이메일하다

§ Understanding 이메일하다

The Korean verb 이메일하다 (i-me-il-ha-da) means 'to email' or 'to send an email'. It's a combination of the English word 'email' and the Korean verb 하다 (ha-da), which means 'to do'. This is a very common way to create new verbs in Korean, especially with loanwords. You'll see 하다 attached to many nouns to turn them into verbs.

KOREAN WORD

이메일하다

DEFINITION

To send an email to someone.

CEFR LEVEL

A2

§ Basic Conjugation of 이메일하다

Like all Korean verbs, 이메일하다 will change its ending depending on the formality and tense you need. Here are some common conjugations:

• Present Tense (Informal Polite): 이메일해요 (i-me-il-hae-yo) - I email, you email, etc.
• Present Tense (Formal Polite): 이메일합니다 (i-me-il-ham-ni-da) - I email, you email, etc.
• Past Tense (Informal Polite): 이메일했어요 (i-me-il-haess-eo-yo) - I emailed, you emailed, etc.
• Future Tense (Informal Polite): 이메일할 거예요 (i-me-il-hal geo-ye-yo) - I will email, you will email, etc.

§ How to Use it in Sentences

When you use 이메일하다, you'll often want to say who you're emailing and what you're emailing about. Let's look at the particles you'll use.

1. Who are you emailing? (~에게 / ~한테)

To indicate the person you are emailing, you use the particles 에게 (e-ge) or 한테 (han-te). Both mean 'to' a person. 한테 is more casual than 에게, but both are commonly used.

2. What are you emailing about? (~에 대해 / ~에 대한)

To express what the email is about, you can use ~에 대해 (e dae-hae) meaning 'about' or 'concerning'. If you want to describe the email itself, you might use ~에 대한 (e dae-han) which modifies a noun, like 'an email about X'.

3. Object Particle (~을/를)

Sometimes, you might see 이메일 (email) used with the object particle 을/를 (eul/reul) before 하다. This creates a slightly different nuance, essentially making 'email' the direct object of 'to do'. Both 이메일하다 and 이메일을 하다 are correct and understood to mean 'to email'.

§ More Examples

Now you know how to use 이메일하다 to talk about sending emails in Korean. Keep practicing and you'll get the hang of it!

§ What does 이메일하다 mean?

The Korean verb 이메일하다 (i-me-il-ha-da) literally means 'to do email' or 'to email.' It's a convenient way to say you're sending an email to someone.

Korean Word

이메일하다

Grammar

Verb

Pronunciation

[이메일하다]

Definition

To send an email to someone.

CEFR Level

A2

§ How to use 이메일하다

You use 이메일하다 when you want to express the action of sending an email. It's a common and straightforward verb.

Translation hint

I will email you tomorrow.

Translation hint

I emailed the teacher.

§ Similar words and when to use 이메일하다 vs alternatives

While 이메일하다 is perfectly clear and commonly used, you might encounter other ways to express sending an email. It's good to know the nuances.

• 이메일을 보내다 (i-me-il-eul bo-nae-da): This is another very common and perhaps slightly more formal way to say 'to send an email.' 보내다 specifically means 'to send.' So, '이메일을 보내다' literally translates to 'to send an email.'

  친구에게 이메일을 보냈어요.

  Translation hint

  I sent an email to my friend.

  Both 이메일하다 and 이메일을 보내다 are interchangeable in most everyday contexts. You won't go wrong using either one. However, if you want to emphasize the action of 'sending,' 이메일을 보내다 might be slightly more precise.

• 메일하다 (me-il-ha-da): This is a shorter, slightly more colloquial version of 이메일하다. '메일' is a common shortened form of '이메일.' You'll hear this often in casual conversation.

  지금 메일할게.

  Translation hint

  I'll email you now.

  Use 메일하다 in less formal situations, such as with friends, family, or close colleagues. It's quick and easy.

• 문자하다 (mun-ja-ha-da): This means 'to text' or 'to send a text message.' While it involves sending a message electronically, it's specifically for text messages, not emails. Don't confuse it with email-related verbs.

  나중에 문자할게.

  Translation hint

  I'll text you later.

• 카톡하다 (ka-tok-ha-da): This refers to sending a message via KakaoTalk, the most popular messaging app in Korea. Similar to 문자하다, it's about messaging but through a specific app, not email.

  언제 카톡했어요?

  Translation hint

  When did you KakaoTalk me?

In summary, 이메일하다 is your go-to for emailing. If you want to be slightly more explicit about 'sending,' use 이메일을 보내다. For casual contexts, 메일하다 works great. Always remember to use the right word for the right communication method!