Meaning
To present someone with a present.
Cultural Background
It is customary to give and receive gifts with both hands. Using one hand can be seen as casual or even disrespectful depending on the age gap. Reciprocity is key. If you receive a gift, you should keep it in mind and return the gesture on the other person's special day. This is called 'Pumasi'. Specific gifts have meanings. For example, giving a watch might mean 'I want to spend time with you,' while giving a wallet means 'I hope you make a lot of money.' During Chuseok and Seollal, companies often give 'gift sets' (fruit, meat, or even toiletries) to employees and clients to maintain business relationships.
The 'Two Hands' Rule
Always use two hands when giving a gift to someone older than you. It's the easiest way to show you know Korean culture.
Avoid Red Ink
When writing a card to go with your gift, never write the recipient's name in red ink, as it traditionally symbolizes death.
Meaning
To present someone with a present.
The 'Two Hands' Rule
Always use two hands when giving a gift to someone older than you. It's the easiest way to show you know Korean culture.
Avoid Red Ink
When writing a card to go with your gift, never write the recipient's name in red ink, as it traditionally symbolizes death.
Use '선물해 주다'
Instead of just '선물을 주다', saying '선물해 줬어요' sounds more natural and warm in casual conversation.
Price Tags
Always remove the price tag! In Korea, leaving the price tag on is considered very thoughtless.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '주다' or '드리다'.
저는 어제 친구에게 {선물|膳物}을 ______.
Since the recipient is a 'friend' (친구), the neutral/polite form '주었어요' is correct.
Which sentence is the most polite when giving a gift to a teacher?
선생님께 {선물|膳物}을...
'드려요' is the honorific form of '주다', appropriate for a teacher.
Match the situation with the appropriate gift-giving phrase.
1. Birthday, 2. Housewarming, 3. To a superior
Each context requires a specific noun or verb form.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 이 {선물|膳物} 누구한테 줄 거예요? B: 동생______ 줄 거예요.
'한테' or '에게' is the particle used to indicate the recipient of the gift.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
주다 vs 드리다
Practice Bank
4 exercises저는 어제 친구에게 {선물|膳物}을 ______.
Since the recipient is a 'friend' (친구), the neutral/polite form '주었어요' is correct.
선생님께 {선물|膳物}을...
'드려요' is the honorific form of '주다', appropriate for a teacher.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each context requires a specific noun or verb form.
A: 이 {선물|膳物} 누구한테 줄 거예요? B: 동생______ 줄 거예요.
'한테' or '에게' is the particle used to indicate the recipient of the gift.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you should use '드리다' (deurida) to show proper respect to a superior.
Toilet paper and laundry detergent are the most traditional and popular gifts.
Usually, money is called '용돈' (allowance) or '축의금' (congratulatory money), but you can say you gave money as a '선물'.
You can say '너 주려고 {선물|膳物} 샀어' (I bought a gift to give to you).
Traditionally, people wait until the giver leaves to open the gift to avoid showing disappointment, but this is changing with younger generations.
It's slang for 'Buy me a gift!' or 'Treat me!'
Yes, '선물하다' means 'to gift'.
In some older traditions, handkerchiefs symbolize parting or tears, so some people avoid them as gifts.
{선물|膳物} 고마워요! (Seonmul gomawoyo!)
It's a digital gift voucher sent via mobile apps like KakaoTalk, very common in Korea.
Related Phrases
{선물|膳物}을 {받다|받다}
contrastTo receive a gift
{선물|膳物}을 {고르다|고르다}
builds onTo choose a gift
{선물|膳物}을 {포장|包裝}하다
builds onTo wrap a gift
{선물|膳物}을 {선사|膳賜}하다
specialized formTo present a gift (formal)
