직접 vs 손수 vs 몸소: Who Really Means ‘By My Own Hands’?

Real-world examples

• ⭕

  나는 문제를 직접 해결했다.

  na-neun mun-je-reul jik-jeop hae-gyeol-haess-da., na neun mun je reul jik jeop hae gyeol haess da.

  Appropriate because the subject solved the problem themselves without intermediaries.

• ❌

  나는 문제를 손수 해결했다.

  na-neun mun-je-reul son-su hae-gyeol-haess-da., na neun mun je reul son su hae gyeol haess da.

  Not suitable because '손수' implies careful or meticulous effort, which is not stressed here.

• ⭕

  사장님이 몸소 현장을 방문했다.

  sa-jang-nim-i mom-so hyeon-jang-eul bang-mun-haess-da., sa jang nim i mom so hyeon jang eul bang mun haess da.

  Correct as a person of authority personally visits the site, fitting '몸소'.

• ⭕

  사장님이 직접 현장을 방문했다.

  sa-jang-nim-i jik-jeop hyeon-jang-eul bang-mun-haess-da., sa jang nim i jik jeop hyeon jang eul bang mun haess da.

  Also correct since it simply means the person visited directly.

• ⭕

  나는 손수 요리를 만들었다.

  na-neun son-su yo-ri-reul man-deul-eoss-da., na neun son su yo ri reul man deul eoss da.

  Appropriate because it emphasizes personal care in cooking.

• ❌

  나는 몸소 요리를 만들었다.

  na-neun mom-so yo-ri-reul man-deul-eoss-da., na neun mom so yo ri reul man deul eoss da.

  Incorrect because '몸소' implies authority or responsibility, not suitable for cooking.

• ⭕

  교수님이 몸소 강의를 하셨다.

  gyo-su-nim-i mom-so gang-ui-reul ha-syeoss-da., gyo su nim i mom so gang ui reul ha syeoss da.

  Correct as a person of authority personally giving a lecture fits '몸소'.

• ❌

  교수님이 손수 강의를 하셨다.

  gyo-su-nim-i son-su gang-ui-reul ha-syeoss-da., gyo su nim i son su gang ui reul ha syeoss da.

  Unnatural because '손수' emphasizes careful effort, less fitting for lectures.

1. Which word best means ‘doing personally with care’?

   다음 중 ‘정성 들여 직접’의 의미로 가장 적절한 단어는?(da-eumjung‘jeong-seongdeul-yeojik-jeop’uiui-mi-roga-jangjeok-jeol-handan-eo-neun?, daeumjung‘jeongseongdeulyeojikjeop’uiuimirogajangjeokjeolhandaneoneun?)
   • 직접(jik-jeop, jikjeop)
   • 손수(son-su, sonsu)
   • 몸소(mom-so, momso)

2. Which word is used when a person of authority acts personally?

   ‘권위 있는 사람이 직접 행동할 때’ 쓰는 단어는?(‘gwon-wiiss-neunsa-ram-ijik-jeophaeng-dong-halttae’sseu-neundan-eo-neun?, ‘gwonwiissneunsaramijikjeophaengdonghalttae’sseuneundaneoneun?)
   • 직접(jik-jeop, jikjeop)
   • 손수(son-su, sonsu)
   • 몸소(mom-so, momso)

3. Which word fits ‘performing an action oneself without intermediaries’?

   ‘중간에 다른 사람 없이 바로 행위 수행’ 의미에 맞는 단어는?(‘jung-gan-eda-reunsa-rameop-iba-rohaeng-wisu-haeng’ui-mi-emaj-neundan-eo-neun?, ‘jungganedareunsarameopibarohaengwisuhaeng’uimiemajneundaneoneun?)
   • 직접(jik-jeop, jikjeop)
   • 손수(son-su, sonsu)
   • 몸소(mom-so, momso)