Hello! I’m Danny, a professional Korean teacher from Podo Korean. The journey of learning Korean is exciting, but sometimes you encounter words with similar pronunciations and spellings that can be tricky. Don’t worry, that’s a completely natural part of the process! Today, we’re going to clear up a common point of confusion for many learners—and even some native speakers: the two verbs ‘가르치다’ (gareuchida) and ‘가리키다’ (garikida).
Have you ever hesitated when asking for directions or requesting help with your Korean studies, unsure which verb to use? ‘가르치다’ and ‘가리키다’ sound so alike that it’s easy to mix them up, but their meanings are worlds apart. This guide is designed to definitively solve the teach vs point Korean puzzle for you. Surprisingly, many native Koreans use these words interchangeably or even blend them into an incorrect word, ‘가르키다’ (gareukida). By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll be able to use both verbs with confidence and precision. Let’s conquer this subtle but crucial difference together!
The Art of Imparting Knowledge: Understanding 가르치다 (To Teach)
Let’s start with ‘가르치다’ (gareuchida). This verb is the direct equivalent of the English verb ‘to teach.’ Its core meaning is to impart knowledge, skills, or principles to someone else, helping them understand or master something new. Think of it as the act of transferring information from one mind to another. Anytime an educational process is happening, ‘가르치다’ is the word you need.
For example, a schoolteacher ‘teaches’ history to students, a chef ‘teaches’ a recipe to an apprentice, and a parent ‘teaches’ good manners to a child. This verb encompasses the entire educational process—not just listing facts, but guiding someone towards understanding and internalization.
Let’s look at some diverse examples to solidify your understanding:
- 저는 학생들에게 한국어를 가르쳐요. (I teach Korean to students.) – Used for academic subjects and languages.
- 아빠가 아들에게 자전거 타는 법을 가르치고 있어요. (A father is teaching his son how to ride a bike.) – Used for practical skills.
- 친구에게 김치찌개 레시피를 가르쳐 줬어요. (I taught my friend the kimchi jjigae recipe.) – Used for sharing information or know-how.
- 인생은 우리에게 많은 것을 가르쳐 줍니다. (Life teaches us many things.) – Used metaphorically for abstract lessons.
- 그 실패는 나에게 인내심을 가르쳤다. (That failure taught me patience.) – Used for lessons learned through experience.
The verb stem is ‘가르치-‘ (gareuchi-), and it conjugates regularly. You can use it in various tenses: ‘가르쳐요’ (I teach), ‘가르쳤어요’ (I taught), and ‘가르칠 거예요’ (I will teach).
The Action of Indicating: Demystifying 가리키다 (To Point)
Now, let’s turn our attention to ‘가리키다’ (garikida). This verb is the closest match for the English verbs ‘to point’ or ‘to indicate.’ Its core function is to single out a specific object, person, direction, or location, usually with a finger or another object. Imagine physically saying, “That one right there!” by gesturing towards it—that action is ‘가리키다’.
You would use this verb when giving directions to a lost tourist by pointing down a street, or when a museum guide points to a specific artifact while explaining its history. It can also be used metaphorically. For instance, a clock’s hands ‘point’ to the time, or evidence can ‘point’ to a conclusion. The key concept is singling something out for attention.
Check out these examples to see ‘가리키다’ in action:
- 하늘의 별을 손가락으로 가리켜 보세요. (Try pointing at a star in the sky with your finger.) – Used for physically singling out an object.
- 시계가 3시를 가리키고 있었어요. (The clock was pointing to 3 o’clock.) – Used for instruments indicating a value.
- 그는 지도를 보며 우리가 가야 할 길을 가리켰다. (He pointed out the path we needed to take on the map.) – Used for indicating a direction.
- 모든 증거가 그를 범인으로 가리키고 있습니다. (All the evidence points to him as the culprit.) – Used metaphorically for evidence suggesting a conclusion.
- 온도계는 영하 10도를 가리켰다. (The thermometer indicated 10 degrees below zero.) – Used for gauges showing a measurement.
Similar to the previous verb, ‘가리키다’ conjugates from its stem ‘가리키-‘ (gariki-). You can form sentences like ‘가리켜요’ (I point), ‘가리켰어요’ (I pointed), and ‘가리킬 거예요’ (I will point).
Why Everyone Confuses Teach vs Point Korean (And the ‘가르키다’ Trap)
So, why do even native Koreans get these two verbs mixed up? The primary reason is their phonetic similarity. When spoken quickly, the sounds of ‘가르치다’ [ga-reu-chi-da] and ‘가리키다’ [ga-ri-ki-da] can blur together, causing the brain to associate them as one. This leads to common slip-ups where one is used in place of the other.
However, the biggest trap you need to avoid is the non-existent word: ‘가르키다’ (gareukida). Many people, in their confusion, blend the two correct verbs into this single incorrect one. Let’s be perfectly clear: ‘가르키다’ is not a real word in the standard Korean dictionary. Sentences like ‘선생님이 수학을 가르킨다’ or ‘손가락으로 저기를 가르킨다’ are both grammatically incorrect. From this day forward, erase ‘가르키다’ from your vocabulary! Only two options exist: ‘가르치다’ (to teach) and ‘가리키다’ (to point).
As a Korean language teacher, I sometimes feel a bit embarrassed telling foreign learners, “This expression is incorrect, and it should be written this way,” especially when even native Koreans often make the same mistakes. Still, language is a valuable agreement shared among members of a society. This reminds me once again that I should first make a greater effort to uphold that agreement myself and strive to teach you accurate Korean.
Put Your Knowledge to the Test: Practice Quiz
Now that you’ve got the theory down, let’s check your understanding with a quick quiz. Choose the correct word for each sentence. The answers are just below, so no peeking!
- 저는 Podo Korean 앱에서 한국어 문법을 (가르치고 / 가리키고) 있어요. (I am ___ Korean grammar in the Podo Korean app.)
- 아이가 장난감 가게를 (가르치며 / 가리키며) 사달라고 졸랐어요. (The child whined to buy it while ___ at the toy store.)
- 할머니께서는 저에게 전통 예절을 (가르쳐 / 가리켜) 주셨습니다. (My grandmother ___ me traditional etiquette.)
- 나침반의 바늘이 북쪽을 정확하게 (가르치고 / 가리키고) 있었어요. (The compass needle was accurately ___ north.)
- 그의 표정은 그가 거짓말을 하고 있음을 (가르치고 / 가리키고) 있었다. (His expression was ___ that he was lying.)
Ready for the answers?
Answers:
1. 가르치고 (teaching) – The app is a medium for imparting knowledge (Korean grammar). Here at Podo Korean, our teachers are always doing their best to teach you Korean in a fun and easy way!
2. 가리키며 (pointing) – The child is physically indicating the desired object (the toy store) with a finger.
3. 가르쳐 (taught) – The grandmother is passing down intangible knowledge (traditional etiquette) to her grandchild.
4. 가리키고 (pointing) – The compass, an object, is indicating a specific direction (north).
5. 가리키고 (indicating) – The expression is a sign that points to or indicates the fact that he is lying. It’s not actively teaching a lesson.
How did you do? If you got them all right, fantastic! If not, don’t be discouraged at all. Mastery comes with practice, and you’re well on your way.
Conclusion: Your Final Cheat Sheet for Teach vs Point in Korean
Today, we’ve untangled one of the most common mix-ups in the Korean language: ‘가르치다’ vs. ‘가리키다’. Let’s recap the core difference one last time.
- 가르치다 (To Teach): Use this when you are transferring knowledge, skills, or information. Think education and instruction.
- 가리키다 (To Point): Use this when you are singling out a specific person, place, thing, or direction. Think indication and gesturing.
- 가르키다 (X): This word does not exist. Forget you ever saw it!
Now, you can feel confident whether you’re asking someone, “한국어 좀 가르쳐 주세요” (Please teach me some Korean) or asking for clarification, “저 건물을 가리키는 건가요?” (Are you pointing at that building?). Mistakes are an inevitable and valuable part of learning a new language. The most important thing is the courage to understand the difference and keep using what you’ve learned.
If you want to dive deeper into subtle but important nuances like the teach vs point Korean distinction, download the Podo Korean app. Our structured curriculum and expert feedback are designed to correct common mistakes and help you speak more natural, accurate Korean. Take your skills to the next level and start building real fluency with Podo Korean today!
