unnatural Combination | Natural Combination | How to Decide |
|---|---|---|---|
| 모자 Hat | 모자를 입다 | 모자를 쓰다 | Worn on the head |
| 안경 Glasses | 안경을 입다 | 안경을 쓰다 | Worn on the face |
| 신발 Shoes | 신발을 입다 | 신발을 신다 | Worn on the feet |
| 반지 Ring | 반지를 쓰다 | 반지를 끼다 | Slipped onto a finger |
| 시계 Watch | 시계를 입다 | 시계를 차다 | Fastened around the wrist |
| 가방 Bag | 가방을 입다 | 가방을 메다 | Carried over the shoulder |
| 목도리 Scarf | 목도리를 쓰다 | 목도리를 두르다 | Wrapped around the neck |
▌“모자를 쓰다”｜Why Does Korean Use “쓰다” for Wearing a Hat?
❌ Unnatural:모자를 입었어요.
✅ Correct:모자를 썼어요.
“모자” is worn on the head, so “쓰다” is used. “입다” is used for clothing that covers the body.
▌“신발을 신다, 양말을 신다”｜Why Do Korean Shoes and Socks Use “신다”?
❌ Unnatural:양말을 입었어요.
✅ Correct:양말을 신었어요.
Although socks are made of fabric, they are still worn on the feet, so they use “신다” just like shoes.
▌“시계를 차다”｜Why Does Korean Use “차다” for Wearing a Watch?
❌ Less precise:시계를 꼈어요.
✅ Natural:시계를 찼어요.
“끼다” commonly appears with rings, gloves, and contact lenses, which are slipped onto or fitted closely to the body. Watches normally use “차다.”
How Do You Say “Try On” in Korean? Shopping Uses of “입어 보다, 써 보다, 신어 보다”
Korean “-아／어 보다” means to actually try doing something. When added to clothing and accessory verbs, it is used for trying on clothes, hats, glasses, shoes, and accessories.
The verb still needs to match the item. You cannot use “입어 보다” for everything simply because English uses “try on” for all of them.
| Item | Korean Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 코트 Coat | 코트를 입어 보다 | Try on a coat |
| 모자 Hat | 모자를 써 보다 | Try on a hat |
| 안경 Glasses | 안경을 써 보다 | Try on glasses |
| 신발 Shoes | 신발을 신어 보다 | Try on shoes |
| 반지 Ring | 반지를 껴 보다 | Try on a ring |
| 시계 Watch | 시계를 차 보다 | Try on a watch |
- Example:이 코트 입어 봐도 돼요?
Romanization：i ko-teu i-beo bwa-do dwae-yo?
Translation：Can I try on this coat?
Clothes use “입어 보다.” “-아／어 봐도 돼요?” is a common way to ask whether you may try doing something. - Example:이 모자 한번 써 보세요.
Romanization：i mo-ja han-beon sseo bo-se-yo.
Translation：Try this hat on.
Hats use “써 보다.” A salesperson can naturally use “-아／어 보세요” to invite a customer to try something on. - Example:다른 사이즈도 신어 볼 수 있을까요?
Romanization：da-reun sa-i-jeu-do si-neo bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Translation：Could I try on another size as well?
Shoes use “신어 보다.” “-(으)ㄹ 수 있을까요?” makes the request sound more polite.
Practical Korean for Shopping in Korea: Common Clothing Verbs for Trying on Clothes, Accessories, and Shoes
In Korean clothing stores, shoe stores, and accessory shops, the verb changes depending on the product. Sales staff do not use “입어 보세요” for every item. Shoes take “신어 보세요,” while hats and glasses take “써 보세요.”
In everyday situations, expressions such as “입고 가다, 신고 오다, 메고 다니다” are also common. These structures do more than simply describe the act of putting something on. They also carry the resulting appearance or carrying state into the movement expressed by the next verb.
▌Situation ①｜Trying on a Coat in a Clothing Store
A：이 코트 입어 봐도 돼요?
i ko-teu i-beo bwa-do dwae-yo?
Can I try on this coat?
B：네, 탈의실은 오른쪽에 있어요.
ne, ta-rui-si-reun o-reun-jjo-ge i-sseo-yo.
Yes. The fitting room is on the right.
📌 Grammar Point：“코트” is clothing that covers the body, so “입어 보다” is used. When asking to try something on in a clothing store, “입어 봐도 돼요?” fits the situation better than simply saying “입을게요.”
▌Situation ②｜Asking for a Different Size in a Shoe Store
A：이 신발 한 사이즈 크게 신어 볼 수 있을까요?
i sin-bal han sa-i-jeu keu-ge si-neo bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Could I try these shoes one size bigger?
B：네, 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
ne, jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Yes, please wait a moment.
📌 Grammar Point：Shoes use “신어 보다.” “한 사이즈 크게” means one size larger.
▌Situation ③｜Reminding Someone What to Wear Before Going Out
A：밖에 비가 많이 와요?
bak-kke bi-ga ma-ni wa-yo?
Is it raining heavily outside?
B：네, 장화를 신고 우산도 챙기세요.
ne, jang-hwa-reul sin-go u-san-do chaeng-gi-se-yo.
Yes. Put on your rain boots and bring an umbrella too.
📌 Grammar Point：“장화를 신고” completes the action of putting on the rain boots before connecting to “우산도 챙기세요.” Footwear still uses “신다.”
Cultural Notes:
- Shoes need to be removed in Korean homes, some restaurants, and other indoor spaces, so expressions such as “신발을 벗다” and “실내화로 갈아 신다” are common. “갈아 신다” means taking off the shoes you are currently wearing and changing into another pair.
- “뭘 입고 있어요?” normally asks what someone is currently wearing, not which dressing action they are in the middle of performing. You can answer with “검은 티셔츠를 입고 있어요.”
- “입고 가다,” “신고 오다,” and “메고 다니다” express both movement and the continuing state of wearing or carrying something. For example, “운동화를 신고 왔어요” means that someone came here wearing sneakers.
How Do Korean “입다, 쓰다, 신다” Compare with Japanese “着る, かぶる, 履く”?
Japanese also selects different clothing verbs depending on where an item is worn, but Korean and Japanese do not divide the categories in exactly the same way.
Korean “입다” can be used with shirts, coats, pants, and skirts. Japanese divides upper-body and lower-body clothing more explicitly. Upper-body garments commonly use “着る,” while pants, skirts, shoes, and socks generally use “履く.”
| Korean | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 셔츠를 입다 | シャツを着る | Wear a shirt |
| 바지를 입다 | ズボンを履く | Wear pants |
| 모자를 쓰다 | 帽子をかぶる | Wear a hat |
| 안경을 쓰다 | 眼鏡をかける | Wear glasses |
| 마스크를 쓰다 | マスクをする／つける | Wear a mask |
| 신발을 신다 | 靴を履く | Wear shoes |
| 반지를 끼다 | 指輪をはめる | Wear a ring |
| 시계를 차다 | 時計をする／つける | Wear a watch |
| 목도리를 두르다 | マフラーを巻く | Wear a scarf |
- Example:今日は白いシャツを着ました。
Kana：きょうはしろいシャツをきました。
Translation：I wore a white shirt today.
Japanese uses “着る” for upper-body clothing. - Example:黒いズボンを履いています。
Kana：くろいズボンをはいています。
Translation：I’m wearing black pants.
Japanese uses “履く” for pants, the same verb used for shoes and socks. - Example:今、眼鏡をかけています。
Kana：いま、めがねをかけています。
Translation：I’m wearing glasses right now.
Japanese uses “かける” for glasses, so it cannot be directly mapped to “かぶる,” which is used for hats.
◆ Core Difference from Korean “입다, 쓰다, 신다”:
Korean first divides clothing, head and face accessories, and footwear into “입다, 쓰다, 신다.” Japanese divides the categories more finely. Upper-body clothing uses “着る,” pants and footwear use “履く,” and hats, glasses, and masks each use different verbs. When translating, Korean “입다” cannot always be replaced with Japanese “着る.” When you see “바지를 입다,” the Japanese equivalent is “ズボンを履く,” not “ズボンを着る.”
What you really need to remember about Korean “입다, 쓰다, 신다” is not three English translations, but which items naturally combine with each verb. Clothes generally take “입다,” hats and glasses take “쓰다,” and shoes and socks take “신다.” Rings, watches, backpacks, and scarves then change to “끼다, 차다, 메다, 두르다” according to the way they are actually worn.
When you encounter a new item, ask yourself two questions: where on the body does it go, and how is it secured there? Once this way of thinking becomes familiar, combinations such as “모자를 쓰다,” “반지를 끼다,” and “가방을 메다” become easier to remember. It is also useful to treat “입고 있다, 쓰고 있다, 신고 있다” separately as expressions describing the current state of wearing something. When someone is genuinely in the middle of putting on clothes or shoes, switch to expressions such as “입는 중이다” or “신는 중이다.” Keeping those two images separate makes the grammar much easier to distinguish.
FAQ
“입다” is used for clothes, pants, and skirts. “쓰다” is used for hats, glasses, and masks. “신다” is used for shoes and socks. The easiest way to choose is to first look at whether the item is worn on the body, head or face, or feet.
Usually not. “입고 있다” generally means that the clothes have already been put on and the person is currently wearing them. To clearly say that someone is in the middle of putting clothes on, use “옷을 입는 중이다.”
A ring normally takes “반지를 끼다,” a watch takes “시계를 차다,” and a backpack or bag takes “가방을 메다.” These items do not use “입다” because they are secured to the body in different ways.
No. Clothes use “입어 보다,” hats and glasses use “써 보다,” shoes use “신어 보다,” and rings use “껴 보다.” The verb still changes according to the type of item.
No. Korean uses “입다” for pants and skirts, while Japanese uses “履く.” For example, “바지를 입다” should be translated as “ズボンを履く,” not “ズボンを着る.”