Korean word

삶

Pronunciation

Romanizationsam

Meaning

  • nounlife

Example

건강한 삶을 위해 운동한다.keon gang han sal meul wi hae un dong han da

We exercise for a healthy life.

Illustration for 삶 (life)

More examples

삶의 질을 높이고 싶다.sal mui chi reul no pi go sip tta

I want to improve my quality of life.

Core concept

Life as the whole lived reality of being alive, including everyday living and the course of a person's existence.

Common phrases

  • 건강한 삶keon gang han sam

    healthy life

  • 삶의 질sal mui chil

    quality of life

  • 삶을 즐기다sal meul cheul gi da

    enjoy life

Similar words

인생insaeng: The full course of one person's existence and the events that shape it.
생활saenghwal: The practical activities and conditions of everyday living, such as eating, working, and sleeping.
일상ilsang: The usual flow of everyday routines and repeated activities.
생명saengmyeong: Living existence itself, especially the life that a person, animal, or plant possesses.

Definition in Korean

살아 있는 상태에서 일상적으로 겪는 일들과 그 방식을 가리키는 말로, 생활이나 인생 전체를 포함한다.sa ra in neun sang tae e seo il sang jeo geu ro kyeong neun il deul gwa keu pang si geul ka ri ki neun mal lo saeng hwa ri na in saeng cheon che reul po ham han da

Word origin

The noun 삶 (sam, "life") comes from the verb meaning "to live" plus the Korean nominalizing ending eum or m.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English life, which can simply mean the state of being alive, this word often highlights how life is lived and experienced over time.

Other meanings

  • livingnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word