뺏다 is a verb that means “to take away,” “to deprive,” or “to snatch” something from someone.
It often carries a nuance of force or unfairness — like taking something against someone’s will.
It’s a colloquial contraction of 빼앗다, which is the more formal/standard form.
그가 내 책을 뺏었어. He took away my book.
아이들이 서로 장난감을 뺏고 있어. The kids are snatching toys from each other.
경찰이 그의 운전면허를 뺏었다. The police took away his driver’s license.
시간을 뺏어서 미안해요. Sorry for taking up your time. (Here, 뺏다 is used figuratively — “taking someone’s time.”)
뺏다 = casual, everyday speech.
빼앗다 = more formal, often used in writing or official contexts.
Both are interchangeable, but 뺏다 feels lighter and more conversational.
Figurative Expressions with 뺏다
마음을 뺏다 to steal someone’s heart
Example:
그 배우가 관객들의 마음을 뺏었다. The actor stole the audience’s hearts.
시간을 뺏다 to take up someone’s time
Example:
회의가 너무 길어서 모두의 시간을 뺏었어. The meeting was too long and took up everyone’s time.
관심을 뺏다 to draw or steal attention
Example:
그 광고가 사람들의 관심을 뺏고 있어. That advertisement is grabbing people’s attention.
잠을 뺏다 to deprive someone of sleep
Example:
스트레스가 내 잠을 뺏고 있어. Stress is robbing me of sleep.
The verb 뺏어먹다 literally means “to snatch and eat” or “to take something from someone and eat it.”
Breakdown:
뺏어먹다 is a compound verb: 뺏다 (to take away, snatch) + 먹다 (to eat).
It’s often used in casual, everyday contexts, especially with food, and carries a playful or slightly rude nuance depending on the situation.
Examples
동생이 내 과자를 뺏어먹었어. → My younger sibling snatched my snack and ate it.
친구가 내가 만든 김밥을 뺏어먹었어. → My friend took the kimbap I made and ate it.
아이들이 서로 사탕을 뺏어먹고 있어. → The kids are snatching each other’s candy and eating it.
고양이가 내 생선을 뺏어먹었어. → The cat stole my fish and ate it.
뺏어먹다 emphasizes both the act of taking away and consuming.
It’s stronger than just 뺏다 (to take away) because it implies the item is gone — eaten, not just taken.
Often used in playful complaints, especially among kids or friends.
Figurative / Idiomatic Uses of 뺏어먹다
아이디어를 뺏어먹다 → to steal someone’s idea and use it for yourself
Example:
그가 내 아이디어를 뺏어먹고 자기 것처럼 발표했어. He stole my idea and presented it as his own.
공을 뺏어먹다 → to take credit for someone else’s achievement
Example:
팀장이 내 노력을 뺏어먹고 칭찬을 받았다. The team leader took credit for my effort and got praised.
기회를 뺏어먹다 → to snatch away someone’s opportunity
Example:
그가 내 승진 기회를 뺏어먹었어. He stole my chance for promotion.
관심을 뺏어먹다 → to hog or steal attention
Example:
그 연예인이 모든 관심을 뺏어먹었다. That celebrity stole all the attention.