Korean word

목마르다

Pronunciation

Romanizationmongmareuda

Meaning

  • adjectivethirsty

Example

지금 목말라요.chi geum mong mal la yo

I'm thirsty now.

Illustration for 목마르다 (thirsty)

More examples

운동하고 나서 많이 목말랐어요.un dong ha go na seo ma ni mong mal la sseo yo

I was very thirsty after exercising.

Core concept

A strong need that feels like dryness in the throat and can also mean intense longing.

Common phrases

  • 정말 목말라요cheong mal mong mal la yo

    really thirsty

  • 운동 후에 목말라요un dong hu e mong mal la yo

    thirsty after exercising

Similar words

갈증나다kaljjeungnada: Feeling strong thirst from not having enough water in the body.
마르다mareuda: Being dry because moisture has been lost from a surface or object.
목이 타다mogi tada: Expressing extreme thirst as a burning need for water.

Definition in Korean

주로 물을 마시고 싶을 때의 감각을 가리키나, 비유적으로 무언가를 간절히 원할 때도 쓰이는 형용사chu ro mu reul ma si go si peul ttae ui kam ga geul ka ri ki na pi yu jeo geu ro mu eon ga reul kan jeol hi won hal ttae do sseu i neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The transparent compound 목 (mong, "throat") plus 마르다 (mareuda, "to be dry") describes the physical sensation before taking on a broader sense of longing.

Usage tips

  • When the object of desire is clear from the situation, Korean may leave it unstated, so context helps identify what is strongly wanted.

Other meanings

  • craveadjective

Related words

  • 목마름mongmareumthirstnoun

Word lists with this word