At the A1 level, the word 말해지다 might seem a bit advanced because it uses the passive voice. However, you can think of it as the 'passive twin' of the word 말하다 (to speak). While 말하다 is what you do when you open your mouth to say something, 말해지다 is what happens to the words themselves. At this beginning stage, you mostly need to recognize that when you see -해지다 at the end of a verb like 말하다, the sentence isn't about *who* is speaking, but rather *what* is being said by people in general. For example, if you see a sign that says '한국어만 말해져야 합니다,' it means 'Only Korean should be spoken.' It's a way to talk about rules or general situations without focusing on a specific person. Don't worry about using it in your own sentences yet; just try to notice it when you read simple stories or news headlines for kids. It's like the difference between 'I speak English' and 'English is spoken here.' Focus on the root (word/speech) to help you remember the meaning.
At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more complex grammar patterns, and 말해지다 is a great example of the -아/어지다 passive construction. You should start using this word to describe rumors or general facts. A very common pattern for you to learn is [Noun] + -라고 말해지다, which means '[Noun] is said to be...'. For example, '제주도는 아름답다고 말해져요' (Jeju Island is said to be beautiful). This is a very useful way to express opinions that aren't just yours, but are shared by many people. You will also see this word used with the past tense 말해졌어요 to talk about things people used to say in the past. Remember that the thing being talked about takes the subject particle -이/가 or the topic particle -은/는. Unlike 말하다, you don't use -을/를 with 말해지다 because it's a passive verb. Practicing this will help your Korean sound more natural and less like a direct translation from English 'people say.'
As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable with the distinction between active and passive verbs. 말해지다 becomes particularly useful when you are writing essays or giving presentations. It allows you to introduce objective information or 'common knowledge' without sounding too subjective. You should pay attention to how this verb is used in the present continuous form, 말해지고 있다, which describes current trends or ongoing discussions in society. For instance, '환경 보호의 중요성이 널리 말해지고 있다' (The importance of environmental protection is being widely spoken of). You should also begin to distinguish 말해지다 from similar passive verbs like 전해지다 (to be passed down) and 알려지다 (to be known). While 알려지다 focuses on the state of being known, 말해지다 specifically focuses on the act of people talking about it. This nuance is key for reaching an intermediate level of fluency. Try using it when discussing social issues or cultural traditions in your writing assignments.
At the B2 level, you should be able to use 말해지다 in more complex sentence structures, such as within relative clauses or with advanced connectors. For example, '그렇게 말해지는 이유가 무엇인가요?' (What is the reason it is said that way?). You should also understand the stylistic choice of using 말해지다 in formal contexts like news reports or official documents. In these settings, the agent (the person speaking) is often omitted to create a sense of institutional authority or general consensus. You might also encounter the formal written form 말해진다 in literature or editorials. At this level, you should be sensitive to the 'weight' of the word; it sounds much more formal and definitive than the casual ~라고 하다. Use it when you want to emphasize that a certain view is a matter of public record or widespread oral tradition. Additionally, explore negative constructions like 말해지지 않은 진실 (the unspoken truth) to add depth to your descriptions and storytelling.
For C1 learners, 말해지다 is a tool for precision and rhetorical style. You should analyze how the word is used in abstract or philosophical contexts. For instance, in literary criticism or sociology, you might discuss how certain identities or concepts are 'constructed through being spoken' (말해짐으로써 구성되다). You should be able to handle sentences where 말해지다 is paired with the agent particle -에 의해, specifically when the agent is an abstract concept like 'history' or 'tradition' (e.g., '역사에 의해 말해지는 교훈'). At this level, you should also be aware of the subtle difference between 말해지다 and Sino-Korean equivalents like 언급되다 (to be mentioned) or 구전되다 (to be passed down orally). 말해지다 feels more native and can sometimes carry a more poetic or evocative tone. Your goal should be to use this word to navigate the nuances of 'the unspoken' versus 'the spoken,' exploring the boundaries of communication in your advanced writing and academic discourse.
At the C2 level, you should have a native-like grasp of 말해지다, recognizing its use in the highest forms of literature, legal texts, and philosophical treatises. You can appreciate the word's role in 'discourse analysis' (담론 분석), where the focus is on how things are spoken of in society. You might encounter complex nominalized forms like 말해짐 (the act of being spoken) and use them to discuss the ontology of language. For example, '언어는 오직 말해짐을 통해서만 그 생명력을 얻는다' (Language gains its vitality only through being spoken). You should also be able to identify and use the word in highly formal archival or historical contexts, such as describing how a king's decree was 'spoken' to the masses. At this level, the word is not just a verb but a conceptual building block for discussing the nature of truth, rumor, and the collective voice of a people. You should be able to use it effortlessly to create a specific atmosphere in your writing, whether it be the cold objectivity of a scientific report or the haunting resonance of a modern novel.

말해지다 in 30 Sekunden

  • The passive form of '말하다' (to say), meaning 'to be said' or 'to be spoken.'
  • Used in formal contexts like news, literature, and academic writing to report general facts.
  • Commonly follows the pattern '~라고 말해지다' to mean 'It is said that...'
  • Helps create an objective tone by removing the focus from a specific speaker.
The Korean verb 말해지다 is a passive construction derived from the active verb 말하다 (to speak, to say). In linguistic terms, it combines the root 말하- with the auxiliary verb ending -어지다, which signifies a change of state or a passive action. While 말하다 focuses on the subject who is performing the act of speaking, 말해지다 shifts the focus to the content or the fact that something is being communicated. It is most commonly translated as 'to be spoken,' 'to be told,' or 'to be said.' In everyday Korean, you might not hear this word as frequently as its active counterpart, but it plays a crucial role in formal writing, news reporting, and academic discussions where the speaker wants to maintain an objective tone or when the original source of the information is generalized or unknown.
Passive Voice Nuance
In Korean culture, using the passive voice like 말해지다 can sometimes be a way to avoid direct responsibility or to sound more humble and objective. Instead of saying 'People say this,' saying 'It is spoken of this way' removes the specific human agent from the forefront of the sentence.

그 이야기는 세대에서 세대로 말해지다. (That story is told from generation to generation.)

Historically, the development of -어지다 constructions allowed Korean to express complex nuances that were previously handled by different verb endings. With 말해지다, the focus is on the oral transmission of information. It is often used in the phrase ~라고 말해지다 (it is said to be...). For example, if a certain fruit is believed to be good for health, a scientist might write, '이 과일은 건강에 좋다고 말해집니다.' This sounds much more authoritative than simply saying people like the fruit. The word carries a weight of collective agreement or traditional passing down of knowledge.
Grammar Structure
The verb follows the regular conjugation rules for -하다 verbs becoming -해지다. In the present tense, it becomes 말해져요 (polite) or 말해집니다 (formal). In the past, it is 말해졌어요.

그의 이름은 전설 속에서 영원히 말해질 것이다. (His name will be spoken forever in legend.)

Contextual Usage
You will encounter this word in literature when describing how myths are preserved, or in news articles discussing public opinion ('It is being spoken of as a major crisis'). It adds a layer of formality that separates casual chat from documented or widespread discourse.

진실은 언젠가 말해지기 마련이다. (The truth is bound to be spoken eventually.)

In summary, 말해지다 is about the life of a word or a story after it leaves a speaker's mouth. It is the state of being part of the spoken record. Whether it's a secret that finally gets out or a tradition that survives through speech, this verb captures the essence of oral communication from the perspective of the message itself.
Using 말해지다 correctly requires an understanding of how passive subjects function in Korean. Unlike English where the passive 'It is said' often uses a dummy subject 'It,' Korean usually identifies the topic or subject that is being spoken about using particles like -은/는 or -이/가. For instance, if you are talking about a rumor, the rumor is the subject: 소문이 말해지다 (The rumor is spoken/told).
Pattern: [Subject] + -라고 말해지다
This is the most common pattern. It translates to '[Subject] is said to be...'. Example: '그는 천재라고 말해진다' (He is said to be a genius).

이곳은 세상에서 가장 아름다운 섬이라고 말해집니다. (This place is said to be the most beautiful island in the world.)

When using this verb, pay attention to the tense. Because 말해지다 often describes ongoing reputations or historical facts, the present continuous (-고 있다) or the plain present tense is very common. '말해지고 있다' implies that people are currently talking about something or that a certain opinion is currently circulating in society.
Pattern: [Topic] + -에 대해 말해지다
This means 'It is spoken about [Topic]'. It is used when discussing a subject matter rather than a specific definition. Example: '그 사건에 대해 많은 것들이 말해졌다' (Many things were spoken about that incident).

그의 업적은 후세에 의해 높게 말해질 것입니다. (His achievements will be highly spoken of by future generations.)

Another important aspect is the use of the agent (the person doing the speaking). If you want to specify who is doing the speaking in a passive sentence, use the particle -에 의해 (by). However, usually, the agent is omitted because 말해지다 implies a general 'they' or 'people.' For example, '전문가들에 의해 말해지는 바에 따르면...' (According to what is being said by experts...).
Pattern: 말해지는 [Noun]
Using the verb as an adjective to modify a noun. Example: '입에서 입으로 말해지는 이야기' (A story told from mouth to mouth / an oral tradition).

그 비밀은 누구에게도 말해져서는 안 된다. (That secret must not be spoken to anyone.)

Lastly, consider the negative form. 말해지지 않다 means 'is not spoken' or 'is not mentioned.' This is useful for talking about taboo subjects or things that are being ignored by the public. '그 문제는 회의에서 전혀 말해지지 않았다' (That issue was not spoken of at all during the meeting). This construction emphasizes the absence of communication.
You are likely to encounter 말해지다 in environments where formal or structured communication is the norm. In South Korea, the media, academia, and literature are the primary domains for this word. While you might not say it while buying apples at the market, you will certainly hear it on the nightly news or read it in a history textbook.
News and Journalism
Reporters use 말해지다 to report on speculations or consensus. For example, '이번 대책은 실효성이 부족하다고 말해지고 있습니다' (It is being said that this measure lacks effectiveness). It allows the reporter to state a common criticism without attributing it to a single individual.

정치권에서는 그의 사퇴가 임박했다고 말해집니다. (In political circles, it is said that his resignation is imminent.)

In documentaries and historical dramas (Sageuk), 말해지다 is used to discuss legends and myths. When a narrator says, '그는 용의 아들이라고 말해졌다' (He was said to be the son of a dragon), it creates a sense of epic scale and timelessness. It suggests that the information has been carried through time by the voices of many people.
Literature and Poetry
Authors use this word to describe things that are felt but not explicitly stated, or to describe the atmosphere of a setting. '공기 중에 말해지지 않은 긴장감이 감돌았다' (An unspoken tension hung in the air).

이 시는 사랑의 아픔에 대해 말해지는 가장 슬픈 노래이다. (This poem is the saddest song spoken about the pain of love.)

In academic lectures, professors might use it to introduce a theory: '이 이론은 현대 물리학의 기초라고 말해집니다' (This theory is said to be the foundation of modern physics). It signals that the statement is a widely accepted academic view rather than just the professor's personal opinion.
Formal Debates
Participants use the passive form to refer to previous arguments. '앞서 말해진 바와 같이...' (As has been said previously...). This is a standard transition phrase in high-level Korean discourse.

이미 말해진 내용을 반복할 필요는 없습니다. (There is no need to repeat the content that has already been spoken.)

Finally, you might see it in legal or administrative contexts. In a court of law, a witness's testimony might be referred to as '말해진 진술' (the spoken statement). In these settings, the precision of the word helps distinguish between written evidence and oral evidence.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is overusing 말해지다 in situations where the active 말하다 or the citation form ~라고 하다 would be more natural. Because English speakers are accustomed to the passive 'It is said,' they often translate it directly into Korean, resulting in speech that sounds overly robotic or stiff for a casual conversation.
Mistake 1: Using it in Casual Conversation
If you tell a friend, '그 영화가 재미있다고 말해져요,' they will understand you, but it sounds like you are reading from a textbook. Instead, say '그 영화가 재미있대요' or '사람들이 재미있다고 해요.'

❌ 어제 그가 왔다고 말해졌어. (Wrong register for friends) ✅ 어제 그가 왔대. (Natural casual style)

Another common error is confusing 말해지다 with 들리다 (to be heard). While they are related, 말해지다 focuses on the act of the message being sent out (spoken), whereas 들리다 focuses on the perception of the sound. If you want to say a rumor is going around, 말해지다 works; if you want to say you heard a sound, use 들리다.
Mistake 2: Incorrect Particle Usage
Learners often try to say 'I was spoken to' by using 나를 말해졌다. This is incorrect. If someone spoke to you, you are the recipient of the speech, not the subject being spoken of. Use 누가 나에게 말했다 (Someone spoke to me).

❌ 그 소문을 말해졌다. (Wrong particle) ✅ 그 소문이 말해졌다. (Correct: The rumor was spoken.)

Finally, some learners confuse 말해지다 with 이야기되다. While very similar, 이야기되다 (to be discussed/talked about) is often used for longer conversations or narratives, whereas 말해지다 can refer to a single statement or a specific label ('He is said to be...'). Using 말해지다 for a long meeting might feel slightly off; 논의되다 (to be discussed) or 이야기되다 would be better there.
Mistake 3: Tense Confusion
When talking about a permanent reputation, use the present tense. Using the past tense 말해졌다 implies that people no longer say that thing about the person or object.

그는 영웅으로 말해졌다. (He was said to be a hero - implies he isn't anymore.) 그는 영웅으로 말해진다. (He is said to be a hero - current reputation.)

By avoiding these pitfalls—sticking to formal registers, using the correct subject particles, and choosing the right synonym—you will use 말해지다 like a sophisticated Korean speaker.
Understanding the synonyms and alternatives for 말해지다 will help you navigate different levels of formality and specific contexts. Korean has many ways to express that something is being said, each with its own flavor.
이야기되다 (To be talked about)
This is perhaps the closest synonym. It is slightly more common in general contexts. While 말해지다 focus on the 'saying,' 이야기되다 focuses on the 'story' or 'conversation.' Use this when a topic is being discussed among people.

그 문제는 오랫동안 이야기되어 왔다. (That issue has been talked about for a long time.)

언급되다 (To be mentioned)
This is a more formal, Sino-Korean word (言及). It is used when a specific name, fact, or topic is brought up in a conversation or a document. If 말해지다 is 'to be spoken,' 언급되다 is 'to be cited' or 'to be brought up.'

그녀의 이름은 회의에서 한 번도 언급되지 않았다. (Her name was never once mentioned in the meeting.)

전해지다 (To be passed down / To be told)
This word emphasizes the transmission of information from one person to another or through time. It is often used for news reaching someone or for traditional stories. '소식이 전해지다' (News is delivered/told).

이 전설은 아주 오래전부터 전해져 내려온다. (This legend has been passed down from a very long time ago.)

칭해지다 (To be called/named)
A very formal word used when something is given a title or a specific designation. It is often used in history or science. '그는 성인으로 칭해졌다' (He was called/designated a saint).

이 지역은 예로부터 '황금의 땅'으로 칭해졌다. (This area has been called the 'Land of Gold' since ancient times.)

Finally, the most common alternative in daily life is the citation form ~라고 하다. While 말해지다 is 'is spoken,' ~라고 하다 is simply 'is said.' It is much more versatile and less heavy. If you are ever in doubt, ~라고 하다 is usually the safer choice for spoken Korean.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The suffix '-어지다' originally comes from the verb '지다' (to fall or to set), which evolved into a grammatical marker for passivity and change of state.

Aussprachehilfe

UK mal-he-ji-da
US mɑːl-heɪ-dʒi-dɑː
The primary stress is on the first syllable '말' (mal), with secondary stress on '지' (ji).
Reimt sich auf
정해지다 (jeong-hae-ji-da) 전해지다 (jeon-hae-ji-da) 변해지다 (byeon-hae-ji-da) 착해지다 (chak-hae-ji-da) 급해지다 (geup-hae-ji-da) 강해지다 (gang-hae-ji-da) 약해지다 (yak-hae-ji-da) 편해지다 (pyeon-hae-ji-da)
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing '해' as '하' (mal-ha-ji-da).
  • Making the 'l' in 'mal' too heavy like an English 'l'.
  • Stress on the last syllable '다'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know '말하다' and '-어지다'.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires understanding of passive sentence structure.

Sprechen 5/5

Hard to use naturally in casual conversation; often sounds too stiff.

Hören 3/5

Common in news and formal lectures.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

말하다 -어지다 소문 사실 뉴스

Als Nächstes lernen

언급되다 전해지다 이야기되다 인용하다

Fortgeschritten

담론 구전 수사학 언술

Wichtige Grammatik

-아/어지다 (Passive/Change of state)

예뻐지다 (to become pretty), 만들어지다 (to be made).

-라고 하다 (Indirect quotation)

그는 학생이라고 해요.

-에 의해 (By - agent in passive)

그 책은 작가에 의해 쓰여졌다.

-ㄴ 바에 따르면 (According to the fact that...)

조사된 바에 따르면...

-(으)ㅁ (Nominalization)

말함 (speaking), 말해짐 (being spoken).

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

이것은 한국어로 말해져요.

This is spoken in Korean.

Simple present passive.

2

그 이야기는 학교에서 말해져요.

That story is told at school.

Location particle -에서.

3

내 이름은 크게 말해졌어요.

My name was spoken loudly.

Past tense -었-.

4

비밀은 말해지면 안 돼요.

Secrets must not be spoken.

-면 안 되다 (prohibition).

5

사랑은 말해져야 해요.

Love must be spoken.

-아야 하다 (obligation).

6

진실이 말해졌어요.

The truth was spoken.

Subject particle -이.

7

그 소문은 거짓이라고 말해져요.

That rumor is said to be a lie.

-라고 (quotation).

8

모든 것이 말해졌나요?

Was everything spoken?

Question form -나요?

1

그는 아주 착한 사람이라고 말해져요.

He is said to be a very kind person.

Adjective + -ㄴ 사람 (noun modifier).

2

이 음식은 건강에 좋다고 말해집니다.

This food is said to be good for health.

Formal ending -습니다.

3

그 영화는 정말 슬프다고 말해졌어요.

That movie was said to be really sad.

Reported speech in the past.

4

서울은 아주 큰 도시라고 말해져요.

Seoul is said to be a very big city.

Noun + -라고 (definition).

5

그 비밀이 친구들에게 말해졌어요.

The secret was told to friends.

Recipient particle -에게.

6

이곳은 예전에 숲이었다고 말해집니다.

It is said that this place was a forest in the past.

Past tense inside quotation.

7

그의 노래는 전 세계에서 말해지고 있어요.

His songs are being spoken of all over the world.

Present continuous -고 있다.

8

중요한 내용은 다시 말해져야 합니다.

Important content must be spoken again.

Adverb '다시' (again).

1

그 사건의 진실은 아직 말해지지 않았습니다.

The truth of that incident has not been spoken yet.

Negative form -지 않다.

2

이 이론은 과학계에서 널리 말해지고 있습니다.

This theory is being widely spoken of in the scientific community.

Adverb '널리' (widely).

3

그의 업적은 후세 사람들에게도 말해질 것입니다.

His achievements will be spoken of even by future generations.

Future tense -ㄹ 것입니다.

4

전설에 따르면 그는 신의 아들이라고 말해진다.

According to legend, he is said to be the son of a god.

~에 따르면 (according to).

5

그 문제는 회의에서 진지하게 말해져야 합니다.

That issue must be spoken of seriously at the meeting.

Adverb '진지하게' (seriously).

6

이미 말해진 내용은 생략해도 좋습니다.

You may omit content that has already been spoken.

Noun modifier -ㄴ (past).

7

그 소문이 사실인지 아닌지 말해지지 않았다.

It was not spoken whether that rumor was true or not.

-ㄴ지 아닌지 (whether or not).

8

부모님에 의해 그 이야기가 다시 말해졌다.

The story was told again by the parents.

Agent particle -에 의해 (by).

1

말해지지 않은 것들이 더 중요할 때가 있다.

There are times when things not spoken are more important.

Negative noun modifier -지 않은.

2

그의 죽음은 사고였다고 공식적으로 말해졌다.

His death was officially said to be an accident.

Adverb '공식적으로' (officially).

3

이 작품은 현대 미술의 정점이라고 말해집니다.

This work is said to be the pinnacle of modern art.

Noun '정점' (pinnacle).

4

그 비밀이 말해지는 순간 모든 것이 변했다.

The moment that secret was spoken, everything changed.

~는 순간 (the moment...).

5

그곳은 유령이 나온다고 말해지는 흉가이다.

That is a haunted house said to have ghosts.

Relative clause modifying '흉가'.

6

법정에서 말해진 모든 것은 증거가 된다.

Everything spoken in court becomes evidence.

Noun '증거' (evidence).

7

그의 이름은 역사 속에서 영원히 말해질 것이다.

His name will be spoken forever in history.

Adverb '영원히' (forever).

8

누구에게도 말해져서는 안 되는 비밀이 있다.

There is a secret that must not be spoken to anyone.

-어서는 안 되다 (strong prohibition).

1

언어는 말해짐으로써 그 존재 가치를 증명한다.

Language proves its value of existence by being spoken.

Nominalization -ㅁ + -으로써 (by means of).

2

침묵 속에 말해지지 않은 진실이 숨어 있다.

In silence, an unspoken truth lies hidden.

Locative '속에' (inside).

3

그의 철학은 시대의 한계를 넘어서서 말해진다.

His philosophy is spoken of beyond the limits of the era.

~를 넘어서서 (beyond).

4

사회적으로 말해지는 담론들이 여론을 형성한다.

Socially spoken discourses form public opinion.

Noun '담론' (discourse).

5

그 시인은 말해질 수 없는 고통을 시로 표현했다.

The poet expressed in poetry the pain that cannot be spoken.

-ㄹ 수 없는 (inability).

6

전통은 입에서 입으로 말해지며 계승되어 왔다.

Tradition has been inherited while being spoken from mouth to mouth.

-며 (simultaneous action) + -어 왔다 (past perfect progressive).

7

이 사건은 권력에 의해 다르게 말해지고 있다.

This incident is being spoken of differently by the power (authorities).

Agent '권력에 의해'.

8

말해진 바에 따르면, 이번 결정은 불가피했다.

According to what has been said, this decision was inevitable.

~ㄴ 바에 따르면 (according to what...).

1

존재하는 모든 것은 말해짐으로써 비로소 의미를 갖는다.

Everything that exists gains meaning only by being spoken.

Adverb '비로소' (finally/only then).

2

역사적 진실은 승자의 관점에서만 말해지는 경향이 있다.

Historical truth tends to be spoken only from the perspective of the winner.

~는 경향이 있다 (tendency).

3

그의 문학은 말해지지 않은 공백의 미학을 추구한다.

His literature pursues the aesthetics of the unspoken void.

Noun '공백' (void/blank space).

4

텍스트의 이면에 말해지지 않은 의도를 파악해야 한다.

One must grasp the unspoken intentions behind the text.

Noun '이면' (the hidden side).

5

신화는 인간의 근원적 공포가 말해진 결과물이다.

Myth is the result of human primal fears being spoken.

Noun modifier '말해진'.

6

정치적 수사학은 말해진 것보다 말해지지 않은 것에 집중한다.

Political rhetoric focuses more on what is not spoken than what is spoken.

~보다 (comparison).

7

담론의 장에서 어떻게 말해지는가가 권력의 척도이다.

How something is spoken in the field of discourse is the measure of power.

Question clause as subject -는가가.

8

말해짐의 가능성이 차단된 사회는 죽은 사회와 같다.

A society where the possibility of being spoken is blocked is like a dead society.

Noun '가능성' (possibility).

Häufige Kollokationen

사실로 말해지다
입에서 입으로 말해지다
전설로 말해지다
공식적으로 말해지다
널리 말해지다
다르게 말해지다
영원히 말해지다
함부로 말해지다
자주 말해지다
거짓으로 말해지다

Häufige Phrasen

~라고 말해지다

— It is said that... (The most standard usage).

그는 천재라고 말해진다.

말해진 바와 같이

— As has been said... (Used in formal transitions).

앞서 말해진 바와 같이, 우리는 준비가 되었습니다.

말해지지 않은

— Unspoken or unsaid.

말해지지 않은 비밀이 더 많다.

말해질 가치가 있다

— To be worth speaking about.

이 이야기는 말해질 가치가 충분하다.

말해지고 있다

— It is currently being said/rumored.

그가 곧 돌아온다고 말해지고 있다.

말해져서는 안 된다

— Must not be spoken.

이것은 누구에게도 말해져서는 안 된다.

어떻게 말해지는가

— How it is spoken/perceived.

그의 행동이 어떻게 말해지는가가 중요하다.

말해진 진술

— A spoken statement (legal/formal).

법정에서 말해진 진술은 번복할 수 없다.

널리 말해지는 사실

— A widely spoken/accepted fact.

그것은 널리 말해지는 사실이다.

다시 말해지다

— To be spoken again (repeated).

그 약속은 여러 번 다시 말해졌다.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

말해지다 vs 말하다

말하다 is active (I say), 말해지다 is passive (It is said).

말해지다 vs 들리다

들리다 means to be heard (sound perception), 말해지다 means to be spoken (message transmission).

말해지다 vs 알려지다

알려지다 means to be known; something can be known without being spoken of explicitly.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"입에 오르내리다"

— To be on everyone's lips; to be talked about often.

그의 스캔들이 사람들 입에 오르내리고 있다.

informal
"발 없는 말이 천 리 간다"

— Words have no feet but travel a thousand miles (Rumors spread fast).

말해진 비밀은 곧 모두가 알게 된다.

proverb
"입 밖에 내다"

— To utter; to speak out (often something sensitive).

그 비밀은 절대 입 밖에 내어지면 안 된다.

neutral
"귀에 못이 박히도록 듣다"

— To hear something so much that it's like a nail in the ear.

그 이야기는 귀에 못이 박히도록 말해졌다.

idiomatic
"한 입으로 두 말 하다"

— To say two different things with one mouth (to be hypocritical).

진실은 다르게 말해져서는 안 된다.

neutral
"말 한마디에 천 냥 빚도 갚는다"

— A single word can pay back a debt of a thousand nyang.

말해지는 방식에 따라 결과가 달라진다.

proverb
"낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다"

— Birds hear daytime talk and mice hear nighttime talk (Be careful what you say).

비밀스럽게 말해진 것도 결국 알려진다.

proverb
"입을 모으다"

— To speak with one voice; to agree on something.

모두가 그가 영웅이라고 입을 모아 말해진다.

neutral
"입이 가볍다"

— To have a light mouth (unable to keep secrets).

그의 입이 가벼워 비밀이 쉽게 말해졌다.

informal
"말이 씨가 된다"

— Words become seeds (What you say might come true).

불행이 말해지면 정말로 일어날 수 있다.

proverb

Leicht verwechselbar

말해지다 vs 이야기되다

Both mean 'to be talked about'.

이야기되다 is slightly more casual and refers to a story or discussion. 말해지다 is more formal and focuses on the act of saying.

그 영화는 자주 이야기된다. vs 그 영화는 명작이라고 말해진다.

말해지다 vs 언급되다

Both involve speech.

언급되다 means 'to be mentioned' (usually briefly). 말해지다 can refer to a general reputation.

그의 이름이 언급되었다. vs 그는 천재라고 말해진다.

말해지다 vs 전해지다

Both involve passing information.

전해지다 focuses on the delivery or inheritance of information. 말해지다 focuses on the oral expression.

소식이 전해졌다. vs 그 소문이 말해졌다.

말해지다 vs 불리다

Both involve calling or naming.

불리다 is specifically 'to be called by a name'. 말해지다 is 'to be spoken of'.

그는 철수라고 불린다. vs 그는 성실한 사람이라고 말해진다.

말해지다 vs 거론되다

Both are formal.

거론되다 is used when a topic is brought to the table for debate. 말해지다 is more general.

예산 문제가 거론되었다. vs 예산이 부족하다고 말해진다.

Satzmuster

A2

N은/는 N(이)라고 말해진다

독도는 한국 땅이라고 말해진다.

B1

N에 대해 말해지다

그의 죽음에 대해 많은 것들이 말해졌다.

B1

N에 의해 말해지다

전문가들에 의해 그렇게 말해진다.

B2

말해지는 N

입에서 입으로 말해지는 전설.

B2

말해지지 않은 N

말해지지 않은 진실.

C1

말해진 바와 같이

이미 말해진 바와 같이 계획은 변경되었다.

C1

말해짐으로써

말해짐으로써 가치가 생긴다.

C2

말해지는가가 중요하다

어떻게 말해지는가가 사회적 지위를 결정한다.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Speech, word, language.
말씀 Honorific form of speech.

Verben

말하다 To speak, to say (active).
말시키다 To make someone talk.
말다툼하다 To argue.

Adjektive

말 많은 Talkative.
말 없는 Silent, quiet.

Verwandt

이야기 (story)
대화 (conversation)
언어 (language)
소문 (rumor)
발언 (statement)

So verwendest du es

frequency

Medium. High in written/formal contexts, low in daily speech.

Häufige Fehler
  • 나를 말해졌다. 나에게 말해졌다 / 누가 나에게 말했다.

    You cannot be the object of '말해지다'. Use '말하다' with a recipient.

  • 그 소문을 말해졌다. 그 소문이 말해졌다.

    Passive verbs take the subject particle -이/가, not the object particle -을/를.

  • Using '말해지다' in a casual text to a friend. Using '~대' or '~라고 해'.

    '말해지다' is too formal for casual texting.

  • Confusing '말해지다' with '말라지다'. 말해지다 (to be spoken) vs 말라지다 (to become dry).

    The spelling is different; be careful with the roots.

  • Using past tense for a current reputation. 그는 천재라고 말해진다 (Present).

    If people still say it, use the present tense.

Tipps

Use in Essays

When writing a Korean essay, use '말해지다' to introduce a general opinion. It makes your argument sound more balanced and less biased.

Avoid Objects

Never use '-을/를' with '말해지다'. Since it's passive, the thing being spoken is the subject of the sentence.

Pair with Adverbs

Commonly used with adverbs like '널리' (widely), '공식적으로' (officially), or '함부로' (carelessly).

News Context

When you hear '말해지고 있습니다' on the news, it often means the reporter is talking about a rumor or an unconfirmed report.

Softening Statements

Use '말해지다' to soften a claim. Instead of saying 'He is bad,' saying 'He is said to be bad' is less direct.

Legendary Beginnings

In folk tales, look for '말해지다' to identify the core myth or legend being introduced.

Passive vs. Active

If you want to focus on the person speaking, use '말하다'. If you want to focus on the reputation, use '말해지다'.

Social Pressure

Understand that in Korea, what is '말해지는' (spoken by others) about a person is often considered as important as the truth.

Unspoken Truths

The phrase '말해지지 않은' (unspoken) is very common in literature to describe tension or secrets.

Daily Practice

Try translating 'It is said that it will rain tomorrow' using '말해지다' for formal practice.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of '말' (mal) as a 'mall' where words are 'spoken' by everyone. '해지다' (hae-ji-da) sounds like 'has it done.' So, the word has been spoken at the mall!

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a scroll that unrolls itself and starts speaking. The scroll is the subject that is 'being spoken.'

Word Web

말하다 (to say) 말 (speech) 말해지다 (to be said) 전해지다 (to be passed) 알려지다 (to be known) 이야기 (story) 소문 (rumor) 진실 (truth)

Herausforderung

Try to write three sentences using '말해지다' about your favorite movie, a local rumor, and a historical fact.

Wortherkunft

The word is a combination of the native Korean root '말' (speech) and the verb '하다' (to do), forming '말하다' (to speak). The passive suffix '-어지다' is added to the stem.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To be in a state where speech is being performed upon a subject.

Koreanic

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using this word about sensitive personal rumors, as the passive voice can make a rumor sound like an established fact.

English speakers often use 'People say...' or 'They say...' whereas Koreans often use the passive 'It is said' (말해지다) in formal writing.

The phrase '진실은 말해져야 한다' (The truth must be spoken) is a common trope in Korean legal dramas. Many traditional fairy tales begin with '옛날 옛적에 ~라고 말해지는...' (Once upon a time, it is said that...) News headlines often use '말해지고 있다' to report on political scandals.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Reporting a Rumor

  • 소문이 말해지다
  • 사실이라고 말해지다
  • 누군가에 의해 말해지다
  • 거짓으로 말해지다

Discussing History

  • 전설로 말해지다
  • 역사 속에서 말해지다
  • 후세에 말해지다
  • 기록에 말해지다

Formal Meetings

  • 앞서 말해진 바와 같이
  • 이미 말해진 내용
  • 다시 말해져야 할 점
  • 공식적으로 말해지다

News/Media

  • ~라고 말해지고 있다
  • 논란이 말해지다
  • 의혹이 말해지다
  • 널리 말해지는 사실

Literature

  • 말해지지 않은 진실
  • 시로 말해지다
  • 마음속으로 말해지다
  • 영원히 말해질 이름

Gesprächseinstiege

"그 영화가 아주 무섭다고 말해지는데, 정말인가요? (It is said that movie is very scary, is it true?)"

"한국에서 가장 맛있는 음식은 무엇이라고 말해지나요? (What is said to be the most delicious food in Korea?)"

"그 소문이 학교에서 어떻게 말해지고 있어요? (How is that rumor being spoken of at school?)"

"이곳의 역사에 대해 말해지는 특별한 이야기가 있나요? (Is there a special story spoken about the history of this place?)"

"성공하기 위해 가장 중요한 것은 무엇이라고 말해지나요? (What is said to be the most important thing for success?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

오늘 들은 이야기 중에서 가장 흥미롭게 말해진 내용은 무엇인가요? (What was the most interestingly spoken content you heard today?)

당신에 대해 사람들이 어떻게 말해주길 원하나요? (How do you want to be spoken of by people?)

절대로 말해져서는 안 되는 비밀이 있다면 무엇일까요? (If there is a secret that must never be spoken, what would it be?)

역사적으로 가장 위대하다고 말해지는 인물에 대해 써보세요. (Write about a person who is said to be the greatest in history.)

말해지지 않은 진실이 세상에 알려졌을 때 어떤 일이 일어날까요? (What would happen if an unspoken truth were revealed to the world?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No. '말을 듣다' usually means 'to listen to words' or 'to obey.' '말해지다' means the words themselves are being spoken by someone else.

It sounds very stiff. It's better to use '~라고 해' or '~대'. For example, '그거 맛있대' (They say it's tasty) is better than '그거 맛있다고 말해져'.

Not always, but it often implies information that is circulating. It can also refer to historical facts or reputations.

'말해졌다' is past tense (It was said), while '말해지고 있다' is present continuous (It is currently being said).

It is '말해지다'. (말하 + 어지다).

Technically, it refers to oral speech. For written words, you would use '쓰여 있다' (is written) or '기록되다' (is recorded).

Yes, it is considered a formal or literary expression.

It sounds awkward. Better to say '누가 나에게 말했다' (Someone told me) or '나는 그 이야기를 들었다' (I heard that story).

The subject of the sentence (the thing being said) takes '-이/가' or '-은/는'.

The Sino-Korean equivalent is '언급되다' (言及--) or '구전되다' (口傳--).

Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen

writing

Translate: 'It is said that Jeju Island is beautiful.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'That secret was never spoken.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'His name will be spoken forever.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'As has been said, the plan is changed.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'According to what is said, he is kind.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '말해지다' to describe a rumor you heard.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '널리 말해지다'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '말해지지 않은'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The truth was finally spoken.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'It is being said that the economy is bad.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Many things were spoken about that incident.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The story is told from mouth to mouth.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Why is it said that way?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'It must not be spoken to anyone.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'His achievements are spoken of highly.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The legend has been told for a long time.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'It is said to be the best place.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The truth is bound to be spoken.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'It was officially said today.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'There is something that needs to be spoken again.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How would you formalize 'People say he is a genius'?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'It is being said that it will rain' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How do you say 'unspoken secret'?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Tell a short story about a legend using '말해지다'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain '말해지다' to a friend in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Practice saying '말해진 바와 같이' for a presentation.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'The truth must be spoken' in formal Korean.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How do you say 'It is said differently'?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'His name will be remembered' using 말해지다.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Describe a rumor using '말해지고 있다'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask 'Is it said to be true?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'It was never spoken' in the past tense.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain why '말해지다' is formal.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'As I said before' (formally using the passive).

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Use '말해지다' in a sentence about a famous person.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'The secret is being spoken about'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

How do you pronounce '말해지다'?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'It is said that this food is healthy'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'The truth will eventually be spoken'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'Don't let it be spoken to anyone'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: '그 소문은 사실이라고 말해집니다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the final verb? '이미 모든 계획이 말해졌다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is the sentence positive or negative? '그것은 전혀 말해지지 않았다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the topic? '서울은 아름다운 도시라고 말해져요.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What tense is used? '그 이야기는 영원히 말해질 것입니다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen for the adverb: '그 사실은 널리 말해지고 있습니다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Who is speaking in: '선생님에 의해 그 소문이 말해졌다'?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the content? '그는 천재라고 말해진다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is it a rumor or a fact in: '그것은 사실로 말해집니다'?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Identify the connector: '말해진 바와 같이 우리는 떠난다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is being described? '입에서 입으로 말해지는 전설.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is the secret out? '비밀이 말해지지 않았어요.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the reason? '말해지는 이유가 궁금해요.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen for formality: '말해집니다' vs '말해져요'.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the result? '말해지는 순간 변했다.'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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