Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential way to say 'send a message' in modern Korean, covering everything from SMS to KakaoTalk and DMs.
- Means: Sending a digital text message to someone via phone or app.
- Used in: Texting friends, emailing colleagues, or messaging on social media apps.
- Don't confuse: Use '보내다' for digital items; use '부치다' for physical mail like letters.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
The act of transmitting a short written communication, usually digitally.
Contexte culturel
The '1' on KakaoTalk is a major cultural touchstone. If you send a message and the '1' doesn't disappear for a long time, it's called 'mi-hwag-in' (unconfirmed). If it disappears but there's no reply, it's 'ik-ssip' (read-ignore). Using emoticons (imotikon) or tilde symbols (~) is almost mandatory in friendly messages to avoid sounding angry or stiff. A simple '네' can sound cold, while '네~' or '네! ^^' sounds friendly. Business communication has moved largely to mobile messengers like KakaoTalk or Slack. It is common to send a '메시지' to a boss, but it must start with a polite greeting and end with formal verb forms. The phrase '문자 해' (text me) is often used as a parting greeting, similar to 'Let's keep in touch,' even if the person doesn't intend to text immediately.
Drop the particle
In casual conversation, just say '메시지 보냈어' instead of '메시지를 보냈어'. It sounds much more natural.
Spelling Trap
You will see '메세지' everywhere in Korea. While common, stick to '메시지' for exams or formal writing.
Drop the particle
In casual conversation, just say '메시지 보냈어' instead of '메시지를 보냈어'. It sounds much more natural.
Spelling Trap
You will see '메세지' everywhere in Korea. While common, stick to '메시지' for exams or formal writing.
Emoticon Etiquette
If you are messaging a Korean friend, use at least one 'ㅋ' (laugh) or a smiley. A message with just a period at the end can seem like you are angry!
The 'Talk' Verb
If you want to sound like a local, use '카톡해' (Katok-hae) instead of '메시지 보내' when you know they use KakaoTalk.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '보내다' in the past tense (polite).
어제 친구한테 메시지를 ________.
'어제' (yesterday) indicates the past tense. '보냈어요' is the polite past tense form.
Which particle is most appropriate for the recipient of the message?
어머니____ 메시지를 보냈습니다.
'어머니' is a person of higher status, so the honorific dative particle '께' is the best choice.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 지금 바빠요? B: 네, 조금요. 나중에 메시지 ________.
B is promising to send a message in the future ('나중에'), so the intent/future ending '-(으)ㄹ게요' is correct.
Match the phrase to the situation: 'You want someone to text you when they get home.'
집에 도착하면...
'보내 주세요' is a polite request for someone to do something for you.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Message vs. Letter
Banque d exercices
5 exercices어제 친구한테 메시지를 ________.
'어제' (yesterday) indicates the past tense. '보냈어요' is the polite past tense form.
어머니____ 메시지를 보냈습니다.
'어머니' is a person of higher status, so the honorific dative particle '께' is the best choice.
A: 지금 바빠요? B: 네, 조금요. 나중에 메시지 ________.
B is promising to send a message in the future ('나중에'), so the intent/future ending '-(으)ㄹ게요' is correct.
집에 도착하면...
'보내 주세요' is a polite request for someone to do something for you.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, it's a general term for any digital message, including SMS, DMs, and even Slack messages.
Yes, '이메일을 보내다' is the standard way to say 'send an email'.
'문자' specifically refers to traditional SMS (text messages), while '메시지' is broader and includes internet-based messaging apps.
You say '메시지가 왔어요' (A message came) or '메시지를 받았어요' (I received a message).
In Korea, it's okay if it's during school hours. Always use honorifics like '선생님께' and '보냅니다'.
It's slang for 'read and ignore' (reading a message but not replying).
You can, but it only means the act of writing/typing. To say you 'texted' someone, use '보내다'.
You can say '메시지 보내 줘' or simply '문자 해'.
No, it conjugates regularly. 보내 + 어요 becomes 보내요.
It's short for '단체 카톡' (group KakaoTalk). You '메시지를 보내다' to a '단톡방'.
In writing, yes. In speaking, it's almost always dropped.
Yes, you can say '음성 메시지를 보내다' (send a voice message).
The verb itself doesn't have a humble form, but you use '-습니다' or '-으십니다' endings, or '보내 드리다' to be extra polite.
Because KakaoTalk is the dominant messaging app in Korea, '톡' has become a synonym for 'message'.
Expressions liées
문자를 보내다
similarTo send a text message (SMS)
연락을 하다
builds onTo contact someone
답장을 하다
specialized formTo reply to a message
메시지를 남기다
similarTo leave a message
카톡을 하다
specialized formTo use KakaoTalk
알림이 오다
contrastA notification arrives
Où l'utiliser
Texting a friend
민수: 지수한테 메시지 보냈어?
지수: 응, 방금 보냈어. 곧 올 거야.
At the office
팀장님: 김 대리, 거래처에 확인 메시지 보냈나요?
김 대리: 네, 오전 중에 보냈습니다.
Dating/Romance
A: 그 사람한테 메시지 보낼까 말까?
B: 그냥 보내 봐! 용기를 내!
Customer Service
상담원: 고객님, 휴대폰으로 인증 메시지를 보냈습니다.
고객: 네, 확인해 볼게요.
Delivery App
앱 알림: 배달 기사님이 메시지를 보냈습니다: '문 앞에 두었습니다.'
나: 아, 맛있겠다!
Group Project
학생 A: 단톡방에 자료 메시지 보낼게.
학생 B: 고마워, 지금 확인할게.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Message' + 'Bone-a-day'. You send a 'Message' to your dog to give him a 'Bone-a-day' (보내다 - bonaeda).
Association visuelle
Imagine a small paper airplane made of a digital screen flying from your hand to a friend's phone. The airplane is the '메시지' and your throwing motion is '보내다'.
Rhyme
메시지를 보내, 마음을 전해 (Send a message, deliver your heart).
Story
You are sitting in a cafe in Seoul. You want to meet a friend. You take out your phone, type 'Where are you?', and hit the blue arrow. That action of hitting the arrow is '보내다', and the words are the '메시지'.
In Other Languages
Similar to 'Mandar un mensaje' in Spanish or 'メッセージを送る' in Japanese. Most languages use a 'Noun (Message) + Verb (Send)' structure.
Word Web
Défi
Open your messaging app and find a Korean friend (or a language bot). Type '메시지를 보내요' and actually send it!
Review this phrase on day 1, 3, and 7. Focus on the past tense '보냈어요' as it's used most often when confirming you've done the task.
Prononciation
The '시' is a soft 'shi' sound, and '지' is like the 'j' in 'jeep'.
The '보' starts with a sound between 'b' and 'p'. '내' is like 'neh' in 'net'.
Spectre de formalité
메시지를 보냈습니다. (General confirmation)
메시지를 보냈어요. (General confirmation)
메시지 보냈어. (General confirmation)
톡 보냈어 / 톡 쐈어 (General confirmation)
A combination of the English loanword 'message' (transliterated as 메시지) and the native Korean verb '보내다' (to send).
Le savais-tu ?
Despite '메시지' being the official spelling, '메세지' is so common that many search engines and even some dictionaries acknowledge it as a common variant.
Notes culturelles
The '1' on KakaoTalk is a major cultural touchstone. If you send a message and the '1' doesn't disappear for a long time, it's called 'mi-hwag-in' (unconfirmed). If it disappears but there's no reply, it's 'ik-ssip' (read-ignore).
“메시지를 읽었는데 왜 답장이 없지? (They read the message, why is there no reply?)”
Using emoticons (imotikon) or tilde symbols (~) is almost mandatory in friendly messages to avoid sounding angry or stiff. A simple '네' can sound cold, while '네~' or '네! ^^' sounds friendly.
“메시지를 보낼 때 이모티콘을 꼭 써요. (I always use emoticons when sending messages.)”
Business communication has moved largely to mobile messengers like KakaoTalk or Slack. It is common to send a '메시지' to a boss, but it must start with a polite greeting and end with formal verb forms.
“팀장님, 메시지 확인 부탁드립니다. (Team leader, please check your message.)”
The phrase '문자 해' (text me) is often used as a parting greeting, similar to 'Let's keep in touch,' even if the person doesn't intend to text immediately.
“다음에 또 봐! 문자 해! (See you next time! Text me!)”
Amorces de conversation
친구에게 보통 어떤 메시지를 보내요?
어제 누구에게 메시지를 보냈어요?
메시지를 보내는 것과 전화하는 것 중에 무엇을 더 좋아해요?
모르는 사람에게 메시지를 보내야 한다면 어떻게 시작할 거예요?
Erreurs courantes
메시지를 쓰다 (in the sense of 'sending')
메시지를 보내다
L1 Interference
메시지를 부치다
메시지를 보내다
L1 Interference
메시지를 주다
메시지를 보내다 / 연락을 주다
L1 Interference
메세지를 보내다
메시지를 보내다
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Mandar un mensaje
Spanish uses 'enviar' for more formal contexts, whereas Korean uses the same verb '보내다' but changes the sentence ending.
Envoyer un message / Envoyer un SMS
French has a specific slang verb 'textoter', which Korean lacks (Korean uses '카톡하다' instead).
Eine Nachricht schicken
German grammar requires specific cases (accusative for the message), similar to Korean particles.
メッセージを送る
Japanese might use 'LINEする' (to do LINE) more often than '카톡하다' in Korea.
إرسال رسالة (Irsal risala)
In Arabic, the noun 'message' is often used for both digital and physical letters without distinction.
发短信 (Fā duǎnxìn)
Chinese rarely uses a loanword for 'message', preferring native compounds like '短信' or '消息'.
Enviar uma mensagem
In Brazil, 'mandar um zap' (send a WhatsApp) is the most common slang, similar to '카톡 보내다'.
Send a message / Text someone
English can use 'text' as a verb ('Text me'), while Korean usually keeps the noun-verb structure ('문자 해').
Spotted in the Real World
“예약 메시지를 보냈어요.”
The main character sends scheduled (reservation) messages to the female lead so she receives them after he is gone.
“이 선 넘으면 침범이야 beep. 매너는 여기까지 it's ma point. 메시지들이 줄지어 와.”
The song talks about people crossing boundaries and sending too many messages/comments.
“메시지 보내기”
The standard button on Instagram profiles in Korea to send a DM.
“와이파이 잡히면 메시지 보내.”
The siblings are looking for free Wi-Fi in their semi-basement apartment to send messages.
“재난문자 메시지를 보냈습니다.”
Reporting on emergency alert messages sent by the government.
Facile à confondre
Learners mix up 'send' (보내다) and 'deliver/convey' (전하다).
Use '보내다' for the technical act of hitting send. Use '전하다' for the abstract act of conveying a meaning or a verbal message through someone else.
Both mean 'to send' but for different mediums.
Use '부치다' ONLY for physical mail (letters, parcels) sent via a post office.
Questions fréquentes (14)
No, it's a general term for any digital message, including SMS, DMs, and even Slack messages.
basic understandingYes, '이메일을 보내다' is the standard way to say 'send an email'.
usage contexts'문자' specifically refers to traditional SMS (text messages), while '메시지' is broader and includes internet-based messaging apps.
comparisonsYou say '메시지가 왔어요' (A message came) or '메시지를 받았어요' (I received a message).
grammar mechanicsIn Korea, it's okay if it's during school hours. Always use honorifics like '선생님께' and '보냅니다'.
cultural usageIt's slang for 'read and ignore' (reading a message but not replying).
practical tipsYou can, but it only means the act of writing/typing. To say you 'texted' someone, use '보내다'.
common mistakesYou can say '메시지 보내 줘' or simply '문자 해'.
usage contextsNo, it conjugates regularly. 보내 + 어요 becomes 보내요.
grammar mechanicsIt's short for '단체 카톡' (group KakaoTalk). You '메시지를 보내다' to a '단톡방'.
practical tipsIn writing, yes. In speaking, it's almost always dropped.
grammar mechanicsYes, you can say '음성 메시지를 보내다' (send a voice message).
usage contextsThe verb itself doesn't have a humble form, but you use '-습니다' or '-으십니다' endings, or '보내 드리다' to be extra polite.
grammar mechanicsBecause KakaoTalk is the dominant messaging app in Korea, '톡' has become a synonym for 'message'.
cultural usage
