Signification
To communicate using spoken language.
Contexte culturel
Koreans often use '말' in idioms about character. Someone who 'has no words' (말이 없다) is considered quiet or stoic, which can be a sign of maturity. Due to Confucian hierarchy, the way you 'do words' changes entirely based on age and status. Using the wrong form of '말을 하다' can be seen as a serious social slight. In texting (KakaoTalk), '말' is often replaced by '톡' (from Talk). Instead of '말해줘', young people might say '톡해줘' (Text me). The phrase '말도 안 돼' (It can't even be words / No way) is a staple in dramas to express shock or disbelief.
Drop the '을'
In casual conversation, always drop the '을'. '말해' sounds much more natural than '말을 해'.
Self-Honorifics
Never say '제가 말씀하겠어요'. It makes you sound like you think you are a king. Use '제가 말하겠습니다'.
Signification
To communicate using spoken language.
Drop the '을'
In casual conversation, always drop the '을'. '말해' sounds much more natural than '말을 해'.
Self-Honorifics
Never say '제가 말씀하겠어요'. It makes you sound like you think you are a king. Use '제가 말하겠습니다'.
The Power of Silence
If someone says '말도 마세요' (Don't even speak), they mean 'It was so [good/bad/extreme] that words can't describe it.'
Language Ability
When someone asks if you speak Korean, it's more common to say '한국말 조금 해요' (I do a little Korean) than '한국말을 말해요'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '말을 하다' in the polite present tense.
저는 한국말을 ______.
The sentence is in the present tense ('I speak Korean'), so '말해요' is the correct polite form.
Choose the most appropriate honorific form to use for a teacher.
선생님, 다시 한번 ______ 주세요.
When asking a teacher (a superior) to speak, you must use the honorific '말씀'.
Match the Korean phrase with its English meaning.
1. 말을 잘 해요, 2. 말을 안 해요, 3. 말을 했어요
'잘' means well, '안' is negation, and '했어요' is past tense.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 왜 어제 파티에 안 왔어요? B: 아, 미안해요. 제가 미리 ______.
B is apologizing for not being able to tell A in advance. '말을 못 했어요' means 'I couldn't tell/speak'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Speak vs. Talk in Korean
Banque d exercices
4 exercices저는 한국말을 ______.
The sentence is in the present tense ('I speak Korean'), so '말해요' is the correct polite form.
선생님, 다시 한번 ______ 주세요.
When asking a teacher (a superior) to speak, you must use the honorific '말씀'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
'잘' means well, '안' is negation, and '했어요' is past tense.
A: 왜 어제 파티에 안 왔어요? B: 아, 미안해요. 제가 미리 ______.
B is apologizing for not being able to tell A in advance. '말을 못 했어요' means 'I couldn't tell/speak'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsThere is almost no difference in meaning. '말을 하다' is more formal or emphatic, while '말하다' is the standard verb form used in daily life.
Yes, but in writing, you often use more specific verbs like '적다' (to write down) or '기술하다' (to describe). However, '말하다' is used to quote someone in writing.
You should say '말씀해 주세요' (honorific) or '말해 주세요' (polite).
They are homonyms (same sound, different meaning). '말' (speech) and '말' (horse) are pronounced the same, though historically they had different vowel lengths.
Use '말씀' when referring to the speech of someone older or higher in rank than you, or when humbly referring to your own speech to a superior.
Yes, it means 'I speak English.' However, '영어를 해요' is more common.
It literally means 'It doesn't even become words,' but it's used to mean 'No way!' or 'That's nonsense!'
The past tense is '말을 했어요' (polite) or '말했다' (plain).
Yes, it is a fundamental phrase used in all dialects of Korean.
Only if the animal is actually talking (like in a cartoon). For animal sounds, use '짖다' (bark) or '울다' (cry).
Expressions liées
말씀하시다
specialized formTo speak (honorific)
이야기하다
similarTo talk or tell a story
대화하다
specialized formTo converse
거짓말하다
builds onTo lie
입을 열다
idiomTo open one's mouth
