Korean Conversation · Level 90
15 words
Korean word
몰래
Pronunciation
Romanizationmollae
Meaning
- adverbsecretly
Example
그는 몰래 문을 열고 들어왔다.keu neun mol lae mu neul yeol go teu reo wat tta
He secretly opened the door and came in.
More examples
친구가 몰래 선물을 준비했다.chin gu ga mol lae seon mu reul chun bi haet tta
My friend secretly prepared a present.
Core concept
Doing something out of other people's sight so they do not know about it.
Common phrases
몰래 준비하다mol lae chun bi ha da
secretly prepare
몰래 웃다mol lae ut tta
secretly laugh
몰래 전화하다mol lae cheon hwa ha da
secretly call
몰래 보다mol lae po da
secretly watch
Similar words
슬쩍seuljjeok: A brief, careful movement slips past notice.
살며시salmyeosi: Moving softly produces little or no sound.
Definition in Korean
남에게 알리지 않고 조용히 어떤 일을 할 때 쓰는 부사.na me ge al li ji an ko cho yong hi eo tteon i reul hal ttae sseu neun pu sa
Word origin
This native Korean adverb is not borrowed from Chinese or another language, but its deeper historical origin is uncertain.
Usage tips
- English secretly can sound suspicious, but this word can also describe a harmless surprise or a playful hidden action.
Opposites
- 공공연히konggongyeonhipubliclyadverb
- 대놓고taenokoopenlyadverb
Related words
- 몰래카메라mollaekamerahidden cameranoun