TOPIK · Level 121
16 words
Korean word
마주
Pronunciation
Romanizationmaju
Meaning
- adverbfacing each other
Example
두 사람은 테이블에 마주 앉아 있었다.tu sa ra meun te i beu re ma ju an ja i sseot tta
The two people were sitting facing each other at the table.
More examples
아이들이 서로 마주 보고 웃었다.a i deu ri seo ro ma ju po go u seot tta
The children looked at each other and laughed.
Core concept
Two people or things are turned directly toward one another.
Common phrases
서로 마주 보다seo ro ma ju po da
look at each other
테이블에 마주 앉다te i beu re ma ju an tta
sit facing each other
눈을 마주 치다nu neul ma ju chi da
make eye contact
Similar words
정면으로cheongmyeoneuro: Directed straight toward the front without turning to either side.
대면하여taemyeonhayeo: Used in written language for people facing each other directly.
Definition in Korean
두 사람이 서로 정면을 바라보거나 마주 향해 위치해 있음을 나타내는 부사로, 주로 사람이나 사물의 대면 상태를 가리킨다.tu sa ra mi seo ro cheong myeo neul pa ra bo geo na ma ju hyang hae wi chi hae i sseu meul na ta nae neun pu sa ro chu ro sa ra mi na sa mu rui tae myeon sang tae reul ka ri kin da
Word origin
마주 (maju, "facing one another") is a native Korean adverb, not a Sino-Korean compound, that expresses two sides facing one another.
Usage tips
- English often expresses this arrangement with a verb, but Korean uses this adverb to show the position of both sides clearly.
Related words
- 마주치다majuchidarun intoverb
- 마주보다majubodaface each otherverb
- 마주앉다majuanttasit facing each otherverb