What does 말하다 mean?

말하다 (mal-ha-da, malhada)

The Korean verb '말하다' means 'to speak' or 'to say.' It's used widely from casual talks to formal speech.

Korean verb 말하다 meaning to speak or say

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

말하다(mal-ha-da, malhada)

'말하다' is a verb meaning to express thoughts, opinions, or information by speaking aloud.

Nuances

  • Simply means the act of speaking, but can imply expressing opinions or conveying information depending on context
  • In formal settings, can be similar to 'present' or 'state'
  • In casual contexts, almost synonymous with 'talk' or 'tell'

When to use

Casual conversation, Meeting, Speech

In context

'말하다' indicates the subject's act of speaking directly. It usually takes a noun related to speech (말, 이야기) or direct quotations as objects. It's used both in spoken and written language, suitable for formal contexts as well.

Real-world examples

  • 그는 자신의 생각을 솔직하게 말했다.

    geu-neun ja-sin-ui saeng-gak-eul sol-jik-ha-ge mal-haess-da., geu neun ja sin ui saeng gak eul sol jik ha ge mal haess da.

    The subject directly expresses his thoughts, so '말하다' is appropriately used.

  • 나는 친구에게 편지를 말했다.

    na-neun chin-gu-e-ge pyeon-ji-reul mal-haess-da., na neun chin gu e ge pyeon ji reul mal haess da.

    'Letter' is not something expressed by speaking, so it cannot be an object of '말하다'.

  • 회의에서 중요한 정보를 말해야 한다.

    hoe-ui-e-seo jung-yo-han jeong-bo-reul mal-hae-ya han-da., hoe ui e seo jung yo han jeong bo reul mal hae ya han da.

    '말하다' naturally fits when conveying information verbally.

  • 그녀는 조용히 책을 말하고 있었다.

    geu-nyeo-neun jo-yong-hi chaek-eul mal-ha-go iss-eoss-da., geu nyeo neun jo yong hi chaek eul mal ha go iss eoss da.

    'Book' is not something to be spoken, so the sentence is semantically incorrect.

  • 선생님이 학생들에게 중요한 공지를 말했습니다.

    seon-saeng-nim-i hak-saeng-deul-e-ge jung-yo-han gong-ji-reul mal-haess-seup-ni-da., seon saeng nim i hak saeng deul e ge jung yo han gong ji reul mal haess seup ni da.

    Appropriate expression for verbally delivering a notice.

  • 그는 나에게 진실을 말하지 않았다.

    geu-neun na-e-ge jin-sil-eul mal-ha-ji an-ass-da., geu neun na e ge jin sil eul mal ha ji an ass da.

    '말하다' is naturally used to mean conveying the truth.

Quick quiz

  1. What is the basic meaning of '말하다'?

    '말하다'의 기본 의미는 무엇인가요?('mal-ha-da'uigi-bonui-mi-neunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, 'malhada'uigibonuimineunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence correctly uses '말하다'?

    다음 중 '말하다'를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung'mal-ha-da'reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'malhada'reulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  3. In which situation is '말하다' mainly used?

    '말하다'는 어떤 상황에서 주로 사용되나요?('mal-ha-da'neuneo-tteonsang-hwang-e-seoju-rosa-yong-doe-na-yo?, 'malhada'neuneotteonsanghwangeseojurosayongdoenayo?)

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