L

*l ㄹ¹ PARTICLE = object particle

그 애는 널 많이 좋아해. Geu aeneun neol mani joahae. He likes you very much.

NOTE: The particle ㄹ is used in spoken language to replace 를. As is the case with 를, the ㄹ is added to nouns with a vowel ending.

*l ㄹ² ENDING = future modifier

이제 떠날 시간이야. Ije tteonal ssiganiya. It’s time to leave now.

NOTE: See the note on 을² eul.

*lkka ㄹ까 ENDING = inquisitive ending

오늘 한잔할까? Oneul hanjanhalkka? How about a drink tonight?

그 사람이 내일 여기 올까? Geu sarami naeil yeogi olkka? Do you think he will come here tomorrow?

NOTE: See the note on 을까 eulkka.

lkke ㄹ게 /ㄹ께/ ENDING = (I, we) promise

제가 알아서 할게요. Jega araseo halkkeyo. I’ll take care of it.

NOTE: See the note on 을게 eulkke.

lkkeol ㄹ걸 /ㄹ껄/ ENDING

1 = maybe

아마 걔가 너보다 키가 클걸. Ama gyaega neoboda kiga keulkkeol. Maybe he is taller than you.

2 = I wish I had

미리 예약을 해 둘걸 그랬어요. Miri yeyageul hae dulkkeol geuraesseoyo. I should have booked in advance.

NOTE: See the note on 을걸 eulkkeol.

llae ㄹ래 ENDING = will do, want to do

나는 차라리 집에서 숙제나 할래. Naneun charari jibeseo sukjjena hallae. I’d rather stay home and do my homework.

나랑 같이 갈래? Narang gachi gallae? Do you want to come with me?

NOTE: See the note on 을래 eullae.

lssurok ㄹ수록 /ㄹ쑤록/ ENDING = the more … the more

생각할수록 더 화가 나. Saenggakalssurok deo hwaga na. The more I think about it, the more angry I become.

NOTE: ㄹ수록/을수록 attaches to the stem of verbs/adjectives. Verbs/adjectives whose stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ take ㄹ수록, while those whose stem ends in a consonant but ㄹ take 을수록.

M

m ㅁ ENDING = nominal ending, …ing

그 사람이 범인임이 분명해. Geu sarami beominimi bunmyeonghae. I’m sure he is the criminal.

NOTE: ㅁ/음 is attached to the stem of verbs/adjectives to modify verbs/adjectives into a noun. Verbs/ adjectives whose stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ will take ㅁ as the ending sound, while those whose stem ends in any consonant but ㄹ will take 음.

machal 마찰 [摩 rub + 擦 rub] NOUN = friction

두 나라 간의 무역 마찰이 심해지고 있다. Du nara gane muyeong machari simhaejigo ittta. The trade conflict between the two countries is escalating.

machangaji 마찬가지 NOUN = the same

좀 나아? - 아니. 어제랑 마찬가지야. Jom naa? - Ani. Eojerang machangajiya. Do you feel better? - Not really. The same as yesterday.

machi 마치 ADVERB = like, as if

길이 마치 주차장 같아요. Giri machi juchajang gatayo. The road is like a parking lot.

NOTE: 마치 is always followed by 같다 at the end of the sentence.

machida 마치다 VERB = end, finish (SYN. 끝내다)

오늘 오후까지 이 일을 마쳐야 해. Oneul ohukkaji i ireul macheoya hae. I have to finish this work by this afternoon.

machida 맞히다 /마치다/ [맞다 right + 히 causative suffix] VERB

1 = guess right

오늘 나 뭐 샀는지 맞혀 볼래? Oneul na mwo sanneunji macheo bollae? Guess what I bought today?

2 = hit

공이 당신을 맞히면 게임에서 지는 겁니다. Gongi dangsineul machimyeon geimeseo jineun geomnida. When a ball hits you, you lose the game.

NOTE: People usually cannot correctly distinguish 맞히다 and 맞추다. Especially, people tend to use 맞추다 in place of 맞히다.

machim 마침 ADVERB = just, just in time

마침 빈 좌석이 하나 있었어요. Machim bin jwaseogi hana isseosseoyo. Luckily, there was a seat left.

machimnae 마침내 ADVERB = finally, at last (SYN. 드디어)

긴 침묵 끝에 마침내 그가 입을 열었다. Gin chimmuk kkeute machimnae geuga ibeul yeoreottta. After a long silence, he finally spoke up.

mada 마다 PARTICLE = every, each

밤마다 누가 장난 전화를 걸어요. Bammada nuga jangnan jeonhwareul georeoyo. I am getting prank calls every day.

madang 마당 NOUN = yard, garden

마당을 깨끗이 쓸다 madangeul kkaekkeusi sseulda sweep a garden clean

madeoptta 맛없다 /마덥따/ [맛 taste + 없다 no] ADJECTIVE = bad, tasteless (ANT. 맛있다)

정말 맛없다! Jeongmal madeoptta! It tastes terrible!

NOTE: Be aware that the correct pronunciation of 맛없다 is / 마덥따 / and not / 마섭따 /.

madittta 맛있다 /마딛따, 마싣따/ [맛 taste + 있다 be] ADJECTIVE = delicious (ANT. 맛없다)

이 식당은 음식이 맛있기로 유명해요. I sikttangeun eumsigi maditkkiro yumyeonghaeyo. This restaurant is famous for its excellent food.

NOTE: 맛있다 could be pronounced both as / 마 딛따 madittta / and / 마싣따 masittta /. In actual conversation, / 마싣따 / is preferred. The pronunciation of 멋있다 is a similar case.

mae 매 NOUN = rod, spanking

저는 어릴 때 매를 맞아본 적이 없어요. Jeoneun eoril ttae maereul majabon jeogi eopsseoyo. I’ve never been punished physically when I was little.

maebeon 매번 [每 each + 番 time] ADVERB = all the time (SYN. 늘, 언제나, 항상)

그 여자는 회사에 매번 지각이야. Geu yeojaneun hoesae maebeon jigagiya. She’s late for work all the time.

maeda 매다 VERB = tie, fasten, wear

안전벨트를 매 주세요. Anjeonbelteureul mae juseyo. Put your seat belt on.

NOTE: See the note on 입다 iptta.

maedal 매달 [每 each + 달 month] ADVERB = every month

월세는 매달 15일에 내시면 됩니다. Wolsseneun maedal sibo ire naesimyeon doemnida. Your rent is due on the 15th of each month.

*maeil 매일 [每 each + 日 day] ADVERB = every day

저는 매일 일기를 써요. Jeoneun maeil ilgireul sseoyo. I keep a diary every day.

maejang 매장 [賣 sell + 場 place → a place for sale] NOUN = shop, store, department

구두 매장은 어디예요? Gudu maejangeun eodiyeyo? Where’s the shoe section?

maeju 매주 [每 each + 週 week] ADVERB = every week

매주 월요일은 정기 휴일입니다. Maeju woryoireun jeonggi hyuirimnida. We close every Monday.

*maekjju 맥주 /맥쭈/ [麥 barley + 酒 liquor → a kind of liquor made from barley] NOUN = beer

맥주 어떤 거 있어요? Maekjju eotteon geo isseoyo? What kind of beer do you serve here?

maen 맨 DETERMINER = the very, the most (SYN. 제일 II)

맨 처음에 뭘 할까? Maen cheoeume mwol halkka? What shall we do first?

maeneo 매너 [from English manner] NOUN = manners (SYN. 예의, 예절)

그 사람은 매너가 좋아서 여자들에게 인기가 많아. Geu sarameun maeneoga joaseo yeojadeurege inkkiga mana. He’s popular among women because of his good manners.

maennal 맨날 = 만날 mannal

NOTE: 맨날 was not accepted as a standard term until August 31, 2011 even though people had been using it much more often than 만날, the standard one. The National Institute of the Korean Language officially announced that 맨날 was registered as the standard term in the dictionary databank on that day. See also 짜장면 jjajangmyeon.

maenyeon 매년 [每 each + 年 year] ADVERB = every year (SYN. 해마다)

매년 여름이 더 더워지고 있어요. Maenyeon yeoreumi deo deowojigo isseoyo. It’s getting hotter in summer every year.

maeptta 맵다 /맵따/ ADJECTIVE = spicy

매운 음식은 몸에 좋지 않아요. Maeu neumsigeun mome jochi anayo. Spicy foods are not good for your health.

maeryeok 매력 [魅 attract + 力 strength] NOUN = charm, attraction

철수는 잘생기지는 않았지만 매력이 있어. Cheolssuneun jalsaenggijineun anatjjiman maeryeogi isseo. Chulsu might not be handsome, but he’s attractive.

maeryeokjjeok 매력적 /매력쩍/ [魅 attract + 力 strength + 的 of] NOUN, DETERMINER = charming, attractive

너는 미소가 참 매력적이구나. Neoneun misoga cham maeryeokjjeogiguna. You’ve got such a charming smile.

maeseukeom 매스컴 [from English mass com(munication)] NOUN = the mass media (SYN. 미디어, 언론)

그 사건은 매스컴을 통해 대중들에게 알려졌다. Geu sakkeoneun maeseukeomeul tonghae daejungdeurege allyeojeottta. The case became known to the public through media.

NOTE: 매스컴 is from the English word mass communication. But actually it refers to the mass media, and not mass communication.

maettta 맺다 /맫따/ VERB

1 = bear

좋은 나무가 좋은 열매를 맺는 법이다. Joeun namuga joeun nyeolmaereul maenneun beobida. Good trees bear good fruit.

2 = form, establish

그런 계약을 맺는 것은 좋지 않아. Geureon gyeyageul maenneun geoseun jochi ana. It isn’t good to sign such a contract.

*maeu 매우 ADVERB = very, extremely (SYN. 몹시, 아주, 대단히, 굉장히, 무척, 되게)

요즘은 공기가 매우 건조합니다. Yojeumeun gonggiga maeu geonjohamnida. These days the air is extremely dry.

maeul 마을 NOUN = village (SYN. 동네)

저는 바닷가 근처 작은 마을에서 태어났어요. Jeoneun badakka geuncheo jageun maeureseo taeeonasseoyo. I was born in a small village near the sea.

*maeum 마음 NOUN = mind, heart

마음에 드신다니 다행이네요. Maeume deusindani dahaengineyo. I am glad you like them.

마음이 편해야 몸도 편하다. Maeumi pyeonhaeya momdo pyeonhada. A sound mind makes a healthy body.

IDIOMS

maeumeul biuda 마음을 비우다 = let go

그냥 마음을 비워. Geunyang maeumeul biwo. Just let it go.

maeumi neoltta 마음이 넓다 = be generous (SYN. 속이 넓다, 가슴이 넓다)

저는 마음이 넓지 못해요. Jeoneun maeumi neoljji motaeyo. I’m not very generous.

maeumi ittta 마음이 있다 = be interested in sth/sb

너 그 사람한테 마음이 있어? Neo geu saramhante maeumi isseo? Are you interested in her?

maeumi eoptta 마음이 없다 = not interested in sth/sb

그 여자는 나한테 마음이 없는 것 같아. Geu yeojaneun nahante maeumi eomneun geot gata. She doesn’t seem interested in me.

maeumi tonghada 마음이 통하다 = be on the same wavelength

아내와 저는 처음부터 마음이 잘 통했어요. Anaewa jeoneun cheoeumbuteo maeumi jal tonghaesseoyo. My wife and I really hit it off from the moment we met.

maeume geollida 마음에 걸리다 = something is eating at someone

어제가 결혼 기념일이었는데 깜빡한 게 마음에 걸려요. Eojega gyeolhon ginyeomirieonneunde kkamppakan ge maeume geollyeoyo. I forgot yesterday was our wedding anniversary. It’s eating at me.

maeumdaero 마음대로 [마음 mind + 대로 as] ADVERB = as you like (SYN. 뜻대로)

마음대로 생각해. Maeumdaero saenggakae. Think whatever you want.

maeumkkeot 마음껏 /마음껃/ ADVERB = as much as one likes (SYN. 실컷)

마음껏 드세요. Maeumkkeot tteuseyo. Help yourself.

maeummeoktta 마음먹다 /마음먹따/ [마음 mind + 먹다 eat] VERB = resolve, make up one’s mind

아내에게 사과하기로 마음먹었어요. Anaeege sagwahagiro maeummeogeosseoyo. I’ve decided to apologize to my wife.

maeumssi 마음씨 [마음 mind + 씨] NOUN = nature, disposition

누나는 마음씨가 고운 사람이에요. Nunaneun maeumssiga goun saramieyo. My elder sister is kind in nature.

maeumssok 마음속 /마음쏙/ [마음 mind + 속 inside] NOUN = one’s mind (SYN. 가슴속)

행복의 열쇠는 자기 마음속에 있는 거예 요. Haengboge yeolssoeneun jagi maeumssoge inneun geoyeyo. The key to happiness lies within one’s own heart.

magu 마구 ADVERB = recklessly (SYN. 막¹)

그 사람은 돈을 마구 써요. Geu sarameun doneul magu sseoyo. He spends money like water.

*maheun 마흔 NUMERAL = forty

저는 곧 마흔이 됩니다. Jeoneun gon maheuni doemnida. I turn forty soon.

maikeu 마이크 [from English mike] NOUN = mike

마이크에 대고 자연스럽게 이야기하세요. Maikeue daego jayeonseureopkke iyagihaseyo. Speak naturally into the microphone, please.

majeunpyeon 맞은편 /마즌편/ NOUN = opposite side

우리 학교는 은행 맞은편에 있어. Uri hakkkyoneun eunhaeng majeunpyeone isseo. My school is on the opposite side of the bank.

majihada 맞이하다 /마지하다/ VERB

1 = welcome, receive (SYN. 맞다³ 1)

손님을 맞이하기 위해 집을 청소했어요. Sonnimeul majihagi wihae jibeul cheongsohaesseoyo. I cleaned my house before greeting the guests.

2 = face (a certain time) (SYN. 맞다³ 2)

추석을 맞이해서 씨름 대회가 열렸다. Chuseogeul majihaeseo ssireum daehoega yeollyeottta. There was a wrestling match to welcome Thanksgiving Day.

*majimak 마지막 NOUN, DETERMINER = the last (ANT. 처음 I)

이번이 마지막이야. Ibeoni majimagiya. This is the last time.

이번 달 마지막 날이 제 생일이에요. Ibeon ttal majimang nari je saengirieyo. The last day of this month is my birthday.

maju 마주 ADVERB = face to face

서로 마주 보게 서 주세요. Seoro maju boge seo juseyo. Please stand facing each other.

majuchida 마주치다 VERB = run into

어제 길에서 이모랑 마주쳤어요. Eoje gireseo imorang majucheosseoyo. Yesterday I ran into my aunt on the street.

majung 마중 NOUN = going out to welcome sb

공항에 마중 갈게요. Gonghange majung galkkeyo. I’ll be at the airport to meet you.

mak 막¹ ADVERB = recklessly (SYN. 마구)

사람들이 쓰레기를 아무 데나 막 버려요. Saramdeuri sseuregireul amu dena mak ppeoryeoyo. People throw away their garbage wherever they like.

mak 막² ADVERB = just

경찰을 막 부르려던 참이었어요. Gyeongchareul mak ppureuryeodeon chamieosseoyo. I was about to call the police.

makida 막히다 /마키다/ [막다 block + 히 passive suffix] VERB = be blocked

여기는 늘 차가 막혀요. Yeogineun neul chaga makyeoyo. This road is always jammed with traffic.

makkkeolli 막걸리 /막껄리/ NOUN = makgeolli (raw rice wine)

요즘에는 막걸리가 젊은 여자들에게 인기가 좋아요. Yojeumeneun makkkeolliga jeolmeun nyeojadeurege inkkiga joayo. These days makgeolli is popular among young women.

NOTE: 막걸리 is a traditional opaque, white Korean liquor. Traditionally it is associated with older people, although more young people have begun to enjoy drinking it.

makssang 막상 /막쌍/ ADVERB = actually, in reality

막상 직장을 그만두려니까 망설이게 돼요. Makssang jikjjangeul geumanduryeonikka mangseorige dwaeyo. Now that I am actually quitting my job, I have doubts about leaving.

maktta 막다 /막따/ VERB

1 = stop, prevent

누구도 나이 드는 걸 막을 수는 없어요. Nugudo nai deuneun geol mageul ssuneun eopsseoyo. Nobody can stop growing old.

2 = block

죄송합니다. 제가 길을 막고 있는 줄 몰랐어요. Joesonghamnida. Jega gireul makkko inneun jul mollasseoyo. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was blocking the way.

*maktta 맑다 /막따/ ADJECTIVE = clear, sunny

하루 종일 맑을 것 같아요. Haru jongil malgeul kkeot gatayo. It looks like it will be clear all day.

*mal(hada) 말¹(하다) I NOUN = word, speech II VERB = say, tell

말을 너무 많이 했더니 목이 아파요. Mareul neomu mani haettteoni mogi apayo. I talked too much and my throat is sore now.

IDIOMS

mareul nota 말(을) 놓다 = talk using the familiar form

우리 나이가 같은데 말 놓을까요? Uri naiga gateunde mal noeulkkayo? Since we’re of same age, why don’t we talk more casually?

mareul dollida 말(을) 돌리다 = beat around the bush

말 돌리지 말고 핵심을 말해 봐. Mal dolliji malgo haekssimeul malhae bwa. Stop beating around the bush and get to the point.

mareul deuttta 말(을) 듣다

1 = do as one is told

제발 엄마 말 좀 들어라. Jebal eomma mal jom deureora. Please do as Mom tells you to.

2 = work or function properly

키보드가 말을 안 들어요. Kibodeuga mareul an deureoyo. My keyboard doesn’t work.

mal 말² NOUN = horse

말 타 본 적 있어? Mal ta bon jeok isseo? Have you ever ridden a horse?

mal 말³ [末 end] DEPENDENT NOUN = end, close (ANT. 초¹)

이번 달 말까지는 바쁠 거예요. Ibeon ttal malkkajineun bappeul kkeoyeyo. I’ll be busy until the end of this month.

*malda 말다¹ VERB

1 = stop

걱정 말고 마음 편히 있어. Geokjjeong malgo maeum pyeonhi isseo. Stop worrying and set your mind at ease.

2 = except, but

너 말고는 집에 아무도 없어. Neo malgoneun jibe amudo eopsseo. There is nobody in the house but you.

NOTE: With meaning 1, 말다 appears in an imperative or a connective form. With meaning 2, it is usually used as 말고 after a noun.

*malda 말다² AUXILIARY VERB

1 = do not

귀찮게 하지 마세요. Gwichanke haji maseyo. Stop bothering me.

남기지 말고 다 먹어. Namgiji malgo da meogeo. Eat everything on your plate.

2 = end up doing

회사가 결국 망하고 말았다. Hoesaga gyeolgung manghago marattta. The company ended up going bankrupt.

난 꼭 그 회사에 들어가고 말 거야. Nan kkok geu hoesae deureogago mal kkeoya. I will join the company at any cost.

NOTE: With meaning 1, 말다 appears in an imperative or connective form after the connective ending - 지. It signifies prohibiting a certain action. With meaning 2, it is usually used to indicate a negative result after the connective ending - 고.

malda 말다³ VERB = roll (up)

신문지를 말아서 신발 안에 넣어 두세요. Sinmunjireul maraseo sinbal ane neoeo duseyo. Roll up a newspaper and put it in the shoes.

mallida 말리다¹ VERB = stop, keep

싸움을 말리지 그랬어요? Ssaumeul malliji geuraesseoyo? Why didn’t you break up the fight?

mallida 말리다² VERB = dry

빨래를 그늘에서 말려라. Ppallaereul geuneureseo mallyeora. Dry the laundry in the shade.

malsseong 말썽 NOUN = trouble

말썽을 일으키고 싶지는 않아요. Malsseongeul ireukigo sipjjineun anayo. I don’t want to make trouble.

*malsseum(hada) 말씀(하다) I NOUN = word, speech (honorific of 말¹) II VERB = say, tell (honorific of 말하다)

필요한 것이 있으면 말씀하세요. Piryohan geosi isseumyeon malsseumhaseyo. Please tell me if you need anything.

maltu 말투 [말 word + 套 cover] NOUN = way of speaking

그 사람은 말투가 좀 거칠어요. Geu sarameun maltuga jom geochireoyo. He tends to speak roughly.

mam 맘 = colloquial word of 마음 maeum

mamdaero 맘대로 = colloquial word of 마음대로 maeumdaero

mamuri(hada) 마무리(하다) I NOUN = the finishing touches II VERB = finish, complete

지금은 보고서를 마무리하느라 바빠요. Jigeumeun bogoseoreul mamurihaneura bappayo. I’m busy finishing up a report.

man 만¹ [滿 full] NOUN, DETERMINER = (in) Western age, full

한국에서는 아이들이 만으로 7살에 학교에 입학한다. Hangugeseoneun aideuri maneuro ilgop ssare hakkkyoe ipakanda. In Korea, children start school at seven in Western age.

NOTE: Koreans start to count age from the time one was in one’s mother’s womb. So when you are born, you are already one year old in Korean age. And you turn two on the following New Year’s Day. When people want to show Western age, they add 만 before the age.

man 만² DEPENDENT NOUN = after, since, time

그 부부는 결혼 3년 만에 이혼했다. Geu bubuneun gyeolhon sam nyeon mane ihonhaettta. The couple got divorced after three years of marriage.

NOTE: 만 is usually used as 만에 or 만이다.

*man 만³ [萬 ten thousand] NUMERAL = ten thousand

오늘 길에서 만 원을 주웠어요. Oneul gireseo ma nwoneul juwosseoyo. I found 10,000 won on the street today.

man 만⁴ PARTICLE = only

엄마는 싼 옷만 입으세요. Eommaneun ssa nonman ibeuseyo. My mom wears only inexpensive clothes.

*mandeulda 만들다 VERB = make

샌드위치 만들어 줄까? Saendeuwichi mandeureo julkka? Do you want me to make you some sandwiches?

mandu 만두 [饅 dumpling + 頭 head] NOUN = dumpling

이 중국집에서는 만두가 서비스로 나와. I junggukjjibeseoneun manduga seobiseuro nawa. This Chinese restaurant serves complimentary dumplings.

maneul 마늘 NOUN = garlic

마늘도 조금 얹을까요? Maneuldo jogeu meonjeulkkayo? Should I put some garlic on this?

mangchi 망치 NOUN = hammer

망치 다 썼으면 원래 있던 자리에 갖다 놓아라. Mangchi da sseosseumyeon wollae ittteon jarie gattta noara. Put back the hammer where it was when you are through.

mangchida 망치다 VERB = spoil, screw up

당신 개가 우리 집 정원을 망쳐 놨어요! Dangsin gaega uri jip jeongwoneul mangcheo nwasseoyo! Your dog ruined my garden!

manghada 망하다 [亡 fail + 하다 verbal suffix] VERB = go bankrupt, go broken

다니던 회사가 망했어요. Danideon hoesaga manghaesseoyo. The company I was working for went bankrupt.

mangnae 막내 /망내/ NOUN = the youngest

저는 우리 집에서 막내예요. Jeoneun uri jibeseo mangnaeyeyo. I’m the youngest in my family.

mangseorida 망설이다 /망서리다/ VERB = hesitate

그는 대답을 망설였다. Geuneun daedabeul mangseoryeottta. He hesitated to answer.

manhada 만하다 AUXILIARY ADJECTIVE = worth

이 책은 읽을 만하다. I chaegeun ilgeul manhada. This book is worth reading.

NOTE: 만하다 appears as - ㄹ/을 만하다 after a verb.

manhwa 만화 [漫 freely + 畵 picture → pictures drawn freely for fun] NOUN = comic, cartoon

저는 스포츠보다 만화를 더 좋아해요. Jeoneun seupocheuboda manhwareul deo joahaeyo. I like cartoons better than sports.

*mani 많이 /마니/ [많 many (from 많다) + 이 adverbial suffix] ADVERB = a lot

차가 많이 낡았지만 팔고 싶지는 않아요. Chaga mani nalgatjjiman palgo sipjjineun anayo. This car is pretty old, but I don’t want to sell it.

manil 만일 /마닐/ = 만약 manyak

manjida 만지다 VERB = touch

만지지 마시오. Manjiji masio. Hands off.

manjjeom 만점 /만쩜/ [滿 full + 點 point → full point] NOUN = perfect score

영어 시험에서 만점 받았어요. Yeongeo siheomeseo manjjeom badasseoyo. I got a perfect score on my English test.

manjok(ada) 만족(하다) [滿 full + 足 adequate → the state of being full because everything is adequate] I NOUN = satisfaction II VERB = be satisfied (with)

지금 하시는 일에는 만족하세요? Jigeum hasineun nireneun manjokaseyo? Are you content with your present work?

manjoksseureoptta 만족스럽다 /만족쓰럽 따/ [滿 full + 足 adequate + 스럽다 adjectival suffix] ADJECTIVE = satisfactory

결과가 기대만큼 만족스럽지는 않았어요. Gyeolgwaga gidaemankeum manjoksseureopjjineun anasseoyo. The results were not as satisfactory as expected.

mankeum 만큼 I DEPENDENT NOUN = as … as

필요한 만큼 가져. Piryohan mankeum gajeo. Take as much as you need.

II PARTICLE = as … as

그 여자만큼 매력적인 사람은 드물어요. Geu yeojamankeum maeryeokjjeogin sarameun deumureoyo. Few people are as attractive as she is.

NOTE: A dependent noun 만큼 combines with the adnominal endings, - ㄴ/은, - 는, - ㄹ/을 after a verb/adjective.

mannada 만나다 VERB = meet, see (ANT. 헤어지다 1)

만나서 반갑습니다. Mannaseo bangapsseumnida. Nice to meet you.

mannal 만날 [萬 ten thousand + 날 day] ADVERB = all the time, every time

만날 같은 노래를 들으니까 지겹다. Mannal gateun noraereul deureunikka jigyeoptta. I’m tired of listening to the same songs all the time.

mannam 만남 [만나 meet (from 만나다) + ㅁ nominal suffix] NOUN = meeting

우리의 만남은 우연이 아니에요. Urie mannameun uyeoni anieyo. Our meeting is no accident.

manse 만세 [萬 ten thousand + 歲 year] NOUN = hurray

신랑은 결혼식에서 만세를 외쳤다. Sillangeun gyeolhonsigeseo mansereul oecheottta. The groom gave cheers at the wedding.

manta 많다 /만타/ ADJECTIVE = many, much (ANT. 적다²)

저는 친구가 많아요. Jeoneun chinguga manayo. I have a lot of friends.

manura 마누라 NOUN = missis, my wife (SYN. 아내, 부인)

내 마누라가 나보다 두 배는 더 벌어. Nae manuraga naboda du baeneun deo beoreo. My wife makes twice as much as I do.

NOTE: To check out the difference among 부인, 아내, and 마누라, see the note on 아내 anae.

manyak 만약 /마냑/ [萬 ten thousand + 若 like → like a chance one out of ten thousand] I NOUN = (by) any chance

만약을 위해 돈을 좀 남겨 두자. Manyageul wihae doneul jom namgyeo duja. Let’s save some money for a rainy day.

II ADVERB = just in case, if

만약 늦게 되면 전화할게요. Manyang neutkke doemyeon jeonhwahalkkeyo. If I’m going to be late, I’ll give you a call.

maraton 마라톤 [from English marathon] NOUN = marathon

이번 마라톤 경기를 위해 얼마 동안 훈련했어요? Ibeon maraton gyeonggireul wihae eolma dongan hullyeonhaesseoyo? How long have you been training for this marathon?

mareopssi 말없이 /마럽씨/ [말 word + 없이 without] ADVERB = without a word

우리는 말없이 서로를 바라보았다. Urineun mareopssi seororeul baraboattta. We looked each other in silence.

mareuda 마르다¹ ADJECTIVE = thin, slim (ANT. 뚱뚱하다)

그 사람은 키가 아주 크고, 약간 말랐어. Geu sarameun kiga aju keugo, yakkkan mallasseo. He’s very tall and a little thin.

NOTE: 마르다 is always used in the past tense: 말랐다.

mareuda 마르다² I VERB = dry, run dry (ANT. 젖다)

빨래가 벌써 다 말랐어요. Ppallaega beolsseo da mallasseoyo. The laundry is already dry.

II ADJECTIVE = thirsty

목이 말라요. Mogi mallayo. I’m thirsty.

mari 마리 DEPENDENT NOUN = unit of counting animals

새 두 마리 sae du mari two birds

NOTE: Put pure Korean numerals (한, 두, 세, 네, 다섯, …) before 마리.

maru 마루 NOUN = floor

나는 마루를 쓸 테니까 너는 닦아. Naneun marureul sseul tenikka neoneun dakka. I’ll sweep the floor and you can mop it.

maryeon 마련¹ DEPENDENT NOUN = a matter of course, (be) bound

사람은 죽기 마련이다. Sarameun jukkki maryeonida. Humans are bound to die.

NOTE: 마련 is mostly used as - 게 마련이다 or - 기 마련이다.

mareyon(hada) 마련²(하다) I NOUN = preparation, arrangement II VERB = prepare, arrange

결혼해서 사실 집은 마련하셨어요? Gyeolhonhaeseo sasil jjibeun maryeonhasyeosseoyo? Have you prepared a house to live in after you get married?

maryeondoeda 마련되다 [마련 preparation + 되다 become] VERB = be prepared, be arranged

예약하신 자리는 저쪽에 마련되어 있습니다. Yeyakasin jarineun jeojjoge maryeondoeeo itsseumnida. Your reserved seats are over there.

masaji(hada) 마사지 (하다) [from French massage] I NOUN = massage II VERB = massage

마사지라도 받아야 할 것 같아. Masajirado badaya hal kkeot gata. I’ll have to get a massage or something.

*masida 마시다 VERB = drink

이제 다시는 술을 그렇게 많이 마시지 않을래요. Ije dasineun sureul geureoke mani masiji aneullaeyo. This is the last time I will ever drink so much!

*mat 맛 /맏/ NOUN = taste, flavor

커피 맛이 어때? Keopi masi eottae? How is the coffee?

IDIOMS

tteugeoun maseul boda 뜨거운 맛을 보다 = get into trouble

주식을 하다 이번에 아주 뜨거운 맛을 봤어요. Jusigeul hada ibeone aju tteugeoun maseul bwasseoyo. I got my fingers badly burnt in the stock market.

maseul deurida 맛(을) 들이다 = take an interest in sth

일단 컴퓨터 게임에 맛을 들이면 그만두기 힘들어요. Ilttan keompyuteo geime maseul deurimyeon geumandugi himdeureoyo. Once you take an interest in computer games, it's hard to quit.

masi nada 맛(이) 나다 = be funny, be interesting

요즘은 일할 맛이 안 나. Yojeumeun ilhal masi an na. I don't feel like working these days.

matchuda 맞추다 /맏추다/ [맞다 fit + 추 causative suffix] VERB

1 = check, compare

우리 서로 답 맞춰 보자. Uri seoro dap matchwo boja. Let’s compare our answers.

2 = adjust

저울을 0에 맞춰 놓아라. Jeoureul yeonge matchwo noara. Set the scale to zero.

matkkida 맡기다 /맏끼다/ [맡다 take on + 기 causative suffix] VERB = entrust, leave

모든 걸 제게 맡기세요. Modeun geol jege matkkiseyo. Leave everything to me.

matppoda 맛보다 /맏뽀다/ [맛 taste + 보다 taste] VERB = taste, try

맛보고 어떤지 말해 줘. Matppogo eotteonji malhae jwo. Try some and let me know how it tastes.

matsseoda 맞서다 /맏써다/ VERB = oppose, stand against

도망만 다니지 말고 문제에 정면으로 맞서라. Domangman daniji malgo munjee jeongmyeoneuro matsseora. Stop running from the problem and stand up to it.

mattanghada 마땅하다 ADJECTIVE

1 = suitable, proper

마땅하게 주차할 데가 없어요. Mattanghage juchahal ttega eopsseoyo. There’s no suitable place to park.

2 = natural, reasonable

그 사람은 벌을 받아 마땅합니다. Geu sarameun beoreul bada mattanghamnida. He deserves to be punished.

mattta 맞다¹ /맏따/ VERB

1 = be hit, be beaten

그는 맞아 죽었다. Geuneun maja jugeottta. He was beaten to death.

2 = get

독감 예방 주사는 맞았어? Dokkkam nyebang jusaneun majasseo? Have you gotten a flu shot?

mattta 맞다² /맏따/ ADJECTIVE, VERB

1 = (be) right, (be) correct (SYN. 옳다; ANT. 틀리다)

제 기억이 맞다면, 첫째, 셋째 수요일에 쉬어요. Je gieogi matttamyeon, cheotjjae setjjae suyoire swieoyo. If my memory serves me right, they close every first and third Wednesday.

2 = fit

구두가 잘 맞니? Guduga jal manni? Do your shoes fit well?

mattta 맞다³ /맏따/ VERB

1 = welcome, receive (SYN. 맞이하다 1)

따뜻하게 맞아 주셔서 감사합니다. Ttatteutage maja jusyeoseo gamsahamnida. Thank you for your warm welcome.

2 = face (a certain time) (SYN. 맞이하다 2)

우리는 봄을 맞아 집 구석구석을 청소했다. Urineun bomeul maja jip guseokkkuseogeul cheongsohaettta. We cleaned up the house over the holiday.

mattta 맡다¹ /맏따/ VERB = smell

지금은 감기에 걸려서 냄새를 못 맡아요. Jigeumeun gamgie geollyeoseo naemsaereul mon matayo. I can’t smell a thing because I have a cold.

mattta 맡다² /맏따/ VERB

1 = take care of, take on (SYN. 담당하다)

제가 이 반 담임을 맡고 있습니다. Jega i ban damimeul matkko itsseumnida. I’m in charge of this class.

2 = keep (sth for sb)

도서관에 자리 좀 맡아 줄래? Doseogwane jari jom mata jullae? Can you save a seat for me at the library?

mauseu 마우스 [from English mouse] NOUN = mouse

마우스 오른쪽 버튼을 누르세요. Mauseu oreunjjok beoteuneul nureuseyo. Click the right mouse button.

mayak 마약 [痲 paralysis + 藥 medicine] NOUN = drug

그는 마약에 중독되어 있다. Geuneun mayage jungdokttoeeo ittta. He is addicted to drugs.

meda 메다 VERB = carry, shoulder

어린이들이 너무 무거운 가방을 메고 다녀요. Eorinideuri neomu mugeoun gabangeul mego danyeoyo. Children carry backpacks that are too heavy.

meil 메일 [from English mail] NOUN = e-mail

메일 확인 후 답변 부탁합니다. Meil hwagin hu dapppyeon butakamnida. Please reply after you check your e-mail.

NOTE: 메일 is not a piece of postal mail but an e-mail. People also use the word 이메일.

memo(hada) 메모(하다) [from English memo] I NOUN = note, message, memo II VERB = make a note

책상 위에 메모 남겨 놓았어요. Chaekssang wie memo namgyeo noasseoyo. I left a message on your desk.

*menyu 메뉴 [from English menu] NOUN = menu

이곳은 메뉴가 꽤 다양해요. Igoseun menyuga kkwae dayanghaeyo. This place has a rather extensive menu.

menyupan 메뉴판 [메뉴 menu + 板 board] NOUN = menu

먼저 메뉴판 좀 주세요. Meonjeo menyupan jom juseyo. I’d like to see the menu first, please.

NOTE: 메뉴판 refers to the board on which the menu is written.

meodittta 멋있다 /머딛따, 머싣따/ [멋 charm + 있다 be] ADJECTIVE = wonderful, nice (SYN. 멋지다)

너 그 옷 입으니까 정말 멋있다. Neo geu o dibeunikka jeongmal meodittta. You look pretty cool in those clothes.

NOTE: 멋있다 could be pronounced both as / 머딛따 meodittta / and / 머싣따 meosittta /. In actual conversation, / 머싣따 / is preferred. The pronunciation of 맛있다 is a similar case.

meogi 먹이 /머기/ [먹 eat (from 먹다) + 이 nominal suffix] NOUN = food, feed

하루에 먹이는 몇 번 줘야 하나요? Harue meogineun myeot ppeon jwoya hanayo? How many times a day should I feed it?

meogida 먹이다 /머기다/ [먹다 eat + 이 causative suffix] VERB

1 = feed

우유 먹인 다음에 따님을 바로 재우지 마세요. Uyu meogin daeume ttanimeul baro jaeuji maseyo. Make sure you don’t put your daughter to sleep straight after feeding her.

2 = support

저는 먹여 살릴 식구가 많아요. Jeoneun meogyeo sallil ssikkkuga manayo. I’ve got a lot of mouths to feed.

meokkkosalda 먹고살다 /먹꼬살다/ [먹고 eat (from 먹다) + 살다 live] VERB = earn a living

먹고살 생각을 하니 걱정이야. Meokkkosal ssaenggageul hani geokjjeongiya. I’m worried about how I’m going to make ends meet.

*meoktta 먹다 /먹따/ VERB = eat

먹을 것이 있나요? Meogeul kkeosi innayo? Do you have anything to eat?

*meolda 멀다 ADJECTIVE = far, distant (ANT. 가깝다 1)

학교까지 별로 안 멀어서 걷기로 했어. Hakkkyokkaji byeollo an meoreoseo geotkkiro haesseo. It’s not so far to school, so I decided to walk.

졸업한 게 먼 옛날처럼 느껴져요. Joreopan ge meon nyennalcheoreom neukkyeojeoyo. It seems as if I graduated ages ago.

meolli 멀리 I ADVERB = far, far away (ANT. 가까 이 I 1)

우리 집은 시내에서 멀리 떨어져 있어요. Uri jibeun sinaeeseo meolli tteoreojeo isseoyo. I live in a place that is remote from the downtown.

II NOUN = distance, distant place (ANT. 가까이 II)

그 사람은 목소리가 커서 멀리서도 다 들려요. Geu sarameun mokssoriga keoseo meolliseodo da deullyeoyo. His voice is so loud that it can be heard from far away.

meomchuda 멈추다 VERB = stop, halt (SYN. 서다 2, 정지하다)

기계가 갑자기 멈췄어요. Gigyega gapjjagi meomchwosseoyo. The machine came to a sudden stop.

meomulda 머물다 = shortened form of 머무르

다 meomureuda

meomureuda 머무르다 VERB = stay, remain

이 나라에서 얼마나 머무를 예정이세요? I naraeseo eolmana meomureul ryejeongiseyo? How long do you plan to stay in this country?

*meonjeo 먼저 ADVERB = first, in advance

물에 들어가기 전에 먼저 준비 운동을 하세요. Mure deureogagi jeone meonjeo junbi undongeul haseyo. Do some warm-ups first before entering the water.

meonji 먼지 NOUN = dust

마루에 먼지가 가득해요. Marue meonjiga gadeukaeyo. The floor is thick with dust.

*meori 머리 NOUN

1 = head

머리 부딪히지 않게 조심해. Meori budichiji anke josimhae. Be careful not to hit your head.

2 = brain, head

저는 제 동생만큼 머리가 좋지는 않아요. Jeoneun je dongsaengmankeum meoriga jochineun anayo. I’m not as smart as my younger brother.

3 = hair (SYN. 머리카락)

그 사람 머리는 무슨 색이죠? Geu saram meorineun museun saegijyo? What color is his hair?

IDIOMS

meoriga guttta 머리가 굳다 = one’s brain becomes rusty

나이가 드니 머리가 굳어서 단어가 잘 안 외워져요. Naiga deuni meoriga gudeoseo daneoga ja ra noewojeoyo. My brain is rusty with age, so it's not so easy to memorize vocabulary.

meoriga mojarada 머리가 모자라다 = be short on brains

그는 좋은 사람이지만 머리가 좀 모자라요. Geuneun joeun saramijiman meoriga jom mojarayo. He is a nice person but short on brains.

meoriga mugeoptta 머리가 무겁다 = one's head feels heavy

오늘은 머리가 무거워서 일에 집중이 안 돼요. Oneureun meoriga mugeowoseo ire jipjjungi an dwaeyo. My head feels heavy today and I can't concentrate on my work.

meoriga bida 머리가 비다 = be empty-headed

그 여자는 예쁘게는 생겼는데 머리가 비었다. Geu yeojaneun yeppeugeneun saenggyeonneunde meoriga bieottta. She's got the looks, but she's empty-headed.

meorireul moeuda 머리(를) 모으다 = put heads together

우리가 머리를 모으면 무슨 방법이 있을 거야. Uriga meorireul moeumyeon museun bang-beobi isseul kkeoya. We will figure out a way if we all put our heads together.

meorireul sikida 머리(를) 식히다 = take a rest briefly

잠깐 머리를 식히러 산책 나갔어요. Jamkkan meorireul sikireo sanchaek nagasseoyo. He went for a walk to cool off.

meoriga doragada 머리가 돌아가다 = think smart

오늘은 머리가 잘 안 돌아간다. Oneureun meoriga jal an doraganda. I can't seem to think straight today.

meorikarak 머리카락 NOUN = hair (SYN. 머리 3)

머리카락이 많이 상했어요. Meorikaragi mani sanghaesseoyo. My hair is terribly damaged.

meorissok 머릿속 /머리쏙/ [머리 head + ㅅ infix + 속 inside] NOUN = inside one’s mind

머릿속이 너무 복잡해요. Meorissogi neomu bokjjapaeyo. I have so much on my mind.

meot 멋 /먿/ NOUN = charm, flavor, stylishness

저는 그냥 멋으로 안경을 써요. Jeoneun geunyang meoseuro angyeongeul sseoyo. I wear glasses as a fashion accessory.

meotjjida 멋지다 /먿찌다/ [멋 charm + 지다] ADJECTIVE = wonderful, nice (SYN. 멋있다)

오늘 정말 멋지시네요. Oneul jeongmal meotjjisineyo. You look so nice today.

meottta 멎다 /먿따/ VERB = stop (SYN. 멈추다)

피가 멎지를 않아요. Piga meotjjireul anayo. The bleeding won’t stop.

mesiji 메시지 [from English message] NOUN = message

음성 메시지 eumseong mesiji a voice message

meuda 메우다 VERB = fill (up)

많은 사람들이 경기장을 가득 메웠어요. Maneun saramdeuri gyeonggijangeul gadeung mewosseoyo. Many people packed the stadium.

*mianhada 미안하다 [未 not + 安 comfortable + 하다 adjectival suffix → of not feeling comfortable due to what one has done to others] ADJECTIVE = sorry (SYN. 죄송하다)

늦어서 미안해. Neujeoseo mianhae. I’m sorry for being late.

NOTE: There are two main expressions in apologizing: 미안하다 and 죄송하다. But when you want to say sorry to your friend or someone younger than you, you should use the word 미안 하다, and not 죄송하다.
늦어서 미안해(O)/죄송해(X).

micheo 미처 ADVERB = up to that, that far

미처 그건 생각하지 못했어요. Micheo geugeon saenggakaji motaesseoyo. I didn’t think that far.

NOTE: 미처 is often followed by 모르다, or 못 하다.

michida 미치다 VERB = go crazy (SYN. 돌다 3)

컴퓨터 때문에 미치겠어! Keompyuteo ttaemune michigesseo! This computer is driving me crazy!

mideum 믿음 /미듬/ [믿 believe (from 믿다) + 음 nominal suffix] NOUN = trust, faith

저는 그 사람에 대한 믿음이 없어요. Jeoneun geu sarame daehan mideumi eopsseoyo. I have no faith in him.

midieo 미디어 [from English media] NOUN = media (SYN. 언론)

오늘날 미디어는 아이들에게 많은 영향을 준다. Oneullal midieoneun aideurege maneun nyeonghyangeul junda. The media has a large influence on children today.

migugin 미국인 /미구긴/ [美 beautiful + 國 country + 人 people] NOUN = American

저는 미국인 친구가 있어요. Jeoneun migugin chinguga isseoyo. I have American friends.

*miguk 미국 [美 beautiful + 國 country] NOUN = the United States of America

미국 여행은 어땠니? Migung nyeohaengeun eottaenni? How was your trip to the U.S.?

mihon 미혼 [未 not + 婚 marry] NOUN = [formal] state of being single (ANT. 기혼)

저는 아직 미혼입니다. Jeoneun ajik mihonimnida. I’m still single.

miin 미인 [美 beautiful + 人 people] NOUN = beauty, beautiful woman

부인이 참 미인이시네요. Buini cham miinisineyo. Your wife is so beautiful.

mikkeureojida 미끄러지다 VERB = slip, slide

비가 오면 차가 미끄러지기 쉬워요. Biga omyeon chaga mikkeureojigi swiwoyo. When it rains, cars skid easily.

mikkeureoptta 미끄럽다 /미끄럽따/ ADJECTIVE = slippery, slick

조심하세요. 여기 길이 아주 미끄럽거든요. Josimhaseyo. Yeogi giri aju mikkeureopkkeodeunnyo. Watch out! This road is pretty slippery.

milda 밀다 VERB = push (ANT. 당기다)

내가 밀라고 할 때까지 밀지 마. Naega millago hal ttaekkaji milji ma. Don’t push until I tell you to.

milkkaru 밀가루 밀가루 /밀까루/ [밀 wheat + 가루 flour] NOUN = wheat flour

저는 밀가루 음식을 좋아해요. Jeoneun milkkaru eumsigeul joahaeyo. I like flour-based food.

millida 밀리다 VERB

1 = be overdue

전기 요금이 두 달이나 밀려 있다. Jeongi yogeumi du darina millyeo ittta. My electric bill is two months overdue.

2 = be stuck (SYN. 막히다)

여기 오는 내내 차가 밀렸어요. Yeogi oneun naenae chaga millyeosseoyo. It was bumper to bumper all the way here.

miman 미만 [未 not + 滿 full] NOUN = under

18세 미만 출입 금지 sippal sse miman churip kkeumji No one under 18 admitted

NOTE: 이하 means up to A including A, while 미 만 means less than A.

minjok 민족 [民 people + 族 people] NOUN = race, people, ethnic group

한국 전쟁은 우리 민족의 아픔입니다. Hanguk jjeonjaengeun uri minjoge apeumimnida. The Korean War is a national tragedy for our people.

minjujui 민주주의 /민주주이/ [民 people + 主 host + 主 host + 義 righteousness] NOUN = democracy

민주주의의 핵심은 대화다. Minjujuie haekssimeun daehwada. Conversation is the core of democracy.

miptta 밉다 /밉따/ ADJECTIVE = detestable, hateful (SYN. 싫다 1)

아직도 걔가 미워? Ajiktto gyaega miwo? Do you still hate him?

mirae 미래 [未 not + 來 come → the time that hasn’t come yet] NOUN = the future (SYN. 앞날)

미래에 어떤 계획이 있는지 듣고 싶습니다. Miraee eotteon gyehoegi inneunji deutkko sipsseumnida. I’d like to hear about your visions for your future.

miri 미리 ADVERB = beforehand, in advance

미리 전화를 하고 오셨어야죠. Miri jeonhwareul hago osyeosseoyajyo. You should have called in advance before coming.

miruda 미루다 VERB = delay, postpone

오늘 일을 내일로 미루지 마라. Oneul nireul naeillo miruji mara. Don’t put off till tomorrow what you should do today.

miseuteori 미스터리 [from English mystery] NOUN = mystery

그 사건은 아직 미스터리로 남아 있어요. Geu sakkeoneun ajik miseuteoriro nama isseoyo. The case still remains a mystery.

NOTE: 미스테리 is also widely used although 미 스터리 is the correct form.

miso 미소 [微 tiny + 笑 laugh] NOUN = smile

그녀의 미소는 모든 사람을 기분 좋게 만든 다. Geunyeoe misoneun modeun sarameul gibun joke mandeunda. Her smile makes everyone happy.

misul 미술 [美 beautiful + 術 skill] NOUN = (visual) art

내일 미술 수업에 뭘 가져와야 해요? Naeil misul sueobe mwol gajeowaya haeyo? What do we need to bring for art class tomorrow?

misulgwan 미술관 [美 beautiful + 術 skill + 館 building] NOUN = art museum, art gallery

토요일에 미술관 갈래? Toyoire misulgwan gallae? How about going to the art museum Saturday?

mit 및 /믿/ ADVERB = [written] and, as well as

시간 및 장소 sigan mit jjangso time and place

*mit 밑 /믿/ NOUN = the lower part (SYN. 아래)

침대 밑은 봤어? Chimdae miteun bwasseo? Did you check under the bed?

*miteo 미터 [from English meter] DEPENDENT NOUN = meter

계단을 내려가서 오른쪽으로 10미터 정도 가면 있어요. Gyedaneul naeryeogaseo oreunjjogeuro sim miteo jeongdo gamyeon isseoyo. Go down the stairs and it’s about 10 meters to the right.

NOTE: Put sino-Korean numerals (일, 이, 삼, 사, 오, …) before 미터.

vb

miting 미팅 [from English meeting] NOUN

1 = blind date

남편과 저는 미팅으로 처음 만났어요. Nampyeongwa jeoneun mitingeuro cheoeum mannasseoyo. My husband and I met for the first time on a blind date.

2 = meeting

세 시에 중요한 미팅이 있어요. Se sie jungyohan mitingi isseoyo. I have an important meeting at 3.

mittta 믿다 /믿따/ VERB = believe (in), trust

내가 그 말을 믿을 거라고 생각해요? Naega geu mareul mideul kkeorago saenggakaeyo? Do you expect me to believe that?

mium 미움 [미우 hateful (from 밉다) + ㅁ nominal suffix] NOUN = hate, hatred

미움은 미움을 낳는다. Miumeun miumeul nanneunda. Hate begets hate.

miwohada 미워하다 [미워 hateful (from 밉다) + 하다 verbal suffix] VERB = hate, dislike

죄는 미워해도 사람은 미워하지 마라. Joeneun miwohaedo sarameun miwohaji mara. Hate the offense, not the offender (Korean saying).

miyeokkkuk 미역국 /미역꾹/ [미역 seaweed + 국 soup] NOUN = seaweed soup

오늘 생일이라며? 미역국은 먹었어? Oneul saengiriramyeo? Miyeokkkugeun meogeosseo? I heard today is your birthday. Did you eat seaweed soup?

NOTE: 미역국 is a clear soup made with boiled seaweed. In Korea, women are supposed to eat this after giving birth, because it is considered to be so nutritious. People eat it on birthdays, too.

miyongsil 미용실 [美 beautiful + 容 face + 室 house] NOUN = beauty parlor

요즘은 남자들도 많이 미용실에 간다. Yojeumeun namjadeuldo mani miyongsire ganda. These days many men go to beauty parlors.

*mnida ㅂ니다 /ㅁ니다/ ENDING = declarative ending

저는 담배 없이는 하루도 못 삽니다. Jeoneun dambae eopssineun harudo mot ssamnida. I can’t live a day without cigarettes.

NOTE: See the note on 습니다 seumnida.

mnikka ㅂ니까 /ㅁ니까/ ENDING = inquisitive ending

여기는 처음이십니까? Yeogineun cheoeumisimnikka? Is this your first time here?

NOTE: See the note on 습니까 seumnikka.

mocheoreom 모처럼 ADVERB = after a long time

모처럼 좋은 소식이군요. Mocheoreom joeun sosigigunnyo. It’s good news for a change.

model 모델 [from English model] NOUN = model

이 두 모델은 뭐가 다른가요? I du modereun mwoga dareungayo? What is the difference between these two models?

모델이 되는 게 제 꿈이에요. Moderi doeneun ge je kkumieyo. My dream is to be a model.

*modeun 모든 DETERMINER = all, every

그곳의 모든 사람들이 절 보고 웃었어요. Geugose modeun saramdeuri jeol bogo useosseoyo. Everyone there was laughing at me.

*modu 모두 NOUN, ADVERB = all (SYN. 전부, 다¹ 1)

모두 자리에 앉아 주세요. Modu jarie anja juseyo. Can everyone sit down, please?

돈을 모두 잃었어요. Doneul modu ireosseoyo. I lost all my money.

moeuda 모으다 VERB = gather, collect

제 취미는 옛날 우표를 모으는 거예요. Je chwimineun yenna rupyoreul moeuneun geoyeyo. My hobby is collecting old stamps.

mogi 모기 NOUN = mosquito

모기 물린 데 긁지 마세요. Mogi mullin de geukjji maseyo. Don’t scratch your mosquito bites.

*mogyoil 목요일 /모교일/ [木 tree + 曜 light + 日 day] NOUN = Thursday

저는 목요일마다 집을 치워요. Jeoneun mogyoilmada jibeul chiwoyo. I clean my house on Thursdays.

*mogyok(ada) 목욕(하다) /모굑, 모교카 다/ [沐 wash one’s hair + 浴 bathe] I NOUN = bath

II VERB = bathe

목욕하고 자야겠어요. Mogyokago jayagesseoyo. I think I should take a bath and get some sleep.

mogyoktang 목욕탕 /모굑탕/ [沐 wash one’s hair + 浴 bathe + 湯 boil] NOUN = (public) bath house, bathroom

얼마나 자주 목욕탕에 가세요? Eolmana jaju mogyoktange gaseyo? How often do you go to public baths?

moida 모이다 VERB = gather, come together

모여서 시험 공부 같이 할래? Moyeoseo siheom gongbu gachi hallae? Do you want to get together and study for the test?

moim 모임 [모이 gather (from 모이다) + ㅁ nominal suffix] NOUN = meeting, gathering

모임에 택시를 타고 갈까, 아니면 버스를 타고 갈까? Moime taeksireul tago galkka, animyeon beoseureul tago galkka? Shall we take a taxi or a bus to the meeting?

*moja 모자 [帽 hat + 子 thing] NOUN = hat, cap

남동생한테 줄 모자를 사고 싶어요. Namdongsaenghante jul mojareul sago sipeoyo. I want to buy a cap for my brother.

mojarada 모자라다 VERB = be short, be insufficient

잠이 모자라서 피곤해요. Jami mojaraseo pigonhaeyo. I’m tired from lack of sleep.

mojip(ada) 모집(하다) [募 raise + 集 collect] I NOUN = recruitment II VERB = recruit

저희 팀의 신규 회원을 모집하고 있어요. Jeohi time singyu hoewoneul mojipago isseoyo. We are recruiting new members for our team.

mojori 모조리 ADVERB = all, completely (SYN. 전 부, 모두)

갖고 있는 돈을 모조리 써 버렸어요. Gatkko inneun doneul mojori sseo beoryeosseoyo. I spent all the money I had with me.

*mok 목 NOUN

1 = neck

목을 거의 움직일 수가 없어요. Mogeul geoi umjigil ssuga eopsseoyo. I can barely move my neck.

2 = throat

목이 너무 아파요. Mogi neomu apayo. I have a terrible sore throat.

IDIOMS

moge kari deureowado 목에 칼이 들어와도 = come what may

목에 칼이 들어와도 비밀을 지킬게. Moge kari deureowado bimireul jikilkke. I'll keep the secret come what may.

moge himeul juda 목에 힘(을) 주다 = be arrogant, be in high spirits (SYN. 어깨에 힘을 주다)

걔는 돈을 벌고 난 이후로 목에 힘을 주고 다닌다. Gyaeneun doneul beolgo nan nihuro moge himeul jugo daninda. He has been acting very arrogant since he made some money.

mogeul noa ulda 목(을) 놓아 울다 = weep bitterly

엄마는 외할머니의 장례식에서 목을 놓아 우셨어요. Eommaneun oehalmeonie jangnyesigeseo mogeul noa usyeosseoyo. Mom wept bitterly at my grandmom's funeral.

mogeul maeda 목(을) 매다 = be utterly dependent upon sb/sth

그런 사람한테 목 매지 말고 잊어버려. Geureon saramhante mong maeji malgo ijeobeoryeo. Why are you obsessing over someone like him? Just forget about him.

mogi ppajige gidarida 목(이) 빠지게 기다리다 = wait for sb eagerly (SYN. 눈이 빠지도록 기다리다)

기다리다 목 빠지는 줄 알았어요. Gidarida mok ppajineun jul arasseoyo. It seemed like forever just waiting here.

mogi jallida (목이) 잘리다 = be fired

잘리고 싶지 않으면 열심히 해. Jalligo sipjji aneumyeon yeolssimhi hae. Work hard if you don't want to get fired.

mokjjeok 목적 /목쩍/ [目 eye + 的 target → a target you are trying to achieve] NOUN = purpose, goal, aim

방문 목적은 무엇인가요? Bangmun mokjjeogeun mueosingayo? What’s the purpose of your visit?

mokkkeori 목걸이 /목꺼리/ [목 neck + 걸이 hanger → accessories that you hang around your neck] NOUN = necklace

그 여자는 비싼 목걸이를 하고 있었다. Geu yeojaneun bissan mokkkeorireul hago isseottta. She was wearing a fancy necklace.

mokpyo 목표 [目 eye + 標 mark → a mark that you look up to as a target] NOUN = goal, aim, target

너는 인생의 목표가 뭐니? Neoneu ninsaenge mokpyoga mwoni? What’s your goal in life?

mokssa 목사 /목싸/ [牧 cultivate + 師 skilled person] NOUN = minister, pastor

목사님이신가요? Mokssanimisingayo? Are you a preacher?

mokssori 목소리 /목쏘리/ [목 throat + 소

리 sound → the sound you make from your throat] NOUN = voice

목소리를 낮춰 주세요. Mokssorireul natchwo juseyo. Keep your voices down.

mokssum 목숨 /목쑴/ NOUN = life (SYN. 생명)

그 사고로 수십 명이 목숨을 잃었어요. Geu sagoro susim myeongi mokssumeul ireosseoyo. Dozens of people died in the accident.

NOTE: 목숨 is usually only used when referring to people. 생명 is a general word referring to all forms of life.

molda 몰다 VERB = steer, drive (a car)

술을 마시고 차를 몰다니 미쳤어? Sureul masigo chareul moldani micheosseo? You must be crazy to drive when you’re drunk!

mollae 몰래 ADVERB = secretly

수업 중간에 몰래 빠져 나왔어요. Sueop junggane mollae ppajeo nawasseoyo. I sneaked out in the middle of class.

mollyeodeulda 몰려들다 VERB = crowd, gather

수많은 사람들이 그 가수를 보려고 공항으로 몰려들었다. Sumaneun saramdeuri geu gasureul boryeogo gonghangeuro mollyeodeureottta. People flooded the airport to see the singer.

*mom 몸 NOUN = body, health (SYN. 신체)

내 몸에서 손 떼. Nae momeseo son tte. Take your hands off me.

오늘 몸이 안 좋아요. Oneul momi an joayo. I don’t feel well today.

momjjit 몸짓 /몸찓/ [몸 body + 짓 act] NOUN = gesture, motion

우리는 몸짓으로 의사소통을 했다. Urineun momjjiseuro uisasotongeul haettta. We communicated through gestures.

mommae 몸매 NOUN = figure, form

걔는 몸매가 좋아서 어떤 옷을 입어도 잘 어울려. Gyaeneun mommaega joaseo eotteo noseul ibeodo ja reoullyeo. She has a great figure so she looks good in any clothes.

mommuge 몸무게 [몸 body + 무게 weight] NOUN = (body) weight (SYN. 체중)

요즘 살이 쪄서 몸무게를 재기가 겁이 나요. Yojeum sari jjeoseo mommugereul jaegiga geobi nayo. These days I put on fat so I’m afraid to weigh myself.

momsal 몸살 NOUN = illness from fatigue, body aches

오늘은 몸살 기운이 좀 있어서 먼저 가 볼게요. Oneureun momsal giuni jo misseoseo meonjeo ga bolkkeyo. I ache all over today, so I’m going to take off early.

mongnok 목록 /몽녹/ [目 article + 錄 record] NOUN = list, inventory

쇼핑을 할 때 전 항상 쇼핑 목록을 만들어요. Syopingeul hal ttae jeon hangsang syoping mongnogeul mandeureoyo. When I go shopping, I always make a shopping list.

moniteo 모니터 [from English monitor] NOUN = monitor

퇴근할 때 모니터를 끄지 않는 사람이 많아요. Toegeunhal ttae moniteoreul kkeuji anneun sarami manayo. Many people never turn their monitor off when they leave the office.

mopssi 몹시 /몹씨/ ADVERB = very, really, extremely (SYN. 매우, 무척, 아주, 굉장히, 대단히, 되게)

그날은 제가 기분이 몹시 안 좋았어요. Geunareun jega gibuni mopssi an joasseoyo. I was in a pretty bad mood that day.

morae 모래 NOUN = sand

눈에 모래가 들어간 것 같아. Nune moraega deureogan geot gata. I feel like I have sand in my eyes.

more 모레 NOUN, ADVERB = the day after tomorrow

이번 비는 모레까지 계속되겠습니다. Ibeon ppineun morekkaji gyesokttoegetsseumnida. This rain will continue until the day after tomorrow.

모레 오전에 들를게요. More ojeone deulleulkkeyo. I’ll drop by in the morning the day after tomorrow.

모레 시간 있어? More sigan isseo? Will you have time the day after tomorrow?

moreuda 모르다 VERB = not to know (ANT. 알다)

어떻게 해야 할지 모르겠어. Eotteoke haeya haljji moreugesseo. I don’t know what to do.

moseup 모습 NOUN = figure, form, appearance

이런 모습으로는 밖에 나가고 싶지 않아. Ireon moseubeuroneun bakke nagago sipjji ana. I don’t want to go out looking like this.

mosida 모시다 VERB

1 = escort, take sb to somewhere (honorific of 데리다)

아버지는 할머니를 모시고 병원에 가셨어요. Abeojineun halmeonireul mosigo byeongwone gasyeosseoyo. My father took my grandmother to the hospital.

2 = attend on, wait on, support

저는 부모님을 모시고 살아요. Jeoneun bumonimeul mosigo sarayo. I live with my parents and support them.

*mot 못¹ /몯/ ADVERB = (can) not, never

잠을 전혀 못 잘 때도 있어요. Jameul jeonhyeo mot jjal ttaedo isseoyo. Sometimes I can’t sleep at all.

NOTE: 못 makes a short-form negation. It is usually paraphrased to - 지 못하다. See the note on 못하다¹ motada.

mot 못² /몯/ NOUN = nail

벽에 못 좀 박아 줄래요? Byeoge mot jom baga jullaeyo? Can you hammer this nail into the wall?

*motada 못하다¹ /모타다/ [못 not + 하다 do] AUXILIARY VERB = cannot

어제는 바빠서 그 모임에 가지 못했어요. Eojeneun bappaseo geu moime gaji motaesseoyo. I was busy yesterday, so I couldn’t go to the meeting.

NOTE: The auxiliary verb 못하다 appears as - 지 못하다 after a verb.

*motada 못하다² /모타다/ [못 not + 하다 do → to do something poorly] VERB = be poor (ANT. 잘 하다)

저는 노래를 잘 못해요. Jeoneun noraereul jal motaeyo. I am poor at singing.

motssaenggida 못생기다 /몯쌩기다/ [못 not + 생기다 look like → not good-looking] ADJECTIVE = ugly, unattractive (ANT. 잘생기다)

그 여자는 얼굴은 못생겼지만 성격은 좋아요. Geu yeojaneun eolgureun motssaenggyeotjjiman seongkkyeogeun joayo. She is ugly but sweet.

NOTE: 못생기다 is used in the past tense: 못생겼다.

motttoeda 못되다 /몯뙤다/ ADJECTIVE = bad, mean

너 정말 못됐다! Neo jeongmal motttwaettta! You’re so mean!

NOTE: 못되다 is always used in the past tense: 못됐다.

motungi 모퉁이 NOUN = corner (SYN. 코너 1)

쭉 가시면 모퉁이에 은행이 나올 거예요. Jjuk kkasimyeon motungie eunhaengi naol kkeoyeyo. Go straight, and you’ll find the bank on the corner.

moyang 모양 [模 pattern + 樣 shape] NOUN = shape

종이를 별 모양으로 잘라라. Jongireul byeol moyangeuro jallara. Cut the paper in the shape of a star.

moyeodeulda 모여들다 VERB = gather, flock

싸움 구경을 하려고 사람들이 모여들었다. Ssaum gugyeongeul haryeogo saramdeuri moyeodeureottta. People gathered to watch the fight.

mu 무 NOUN = radish

감자와 무를 얇게 써세요. Gamjawa mureul yalkke sseoseyo. Cut the potatoes and radish into thin slices.

muchaegimhada 무책임하다 /무채김하다/ [無 no + 責 responsibility + 任 undertake + 하다 adjectival suffix] ADJECTIVE = irresponsible

어떻게 그런 무책임한 말을 할 수 있어! Eotteoke geureon muchaegimhan mareul hal ssu isseo! How can you say something so irresponsible!

mucheok 무척 ADVERB = very, extremely (SYN. 매우, 몹시, 아주, 굉장히, 대단히, 되게)

무척 피곤해 보이시네요. Mucheok pigonhae boisineyo. You look awfully tired.

muchida 묻히다¹ /무치다/ [묻다 be smeared with + 히 causative suffix] VERB = coat

책을 넘길 때 손가락에 침 좀 묻히지 마. Chaegeul neomgil ttae sonkkarage chim jom muchiji ma. Please stop wetting your fingers when you turn pages.

muchida 묻히다² /무치다/ [묻다 bury + 히 passive suffix] VERB = be buried

많은 사람들이 여기에서 죽어서 묻혀 있어. Maneun saramdeuri yeogieseo jugeoseo mucheo isseo. Many people were killed and buried here.

mudae 무대 [舞 dance + 臺 stage] NOUN = stage

무대에 서면 흥분돼요. Mudaee seomyeon heungbundwaeyo. I’m excited when I’m on stage.

mudeom 무덤 NOUN = grave, tomb

네가 스스로 자기 무덤을 파는구나! Nega seuseuro jagi mudeomeul paneunguna! You dig your own grave!

mudeoptta 무덥다 /무덥따/ ADJECTIVE = stifling, sweltering

한낮에는 무더웠는데 지금은 시원해. Hannajeneun mudeowonneunde jigeumeun siwonhae. It was stifling at midday, but now it is cool.

mudeowi 무더위 NOUN = heat wave

이번 주말에도 무더위가 계속될 예정입니다. Ibeon jjumaredo mudeowiga gyesokttoel ryejeongimnida. The sweltering weather will continue this weekend.

*mueot 무엇 /무얻/ PRONOUN

1 = what

무엇이 문제인가요? Mueosi munjeingayo? What’s the problem?

2 = something

궁금한 게 있으면 무엇이든 물어보세요. Gunggeumhan ge isseumyeon mueosideun mureoboseyo. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

muge 무게 NOUN = weight

죄송하지만, 짐이 무게 제한을 넘었습니다. Joesonghajiman, jimi muge jehaneul neomeotsseumnida. I’m sorry but your luggage is over the weight limit.

IDIOM

mugereul japtta 무게를 잡다 = take a serious manner

갑자기 왜 무게를 잡고 그래? Gapjjagi wae mugereul japkko geurae? Why are you suddenly so serious?

*mugeoptta 무겁다 /무겁따/ ADJECTIVE = heavy (ANT. 가볍다)

이 가방은 제가 들기에는 너무 무거워요. I gabangeun jega deulgieneun neomu mugeowoyo. This bag is too heavy for me to carry.

mugi 무기 [武 military + 器 tool] NOUN = weapon, arms

경찰은 항상 무기를 갖고 다니나요? Gyeongchareun hangsang mugireul gatkko daninayo? Are the police always carrying arms?

mugwansim(hada) 무관심(하다) [無 no + 關 relate + 心 heart] I NOUN = indifference

II ADJECTIVE = indifferent

남편은 아이들한테 무관심해요. Nampyeoneun aideulhante mugwansimhaeyo. My husband doesn’t care about the kids.

mujigae 무지개 NOUN = rainbow

아침에 무지개 봤니? Achime mujigae bwanni? Did you see the rainbow this morning?

mujokkeon 무조건 /무조껀/ [無 no + 條 item + 件 condition] ADVERB = unconditionally

난 널 무조건 믿어. Nan neol mujokkeon mideo. I trust you without question.

mukkida 묶이다 /무끼다/ [묶다 tie + 이 passive suffix] VERB = be tied

그 상자는 끈으로 묶여 있었다. Geu sangjaneun kkeuneuro mukkyeo isseottta. The box was tied with string.

muktta 묵다 /묵따/ VERB = stay, put up

며칠 동안 묵으실 건가요? Myeochil dongan mugeusil kkeongayo? How many nights would you like to stay?

muktta 묶다 /묵따/ VERB = tie, bind (ANT. 풀다 1)

이렇게 묶으면 안 풀어질 거야. Ireoke mukkeumyeon an pureojil kkeoya. It won’t come loose if you tie it this way.

*mul 물 NOUN = water

저는 물이 무서워요. Jeoneun muri museowoyo. I’m afraid of water.

IDIOMS

mureul meoktta 물(을) 먹다 = fail in an exam, mess up (SYN. 미역국을 먹다)

취직 시험에서 또 물을 먹었어요. Chwijik ssiheomeseo tto mureul meogeosseoyo. I failed the recruitment test again.

mureul heurida 물(을) 흐리다 = exert bad influence on others

괜히 물 흐리지 말고 딴 데 가라. Gwaenhi mul heuriji malgo ttan de gara. Don’t spoil the mood and go somewhere else.

mulche 물체 [物 thing + 體 body] NOUN = object

이 물체는 전기가 잘 통한다. I mulcheneun jeongiga jal tonghanda. This material conducts electricity.

mulda 물다 VERB

1 = bite

모기가 나만 무는 것 같아요. Mogiga naman muneun geot gatayo. It seems like mosquitoes bite only me.

2 = hold sth in one’s mouth

그 사람은 늘 담배를 입에 물고 일해요. Geu sarameun neul dambaereul ibe mulgo ilhaeyo. He always works with a cigarette in his mouth.

*mulgeon 물건 [物 thing + 件 thing] NOUN

1 = thing, stuff

남의 물건에 손대지 마라. Name mulgeone sondaeji mara. Don’t touch what belongs to others.

2 = product, item

특별히 찾는 물건 있으세요? Teukppyeolhi channeun mulgeon isseuseyo? Do you have anything particular in mind?

muljjil 물질 /물찔/ [物 thing + 質 nature] NOUN = matter, substance

위험 물질을 주의해서 다루어라. Wiheom muljjireul juihaeseo darueora. Beware when you handle a dangerous substance.

muljjiljjeok 물질적 /물찔쩍/ [物 thing + 質 nature + 的 of] NOUN, DETERMINER = material

물질적 피해 muljjiljjeok pihae material damage

mulkka 물가 /물까/ [物 thing + 價 price] NOUN = price

서울은 세계에서 가장 물가가 비싼 도시 중 하나예요. Seoureun segyeeseo gajang mulkkaga bissan dosi jung hanayeyo. Seoul is one of the most expensive cities in the world.

mulkki 물기 /물끼/ [물 water + 氣 stream] NOUN = wetness

내가 설거지할 테니 넌 그릇의 물기를 닦아, 알았지? Naega seolgeojihal teni neon geureuse mulkkireul dakka, aratjji? I’ll wash the dishes and you dry them, okay?

mulkkogi 물고기 /물꼬기/ [물 water + 고기 fish] NOUN = fish (SYN. 고기 2)

물고기는 물을 떠나 살 수 없다. Mulkkogineun mureul tteona sal ssu eoptta. A fish can’t live out of the water.

mulleonada 물러나다 VERB

1 = step back, back off

한 걸음 뒤로 물러나 주시겠어요? Han georeum dwiro mulleona jusigesseoyo? Would you move back a step, please?

2 = retire, resign

그녀는 이번 일에 책임을 지고 자리에서 물러났다. Geunyeoneun ibeo nire chaegimeul jigo jarieseo mulleonattta. She took the responsibility for what happened and resigned from her post.

mullida 물리다 [물다 bite + 리 passive suffix] VERB = be bitten

전에 개한테 물린 적이 있어요. Jeone gaehante mullin jeogi isseoyo. I was bitten by a dog once.

*mullon 물론 [勿 not + 論 argue → needless to argue, needless to say] NOUN, ADVERB = of course

물론이지! Mulloniji! Of course!

저는 물론 찬성입니다. Jeoneun mullon chanseongimnida. I am, of course, in favor of it.

mulssok 물속 /물쏙/ [물 water + 속 inside] NOUN = underwater

너무 더워서 물속에 뛰어들고 싶어. Neomu deowoseo mulssoge ttwieodeulgo sipeo. It’s so hot that I just want to jump into the water.

*mun 문 [門 door] NOUN = door, gate

자기 전에 문 잠그는 거 잊지 마. Jagi jeone mun jamgeuneun geo itjji ma. Make sure you lock the door before going to bed.

munbak 문밖 /문박/ [門 door + 밖 outside] NOUN = outside the door

문밖에서 시끄러운 소리가 들렸다. Munbakkeseo sikkeureoun soriga deullyeottta. A noise was heard outside the door.

mundeuk 문득 ADVERB = suddenly (SYN. 갑자기)

문득 옛 기억이 떠올랐다. Mundeuk yet kkieogi tteoollattta. An old memory suddenly occurred to me.

NOTE: 문득 is usually used when a thought or idea occurs to you suddenly, and 갑자기 is close to the usage of the English adverb suddenly.

muneojida 무너지다 VERB = collapse, give way

지진으로 많은 건물들이 무너졌어요. Jijineuro maneun geonmuldeuri muneojeosseoyo. Many buildings collapsed during the earthquake.

munhak 문학 [文 writing + 學 study] NOUN = literature

제 전공은 18세기 독일 문학이에요. Je jeongongeun sippal segi dogil munhagieyo. My specialty is 18th century German literature.

munhakjjeok 문학적 /문학쩍/ [文 writing + 學 study + 的 of] NOUN, DETERMINER = literary

문학적 재능 munhakjjeok jaeneung literary talent

munhwa 문화 [文 culture + 化 become] NOUN = culture

처음에는 낯선 문화에 적응하는 게 힘들었어. Cheoeumeneun natsseon munhwae jeogeunghaneun ge himdeureosseo. At first it was hard to get used to the unfamiliar culture.

munhwajae 문화재 [文 culture + 化 become + 財 wealth] NOUN = cultural assets

개발보다는 문화재 보호가 우선이죠. Gaebalbodaneun munhwajae bohoga useonijyo. Cultural asset protection takes precedence over development.

muni 무늬 /무니/ NOUN = pattern, design

저는 무늬가 화려한 옷을 별로 안 좋아해요. Jeoneun muniga hwaryeoha noseul byeollo an joahaeyo. I don’t like clothes with gaudy patterns.

munjang 문장 [文 writing + 章 writing] NOUN = sentence

이 문장은 좀 어색한 것 같아. I munjangeun jom eosaekan geot gata. I think this sentence is somewhat awkward.

*munje 문제 [問 ask + 題 question] NOUN

1 = question, problem

이 문제 푸는 것 좀 도와줄래? I munje puneun geot jom dowajullae? Can you help me with this question?

2 = matter, issue

뭐가 문제야? Mwoga munjeya? What’s the matter?

munjejjeom 문제점 /문제쩜/ [問 ask + 題 question + 點 point] NOUN = problem

문제점이 있으면 말해 주세요. Munjejjeomi isseumyeon malhae juseyo. Please let me know if there are any problems.

munjja 문자 /문짜/ [文 writing + 字 letter] NOUN

1 = letter

우리는 한글이라는 독특한 문자를 가지고 있어요. Urineun hangeuriraneun dokteukan munjjareul gajigo isseoyo. We have a distinct alphabet system known as Hangul.

2 = text message

내 문자 못 받았어? Nae munjja mot ppadasseo? Didn’t you get my text message?

NOTE: Technically, 문자 메시지 is the correct word for text message. But actually most people just say 문자, dropping 메시지.

munppeop 문법 /문뻡/ [文 writing + 法 law → the law of writing] NOUN = grammar

이 문장은 문법에 맞지 않아. I munjangeun munppeobe matjji ana. This sentence is grammatically incorrect.

munseo 문서 [文 writing + 書 writing] NOUN = document (SYN. 서류)

이 문서 인쇄 좀 해 줄래? I munseo inswae jom hae jullae? Can you print out this document for me?

*mureoboda 물어보다 /무러보다/ [물어 ask (from 묻다) + 보다 try] VERB = ask

차 세우고 누구에게 물어보는 게 어때? Cha seugo nuguege mureoboneun ge eottae? Why don’t you pull over and ask someone?

mureum 물음 /무름/ [물 ask (from 묻다) + 음 nominal suffix] NOUN = question (SYN. 질문)

다음 글을 읽고 물음에 답하시오. Daeum geureul ilkko mureume dapasio. Read the following and answer the questions.

mureup 무릎 /무릅/ NOUN = knee

친구들하고 축구를 하다가 무릎을 다쳤어요. Chingudeulhago chukkkureul hadaga mureupeul dacheosseoyo. I hurt my knee while playing soccer with my friends.

muri(hada) 무리(하다) [無 no + 理 reason] I NOUN = excess, immoderation II ADJECTIVE = excessive, immoderate

글쎄, 그 일은 나한테 무리일 것 같아. Geulsse, geu ireun nahante muriil kkeot gata. Well, I think it will be too much for me.

muryeo 무려 [無 no + 慮 consider → beyond your consideration] ADVERB = as many as

그 사고로 무려 열 명이나 사망했다. Geu sagoro muryeo yeol myeongina samanghaettta. As many as ten people lost their lives in the accident.

muryo 무료 [無 no + 料 charge] NOUN = no charge (SYN. 공짜)

무료 입장 muryo ipjjang Free Admission

NOTE: To check out the difference between 공 짜, 무료, and 서비스, see the note on 서비스 seobiseu.

musahada 무사하다 [無 no + 事 work + 하다 adjectival suffix] ADJECTIVE = safe, unharmed

무사해서 다행이야. Musahaeseo dahaengiya. I’m happy you’re okay.

musahi 무사히 [무사 safe (from 무사하다 ) + 히 adverbial suffix] ADVERB = safely

수술은 무사히 끝났어요. Susureun musahi kkeunnasseoyo. The operation was completed successfully.

museoptta 무섭다 /무섭따/

1 = scary

저는 무서운 영화를 좋아하지 않아요. Jeoneun museoun nyeonghwareul joahaji anayo. I don’t like scary movies.

2 = scared (SYN. 두렵다)

나는 물속에 들어가는 게 무서워. Naneun mulssoge deureoganeun ge museowo. I’m afraid of going into water.

*museun 무슨 DETERMINER = what, what kind of

너희 아빠는 무슨 일을 하시니? Neohi appaneun museu nireul hasini? What does your dad do?

무슨 일이 있어도 나는 거기 갈 거야. Museu niri isseodo naneun geogi gal kkeoya. I’ll be there no matter what happens.

musihada 무시하다 [無 no + 視 see + 하다 verbal suffix → not to see someone intentionally] VERB = ignore

다른 사람의 충고를 무시하지 마라. Dareun sarame chunggoreul musihaji mara. Don’t disregard the advice of others.

*muttta 묻다¹ /묻따/ VERB = ask (SYN. 질문하다)

길을 묻는 게 저한테는 너무 힘들어요. Gireul munneun ge jeohanteneun neomu himdeureoyo. Asking for directions is too hard for me.

muttta 묻다² /묻따/ VERB = bury

그녀는 얼굴을 두 손에 묻고 울기 시작했다. Geunyeoneun eolgureul du sone mutkko ulgi sijakaettta. She buried her face in her hands and started to cry.

muttta 묻다³ /묻따/ VERB = be smeared with

제 등에 흙 묻었어요? Je deunge heung mudeosseoyo? Did I get dirt on my back?

muuimihada 무의미하다 [無 no + 意 intention + 味 meaning + 하다 adjectival suffix] ADJECTIVE = meaningless

무의미한 논쟁은 그만두자. Muuimihan nonjaengeun geumanduja. Let’s put an end to the meaningless argument.

muyeok 무역 [貿 trade + 易 exchange] NOUN = trade, commerce

저는 무역 회사에서 일하고 있습니다. Jeoneun muyeo koesaeseo ilhago itsseumnida. I work for a trading company.

mwo 뭐 I PRONOUN = colloquial word of 무엇 mueot

뭐 좀 먹고 일하자. Mwo jom meokkko ilhaja. Let’s have something to eat before starting work.

II INTERJECTION = what, huh

뭐? 다시 한 번 말해 봐. Mwo? Dasi han beon malhae bwa. What? Say that again.

mwol 뭘 I = shortened form of 무엇을

뭘 드시겠습니까? Mwol deusigetsseumnikka? What do you want to eat?

II INTERJECTION = nothing

고마워요. -뭘요. Gomawoyo. - Mworyo. Thank you. - My pleasure.

NOTE: 뭘 is often used as an answer for someone’s compliment or appreciation. To show respect, the particle - 요 can be attached.

mwot 뭣 = colloquial word of 무엇 mueot

*myeochil 며칠 NOUN

1 = a few days

며칠 쉴 생각이에요. Myeochil swil ssaenggagieyo. I’m planning to rest up for a couple of days.

2 = date

오늘이 며칠이죠? Oneuri myeochirijyo? What date is it today?

myeon 면¹ [面 face] NOUN = face, side, aspect

그 사람에게는 다른 사람과 다른 면이 있어. Geu saramegeneun dareun saramgwa dareun myeoni isseo. There’s something different about him.

*myeon 면² ENDING = if, provided, when

서두르면 기차를 탈 수 있을 거야. Seodureumyeon gichareul tal ssu isseul kkeoya. If you hurry, you’ll catch the train.

NOTE: 면/으면 is attached to the stem of verbs/ adjectives. Verbs/adjectives whose stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ will take 면 as the ending sound, while those whose stem ends in any consonant but ㄹ will take 으면.

myeondam(hada) 면담(하다) [面 face + 談 talk] I NOUN = face-to-face talk II VERB = have a face-to-face talk

너희 부모님하고 면담을 해야겠구나. Neohi bumonimhago myeondameul haeyagetkkuna. I should have a face-to-face talk with your parents.

myeondo(hada) 면도(하다) [面 face + 刀 knife → the act of shaving one’s face using a razor] I NOUN = shave II VERB = shave

2주 동안 샤워도, 면도도 하지 못했어요. I ju dongan syawodo, myeondodo haji motaesseoyo. I couldn’t take a shower or shave for two weeks.

myeoneuri 며느리 NOUN = daughter-in-law (ANT. 사위)

친구의 딸을 며느리로 맞이했어요. Chingue ttareul myeoneuriro majihaesseoyo. I had a daughter of my friend as my daughter-in-law.

*myeong 명 [名 name] DEPENDENT NOUN = person (unit of counting people)

우리 두 명뿐이에요. Uri du myeongppunieyo. There is only two of us.

myeongdan 명단 [名 name + 單 single] NOUN = list, roll

명단에 제 이름이 빠져 있어요. Myeongdane je ireumi ppajeo isseoyo. My name has been omitted from the list.

myeongham 명함 [名 name + 銜 title → a card on which your name and title are written] NOUN = (business) card

제 명함입니다. Je myeonghamimnida. Here’s my business card.

myeonghwakada 명확하다 /명화카다/ [明 clear + 確 certain + 하다 adjectival suffix] ADJECTIVE = clear, obvious

명확한 증거가 있나요? Myeonghwakan jeunggeoga innayo? Do you have any definite evidence?

myeongjeol 명절 [名 name + 節 season] NOUN = (national) holiday

설날과 추석은 한국에서 가장 중요한 명절이에요. Seollalgwa chuseogeun hangugeseo gajang jungyohan myeongjeorieyo. The Lunar New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving Day are the most important holidays in Korea.

myeongnyeong(hada) 명령(하다) /명녕(하 다)/ [命 order + 令 say] I NOUN = command, order

II VERB = order, command

나한테 명령하지 마! Nahante myeongnyeonghaji ma! Don’t order me around!

myeongye 명예 [名 name + 譽 praise → name praised widely by people] NOUN = honor

내 명예를 걸고 약속할게. Nae myeongyereul geolgo yakssokalkke. I promise you on my honor.

myeonjeok 면적 [面 face + 積 pile] NOUN = area, extent (SYN. 넓이)

서울은 면적이 얼마나 되나요? Seoureun myeonjeogi eolmana doenayo? What is the area of Seoul?

myeonjeop 면접 [面 face + 接 adjacent] NOUN = interview

내일 있을 면접이 걱정돼요. Naeil isseul myeonjeobi geokjjeongdwaeyo. I’m worried about my job interview tomorrow.

myeonmyeot 몇몇 /면멷/ [몇 some + 몇 some] NOUN, DETERMINER = some, several

아직 몇몇 사람들이 병원에 있어요. Ajik myeonmyeot ssaramdeuri byeongwone isseoyo. There are still some people in the hospital.

myeonseo 면서 ENDING = while, at the same time

아버지는 꼭 신문을 보면서 밥을 드세요. Abeojineun kkok sinmuneul bomyeonseo babeul deuseyo. Dad always reads the paper while eating.

NOTE: 면서/으면서 is attached to the stem of verbs/adjectives and it signifies two actions or states that occur at the same time. The subject of those two clauses should be identical. Verbs/ adjectives whose stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ will take 면서 as the ending, while those whose stem ends in a consonant but ㄹ will take 으면서.

*myeot 몇 /멷/ NOUN, DETERMINER

1 = some, a few

몇 분 후에 다시 걸게요. Myeot ppun hue dasi geolkkeyo. I’ll call you back in a few minutes.

2 = how many, how old, what time

지금 몇 시예요? Jigeum myeot ssiyeyo? What time is it?

형제가 몇이세요? Hyeongjega myeochiseyo? How many brothers do you have?

myosa(hada) 묘사(하다) [描 describe + 寫 copy] I NOUN = description, depiction II VERB = describe, depict

그는 사고 현장을 자세하게 묘사했다. Geuneun sago hyeonjangeul jasehage myosahaettta. He described the accident in detail.