This verb is very versatile! Depending on the context, 들다 can mean to enter, to join, to go into, to hold, to lift, to carry, to contain, to include, to cost, to require (money, time effort), to become, to develop (certain conditions).
Don’t confuse this verb with 듣다, to hear, to listen
To Enter / Go Into / Join
방에 들어가다. (bang-e deul-eo-ga-da) – To enter the room.
학교에 들어가다. (hak-gyo-e deul-eo-ga-da) – To enter school.
To Hold / Lift / Carry
가방을 들다. (ga-bang-eul deul-da) – To hold a bag.
컵을 들다. (keop-eul deul-da) – To lift a cup.
To Contain / Include
이 책에는 좋은 내용이 들어 있어요. (i chaek-e-neun jo-eun nae-yong-i deul-eo it-seo-yo.) – This book contains good content.
음식에 소금이 들어 있어요. (eum-sik-e so-geum-i deul-eo it-seo-yo.) – The food contains salt.
To Cost / Require (Money, Time, Effort)
여행에 많은 돈이 들어요. (yeo-haeng-e man-eun don-i deul-eo-yo.) – Traveling costs a lot of money
운동하는 데 시간이 많이 들어요. (un-dong-ha-neun de si-gan-i man-i deul-eo-yo.) – Exercising takes a lot of time.
To Become / To Develop (Certain Conditions)
잠이 들다. (jam-i deul-da) – To fall asleep.
습관이 들다. (seub-gwan-i deul-da) – To develop a habit.
기운이 들다. (gi-un-i deul-da) – To gain strength.
To Be Part Of / To Join
군대에 들다. (gun-dae-e deul-da) – To join the military.
동아리에 들다. (dong-a-ri-e deul-da) – To join a club.