1. 주다
주다 means to move an object, information, or help from yourself to someone else.
Sentence Frame
Target Person · Object · Verb
친구 에게
(to a friend) · 선물 을
(a gift) · 주다
(give)
Common Combinations
물을 주다 : give water
선물을 주다 : give a gift
도움을 주다 : give help
2. 받다
받다 is the exact opposite of 주다. It means moving something from someone else or a place to yourself. You can receive physical items, messages, or even abstract concepts like stress.
Sentence Frame
Source · Object · Verb
회사 에서
(from work) · 이메일 을
(an email) · 받다
(receive)
Common Combinations
월급을 받다 : receive a salary
연락을 받다 : receive contact (a call/message)
스트레스를 받다 : receive stress (get stressed)
3. 빌리다 & 돌려주다 (Borrow & Return)
빌리다 means to borrow something temporarily. When you are done using it, you use 돌려주다 to return it. (돌려주다 literally means "to turn and give").
Common Combinations
책을 빌리다 : borrow a book
돈을 빌리다 : borrow money
우산을 빌리다 : borrow an umbrella
Returning Items
Use 돌려주다 to specify giving the item back.
내일 돌려줄게요 : I will return it tomorrow.
빨리 돌려주세요 : Please return it quickly.
4. Warning: Who gets the item?
A very common mistake is mixing up the direction markers when talking about giving and receiving.