What does 바람 mean?

바람 (ba-ram, baram)

‘바람’ is a common Korean word with multiple meanings. This guide explains its different senses and natural usage.

Different meanings of the Korean word 바람

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

바람(ba-ram, baram)

‘바람’ primarily means ‘wind’ (air flow), but can also mean ‘hope’, ‘desire’, or ‘affair’ depending on context.

Nuances

  • Basic meaning is ‘air flow’
  • Figuratively means ‘hope’ or ‘desire’
  • ‘바람을 피우다’ means ‘having an affair’
  • Context determines positive or negative meaning

When to use

Everyday conversation, Literature, Business talk, Romantic contexts

In context

‘바람’ is a noun whose meaning changes naturally depending on context. It appears in both spoken and written Korean, but expressions like ‘바람을 피우다’ are informal and mainly used in speech.

Real-world examples

  • 오늘 바람이 많이 불어요.

    o-neul ba-ram-i man-i bul-eo-yo., o neul ba ram i man i bul eo yo.

    ‘바람’ naturally means ‘wind’ here.

  • 그는 새로운 바람을 원해요.

    geu-neun sae-ro-un ba-ram-eul won-hae-yo., geu neun sae ro un ba ram eul won hae yo.

    ‘바람’ is used figuratively as ‘hope’ or ‘desire’.

  • 그녀는 바람을 피웠어요.

    geu-nyeo-neun ba-ram-eul pi-woss-eo-yo., geu nyeo neun ba ram eul pi woss eo yo.

    ‘바람을 피우다’ is an idiom meaning ‘to have an affair’.

  • 바람이 너무 세서 창문이 깨졌어요.

    ba-ram-i neo-mu se-seo chang-mun-i kkae-jyeoss-eo-yo., ba ram i neo mu se seo chang mun i kkae jyeoss eo yo.

    ‘바람’ fits as ‘wind’ in this sentence.

  • 저는 바람이 좋아요.

    jeo-neun ba-ram-i joh-a-yo., jeo neun ba ram i joh a yo.

    ‘바람’ naturally means ‘wind’ here.

  • 그는 바람을 많이 피워요.

    geu-neun ba-ram-eul man-i pi-wo-yo., geu neun ba ram eul man i pi wo yo.

    Natural plural use of ‘having affairs’ idiom.

  • 바람이 부는 날에는 기분이 좋아요.

    ba-ram-i bu-neun nal-e-neun gi-bun-i joh-a-yo., ba ram i bu neun nal e neun gi bun i joh a yo.

    ‘바람’ correctly means ‘wind’ here.

  • 바람을 쐬러 공원에 갔어요.

    ba-ram-eul ssoe-reo gong-won-e gass-eo-yo., ba ram eul ssoe reo gong won e gass eo yo.

    ‘바람을 쐬다’ means to get fresh air outdoors.

Quick quiz

  1. What does ‘바람을 피우다’ mean?

    ‘바람을 피우다’의 의미는?(‘ba-ram-eulpi-u-da’uiui-mi-neun?, ‘barameulpiuda’uiuimineun?)
  2. What is the basic meaning of ‘바람’?

    ‘바람’의 기본적인 의미는 무엇인가요?(‘ba-ram’uigi-bon-jeok-inui-mi-neunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, ‘baram’uigibonjeokinuimineunmueosingayo?)
  3. In the expression ‘새로운 바람’, what does ‘바람’ mean?

    ‘새로운 바람’이라는 표현에서 ‘바람’은 어떤 의미인가요?(‘sae-ro-unba-ram’i-ra-neunpyo-hyeon-e-seo‘ba-ram’euneo-tteonui-mi-in-ga-yo?, ‘saerounbaram’iraneunpyohyeoneseo‘baram’euneotteonuimiingayo?)

More meaning guides

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