Korean word

목숨

Pronunciation

Romanizationmokssum

Meaning

  • nounlife

Example

그는 목숨을 잃었다.keu neun mok ssu meul i reot tta

He lost his life.

Illustration for 목숨 (life)

More examples

그는 사고에서 목숨을 구했다.keu neun sa go e seo mok ssu meul ku haet tta

He saved his life in the accident.

Core concept

The vital life of an individual, viewed as something that can be protected, endangered, or lost.

Common phrases

  • 목숨을 잃다mok ssu meul il ta

    lose one's life

  • 목숨을 구하다mok ssu meul ku ha da

    save a life

  • 목숨을 걸다mok ssu meul keol da

    risk one's life

Similar words

생명saengmyeong: The basic living force found in people, animals, and plants.
삶sam: The complete experience of living, from daily routines to life's longer course.

Definition in Korean

개인이 살아서 활동하거나 생존하는 상태를 가리키는 말.kae i ni sa ra seo hwal dong ha geo na saeng jon ha neun sang tae reul ka ri ki neun mal

Word origin

목숨 (mokssum, "life") combines 목 (mok, "throat") and 숨 (ssum, "breath"), linking breathing with staying alive.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English life, 목숨 (mokssum, "life") usually highlights a person's survival or life at risk rather than a lifestyle or life period.

Opposites

Related words

  • 목숨값mokssumgapprice of a lifenoun
  • 목숨줄mokssumjullifelinenoun

Word lists with this word