Explanation at your level:
You use 답장하다 when you write back to a friend. If your friend sends a text, you send a reply. That is 답장하다. It is very simple and very useful for your daily life.
When you receive an email or a message, you need to answer it. We call this 답장하다. For example, 'I will reply to your email later' is '이메일에 답장할게요'. It is a common word for talking about messages.
In intermediate Korean, you will notice that 답장하다 is used for both formal and informal contexts. You can use it to explain why you were late in responding to a colleague or to express that you are waiting for a reply from someone important.
At this level, you should understand the nuance of 답장하다 versus 대답하다 (to answer verbally). While 대답하다 is for spoken answers, 답장하다 is strictly for written or digital correspondence. Using them correctly shows high proficiency.
Advanced speakers use 답장하다 to navigate social etiquette. Knowing when to use honorifics with this verb—such as 답장 드리다 (to humbly send a reply)—is crucial for professional communication. It reflects your ability to manage relationships through written media effectively.
Mastery involves understanding the cultural weight of the 'delayed reply'. In Korean culture, the speed of 답장하다 often signals the level of respect or urgency in a relationship. Using this verb in complex sentence structures allows you to express subtle social dynamics and professional boundaries with precision.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 답장하다 means to reply to a message.
- It is a compound of 'reply' and 'do'.
- Use it for emails, texts, and letters.
- Do not use it for spoken answers.
The Korean verb 답장하다 is an essential part of daily communication. It is a compound word formed by 답장 (reply/answer) and 하다 (to do). You use this word whenever you need to tell someone you are sending a response to their message.
Think of it as the bridge between receiving and sending information. Whether it is a quick text to a friend or a formal email to a professor, 답장하다 covers the action of hitting that 'send' button after you have written your thoughts back to someone else.
The word is rooted in Sino-Korean characters. 답 (答) means 'answer' or 'respond', and 장 (狀) refers to a 'letter' or 'document'. Historically, this was used when people exchanged physical letters or written scrolls.
Over time, as communication technology evolved from paper letters to telegrams, and eventually to emails and instant messaging, the meaning of 답장하다 expanded. It has remained a constant in the language, proving that while the medium of our messages changes, the human need to respond remains the same.
You use 답장하다 in almost any context involving digital or written correspondence. In casual settings, you might say '답장해' (Reply!), while in a business meeting, you might use '답장하겠습니다' (I will send a reply).
Common collocations include 빨리 답장하다 (to reply quickly) or 답장을 기다리다 (to wait for a reply). It is a very versatile verb that fits perfectly into any situation where a response is expected or required.
While there aren't many 'idioms' per se, there are common phrases: 1. 답장이 없다 (There is no reply), used when someone is ghosting you. 2. 답장을 보내다 (To send a reply), the standard way to describe the action. 3. 답장하기 곤란하다 (Difficult to reply), used when a question is awkward. 4. 답장을 미루다 (To delay a reply), when you are procrastinating. 5. 답장을 재촉하다 (To urge for a reply), when you are impatient for an answer.
As a regular verb, 답장하다 follows the standard conjugation rules for 하다 verbs. In the present tense, it becomes 답장해요; in the past tense, 답장했어요. It is a transitive verb, meaning it often takes an object marked by the particle 에게 (to someone).
Pronunciation is straightforward: the 'p' sound in 답 is soft, and the 'j' in 장 is crisp. It rhymes with other 하다 verbs like 입장하다 (to enter) or 공장하다 (rare usage), though it is most often associated with the rhythm of common daily verbs.
Fun Fact
The character 答 (답) is composed of 'bamboo' and 'answer', hinting at bamboo scrolls used for writing.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear d-a-p-j-a-n-g-h-a-d-a
Crisp articulation
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'p' as 'b'
- Slurring the 'jang'
- Ignoring the 'ha'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read
Standard verb conjugation
Natural rhythm
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Honorifics
답장 드리다
Particle -에게
친구에게 답장하다
Verb conjugation
답장해요
Examples by Level
친구에게 답장해요.
Friend-to reply-do.
Targeting a friend.
답장 주세요.
Reply-please give.
Polite request.
답장해요.
Reply-do.
Simple present.
빨리 답장해요.
Quickly-reply-do.
Adverb usage.
답장할게요.
Reply-will do.
Future intent.
답장 안 해요.
Reply-not-do.
Negative form.
답장했어요.
Reply-did.
Past tense.
답장해 주세요.
Reply-please do.
Requesting.
이메일에 답장했어요.
답장을 기다리고 있어요.
그에게 답장해야 해요.
답장이 너무 늦었어요.
답장할 시간이 없어요.
답장을 바로 보냈어요.
답장하는 것을 잊었어요.
답장해 주셔서 감사합니다.
선생님께 답장을 드렸습니다.
답장하기가 조금 곤란하네요.
그녀는 답장할 기분이 아니었어요.
답장이 오면 바로 알려줄게요.
답장하는 법을 배웠어요.
답장을 재촉해서 미안해요.
답장을 보내는 것이 예의예요.
답장할 내용을 생각 중이에요.
그의 답장에 실망했습니다.
답장을 미루는 것은 좋지 않아요.
답장할 가치가 없는 메시지예요.
답장해 주신 덕분에 해결됐어요.
답장할 때 정중하게 하세요.
그는 답장을 피하고 있어요.
답장하는 데 시간이 걸렸어요.
답장할지 말지 고민 중입니다.
그의 무례한 답장에 화가 났습니다.
답장하기 어려운 질문을 받았어요.
답장을 기다리는 동안 초조했습니다.
정중하게 답장하는 것이 중요합니다.
그녀는 답장할 의무가 없었어요.
답장할 내용이 너무 길어집니다.
답장하는 것을 깜빡하고 말았네요.
답장할 기회를 놓치지 마세요.
그의 냉담한 답장은 거절의 의미였습니다.
답장하기에 앞서 신중히 생각했습니다.
답장을 보내지 않은 채로 며칠이 지났습니다.
그의 답장에는 진심이 담겨 있었습니다.
답장하는 행위 자체가 소통의 시작입니다.
답장할 여유가 전혀 없었던 것 같습니다.
그녀의 답장은 간결하고 명확했습니다.
답장할 시기를 놓쳐 사과했습니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"답장이 없다"
To not receive a reply.
하루 종일 답장이 없어요.
neutral"답장을 주다"
To give a reply (as a favor).
답장 좀 주세요.
neutral"답장을 드리는 바입니다"
Very formal way to start a reply.
메일에 답장을 드리는 바입니다.
formal"답장하기 곤란하다"
Hard to reply.
질문이 많아 답장하기 곤란해요.
formal"답장을 잊다"
To forget to reply.
바빠서 답장을 잊었어요.
neutral"답장을 피하다"
To avoid replying.
그는 나를 보고 답장을 피해요.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean answer
대답하다 is verbal
질문에 대답하다 vs 메일에 답장하다
Both mean respond
응답하다 is more formal/technical
신호에 응답하다
Both mean reply
회신하다 is business-only
이메일 회신
Root word
Too general
답하세요
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 에게 + 답장하다
친구에게 답장해요.
Subject + 답장을 + 보내다
답장을 보냈어요.
Subject + 답장을 + 기다리다
답장을 기다려요.
Subject + 정중하게 + 답장하다
정중하게 답장했어요.
Subject + 답장할 + 시간
답장할 시간이 없어요.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
대답하다 is for spoken answers.
Requires the particle -에게.
답 is just the noun 'answer'.
It is already a verb.
Use '드리다' for superiors.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine your phone screen.
Native Speakers
Use it for all messages.
Cultural Insight
Speed matters.
Grammar Shortcut
It's a regular verb.
Say It Right
Clear 'p' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use for verbal answers.
Did You Know?
Sino-Korean roots.
Study Smart
Use in writing practice.
Polite form
Use -드리다.
Context
Emails and texts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Dap (tap) + Jang (jang) - Tap the screen to send a reply.
Visual Association
A smartphone with a 'Reply' button.
Word Web
Challenge
Reply to every email you get today using the word.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: To respond to a letter
Cultural Context
None, very standard.
Direct equivalent to 'reply' or 'answer back'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 메일에 답장했습니다
- 빠른 답장 감사합니다
- 답장 기다리겠습니다
With friends
- 왜 답장이 없어?
- 답장 좀 해!
- 금방 답장할게
At school
- 교수님께 답장 드렸어요
- 답장하는 법을 몰라요
- 답장 확인 부탁드려요
Travel
- 호텔에 답장했어요
- 답장 확인해 보세요
- 답장이 안 와요
Conversation Starters
"보통 누구에게 답장을 자주 해요?"
"답장이 늦으면 기분이 어때요?"
"답장하기 어려운 질문을 받은 적 있어요?"
"메일 답장을 바로 보내는 편이에요?"
"답장을 안 하는 사람을 어떻게 생각해요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 받은 메시지 중 가장 기억에 남는 답장은?
답장을 미뤘던 경험에 대해 써보세요.
빠른 답장이 중요한 이유는 무엇일까요?
답장할 때 가장 신경 쓰는 부분은?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, use 대답하다.
It can be both formal and informal.
-에게 or -께.
No, it is a verb.
답장할게요.
Yes, it is perfect for that.
답장했어요.
Very common.
Test Yourself
친구에게 ___.
You reply to a friend.
Which is correct?
It is a standard verb.
Is 답장하다 used for speaking?
It is for written replies.
Word
Meaning
Compound verb.
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Score: /5
Summary
답장하다 is your go-to verb for sending any written or digital response.
- 답장하다 means to reply to a message.
- It is a compound of 'reply' and 'do'.
- Use it for emails, texts, and letters.
- Do not use it for spoken answers.
Memory Palace
Imagine your phone screen.
Native Speakers
Use it for all messages.
Cultural Insight
Speed matters.
Grammar Shortcut
It's a regular verb.
Example
그에게 이메일 답장을 보냈습니다.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More work words
주 5일제
A2A system where one works five days a week, typically Monday to Friday.
결근
A2Absence from work; not being present at work.
결근하다
A2To be absent from work.
추상적이다
A2To be abstract.
출입증
A2ID card, access card.
회계
B1The systematic recording and reporting of financial transactions.
경리
A2Accounting or bookkeeping, managing financial records.
업적
B1A notable achievement or accomplishment.
적극적이다
A2To be active, to be proactive.
적극적으로
B1In an active, proactive, or enthusiastic manner.
