Dictionary — Entry No. 1213
깼어
ggaeusseo · verb
깼어
ggaeusseo
[kkae-ssuh]
verbbeginner
Meaning
Past tense of 깨다 (to wake up, break, or realize). Common in casual Korean conversation when describing waking from sleep, breaking an object, or having a sudden realization about something important.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Frequently used in K-dramas during emotional awakening scenes. In ‘Crash Landing on You,’ characters use similar expressions when realizing their feelings. K-pop artists like BLACKPINK reference awakening and realization themes in their lyrics about self-discovery and growth.
Example Sentences
아침에 깼어.
achime ggaeusseo.
‘I woke up this morning’ — casual statement about waking from sleep
그제야 깼어, 내가 뭘 잘못했는지.
geuje-ya ggaeusseo, nae-ga mwol jal-mot-haet-neun-ji.
‘I finally realized what I did wrong’ — expression of sudden understanding
컵이 깼어!
keop-i ggaeusseo!
‘The cup broke!’ — used when an object shatters or breaks
⚠️ Don’t use ggaeusseo when…
International fans often confuse 깼어 with 깨끗해 (clean/neat) — they sound similar but have completely different meanings. Also, don’t mix up past tense 깼어 with present tense 깨 or formal 깼습니다.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Crash Landing on You — Yoon Se-ri wakes up in North Korea and experiences multiple ‘awakening’ moments about her feelings and her new life.
- K-Pop: BLACKPINK — ‘DDU-DU DDU-DU’ (themes of awakening to reality and breaking free from illusions)
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.