Meaning
To welcome the rising sun, often implying the start of a new day.
Cultural Background
Jeongdongjin is the most famous spot for 'Haemaji' because it is directly east of Seoul's Gwanghwamun. There is even a special train that arrives just before dawn. Koreans often eat 'Tteokguk' (rice cake soup) after welcoming the sun. Eating the soup symbolizes getting one year older and starting fresh. Making a wish (소원 빌기) is an essential part of the ritual. People often pray for their family's health or success in exams. Modern 'Haemaji' includes drone shows and fireworks in cities like Busan (Haeundae Beach), blending tradition with technology.
Use with '희망찬'
Pairing this with '희망찬' (hopeful) makes you sound like a native speaker in formal writing.
Not for weather
Don't use this to say 'It's sunny today.' Use '날씨가 맑다' instead.
Meaning
To welcome the rising sun, often implying the start of a new day.
Use with '희망찬'
Pairing this with '희망찬' (hopeful) makes you sound like a native speaker in formal writing.
Not for weather
Don't use this to say 'It's sunny today.' Use '날씨가 맑다' instead.
The East Coast is Key
If you talk about this phrase, mention 'Donghae' (East Sea) to show cultural knowledge.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '맞이하다'.
우리는 동해 바다에서 떠오르는 해를 ________.
While '봤어요' (saw) is grammatically okay, '맞이했어요' is the most natural and poetic collocation for the sun at the sea.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal New Year's card?
새해 인사를 고르세요.
This is a standard, formal, and polite way to use the phrase in a greeting.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 이번 1월 1일에 뭐 할 거야? B: 친구들이랑 정동진에 ________ 가기로 했어.
'맞이하러 가다' is the standard expression for going to see the New Year's sunrise.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are a CEO giving a speech on January 2nd.
In a business context, '맞이하다' is used metaphorically for the 'year of a new leap'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 맞이하다
Time
- • 새해 (New Year)
- • 아침 (Morning)
- • 계절 (Season)
People
- • 손님 (Guest)
- • 신부 (Bride)
- • 가족 (Family)
Practice Bank
4 exercises우리는 동해 바다에서 떠오르는 해를 ________.
While '봤어요' (saw) is grammatically okay, '맞이했어요' is the most natural and poetic collocation for the sun at the sea.
새해 인사를 고르세요.
This is a standard, formal, and polite way to use the phrase in a greeting.
A: 이번 1월 1일에 뭐 할 거야? B: 친구들이랑 정동진에 ________ 가기로 했어.
'맞이하러 가다' is the standard expression for going to see the New Year's sunrise.
Situation: You are a CEO giving a speech on January 2nd.
In a business context, '맞이하다' is used metaphorically for the 'year of a new leap'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot usually. For a birthday, we say '생일을 맞이하다' (welcoming a birthday), but not '해' unless you mean the year of your age.
Mostly, yes. It can be used for any sunrise, but 90% of the time it refers to New Year's.
해맞이 is the cultural activity/event. 일출 is the scientific/geographic term for sunrise.
Yes, it is a respectful and formal verb.
It sounds very unnatural. Stick to '맞이하다'.
Yes, especially on social media when posting sunrise photos.
'해맞이 가요' or '해 보러 가요' are both perfect.
Yes, '달을 맞이하다' or '달맞이' for the full moon.
You can say '새로운 시작을 맞이하다' (welcoming a new start).
Yes, the verb '맞이하다' is standard across the peninsula.
Related Phrases
새해 복 많이 받으세요
similarHappy New Year (Receive much luck)
일출
specialized formSunrise
송구영신
synonymOut with the old, in with the new
해돋이
similarSunrise
달맞이
contrastWelcoming the full moon
