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A2 adjective #7,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

말랑하다

mallanghada Top 7,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 말랑하다 en 30 secondes

Explication 말랑하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that '말랑하다' means 'soft' like a toy or bread. You can use it in simple sentences like '빵이 말랑해요' (The bread is soft). Think of it as the opposite of '딱딱해요' (It is hard). It is a fun word to say and very useful when you are shopping for food or talking about things you can touch. Just remember to use it for things you can squeeze with your hand.

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At the A2 level, you should start using '말랑하다' to describe different textures in your daily life. You can use it for fruits (like a ripe peach), animals (like a cat's paw), or snacks (like jelly). You should also practice the noun-modifying form '말랑한' (e.g., 말랑한 인형 - a soft doll). You are beginning to see the difference between '말랑하다' (squishy) and '부드럽다' (smooth/soft surface).

At the B1 level, you can use '말랑하다' in more complex sentence structures. For example, you can use it with '-아/어서' to show cause and effect: '떡이 말랑해서 맛있어요' (The rice cake is delicious because it's soft). You should also be aware of the reduplicated form '말랑말랑하다' and use it to sound more natural and expressive in casual conversations. You can start to distinguish it from '폭신하다' (cushy/fluffy).

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At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance of vowel harmony between '말랑하다' and '몰랑하다'. You can use the word in a variety of contexts, including beauty (supple skin) and cooking (dough texture). You should also be able to use the '-해지다' form to describe a change in state, such as '날씨가 따뜻해지면 찰흙이 말랑해져요' (When the weather gets warm, the clay becomes soft).

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At the C1 level, you can use '말랑하다' and its related forms (like 물렁하다, 야들야들하다) to provide very specific descriptions. You understand the subtle emotional or metaphorical uses, such as describing a 'soft' approach to a problem, though this is rare. You can use the word accurately in descriptive writing to create vivid tactile imagery for the reader, choosing it over '부드럽다' or '폭신하다' to convey a precise physical sensation.

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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '말랑하다'. you can use it in literature, poetry, or technical culinary discussions. You understand the historical and mimetic roots of the word. You can effortlessly switch between '말랑말랑', '몰랑몰랑', and '물렁물렁' to convey different weights, sizes, and connotations (positive vs. negative). Your use of the word adds depth and sensory detail to your speech and writing.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

말랑하다 en 30 secondes

말랑하다 describes things that are soft, squishy, and pliable to the touch, like jelly or dough.
It is often used for food (rice cakes, bread), animals (paws), and skincare (supple skin).
It differs from '부드럽다' (smooth) and '폭신하다' (cushy/fluffy) by focusing on 'squishability'.
The reduplicated form '말랑말랑' is very common in casual speech for emphasis and cuteness.

The Korean adjective 말랑하다 (mallang-hada) is a sensory-rich word that describes a specific physical state: being soft, pliable, and yielding to the touch. Unlike generic words for 'soft' that might describe a surface or a feeling, 말랑하다 specifically evokes the sensation of something that can be compressed or squished and then potentially bounce back. It is the gold standard for describing the texture of fresh rice cakes (떡), marshmallows, or a baby's chubby cheeks. When you use this word, you are inviting the listener to imagine the tactile experience of pressing your finger into something and feeling it give way without breaking.

Tactile Quality: This word is primarily used for objects that are solid but have a high degree of elasticity and softness. It is not used for 'soft' things like air or light, but for physical matter like dough, rubber, or soft fruit.
Emotional Nuance: While mostly physical, 말랑하다 can occasionally describe a person's mindset or heart in a modern, slightly metaphorical sense, implying a lack of rigidity or a gentle nature, though '부드럽다' is more common for personality.

갓 구운 빵이 정말 말랑하다.
(The freshly baked bread is truly soft and squishy.)

In daily Korean life, you will hear this word most frequently in the kitchen or at a bakery. Koreans place a very high value on texture (식감) in food. A '말랑한' texture is often the ideal state for many traditional snacks. If a rice cake has become '딱딱하다' (hard), it is no longer desirable; it needs to be '말랑말랑' to be perfect. The reduplicated form, 말랑말랑하다, is even more common in casual speech as it adds a rhythmic, mimetic quality that emphasizes the repetitive nature of squishing something soft.

고양이 발바닥이 말랑해서 계속 만지고 싶어요.
(The cat's paw pads are so squishy that I want to keep touching them.)

Beyond food and animals, 말랑하다 is used in beauty and skincare. A '말랑한 피부' (squishy/supple skin) is a sign of youth and hydration. In the context of materials science or DIY hobbies, you might describe silicone or slime as being 말랑하다. It suggests a certain level of friendliness and lack of danger, as something 말랑하다 cannot hurt you with sharp edges or hardness.

복숭아가 잘 익어서 아주 말랑해요.
(The peach is well-ripened, so it is very soft.)

Comparison with '몰랑하다': In Korean vowel harmony, '말랑' (bright vowels) feels lighter and smaller, while '몰랑' (dark vowels) feels heavier or thicker. You would use '말랑' for a small grape and '몰랑' for a large, heavy dough.

Finally, notice how the word ends in '하다'. This makes it a standard descriptive verb (adjective) that follows all regular conjugation rules. Whether you are using the polite '-요' ending or the formal '-습니다' ending, the core meaning of 'squishy softness' remains the central focus of the description.

Using 말랑하다 correctly requires understanding its role as a descriptive verb. In Korean, adjectives function like verbs, meaning they can end a sentence or modify a noun directly. To modify a noun, you change 말랑하다 to 말랑한. For example, '말랑한 젤리' (squishy jelly). To end a sentence, you conjugate it based on the tense and level of politeness required.

이 인형은 속이 말랑해서 아이들이 좋아해요.
(This doll is soft inside, so children like it.)

When describing the state of an object, you often use the '-아/어서' (because/so) form to explain a result, or the '-고' (and) form to list qualities. For instance, '말랑하고 부드러워요' (It is squishy and smooth). It is also common to use the adverbial form 말랑하게 to describe how something is made or how it feels. '반죽을 말랑하게 만드세요' (Make the dough soft/pliable).

Present Tense (Polite): 말랑해요 (Mallang-haeyo) - Used in everyday conversation with friends, colleagues, or strangers.
Past Tense (Polite): 말랑했어요 (Mallang-haesseoyo) - Used to describe something that was soft but perhaps isn't anymore (like bread from yesterday).

말랑한 떡을 먹으니 기분이 좋아졌어요.
(Eating the soft rice cake made me feel better.)

One interesting grammatical feature is the use of the '말랑말랑' form. In Korean, doubling the descriptive part of an onomatopoeic or mimetic word emphasizes the feeling and often makes it sound more vivid or 'cute.' While '말랑하다' is a statement of fact, '말랑말랑하다' sounds more expressive and is very frequently used when talking to children or describing something particularly pleasant to touch.

In more complex sentences, you might see 말랑하다 combined with auxiliary verbs like '-지다' to show a change in state. '시간이 지나면 떡이 말랑해져요' (Over time, the rice cake becomes soft - perhaps after steaming). This '-해지다' construction is vital for describing processes like cooking or aging fruit.

이 고무찰흙은 손으로 주무르면 말랑해집니다.
(This play-dough becomes soft if you knead it with your hands.)

Noun Modification: Always use the 'ㄴ' ending: 말랑한 + Noun. Example: 말랑한 치즈 (soft/melty cheese).

If you walk into a Korean traditional market (시장), specifically near the 'Tteok' (rice cake) stalls, you will hear 말랑하다 constantly. Sellers will shout about how their rice cakes are '말랑말랑' to indicate they were made just moments ago. In Korea, the freshness of certain foods is synonymous with this specific degree of softness. If a food item that should be 말랑하다 is instead '딱딱하다' (hard), it is considered low quality or stale.

"이 떡 아직 말랑해요, 어서 사 가세요!"
("This rice cake is still soft, come and buy it!")

Another common place is in parenting and childcare. Korean parents often use '말랑말랑' when playing with their babies. They might squeeze the baby's arms or legs and say, "우리 아기 팔이 말랑말랑하네!" (Our baby's arms are so squishy!). It is a term of endearment and physical affection. You'll also see it on the packaging of toys, especially 'squishies' or slime kits, which are incredibly popular in Korea. The word '말랑이' (Mallang-i) has even become a noun used to refer to these squishy toys.

In the beauty industry, you'll see this word in advertisements for moisturizers and facial masks. The goal of many Korean skincare routines is to achieve 'chok-chok' (moist) and 'mallang-mallang' (supple/soft) skin. An ad might say, "말랑한 피부를 위한 수분 크림" (Moisture cream for squishy/supple skin). Here, it conveys a sense of health, elasticity, and deep hydration.

팩을 하고 나니 얼굴이 말랑말랑해졌어요.
(After using the face mask, my face became so soft and supple.)

In the Kitchen: Used when checking if pasta is done, if fruit is ripe, or if dough has risen enough.
In Toy Stores: Used to describe stress balls, plushies, and 'squishy' collectibles.

Lastly, you might hear it in creative writing or song lyrics. It can describe a 'soft' cloud or a 'soft' heart in a poetic way. While not as common as its physical usage, it adds a touch of whimsical, tactile imagery to the writing, making the abstract feel more tangible.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using 말랑하다 when they should use 부드럽다 (budeureopda). While both translate to 'soft' in English, their Korean meanings are distinct. 부드럽다 is used for surfaces (like silk, fur, or skin texture) and abstract things (like a voice, a breeze, or a personality). 말랑하다 is strictly about 'squishability' and volume. You wouldn't say a voice is '말랑하다' because you can't squish a voice!

❌ 목소리가 말랑해요. (Wrong)
✅ 목소리가 부드러워요. (Correct: The voice is soft/smooth.)

Another mistake involves the word 폭신하다 (poksinhada). This word also means 'soft,' but it describes a 'cushy' or 'fluffy' feeling, like a sofa, a pillow, or a thick carpet. If you sit on it and it feels like a cloud, it's 폭신하다. If you squeeze it with your fingers and it feels like a gummy bear, it's 말랑하다. Using 말랑하다 for a mattress might sound a bit strange unless the mattress is specifically jelly-like.

Confusing with '연하다' (yeon-hada): 연하다 means 'tender' (like meat) or 'light' (like color/tea). While meat can be soft, you usually say meat is '연하다' rather than '말랑하다'. '말랑하다' meat would sound undercooked or processed.

A subtle mistake is ignoring vowel harmony. Beginners might mix up '말랑' and '몰랑'. While both are understood, '말랑' is for lighter, smaller things (a jelly bean), and '몰랑' is for larger, heavier things (a huge loaf of bread). Using '몰랑' for a tiny cherry might sound slightly 'off' to a native speaker's ear, though it's a very advanced nuance.

❌ 돌이 말랑해요. (Unless it's a fake rock)
✅ 돌이 딱딱해요. (The stone is hard.)

Finally, ensure you don't over-use the reduplicated '말랑말랑' in formal writing. While it's great for speech, in a formal report or a serious essay, the single '말랑하다' or a more academic term like '유연하다' (flexible) or '연질의' (soft-textured) might be more appropriate depending on the context.

To truly master Korean, you need to know the 'family' of words that describe softness. 말랑하다 is just one point on a spectrum of textures. Depending on the object and the specific feeling, you might want to choose a different word to be more precise.

부드럽다 (Budeureopda): The most general word for 'soft.' It covers smoothness, gentleness, and lack of friction. Use it for silk, skin, voices, and kind people.
폭신하다 (Poksinhada): Focuses on the 'cushion' effect. Use it for things you sink into, like a bed, a thick rug, or a puffy winter jacket.
보들보들하다 (Bodeul-bodeul-hada): Specifically describes something that is soft and slightly fuzzy or velvety to the touch, like a kitten's fur or a soft fleece blanket.

빵은 말랑하고, 케이크는 폭신해요.
(The bread is squishy, and the cake is fluffy.)

For more technical or formal contexts, you might use 유연하다 (yuyeon-hada), which means 'flexible' or 'supple.' This is used for gymnasts, plastic pipes, or flexible schedules. Another alternative is 물렁하다 (mulleong-hada). This is a 'darker' version of 말랑하다 and often carries a slightly negative connotation, like something that is 'mushy' or 'overripe.' If a tomato is '말랑하다,' it's ripe; if it's '물렁하다,' it might be rotting.

Finally, consider 보들하다 and 야들야들하다. The latter is often used for very tender, thin food like high-quality boiled pork or certain types of seafood that have a delicate, soft texture. Mastering these variations will make your Korean sound much more natural and descriptive.

이 고기는 야들야들해서 입에서 녹아요.
(This meat is so tenderly soft that it melts in my mouth.)

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Korean has a vast system of mimetic and onomatopoeic words. '말랑' is part of a vowel-harmony set. If you change the 'a' to 'u' (물렁), it sounds mushier and often more negative. If you change it to 'o' (몰랑), it sounds bigger and heavier.

Guide de prononciation

UK mal.laŋ.ha.da

US mal.laŋ.ha.da

The primary stress is usually on the second syllable '랑' (lang).

Rime avec

달랑하다 (dallang-hada - to be dangling) 살랑하다 (sallang-hada - to be breezy) 팔랑하다 (pallang-hada - to be fluttering) 깔랑하다 (kkallang-hada - to be cheeky/frivolous) 말랑말랑 (mallang-mallang) 말랑하게 (mallang-hage) 말랑하니 (mallang-hani) 말랑하다니 (mallang-hadani)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'ㄹ' as a hard English 'R'. It should be a flap or a light 'L' sound.
Missing the nasal 'ng' (ㅇ) sound in the second syllable.
Over-emphasizing the 'h' (ㅎ) sound.
Confusing it with '몰랑하다' (mol-lang-ha-da) by using the wrong vowel.
Dropping the 'ha-da' ending when using it as an adjective in a sentence.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word is easy to recognize as it follows standard '하다' adjective patterns.

Écriture 3/5

Requires remembering the double 'ㄹ' sound and the 'ng' (ㅇ) ending.

Expression orale 2/5

Fun to pronounce, but requires distinguishing between 'a' and 'o' vowels.

Écoute 2/5

Distinctive sound, though can be confused with other mimetic words ending in 'lang'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

부드럽다 (Soft/Smooth) 딱딱하다 (Hard) 떡 (Rice cake) 빵 (Bread) 만지다 (To touch)

Apprends ensuite

폭신하다 (Cushy) 물렁하다 (Mushy) 단단하다 (Firm) 질기다 (Tough/Chewy) 바삭하다 (Crunchy)

Avancé

야들야들하다 (Tender) 보들보들하다 (Soft/Fuzzy) 흐물흐물하다 (Limp/Mushy) 탱탱하다 (Elastic/Firm)

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective to Noun Modification (-ㄴ/은)

말랑하다 -> 말랑한 (말랑한 빵)

Resultative Change (-아/어지다)

말랑해지다 (To become soft)

Adverbialization (-하게)

말랑하게 (Softly/Pliably)

Mimetic Reduplication

말랑말랑 (Emphasis/Vividness)

Reason/Cause (-아/어서)

말랑해서 좋아요 (I like it because it's soft)

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Exemples par niveau

빵이 말랑해요.

The bread is soft.

Present tense, polite.

이것은 말랑해요?

Is this soft?

Question form.

말랑한 떡이에요.

It is a soft rice cake.

Noun modification.

젤리가 말랑합니다.

The jelly is soft.

Formal polite ending.

인형이 참 말랑해요.

The doll is really soft.

Adverb '참' (really).

말랑한 것을 좋아해요.

I like soft things.

Object phrase.

공이 말랑해요.

The ball is soft.

Simple subject-adjective.

이거 말랑해.

This is soft.

Informal/Casual.

복숭아가 아주 말랑해요.

The peach is very soft.

Adverb '아주' (very).

강아지 발이 말랑말랑해요.

The puppy's paws are squishy.

Reduplicated form for emphasis.

말랑한 빵을 사고 싶어요.

I want to buy soft bread.

'-고 싶다' (want to).

이 베개는 너무 말랑해요.

This pillow is too soft.

Adverb '너무' (too).

치즈가 말랑하게 녹았어요.

The cheese melted softly.

Adverbial form '-하게'.

말랑한 젤리를 먹었어요.

I ate soft jelly.

Past tense.

바나나가 말랑해서 맛있어요.

The banana is soft, so it's delicious.

'-아서' (reason).

말랑한 장난감을 사주세요.

Please buy me a soft toy.

'-아/어 주세요' (request).

반죽이 말랑해질 때까지 주무르세요.

Knead the dough until it becomes soft.

'-해지다' (become) + '-을 때까지' (until).

아기 볼이 말랑말랑해서 자꾸 만지고 싶어지네요.

The baby's cheeks are so squishy that I keep wanting to touch them.

'-아서' + '-고 싶어지다' (start to want to).

이 떡은 식어도 여전히 말랑해요.

Even if this rice cake cools down, it is still soft.

'-어도' (even if) + '여전히' (still).

말랑한 식감을 좋아하는 사람들에게 추천해요.

I recommend it to people who like a soft texture.

'-는 사람들' (people who).

고무찰흙이 굳었으면 물을 묻혀서 말랑하게 만드세요.

If the clay has hardened, put some water on it to make it soft.

'-으면' (if) + '-게 만들다' (make it...).

너무 말랑한 과일은 금방 상할 수 있어요.

Fruit that is too soft can spoil quickly.

'-을 수 있다' (can/possibility).

이 신발은 밑창이 말랑해서 발이 편해요.

These shoes have soft soles, so they are comfortable.

'-아서' (reason).

말랑한 마시멜로를 불에 구워 먹었어요.

I roasted and ate soft marshmallows over the fire.

Compound verb '구워 먹다'.

피부 탄력을 유지하려면 피부가 말랑말랑해야 합니다.

To maintain skin elasticity, the skin must be soft and supple.

'-려면' (in order to) + '-해야 하다' (must).

그의 마음은 보기보다 말랑해서 쉽게 상처받아요.

His heart is softer than it looks, so he gets hurt easily.

Metaphorical use; '-보다' (than).

말랑한 소재를 사용해서 충격을 흡수하도록 설계되었습니다.

It was designed to absorb shock by using soft materials.

'-하도록' (so that) + passive voice.

너무 말랑하지도, 너무 딱딱하지도 않은 적당한 상태예요.

It's in a perfect state, neither too soft nor too hard.

'-지도 않다' (neither... nor).

말랑해진 타이어는 공기압을 체크해 봐야 합니다.

You should check the air pressure of a tire that has become soft.

'-해진' (that became...).

오래 삶으면 면이 너무 말랑해져서 식감이 떨어져요.

If you boil it too long, the noodles get too soft and the texture worsens.

'-으면' + '-해지다'.

말랑한 젤리 속에 상큼한 과즙이 들어 있어요.

Inside the soft jelly, there is refreshing fruit juice.

Locative phrase.

햇볕에 놓아두니 초콜릿이 말랑하게 녹기 시작했어요.

As I left it in the sun, the chocolate started to melt softly.

'-기 시작하다' (start to).

이 작가는 말랑한 문체로 일상의 소소한 행복을 그려냅니다.

This author depicts small daily happiness with a soft/gentle writing style.

Metaphorical use for writing style.

세포막은 말랑하면서도 외부 자극으로부터 세포를 보호하는 역할을 합니다.

The cell membrane is soft yet plays a role in protecting the cell from external stimuli.

'-하면서도' (while also).

그는 겉으로는 강해 보이지만 속은 아주 말랑한 사람이다.

He looks strong on the outside, but on the inside, he is a very soft-hearted person.

Contrast '겉' (outside) vs '속' (inside).

말랑한 실리콘 패드가 소음을 줄이는 데 효과적입니다.

Soft silicone pads are effective in reducing noise.

'-는 데' (in the act of).

익힌 채소의 말랑한 질감을 싫어하는 아이들도 있습니다.

There are children who dislike the soft texture of cooked vegetables.

Complex noun phrase.

점토의 말랑한 성질을 이용해 다양한 형태를 빚을 수 있습니다.

Using the soft property of clay, you can mold various shapes.

'-을 이용해' (using...).

말랑하게 잘 익은 아보카도를 골라 샐러드를 만들었어요.

I picked a well-ripened, soft avocado and made a salad.

Adverbial use describing ripeness.

정부의 말랑한 대응이 오히려 혼란을 가중시켰다는 비판이 있다.

There is criticism that the government's soft response actually increased the confusion.

Metaphorical use for policy/response.

시각적 요소뿐만 아니라 말랑한 촉감까지 고려한 디자인이 각광받고 있다.

Designs that consider not only visual elements but also soft tactile sensations are gaining popularity.

'-뿐만 아니라' (not only... but also).

단단한 이념의 시대가 가고 말랑한 감성의 시대가 도래했다.

The era of hard ideologies has passed, and the era of soft sensibilities has arrived.

Highly metaphorical/philosophical contrast.

물질의 말랑한 정도를 측정하여 경도를 파악하는 실험을 진행했다.

An experiment was conducted to determine hardness by measuring the degree of softness of the substance.

Scientific context.

말랑한 젤리 제형의 에센스가 피부에 닿는 순간 시원하게 흡수된다.

The essence in a soft jelly formulation is absorbed coolly the moment it touches the skin.

'-는 순간' (the moment...).

조직 문화가 말랑해져야 창의적인 아이디어가 자유롭게 분출될 수 있다.

Only when the organizational culture becomes soft (flexible) can creative ideas burst forth freely.

Metaphorical use for culture; '-어야' (only if).

말랑한 연골 조직은 뼈와 뼈 사이에서 완충 작용을 수행한다.

Soft cartilage tissue performs a buffering function between bones.

Medical/Biological context.

기존의 딱딱한 이미지를 탈피하고 말랑한 브랜드 이미지를 구축하려 한다.

They intend to break away from the existing hard image and build a soft brand image.

'-려 하다' (intend to).

말랑한 흙을 밟으며 걷는 숲길은 심신에 안정을 준다.

Walking on a forest path while stepping on soft soil gives stability to the mind and body.

Literary/Healing context.

Synonymes

부드럽다 폭신하다 유연하다 물렁하다 보들보들하다 야들야들하다 몰랑하다 연하다

Antonymes

딱딱하다 단단하다 뻣뻣하다 거칠다

Collocations courantes

말랑한 떡

말랑한 빵

말랑한 젤리

말랑한 인형

말랑한 피부

말랑한 반죽

말랑한 과일

말랑한 소재

말랑하게 녹다

말랑해지다

Phrases Courantes

말랑말랑한 손

— Soft, squishy hands, often describing a baby or someone with very soft skin.

아기의 말랑말랑한 손을 잡았어요.

말랑하게 익다

— To ripen to a soft state, specifically for fruits like persimmons or peaches.

홍시가 말랑하게 잘 익었네요.

말랑한 느낌

— A soft, squishy feeling or sensation.

이 스펀지는 말랑한 느낌이 좋아요.

말랑한 장난감

— A squishy toy, often referring to 'squishies' or stress balls.

말랑한 장난감을 만지면 스트레스가 풀려요.

말랑한 상태

— A soft state or condition.

고무가 말랑한 상태일 때 모양을 잡으세요.

말랑한 껌

— Soft chewing gum.

이 껌은 처음부터 말랑해서 씹기 편해요.

말랑한 가죽

— Soft, supple leather.

이 지갑은 말랑한 가죽으로 만들어졌어요.

말랑한 튜브

— A soft, squeezable tube (like for toothpaste or cream).

말랑한 튜브에 담긴 연고를 샀어요.

말랑한 뱃살

— Squishy belly fat (often used playfully or self-deprecatingly).

겨울 동안 말랑한 뱃살이 생겼어요.

말랑한 흙

— Soft soil or mud.

비가 와서 마당의 흙이 말랑해졌어요.

Souvent confondu avec

말랑하다 vs 부드럽다

English 'soft' covers both, but 부드럽다 is for surface texture (silk) and 말랑하다 is for squishiness (jelly).

말랑하다 vs 폭신하다

폭신하다 is 'cushy' or 'fluffy' like a cloud or sofa; 말랑하다 is 'pliable' or 'squishy' like dough.

말랑하다 vs 물렁하다

물렁하다 is often 'mushy' or 'too soft' (negative), while 말랑하다 is 'pleasantly soft' (positive).

Expressions idiomatiques

"말랑한 사람"

— A person who is easy-going or has a soft heart (modern, informal).

그는 보기와 달리 참 말랑한 사람이에요.

Informal

"말랑한 대응"

— A soft or weak response to a situation/problem.

이번 사태에 대한 정부의 말랑한 대응이 비판받고 있다.

Journalistic

"말랑한 사고"

— Flexible or creative thinking (modern).

창의력을 위해서는 말랑한 사고가 필요합니다.

Professional

"마음이 말랑해지다"

— To have one's heart soften or become emotional.

슬픈 영화를 보니 마음이 말랑해졌어요.

Neutral

"말랑한 권력"

— Soft power (rare, usually '소프트 파워' is used, but this is a literal translation).

문화는 말랑한 권력의 핵심이다.

Academic

"말랑한 리더십"

— Soft/gentle leadership style.

그는 말랑한 리더십으로 팀을 이끈다.

Professional

"말랑한 분위기"

— A soft, relaxed, or gentle atmosphere.

카페의 말랑한 분위기가 마음에 들어요.

Neutral

"말랑한 소리"

— Soft/gentle words (sometimes implying they lack substance).

그런 말랑한 소리 말고 현실적인 대책을 세워라.

Informal

"말랑한 관계"

— A flexible or not-too-serious relationship.

우리는 너무 진지하지 않은 말랑한 관계예요.

Informal

"말랑한 처벌"

— A lenient or 'soft' punishment.

범죄에 비해 말랑한 처벌이 내려졌다.

Journalistic

Facile à confondre

말랑하다 vs 연하다

Both can mean 'soft' in English.

연하다 is for tenderness (meat) or lightness (color); 말랑하다 is for physical squishiness.

이 고기는 연해요 (This meat is tender). 이 떡은 말랑해요 (This rice cake is squishy).

말랑하다 vs 보들보들하다

Both describe a pleasant soft touch.

보들보들하다 is for fuzzy/velvety surfaces; 말랑하다 is for volume/density.

토끼 털이 보들보들해요. 젤리가 말랑해요.

말랑하다 vs 유연하다

Both imply a lack of stiffness.

유연하다 is more formal and used for flexibility (body/rules); 말랑하다 is more sensory/tactile.

요가 선수는 유연해요. 점토는 말랑해요.

말랑하다 vs 폭신폭신

Both are mimetic words for softness.

폭신폭신 is for puffy things (pillows); 말랑말랑 is for squishy things (gummies).

이불이 폭신폭신해요. 마시멜로가 말랑말랑해요.

말랑하다 vs 몰랑몰랑

They sound almost identical.

말랑 is for light/small things; 몰랑 is for heavy/large things (vowel harmony).

포도가 말랑해요. 큰 반죽이 몰랑해요.

Structures de phrases

[Noun]이/가 말랑해요.

젤리가 말랑해요.

말랑한 [Noun]을/를 좋아해요.

말랑한 떡을 좋아해요.

[Noun]이/가 말랑해서 [Result].

빵이 말랑해서 맛있어요.

[Noun]을/를 말랑하게 만드세요.

반죽을 말랑하게 만드세요.

[Noun]이/가 말랑해졌어요.

피부가 말랑해졌어요.

말랑말랑한 [Noun]이/가 있나요?

말랑말랑한 인형이 있나요?

말랑한 [Abstract Noun]이/가 필요하다.

말랑한 사고가 필요하다.

[Noun]의 말랑한 정도를 [Verb].

물질의 말랑한 정도를 측정하다.

Famille de mots

Noms

말랑이 (Mallang-i) - A squishy toy/object.

말랑함 (Mallang-ham) - Softness/squishiness.

Verbes

말랑해지다 (Mallang-haejida) - To become soft/squishy.

Adjectifs

말랑말랑하다 (Mallang-mallang-hada) - Very soft/squishy (reduplicated).

몰랑하다 (Mollang-hada) - Soft (dark vowel version, feels heavier).

Apparenté

물렁하다 (Mulleong-hada) - Mushy.

폭신하다 (Poksinhada) - Cushy.

부드럽다 (Budeureopda) - Soft/Smooth.

딱딱하다 (Ttakttakhada) - Hard.

보들하다 (Bodeulhada) - Soft/Fuzzy.

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very common in daily life, especially regarding food and tactile objects.

Erreurs courantes

Using 말랑하다 for a soft blanket. → 부드러운 이불 (A soft blanket).
Blankets have a soft surface texture, not a squishy volume. Use 부드럽다.
Using 말랑하다 for a soft breeze. → 부드러운 바람 (A soft breeze).
Air and wind are not squishable solids. Use 부드럽다.
Saying '떡을 말랑해요'. → 떡이 말랑해요.
말랑하다 is an adjective (descriptive verb), so it takes the subject marker 이/가, not the object marker 을/를.
Confusing 말랑하다 with 몰랑하다 in all cases. → Use 말랑 for small/light things; 몰랑 for big/heavy things.
This is a nuance of vowel harmony. '말랑' is 'brighter' and 'lighter'.
Using 말랑하다 for tender meat. → 연한 고기 (Tender meat).
While meat is soft, the specific word for food tenderness is 연하다 or 야들야들하다.

Astuces

Fruit Ripeness

Use 말랑하다 to check if a peach, avocado, or persimmon is ready to eat. If it gives a little when you press it, it's 말랑해요.

Noun Modifying

Remember the form '말랑한' when putting it before a noun. '말랑한 빵' (Soft bread).

Tteok and Bread

These are the two most common food items associated with 말랑하다. Always look for 말랑한 떡!

Positive vs Negative

말랑하다 is generally positive (fresh/ripe). 물렁하다 is often negative (mushy/spoiled).

The 'ㄹ' Sound

When you say '말랑', the two 'ㄹ' sounds blend together like a soft 'L'. Practice saying it quickly.

Squishy Toys

In Korea, squishy toys are called '말랑이'. If you like them, search for that term online!

Be Vivid

Use '말랑말랑' in casual chat to sound more like a native speaker. It adds flavor to your description.

Vs 부드럽다

If you can't squish it with your fingers, it's probably not 말랑하다. Use 부드럽다 for silk or skin.

Dough Testing

When baking, the goal is often to get the dough to a 말랑한 state. It means it's pliable and ready.

Soft Heart

You can use it poetically to describe a sensitive or kind person: '마음이 말랑한 사람'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Marshmallow' (starts with M). A 'Mallang' (starts with M) marshmallow is squishy. Mallang = Marshmallow-soft.

Association visuelle

Imagine a finger pressing into a fresh, round Korean rice cake (Tteok). The way the dough curves around the finger is '말랑하다'.

Word Web

Tteok (Rice cake) Jelly Baby cheeks Dough Marshmallow Squishy toy Ripe peach Silicone

Défi

Go to a grocery store or your kitchen. Find three things that are '말랑해요' and three things that are '딱딱해요'. Say the Korean word out loud as you touch them.

Origine du mot

말랑하다 is a native Korean word (순우리말). It is a mimetic word (의태어) that originated from the physical sensation of touching something soft. The root '말랑' mimics the visual and tactile rhythm of something yielding to pressure.

Sens originel : To be soft and pliable to the touch.

Koreanic

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but avoid using '물렁하다' (the dark-vowel version) to describe people unless you mean to say they are weak or spineless.

English speakers often use 'soft' for everything. Koreans are much more specific. Learning '말랑하다' helps you avoid using '부드럽다' (smooth) for a gummy bear, which would sound odd to a native speaker.

The 'Mallang-i' (squishy toy) craze on Korean TikTok/YouTube. Mukbang creators often emphasize the '말랑한' texture of honeycombs or rice cakes. Skincare brand advertisements for 'supple' skin.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At a Bakery

이 빵 말랑해요?
말랑한 빵으로 주세요.
갓 나와서 말랑말랑하네요.
말랑한 식감이 좋아요.

Checking Fruit

복숭아가 말랑하게 익었어요.
너무 말랑한 건 사지 마세요.
눌러보니 말랑해요.
말랑해질 때까지 기다려야 해요.

Playing with Toys

이 인형 진짜 말랑하다!
말랑이 장난감이에요.
말랑말랑해서 기분 좋아.
계속 만지고 싶은 말랑함이에요.

Skincare/Beauty

피부가 말랑해졌어요.
말랑한 피부를 원해요.
제형이 말랑한 젤리 같아요.
세수하고 나면 말랑말랑해요.

Cooking/Dough

반죽을 말랑하게 치대세요.
말랑해지면 불을 끄세요.
떡이 아직 말랑하네요.
말랑한 상태로 보관하세요.

Amorces de conversation

"이 떡 정말 말랑말랑해 보이는데, 하나 드셔보실래요? (This rice cake looks really soft, would you like to try one?)"

"새로 산 베개가 너무 말랑해서 잠이 잘 와요. (The new pillow I bought is so soft that I sleep well.)"

"고양이 발바닥 만져봤어요? 진짜 말랑해요! (Have you touched a cat's paw pads? They are really squishy!)"

"과일이 말랑하게 익었는데 지금 먹을까요? (The fruit has ripened softly, shall we eat it now?)"

"이 슬라임은 다른 것보다 훨씬 말랑하네요. (This slime is much softer than others.)"

Sujets d'écriture

오늘 먹은 음식 중에서 가장 말랑했던 것은 무엇인가요? 그 식감을 설명해 보세요. (What was the softest thing you ate today? Describe that texture.)

말랑말랑한 물건을 만질 때 어떤 기분이 드나요? (How do you feel when you touch something soft and squishy?)

당신은 성격이 말랑한 편인가요, 아니면 딱딱한 편인가요? (Is your personality on the soft side or the hard side?)

말랑한 피부를 유지하기 위해 어떤 노력을 하나요? (What efforts do you make to maintain supple skin?)

어릴 적 좋아했던 말랑한 장난감에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about a soft toy you liked when you were a child.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Usually, '폭신하다' (cushy) is better for a bed. '말랑하다' would imply the bed feels like a giant jelly or waterbed.

No, it is used by adults too! It just sounds more vivid and expressive than the simple '말랑하다'.

You can use '물렁하다' (mushy), which often has a slightly negative nuance compared to '말랑하다'.

No, for a voice, you must use '부드럽다' (soft/smooth).

The most common opposite is '딱딱하다' (hard/rigid).

If the sweater is fuzzy, use '보들보들하다'. If it's just soft to the touch, '부드럽다' is better.

Yes, but use the single form '말랑하다' rather than the reduplicated '말랑말랑하다'.

Not exactly. 'Chewy' is '쫄깃하다'. Things that are '말랑하다' are often '쫄깃하다' too, like rice cakes.

No, use '유연하다' for abstract flexibility like schedules.

Use the form '말랑해졌어요' (mallang-haejyeosseoyo).

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