Korean Dictionary
How to say "Fold" in Korean
“Fold” in Korean is 접다 (pronounced "jeopda").
접다
jeopda
Usage & Context
Gently combining ingredients by folding. Essential for incorporating whipped egg whites and delicate ingredients. Preserves air and texture.
Example Sentence
계란 흰자를 접어요.
I fold egg whites.
How to use 접다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Fold” is 접다, romanized as jeopda.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 접다.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '접' (jeop) like 'jop' in 'job' but with an unreleased 'p' sound at the end, and '다' (da) like 'dah' in 'dah-ling'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
접어요
jeobeoyo
This is the common polite form used in everyday conversation.
Casual (반말)
접어
jeobeo
This is the informal form used among close friends or family.
More Example Sentences
Giving an instruction to fold paper.
종이를 반으로 접어 주세요.
Please fold the paper in half.
Describing an action after the rain stops.
비가 그쳐서 우산을 접었어요.
The rain stopped, so I folded my umbrella.
Describing someone's perseverance in a challenging situation.
그는 어려운 상황에도 불구하고 꿈을 접지 않았다.
Despite the difficult situation, he didn't give up on his dream.
Cultural Context
'접다' is commonly used for folding physical objects like paper, clothes, or umbrellas. However, it has a very important figurative meaning: '꿈을 접다' (kkumeul jeopda), which means 'to give up on a dream' or 'to abandon one's aspirations.' This expression is frequently heard in K-dramas and daily conversations when discussing life choices or challenges.
Editorial note
We review entries like 접다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
종이를 접다
to fold paper
옷을 접다
to fold clothes
꿈을 접다
to give up on a dream
Related Expressions
개다
gaeda
to fold (laundry, blankets, more specific)
구기다
gugida
to crumple
펴다
pyeoda
to unfold, to spread (antonym)
포기하다
pogihada
to give up (general)
More Cooking Words
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