Korean word

거짓말

Pronunciation

Romanizationkeojinmal

Meaning

  • nounlie

Example

그는 거짓말을 자주 한다.keu neun keo jin ma reul cha ju han da

He often tells lies.

Illustration for 거짓말 (lie)

More examples

거짓말이 들통났다.keo jin ma ri teul tong nat tta

The lie was discovered.

Core concept

A statement that hides the real facts by giving different information.

Common phrases

  • 거짓말을 하다keo jin ma reul ha da

    tell lies

  • 거짓말이 들통나다keo jin ma ri teul tong na da

    a lie is discovered

  • 거짓말을 믿다keo jin ma reul mit tta

    believe lies

Similar words

거짓keojit: Something untrue in a situation or in what someone says.
거짓말쟁이keojinmaljaengi: A person who often tells lies.
핑계pinggye: A reason given to avoid admitting a mistake or accepting blame.

Definition in Korean

사실과 다르게 말하거나 그런 말을 가리키는 명사.sa sil gwa ta reu ge mal ha geo na keu reon ma reul ka ri ki neun myeong sa

Word origin

The meaning comes from 거짓 (geojin, "untruth") plus 말 (mal, "words"), which together refer to untrue speech.

Usage tips

  • For young learners, connecting this word with honesty helps separate it from a simple mistake, since a lie presents wrong information as if it were true.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word