목말라 (mok-mal-ra, mokmalra)
목말라 (mok-malla) is a shortened form of '목이 마르다', meaning 'to be thirsty'. It’s commonly used in everyday Korean conversations.
Core meaning and shades learners miss.
'목말라' is a contraction of '목이 마르다', meaning the state of feeling thirsty due to lack of water in the body.
Nuances
When to use
Everyday conversation, After meal, During exercise
In context
'목말라' is mainly used with the subject 'I' (나) and appears naturally in spoken Korean. It functions like an adjective, e.g., '목말라요'.
목말라서 물 좀 마실래.
mok-mal-ra-seo mul jom ma-sil-rae., mok mal ra seo mul jom ma sil rae.
'목말라서' naturally expresses thirst as a reason to drink water.
나는 지금 목말라요.
na-neun ji-geum mok-mal-ra-yo., na neun ji geum mok mal ra yo.
'목말라요' is a polite spoken form appropriately expressing current thirst.
그는 목말라 먹었어요.
geu-neun mok-mal-ra meok-eoss-eo-yo., geu neun mok mal ra meok eoss eo yo.
'목말라' means thirst, so pairing it with 'ate' is unnatural.
목말라서 운동을 계속할 수 없어요.
mok-mal-ra-seo un-dong-eul gye-sok-hal su eop-eo-yo., mok mal ra seo un dong eul gye sok hal su eop eo yo.
It naturally means stopping exercise due to thirst.
목말라서 졸려요.
mok-mal-ra-seo jol-ryeo-yo., mok mal ra seo jol ryeo yo.
Thirst and sleepiness are not causally related, so it's unnatural.
What does '목말라' mean?
Which sentence is correct?
