Nuance Dictionary / Drinking & Dining Culture
치르다 chi-reu-da
To pay a bill, settle a debt, or undergo a major life ritual/test
What does 치르다 mean?
치르다 (chi-reu-da) means: To pay a bill, settle a debt, or undergo a major life ritual/test.
In Korean, the exact same verb used to pay a major expense ('돈을 치르다') is used to undergo a funeral, a wedding, or a grueling exam ('시험을 치르다'). This linguistic overlap reveals that financial settlements in social settings are treated with the solemnity of life rites.
How it's actually used
- 드디어 딸의 결혼식을 무사히 치렀습니다.
deudieo ttarui gyeoronsigeul musahi chireotseumnida.
We finally finished celebrating our daughter's wedding safely.
💡 Used for major life events like weddings or funerals. - 이번 주말에 중요한 자격증 시험을 치러야 해요.
ibeon jumare jungyohan jagyeokjeung siheomeul chireoya haeyo.
I have to take an important certification exam this weekend.
💡 Used when undergoing a stressful test or evaluation. - 급한 전세금을 치르느라 은행에서 대출을 받았다.
geupan jeonsegeumeul chireuneura eunhaengeseo daechureul batda.
I took out a bank loan to pay the hefty key money deposit.
💡 Used when settling a large financial transaction.
Related words in Drinking & Dining Culture
잔을 채우다 jan-eul chae-u-da잔이 비다 jan-i bi-da따르다 ttareu-da해장(하다) hae-jang-ha-da필름(이) 끊기다 pil-leum-i-kkeun-ki-da