What does 분 mean?

분 (bun)

분 (bun) in Korean means minute, a polite way to say person, and more.

Korean word 분 with meanings minute and polite person

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

(bun)

분 primarily means 'minute' as a unit of time (60 seconds). It also serves as an honorific term for 'person' and can mean 'part' or 'portion' in some contexts.

Nuances

  • Most common as time unit
  • Honorific for people in formal speech
  • 'Part' meaning mainly in compound words

When to use

telling time, polite person reference, expressing part/portion

In context

Attach 분 after numbers to count minutes (e.g., 1분, 10분). Use 분 alone or with modifiers like '어떤 분' to politely refer to a person, especially in formal contexts. The meaning 'part' appears mostly in compound words.

Real-world examples

  • 수업은 50분 동안 진행됩니다.

    su-eop-eun 50bun dong-an jin-haeng-doep-ni-da., su eop eun 50bun dong an jin haeng doep ni da.

    Correct use as a time unit after a number.

  • 저분은 우리 선생님이에요.

    jeo-bun-eun u-ri seon-saeng-nim-i-e-yo., jeo bun eun u ri seon saeng nim i e yo.

    '저분' politely refers to a person.

  • 이 문제는 분이 잘못됐어요.

    i mun-je-neun bun-i jal-mos-dwaess-eo-yo., i mun je neun bun i jal mos dwaess eo yo.

    '분' is not used alone to mean 'part' here.

  • 회의는 30분 후에 시작합니다.

    hoe-ui-neun 30bun hu-e si-jak-hap-ni-da., hoe ui neun 30bun hu e si jak hap ni da.

    Correct time unit expression.

  • 그분께 인사를 드렸습니다.

    geu-bun-kke in-sa-reul deu-ryeoss-seup-ni-da., geu bun kke in sa reul deu ryeoss seup ni da.

    Honorific way to refer to a person.

  • 분을 나누다.

    bun-eul na-nu-da., bun eul na nu da.

    '분' is not used alone to mean 'divide'.

Quick quiz

  1. What is the most common meaning of '분'?

    '분'이 가장 흔하게 쓰이는 의미는 무엇인가요?('bun'iga-jangheun-ha-gesseu-i-neunui-mi-neunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, 'bun'igajangheunhagesseuineunuimineunmueosingayo?)
  2. What kind of expression is '그분'?

    '그분'은 어떤 표현인가요?('geu-bun'euneo-tteonpyo-hyeon-in-ga-yo?, 'geubun'euneotteonpyohyeoningayo?)
  3. Which sentence is correct?

    다음 중 올바른 문장은?(da-eumjungol-ba-reunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungolbareunmunjangeun?)

More meaning guides

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