자리잡다 (ja-ri-jab-da) – settle oneself in/hold a place
This word is interesting because it can mean to settle oneself in a physical space or hold a place in a mental space.
For the physical space, you can use 자리잡다 to describe how one get used to and settles into a house.
For the mental space, you can use 자리잡다 to describe how something or someone holds a special place in your heart/mind.
Examples:
여기에서 산지 3달 뿐인데 잘 자리잡아서 천천히 익숙해진 것 같아.
I’ve only lived here for 3 months but I’ve settled myself in well so it seems like I’m slowly getting used to living here.
우리 팀장님은 이미 떠나갔는데 지금도 가끔에 방문해서 우리 마음 한 구석에 특별하게 자리잡고 있어.
Our team captain has already left the team but even now, she still visits us occasionally so she holds a special place in our hearts.
