Korean word

손수

Pronunciation

Romanizationsonsu

Meaning

  • adverbby hand

Example

손수 만든 선물이에요.son su man deun seon mu ri e yo

It's a gift I made by hand.

Illustration for 손수 (by hand)

More examples

그녀는 손수 편지를 건넸다.keu nyeo neun son su pyeon ji reul keon net tta

She personally handed over the letter.

Core concept

Action carried out with one's own hands, often with a sense of personal care.

Common phrases

  • 손수 쓴 편지son su sseun pyeon ji

    a personally written letter

  • 손수 건네다son su keon ne da

    personally hand over

  • 손수 갖다주다son su kat tta ju da

    personally bring and give

Similar words

직접chikjjeop: Reaching the target in a straight path without anything in between.
스스로seuseuro: Acting through personal ability and decision without relying on help.
몸소momso: Being physically present and carrying out an action firsthand.

Definition in Korean

자기 손으로 직접 하거나 정성을 들여 행함을 나타내는 부사.cha gi so neu ro chik jjeop ha geo na cheong seong eul teu ryeo haeng ha meul na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

The formation of 손수 (sonsu, "by hand") is uncertain, so it is best remembered as an adverb for doing something directly and personally.

Usage tips

  • In formal descriptions, it can highlight that a person took personal responsibility for the work rather than merely arranging for it to be done.

Other meanings

  • personallyadverb

Opposites

  • 대리로taerirothrough a representativeadverb
  • 간접적으로kanjeopjjeogeuroindirectlyadverb

Word lists with this word