Signification
To start talking to someone, usually a stranger or someone you haven't spoken to.
Contexte culturel
In Korea, starting a conversation with a stranger is often preceded by a slight bow or using a polite title like '저기요' (Excuse me). It's important to gauge the other person's 'Nunchi' (social sense) before '말을 건네다'. In international business contexts, '말을 건네다' (breaking the ice) is a vital skill. Koreans often value a bit of small talk about the weather or health before diving into business topics. On Korean social media like KakaoTalk, '말을 건네다' often happens through sending a 'sticker' or an emoticon first to test the waters before typing actual words. In traditional Korean villages, '말을 건네다' was a communal duty. Not greeting or speaking to a neighbor was seen as a lack of 'Ye-ui' (etiquette).
Use '먼저'
Pairing '말을 건네다' with '먼저' (first) makes you sound very natural when describing social initiations.
Particle Check
Always remember the '에게' particle. Using '를' for the person is the most common learner error.
Signification
To start talking to someone, usually a stranger or someone you haven't spoken to.
Use '먼저'
Pairing '말을 건네다' with '먼저' (first) makes you sound very natural when describing social initiations.
Particle Check
Always remember the '에게' particle. Using '를' for the person is the most common learner error.
Literary Flair
Use this phrase in your writing (essays or stories) instead of '말을 걸다' to sound more sophisticated.
Small Talk
In Korea, '말을 건네다' often involves asking if someone has eaten (밥 먹었어요?) as a friendly icebreaker.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '말을 건네다'.
어제 카페에서 우연히 친구를 만나서 먼저 (____).
The sentence describes a past action ('어제'), so '건넸어요' is correct.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose the natural sentence:
The person addressed needs '에게' and the verb is '건네다'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 저 사람한테 가서 길 좀 물어볼까? B: 응, 네가 가서 먼저 (____).
'~어/아 봐' is used to suggest trying something.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.
Situation: You see a famous celebrity at the airport and want to say hello.
Starting a conversation with a celebrity requires courage ('용기') and the act of '말을 건네다'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
말을 건네다 vs 말을 걸다
Banque d exercices
4 exercices어제 카페에서 우연히 친구를 만나서 먼저 (____).
The sentence describes a past action ('어제'), so '건넸어요' is correct.
Choose the natural sentence:
The person addressed needs '에게' and the verb is '건네다'.
A: 저 사람한테 가서 길 좀 물어볼까? B: 응, 네가 가서 먼저 (____).
'~어/아 봐' is used to suggest trying something.
Situation: You see a famous celebrity at the airport and want to say hello.
Starting a conversation with a celebrity requires courage ('용기') and the act of '말을 건네다'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, you can use it with friends or family if you are the one starting a conversation after a period of silence or for a specific purpose.
'걸다' is more common in daily speech, while '건네다' is slightly more formal and descriptive.
It's better to use '연락 드립니다' (I am contacting you) in an email, as '말을 건네다' implies spoken interaction.
The phrase itself is neutral, but the act of '말을 건네다' is generally seen as a positive social effort in Korea.
Yes! That means someone else started talking to you (you 'received' the words).
저는 부끄러워서 먼저 말을 건네기가 힘들어요.
No, it only refers to the very beginning of the interaction.
Not really. It usually implies a normal or soft speaking volume.
The word '말' is native Korean, but you can use '대화를 시도하다' (attempt conversation) for a pure Hanja alternative.
'조심스럽게' (cautiously), '다정하게' (kindly), and '갑자기' (suddenly) are common.
Yes, you can use it to describe the act of sending the first message.
Rarely. '말이 건네졌다' sounds very poetic and is mostly found in literature.
There isn't a direct opposite, but '침묵을 지키다' (to keep silent) is the contrasting state.
Yes, because it requires understanding collocations beyond basic verbs like '하다'.
Expressions liées
말을 걸다
similarTo start talking to someone
말문을 열다
specialized formTo break a long silence
말을 붙이다
similarTo try to start a conversation
대화를 시작하다
synonymTo start a conversation
입을 떼다
builds onTo start speaking (literally: to take the lips apart)
