similar split · similar, speech
Speak / say vs Talk / chat in Korean
Use these when you want to express speech or conversation 👇 🔴 말하다 [malhada] - Speak / say
How these words work together
In Korean, both 말하다 and 이야기하다 relate to speaking, but they are used differently. 말하다 means to speak or say something directly, often focusing on the content of what is said. 이야기하다 means to talk or chat, usually implying a more casual or conversational exchange. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right word in daily conversations.
Words in this chart
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 말하다 | malhada | Speak / say |
| 이야기하다 | iyagihada | Talk / chat |
Example sentences
선생님이 중요한 말을 했어요.
The teacher said something important.
친구와 재미있게 이야기를 했어요.
I had a fun chat with my friend.
그는 문제에 대해 말하지 않았어요.
He did not speak about the problem.
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