전하다

The Korean verb 전하다 (jeonhada) is a foundational word in the Korean language, primarily functioning as a bridge between two parties. At its core, it means to convey, transmit, or deliver something—be it a physical object, a verbal message, a piece of news, or even an abstract tradition passed through generations. Understanding this word is crucial for English speakers because it covers a broader semantic range than the English word 'tell' or 'give'. While 'tell' focuses on the act of speaking, 전하다 emphasizes the movement of information or items from one point to another. It implies a sense of responsibility or a specific direction in the communication flow.

Core Concept

The act of acting as a medium to pass something along to a recipient.

In daily life, you will encounter this word most frequently when someone asks you to 'pass on a message'. For example, if a colleague is away from their desk, you might tell their caller, 'I will convey your message to them.' In this context, 전하다 is the perfect choice. It is also the standard word used in news broadcasting. News anchors often start their segments by saying they will 'convey the news' (소식을 전하다). This usage highlights the formal and objective nature of the verb, suggesting that the speaker is a reliable conduit for information.

Beyond simple messages, 전하다 is used for traditions and history. When a story or a custom is passed down from ancestors to the current generation, Koreans use the phrase '전해 내려오다' (to be passed down). This adds a temporal dimension to the word, showing that it isn't just about moving things across space, but also across time. Whether you are delivering a wedding invitation, sharing a secret, or broadcasting the weather, this verb is your go-to tool for describing the act of delivery.

Physical Delivery

Used for passing items like letters, gifts, or documents to a third party.

Furthermore, the word carries an emotional weight in certain contexts. When you 'convey your heart' (진심을 전하다), you are not just speaking; you are making an effort to ensure your true feelings reach the other person. This nuance makes it a very poetic and sincere word in romantic or deep interpersonal contexts. It suggests that the message is a gift being carefully handed over.

In summary, 전하다 is a versatile verb that bridges gaps. It is essential for anyone wanting to navigate social interactions in Korea, as it handles the logistics of communication and the delicacy of emotional exchange. From the evening news to a simple 'hello' passed through a friend, this word is everywhere.

Using 전하다 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure, specifically the relationship between the sender, the message, and the receiver. The basic sentence pattern is: [Sender]가 [Receiver]에게 [Message/Object]를 전하다. Because this verb involves a transfer, the recipient is almost always marked with the dative particle 에게 (to) or 한테 (informal to). If the recipient is of higher social status, the honorific 께 must be used to show proper respect.

Grammar Rule 1

Always identify the recipient using '에게' or '께'. The thing being transmitted takes the object particle '을/를'.

One of the most common ways you will use this verb is in the form 전해 주다. In Korean, adding -주다 (to give) to a verb indicates that the action is being done as a favor for someone else. Since conveying a message is often a favor, '전해 주세요' (Please convey it for me) is much more common in polite conversation than the simple '전하세요'. For instance, if you want a friend to say hi to their mother for you, you would say: '어머니께 안부 전해 주세요' (Please convey my regards to your mother).

In formal settings, such as a business meeting or a news report, the verb often takes the form 전해 드립니다. This is the humble version of the verb, used when the speaker is providing information to an audience or a superior. You will hear this every day on Korean television. A reporter might say, '현장에서 소식을 전해 드립니다' (I am reporting the news from the scene). Here, 전하다 acts as the professional standard for 'reporting' or 'announcing'.

Another important usage is the passive or intransitive form 전해지다. This is used when a message or news 'gets conveyed' or 'is spread' without focusing on who did the conveying. For example, '그 소문은 금방 전해졌다' (That rumor was spread quickly). This is particularly useful when talking about historical facts or legends that have reached us through the ages. You might say a story '전해 내려온다' (has been passed down) to describe a folk tale.

Finally, consider the use of 전하다 with abstract nouns. You can convey '뜻' (will/intention), '감사' (gratitude), or '사과' (apology). Instead of just saying 'I apologized,' saying '사과의 말을 전했다' (I conveyed words of apology) sounds more formal and deliberate. It implies that the apology was delivered as a formal statement or through a medium, adding a layer of sincerity and gravity to the action.

The word 전하다 is ubiquitous in Korean society, appearing in various registers from the most formal to the comfortably casual. If you turn on a Korean news channel like KBS or MBC, you will hear it within the first few minutes. News anchors use it to introduce segments, reporters use it to sign off, and weather forecasters use it to share the outlook. In this professional context, it signifies the reliable transmission of facts. It is the language of the public sphere, where information is a commodity to be delivered to the citizens.

Media Context

Used by journalists and announcers to 'report' (소식을 전하다) or 'broadcast' (방송을 전하다).

In the workplace, 전하다 is the standard for office communication. When a secretary takes a memo, they will say, '메모를 전해 드리겠습니다' (I will deliver the memo). If a manager wants you to notify the team about a meeting change, they might say, '이 내용을 팀원들에게 전해 주세요' (Please convey this content to the team members). It is the polite way to handle the flow of information in a hierarchy, ensuring that everyone is informed without sounding too demanding or informal.

In social and family life, the word takes on a warmer tone. It is used for '안부' (asking after someone's health/well-being). When Koreans meet, they often ask about mutual friends or family members. A common parting phrase is '부모님께 안부 전해 줘' (Say hi to your parents for me). This isn't just a casual 'hi'; it's a request to carry a sentiment of care and respect to the elders. It reflects the Korean cultural value of maintaining social bonds through indirect communication and shared concern.

You will also find 전하다 in literature and historical dramas (Sa-geuk). It is used to describe the passing of royal decrees or the transmission of ancient wisdom. When a king sends a secret message, he '전한다' his will. When a master teaches a secret technique to a disciple, he '전한다' the knowledge. This usage connects the modern speaker to the long history of the Korean peninsula, where the transmission of culture and values was a sacred duty.

Lastly, in the digital age, you'll see it on messaging apps. When you share a post or forward a message, the action is often described using derivatives of 전하다. Whether it's a physical letter, a digital file, or a spoken word, the essence remains the same: the movement of something meaningful from one person to another.

For English speakers, the most common mistake when using 전하다 is confusing it with other verbs of communication like 말하다 (to speak/tell) or 알리다 (to inform). While they are related, they are not interchangeable. 말하다 focuses on the act of producing speech. If you say '그에게 말해 주세요,' you are asking someone to talk to him. If you say '그에게 전해 주세요,' you are specifically asking them to pass on a specific piece of information that originated from you. The nuance is the 'delivery' aspect.

Mistake 1: Overusing '말하다'

Don't use '말하다' when you are acting as a messenger. Use '전하다' to emphasize that you are delivering someone else's words.

Another frequent error involves the particles. Many learners mistakenly use the object particle 를 for the person receiving the message, similar to the English 'I told him.' In Korean, you cannot '전하다' a person. You '전하다' a message to a person. Therefore, the person must always take 에게, 한테, or 께. Saying '친구를 전했어요' would mean you literally delivered your friend like a package, which is likely not what you intended!

A subtle mistake is failing to use the -주다 auxiliary verb in social requests. In English, 'Tell him I said hi' is a direct command. In Korean, simply saying '안부 전하세요' can sound a bit cold or like a direct order. To make it sound natural and polite, you should almost always use '전해 주세요' or '전해 주시기 바랍니다'. This acknowledges that the person is doing you a favor by carrying your message.

Finally, learners often struggle with the difference between 전하다 and 가르치다 (to teach) when talking about passing down skills. While you can '전하다' a tradition, if you are actively teaching a student a specific lesson, 가르치다 is the correct verb. 전하다 implies a broader, often more passive or historical transmission of knowledge rather than a classroom setting.

By avoiding these pitfalls—using the wrong particles, forgetting the 'favor' aspect, and confusing it with simple speaking—you will sound much more like a native speaker who understands the social dynamics of Korean communication.

To truly master 전하다, you must understand its synonyms and how they differ in register and nuance. The most common alternative is 전달하다 (jeondal-hada). While both share the same Hanja 전 (傳), 전달하다 is more formal and often implies a physical or official transfer. You '전달' a package or an official document. You '전' a message or a feeling. 전달하다 feels more like 'delivery' in a logistical sense.

전하다 vs 전달하다

전하다: Focuses on the message, feelings, or traditions. More versatile and emotional.
전달하다: Focuses on the act of delivery, often physical items or official data. More formal.

Another similar word is 알리다 (allida), which means 'to inform' or 'to let someone know'. The difference lies in the intent. 알리다 is about making information known to an audience, often for the first time. 전하다 is about passing something from one person to another. If you '알리다' a fact, you are broadcasting it. If you '전하다' a fact, you are delivering it to a specific recipient.

For more specific contexts, you might use 보내다 (bonaeda), which means 'to send'. While 전하다 can involve sending, 보내다 is much more general. You can send a person, a letter, or a signal. 전하다 implies that the content of what is sent is being communicated or delivered to the mind or heart of the receiver. If you send a letter, you '편지를 보내다'. If you want the recipient to receive the message inside the letter, you '진심을 전하다'.

In very formal or literary contexts, you might see 고하다 (gohada), which means 'to announce' or 'to report' to a superior. This is rarely used in modern daily life but is common in historical dramas. Similarly, 통보하다 (tongbo-hada) means 'to notify' in a legal or official capacity, often carrying a cold or stern nuance. Choosing between these words depends entirely on the relationship between the parties and the nature of the information being moved.

By comparing 전하다 with these alternatives, you can see its unique position: it is the most human, versatile, and common way to describe the beautiful act of sharing something with another person.