B1 Speech Levels 13 min read Moyen

Noms Honorifiques : 말씀 (Paroles/Discours)

Utilise «말씀» pour honorer les paroles d'un supérieur ou pour abaisser humblement tes propres paroles face à lui. C'est le combo gagnant avec «말씀하시다» ou «말씀드리다».

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use '말씀' instead of '말' when speaking to someone older or in a formal setting to show respect.

  • Use '말씀' when referring to the speech of a superior: '선생님의 말씀' (The teacher's words).
  • Use '말씀하시다' for the honorific verb form: '할아버지께서 말씀하셨어요' (Grandfather spoke).
  • Never use '말씀' for your own speech unless you are being humble: '제 말씀은...' (My point is...).
Person(Superior) + 의 + 말씀 + (Particle)

Overview

Avez-vous déjà insulté quelqu'un accidentellement juste en utilisant le mot parole ? En coréen, le mot pour mots ou parole change selon la personne qui parle. Si vous parlez à votre professeur, votre patron ou votre grand-mère, les mots standard ne suffisent pas.
Vous avez besoin de noms honorifiques. La star d'aujourd'hui est 말씀 (mal-sseum). C'est unique car c'est un agent double : il élève les autres quand ils parlent, mais il *vous* rend humble quand vous leur parlez.

How This Grammar Works

Pensez à 말씀 comme la version VIP du mot ordinaire (mal). En Corée, la hiérarchie sociale dicte le vocabulaire.
Voici le plus cool : 말씀 fonctionne dans deux directions opposées :
  1. 1Honorifique (Respect de l'auditeur/sujet) : Quand un supérieur parle, ses paroles sont 말씀.
* Exemple :
Les paroles du professeur
= 선생님 말씀.
  1. 1Humble (S'abaisser soi-même) : Quand *vous* parlez à un supérieur, vos paroles deviennent 말씀 pour montrer votre humilité.
* Exemple :
Je vais vous dire
= 제가 말씀드리겠습니다.

Formation Pattern

1
Comme 말씀 est un nom, il s'associe généralement à des verbes.
2
1. Honorer quelqu'un d'autre (Ils parlent) :
3
Utilisez 말씀 + Verbe Honorifique 하시다 (faire).
4
* 말씀 + 하세요 (Parlez, s'il vous plaît)
5
2. Être humble (Vous leur parlez) :
6
Utilisez 말씀 + Verbe Humble 드리다 (donner).
7
* 말씀 + 드릴게요 (Je vais vous dire)

When To Use It

C'est votre mot pour les interactions formelles ou polies.
* Service client : Une question ? Dites
드릴 말씀이 있어요
(J'ai quelque chose à vous dire/demander).
* Aînés : Parler aux grands-parents.
* Travail : S'adresser aux patrons.

Common Mistakes

* L'erreur "Mes paroles sont d'or" : N'utilisez jamais 말씀 + 하시다 pour vous-même. Dire
제가 말씀하셨어요
, c'est comme se proclamer Roi de Corée.
* L'erreur du Pote : N'utilisez pas 말씀 avec des amis proches.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

(Ordinaire) vs 말씀 (Honorifique/Humble)
* : Pour amis/jeunes.
무슨 말이야?
(Qu'est-ce que tu dis ?)
* 말씀 : Pour supérieurs/formel.
무슨 말씀이세요?
(Pardon ?)

Quick FAQ

Q : Puis-je utiliser 말씀 pour mon petit frère ?

R: Seulement si vous êtes sarcastique.

Q : 말씀 est-il utilisé dans les SMS ?

R: Absolument. Surtout dans les chats professionnels.

Honorific Verb Combinations

Base Honorific Verb Meaning
말씀
하시다
To speak (Honorific)
말씀
드리다
To tell (Humble)
말씀
나누다
To converse (Honorific)
말씀
듣다
To listen (Humble)
말씀
올리다
To present words (Very Humble)
말씀
계시다
To have words (Honorific)

Meanings

A noun used as the honorific equivalent of '말' (speech/words). It is essential for maintaining social hierarchy in Korean.

1

Honorific Speech

Referring to what someone else has said or is saying.

“선생님의 말씀이 맞습니다.”

“어머니께서 말씀하셨어요.”

2

Humble Speech

Referring to one's own speech when speaking to a superior.

“제 말씀은 그게 아닙니다.”

“다시 말씀드리겠습니다.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Noms Honorifiques : 말씀 (Paroles/Discours)
Contexte Direction Construction Exemple
Toi → Supérieur
Humble (Soi)
말씀 + 드리다
말씀 드릴게요 (Je vais vous dire)
Supérieur → Toi
Honorifique (Autre)
말씀 + 하시다
말씀하세요 (Je vous en prie, parlez)
Nom du supérieur
Honorifique (Autre)
Nom + 말씀
선생님 말씀 (Les paroles du prof)
Ami → Ami
Neutre (Standard)
무슨 말이야? (Qu'est-ce que tu dis ?)
Écouter
Honorifique (Autre)
말씀 + 듣다
말씀 들었어요 (J'ai entendu vos paroles)

Spectre de formalité

Formel
무슨 말씀을 하셨습니까?

무슨 말씀을 하셨습니까? (Asking for clarification)

Neutre
무슨 말을 했어요?

무슨 말을 했어요? (Asking for clarification)

Informel
뭐라고 했어?

뭐라고 했어? (Asking for clarification)

Argot
뭐래?

뭐래? (Asking for clarification)

La double nature de 말씀

말씀

Respect Ascendant

  • 말씀하세요 Le supérieur parle (Honorifique)
  • 선생님 말씀 Paroles du professeur

Humilité Descendante

  • 말씀드릴게요 Je parle au supérieur (Humble)
  • 제 말씀 Mes paroles (Abaissées)

Noms Neutres vs Honorifiques

Neutre (Amis)
Paroles
Repas
이름 Nom
Honorifique (Formel)
말씀 Paroles
진지 Repas
성함 Nom

Quel mot utiliser ?

1

Parles-tu à un supérieur ?

YES
Étape suivante
NO
Utilise 말 (Neutre)
2

Parles-tu de LEURS paroles ?

YES
말씀 + 하시다
NO
Étape suivante
3

Parles-tu de TES paroles ?

YES
말씀 + 드리다
NO ↓

Paires de verbes communes

👂

Écouter

  • 말씀 듣다
  • Écouter les paroles

Demander

  • 말씀 묻다
  • Demander des paroles
🎁

Donner

  • 말씀 드리다
  • Donner des paroles (Parler)

Exemples par niveau

1

선생님 말씀.

Teacher's words.

2

말씀하세요.

Please speak.

3

좋은 말씀.

Good words.

4

말씀이 있어요.

There is a word/message.

1

어머니께서 말씀하셨어요.

Mother spoke.

2

무슨 말씀이세요?

What do you mean?

3

말씀 좀 해주세요.

Please tell me.

4

말씀이 없으시네요.

He isn't saying anything.

1

제 말씀을 들어주세요.

Please listen to my words.

2

다시 말씀드리겠습니다.

I will tell you again.

3

사장님의 말씀이 옳습니다.

The boss's words are correct.

4

말씀하신 대로 하겠습니다.

I will do as you said.

1

어제 말씀 나누신 내용은 비밀입니다.

What you discussed yesterday is a secret.

2

말씀을 올리기가 조심스럽습니다.

I am cautious about speaking (to you).

3

그렇게 말씀해 주셔서 감사합니다.

Thank you for saying so.

4

말씀이 길어지셨네요.

Your speech has become long.

1

귀하의 고견을 말씀해 주십시오.

Please share your esteemed opinion.

2

말씀하신 바와 같이 진행하겠습니다.

I will proceed as you have stated.

3

그 점에 대해서는 말씀드리기 어렵습니다.

It is difficult for me to speak about that point.

4

말씀을 삼가 주시기 바랍니다.

Please refrain from speaking.

1

본인의 말씀을 경청하는 자세가 필요합니다.

One needs an attitude of listening to the words of others.

2

말씀을 거두어 주시길 간곡히 부탁드립니다.

I earnestly request that you withdraw your words.

3

그분의 말씀은 깊은 울림이 있었습니다.

His words had a deep resonance.

4

말씀이 계시겠습니다.

There will be a speech (from him).

Facile à confondre

Honorific Nouns: 말씀 (Words/Speech) vs 말 vs 말씀

Learners often use them interchangeably.

Honorific Nouns: 말씀 (Words/Speech) vs 말씀하시다 vs 말씀드리다

Mixing up honorific and humble.

Honorific Nouns: 말씀 (Words/Speech) vs 말씀 vs 이야기

Both mean speech/story.

Erreurs courantes

친구 말씀

친구 말

Don't use honorifics with friends.

말씀 했다

말씀하셨다

Must use honorific verb.

제 말씀입니다

제 말입니다

Don't use honorifics for yourself unless humble.

말씀이 있다

말씀이 있으시다

Need honorific verb.

말씀을 주다

말씀을 주시다

Honorific verb needed.

선생님 말씀이 먹었다

선생님 말씀이 맞다

Wrong verb choice.

말씀을 듣다 (to boss)

말씀을 들으시다

Need honorific verb.

말씀을 해라

말씀해 주세요

Imperative is too blunt.

말씀이 길다

말씀이 길어지시다

Need honorific verb.

말씀을 나누었다

말씀을 나누셨다

Need honorific verb.

말씀을 삼가라

말씀을 삼가 주십시오

Too blunt.

Structures de phrases

___께서 말씀하셨습니다.

제 말씀을 ___.

___ 말씀이 맞습니다.

말씀 좀 ___.

Real World Usage

Job Interview constant

다시 말씀해 주시겠습니까?

Texting a Professor very common

교수님, 말씀하신 과제 확인했습니다.

Customer Service very common

말씀해 주시면 도와드리겠습니다.

Family Dinner common

아버지께서 말씀이 없으시네요.

Social Media occasional

좋은 말씀 감사합니다!

Travel occasional

말씀 좀 여쭐게요.

💬

Le pouvoir du silence

En Corée, écouter le «말씀» d'un supérieur sans l'interrompre est crucial. Utilise des petits mots comme «네» ou «그렇군요» pour montrer que tu suis.
⚠️

L'auto-vérification

Ne dis jamais «저는 말씀하셨어요». On aurait l'impression que tu te prends pour un roi ! Vérifie toujours qui est le sujet de l'action.
🎯

Le choix de sécurité

Si tu hésites sur le statut de quelqu'un, utilise «말씀» par défaut. Il vaut mieux être trop poli que de paraître impoli avec «말».

Smart Tips

Always check if you can use '말씀' instead of '말'.

선생님 말 들었어요. 선생님 말씀을 들었습니다.

Use '말씀드리다' to be humble.

제가 말할게요. 제가 말씀드리겠습니다.

Use '무슨 말씀이세요?'

뭐라고요? 무슨 말씀이세요?

Use '말씀하신 대로'.

말한 대로 할게요. 말씀하신 대로 하겠습니다.

Prononciation

mal-sseum

Double Consonant

The 'ㅆ' in 말씀 is a tense sound. Hold the tongue against the roof of the mouth.

Rising

말씀이세요? ↑

Polite question

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of '말씀' as 'Master's Speech'. Only use it for the Master (or someone you respect).

Association visuelle

Imagine a golden crown floating above the word '말씀'. If the person you are talking to deserves a crown, use '말씀'.

Rhyme

For friends use '말', for the boss use '말씀', to keep the peace and avoid the fuss.

Story

Min-su was talking to his boss. He accidentally said '말' instead of '말씀'. The room went silent. He quickly corrected himself to '말씀', and the boss smiled.

Word Web

말씀하시다드리다나누다경청존댓말

Défi

Write 3 sentences today using '말씀' to describe what someone you respect said.

Notes culturelles

Using '말씀' is mandatory when speaking to superiors to maintain professional harmony.

Children use '말씀' when referring to their parents' speech.

Speakers use '말씀' to refer to their own speech humbly.

Derived from the Sino-Korean root for speech, elevated by the honorific suffix system.

Amorces de conversation

선생님께서 하신 말씀 중에 기억나는 게 있나요?

부모님께 어떤 말씀을 자주 드리나요?

상사에게 말씀드리기 어려운 적이 있나요?

좋은 말씀 감사합니다. 더 궁금한 게 있어요.

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time a teacher gave you advice. Use '말씀'.
Describe a formal meeting. Use '말씀' for the boss.
How do you politely ask a stranger for directions? Use '말씀'.
Reflect on the importance of honorifics in Korea.

Erreurs courantes

Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Choisis le bon mot pour 'paroles' dans ce contexte formel.

Les ___ de mon père sont la loi dans cette maison. 아버지의 ___은 이 집에서 법이다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 말씀
Quand on parle des paroles du père, on utilise la forme honorifique '말씀' par respect.
Quelle phrase utilise correctement la forme humble ? Choix multiple

Tu veux dire quelque chose à ton patron.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 사장님, 드릴 말씀이 있어요.
'드릴 말씀' est la structure humble correcte. '말' est trop familier, et '하실 말씀' désignerait les paroles du patron.
Corrige l'erreur de politesse. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ami : 와, 너 오늘 말씀 되게 많다! (Wow, tu parles beaucoup aujourd'hui !)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 와, 너 오늘 말 되게 많다!
N'utilise jamais '말씀' pour un ami proche. Ça sonne sarcastique ou bizarre. Utilise le mot neutre '말'.

Score: /3

Exercices pratiques

8 exercises
Choose the correct word. Choix multiple

선생님께서 ___ 하셨습니다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 말씀
Use honorific noun for teacher.
Fill in the blank.

제 ___을 들어주세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 말씀
Humble form.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

친구에게 말씀하세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 친구에게 말하세요
Don't use honorifics with friends.
Reorder the words. Sentence Building

말씀 / 선생님 / 하셨습니다 / 께서

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님께서 말씀하셨습니다
Correct structure.
Match the verb. Match Pairs

Match honorific/humble.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 말씀 + 하시다
Standard honorific pair.
True or False? True False Rule

Can I use '말씀' with my best friend?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
It creates distance.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 무슨 말씀이세요? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 아니에요
Natural response.
Conjugate the verb. Conjugation Drill

말씀 + 하시다 (Past formal)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 말씀하셨습니다
Formal past.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

15 exercises
Complète la phrase humble. Texte trous

Grand-mère, j'ai quelque chose à vous dire. 할머니, ___ 드릴 게 있어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 말씀
Identifie la requête honorifique correcte. Choix multiple

S'il vous plaît, parlez, Monsieur.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 말씀하세요.
Trouve l'usage maladroit. Error Correction

Les paroles de ma petite sœur étaient drôles. (제 여동생 말씀이 웃겼어요.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 제 여동생 말이 웃겼어요.
Relie la personne au nom correct pour 'paroles'. Match Pairs

Associe la relation avec le bon mot.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Patron :: \ub9d0\uc500","Meilleur ami :: \ub9d0","Professeur :: \ub9d0\uc500","Chien :: \ub9d0"]
Ordonne la phrase poliment. Sentence Reorder

J'ai quelque chose à vous dire (litt: des mots à donner existent).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 드릴 말씀이 있습니다
Remplis le vide. Texte trous

As-tu entendu ce qu'a dit le PDG ? 사장님 ___ 들으셨어요?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 말씀
Quelle réaction est appropriée ? Choix multiple

Ton prof demande : 'As-tu compris ?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 네, 무슨 말씀인지 알겠습니다.
Traduire 'Parlez s'il vous plaît' formellement. Traduction

Parlez, s'il vous plaît.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 말씀하세요.
Corrige l'association du verbe. Error Correction

Je vais parler au professeur. (선생님께 말씀하겠습니다.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님께 말씀드리겠습니다.
Sélectionne la fin de phrase correcte. Texte trous

좋은 말씀 ___. (Merci pour vos bons mots.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 감사합니다
Choisis la réponse la plus naturelle. Choix multiple

Quelqu'un dit : '드릴 말씀이 있는데요...' (J'ai quelque chose à vous dire...)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 네, 말씀하세요.
Construis la question. Sentence Reorder

Puis-je vous poser une question ? (litt: demander un mot)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 말씀 좀 여쭈어봐도 될까요?
Associe le verbe au contexte. Match Pairs

Associe le verbe au sens.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["\ub9d0\uc500\ud558\uc2dc\ub2e4 :: Un sup\u00e9rieur parle","\ub9d0\uc500\ub4dc\ub9ac\ub2e4 :: Je parle \u00e0 un sup\u00e9rieur","\ub9d0\ud558\ub2e4 :: Un ami parle","\uc57c\ub2e8\ub9de\ub2e4 :: Se faire gronder"]
Fixe l'erreur d'humilité. Error Correction

J'ai parlé au Président. (사장님께 말씀하셨어요.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 사장님께 말씀드렸어요.
Sélectionne le 'Pardon ?' poli. Choix multiple

Tu n'as pas entendu ce qu'un client a dit.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 무슨 말씀이세요?

Score: /15

FAQ (8)

Yes, it is required for professional respect.

Yes, it refers to the act of speaking or the words spoken.

It makes them feel like you are treating them like a stranger.

The humble verb is '드리다'.

Yes, it is very common in formal emails.

It is standard across all Korean dialects.

You can say '말씀드리기 죄송합니다'.

No, it is used as a mass noun.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Japanese high

お言葉 (O-kotoba)

Japanese has a wider range of honorific verbs.

Spanish low

Usted

Spanish honorifics are pronominal, not lexical nouns.

German low

Sie

German lacks lexical honorifics.

French low

Vouvoiement

French relies on pronoun choice.

Chinese moderate

您说 (Nin shuo)

Chinese honorifics are mostly pronominal.

Arabic moderate

كلامكم (Kalamukum)

Arabic uses grammatical number for respect.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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