Korean word

머리말

Pronunciation

Romanizationmeorimal

Meaning

  • nounpreface

Example

책의 머리말을 먼저 읽으세요.chae gui meo ri ma reul meon jeo il geu se yo

Please read the preface to the book first.

Illustration for 머리말 (preface)

More examples

그 책의 머리말은 해외판에 번역되었다.keu chae gui meo ri ma reun hae oe pa ne peo nyeok ttoe eot tta

That book's preface was translated for the overseas edition.

Core concept

The author's brief words at the very front of a book, speaking to readers before the main text begins.

Common phrases

  • 머리말에 실리다meo ri ma re sil li da

    be included in the preface

  • 머리말을 번역하다meo ri ma reul peo nyeo ka da

    translate the preface

Similar words

서문seomun: A brief passage at the start of a book that introduces its subject to readers.

Definition in Korean

책 맨 앞에 놓여 저자가 독자에게 하는 짧은 인사나 집필 의도를 적은 글chaek maen a pe no yeo cheo ja ga tok jja e ge ha neun jjal beun in sa na chip pil ui do reul cheo geun keul

Word origin

This native Korean compound joins the words for head and words to mean the words placed at the head of a book.

Usage tips

  • English often separates a preface from an introduction, but this Korean word can cover either kind of opening section.

Other meanings

  • introductionnoun

Opposites

  • 맺음말maejeummalconcluding remarksnoun

Related words

  • 머릿말meorinmalprefacenoun

Word lists with this word