Korean word

막말

Pronunciation

Romanizationmangmal

Meaning

  • nounrude words

Example

그는 항상 막말을 해서 모두가 불편해한다.keu neun hang sang mang ma reul hae seo mo du ga pul pyeon hae han da

He always says rude things, so everyone feels uncomfortable.

Illustration for 막말 (rude words)

More examples

아이들이 서로 막말을 하지 않도록 지도해야 한다.a i deu ri seo ro mang ma reul ha ji an to rok chi do hae ya han da

Children should be taught not to speak rudely to one another.

Core concept

Words used to put someone down through rude, cutting, or disrespectful language.

Common phrases

  • 막말을 삼가다mang ma reul sam ga da

    refrain from rude language

  • 막말로 상처를 주다mang mal lo sang cheo reul chu da

    hurt someone with rude words

  • 막말이 심하다mang ma ri sim ha da

    use excessively harsh language

Similar words

욕yok: A coarse verbal attack meant to insult someone.
욕설yoksseol: Swear words and other vulgar expressions used as insults.
폭언pogeon: Abusive speech delivered with strong anger to attack or intimidate someone.
모욕moyok: An insult that makes someone feel dishonored or humiliated.

Definition in Korean

상대방을 깎아내리거나 모욕하려는 의도나 무례함이 드러나는 말.sang dae bang eul kka kka nae ri geo na mo yo ka ryeo neun ui do na mu rye ha mi teu reo na neun mal

Word origin

The word joins 막 (mang, "without restraint") and 말 (mal, "speech"), describing speech that comes out carelessly and causes offense.

Usage tips

  • Recognizing this term helps English-speaking learners notice when a speaker has crossed a social line instead of simply speaking firmly.

Other meanings

  • insultsnoun
  • harsh languagenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 막말하다mangmalhadaspeak rudelyverb
  • 막말꾼mangmalkkunrude talkernoun
  • 막말투mangmalturude manner of speakingnoun

Word lists with this word