말을 하다
mareul hada
Speak/Talk
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The fundamental way to say 'to speak' or 'to talk' in Korean by combining 'word' and 'do'.
- Means: To speak, talk, or tell something to someone.
- Used in: Daily conversations, introducing yourself, or asking someone to speak up.
- Don't confuse: With '이야기하다' which is more like 'to have a long chat'.
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
To communicate using spoken language.
Cultural Background
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'.
Meaning
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'.
Test Yourself
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
Visual Learning Aids
Speak vs. Talk in Korean
Frequently Asked Questions
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).
Related Phrases
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
Where to Use It
Ordering Coffee
Barista: 주문하시겠어요?
Learner: 아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요. 아, 그리고 천천히 말을 해 주세요.
Job Interview
Interviewer: 본인의 장점에 대해 말을 해 보세요.
Applicant: 네, 제 장점에 대해 말을 하겠습니다.
With Friends
Friend A: 왜 아무 말도 안 해?
Friend B: 그냥... 기분이 좀 안 좋아서 말을 하기 싫어.
Language Exchange
Partner: 한국말을 정말 잘 하시네요!
Learner: 아니에요. 아직 말을 잘 못 해요.
At the Doctor
Doctor: 어디가 아픈지 말을 해 보세요.
Patient: 머리가 계속 아파요.
Reporting a Secret
Person A: 민수한테 그 비밀 말을 했어?
Person B: 아니, 절대 말 안 했어.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Mall' (말). In a mall, people 'do' (하다) a lot of talking while shopping.
Visual Association
Imagine a person's mouth opening and a speech bubble with the word 'DO' inside it. You are 'doing' the speech bubble.
Rhyme
말 (Mal) is the word, 하다 (Hada) is the deed. Speaking is the skill that you really need!
Story
A baby stands in the middle of a Korean market (말). He wants to 'do' (하다) what the adults are doing. He opens his mouth and finally 'does words' (말을 하다) for the first time.
Word Web
Challenge
Go to a mirror and say '저는 한국말을 해요' (I speak Korean) five times, increasing your speed each time until it feels like one single word: '말해요'.
In Other Languages
話をする (Hana o suru)
Japanese honorifics are even more layered than Korean ones.
说话 (Shuōhuà)
Chinese does not use particles like '을' to separate the verb and object.
Hablar
Spanish lacks the honorific noun/verb distinction found in Korean.
Parler
French uses 'vous' for respect, but the verb 'parler' doesn't change into a different word.
Sprechen
German has complex case endings but no honorific word substitutions for 'speak'.
يتكلم (Yatakallam)
Arabic verbs conjugate based on gender and number in a way Korean does not.
Falar
Portuguese uses different pronouns for formality, but the verb remains 'falar'.
To speak / To tell
English uses 'tell' for objects (tell a story), whereas Korean uses '말을 하다' or '이야기하다'.
Easily Confused
Learners often use '말하다' for long conversations.
Use '말하다' for short statements or language ability; use '이야기하다' for chatting or stories.
Learners forget to use '-주다' (to do for someone) when telling information.
If you are telling someone something for their benefit, '말해주다' is more natural.
FAQ (10)
There 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).
