나누다
na-nu-da
/na.nu.da/
Definition
To share something with others, or to divide something into parts.
Example
친구와 음식을 나누는 것은 즐거운 일이에요.
Show translation
Sharing food with a friend is a joyful thing.
Etymology
Native Korean root *nan-* (나누다), related to the concept of splitting or separating. The same root appears in 나뉘다 (to be divided, passive form) and connects to 나눗셈 (division, in arithmetic). It has been used in Korean since classical times to mean both physical division and the more abstract sharing of feelings or conversation (이야기를 나누다 — "to share a conversation").
Cultural note
In Korean culture, 나누다 carries a warm communal connotation far beyond simple division. The phrase 정을 나누다 ("to share 정/jeong") captures the deep emotional bonds Koreans build through acts of sharing. Mealtimes are a prime cultural arena: it's common to split dishes family-style, and offering food to others before eating yourself is a sign of respect. Note that 나누다 also means "to divide" in mathematics (e.g., 10을 2로 나누다 = "divide 10 by 2"), so context determines which sense is active.