Korean word

선물

Pronunciation

Romanizationseonmul

Meaning

  • nounpresent

Example

생일에 선물을 받았어요.saeng i re seon mu reul pa da sseo yo

I got a present on my birthday.

Illustration for 선물 (present)

More examples

어제 친구에게 선물을 줬어요.eo je chin gu e ge seon mu reul chwo sseo yo

Yesterday, I gave a friend a present.

Core concept

A thoughtful object or experience given to someone to show care on a special occasion.

Common phrases

  • 선물을 주다seon mu reul chu da

    give a present

  • 선물을 받다seon mu reul pat tta

    receive a present

  • 감동적인 선물kam dong jeo gin seon mul

    a heartfelt present

Similar words

기프티콘kipeutikon: A digital voucher sent by message that can be exchanged for a selected product or service.
상품권sangpumgwon: A store voucher with a set value that can be exchanged for goods or services.
기념품kinyeompum: A small item bought at a visited place or event as a lasting reminder.

Definition in Korean

기념일이나 특별한 경우에 마음을 전하려고 다른 사람에게 주는 물건이나 경험을 가리키는 말ki nyeo mi ri na teuk ppyeol han kyeong u e ma eu meul cheon ha ryeo go ta reun sa ra me ge chu neun mul geo ni na kyeong heo meul ka ri ki neun mal

Word origin

The word is traditionally written as a Sino-Korean compound whose parts suggest an offering and a thing, creating the image of something given to another person.

Usage tips

  • A present in Korean can be an outing or another shared experience, so it does not have to fit inside a box.

Related words

  • 선물하다seonmulhadagive as a presentverb
  • 선물가게seonmulgagegift shopnoun
  • 선물상자seonmulsangjagift boxnoun

Word lists with this word