Korean word

스님

Pronunciation

Romanizationseunim

Meaning

  • nounmonk

Example

절에서 스님을 만났어요.cheo re seo seu ni meul man na sseo yo

I met a monk at the temple.

Illustration for 스님 (monk)

More examples

스님께 인사했어요.seu nim kke in sa hae sseo yo

I greeted a monk.

Core concept

A respected Buddhist monk who lives and carries out religious duties at a temple.

Common phrases

  • 스님을 만나다seu ni meul man na da

    meet a monk

  • 스님께 인사하다seu nim kke in sa ha da

    greet a monk

  • 스님과 대화하다seu nim gwa tae hwa ha da

    talk with a monk

Similar words

승려seungnyeo: A formal word for a Buddhist monk engaged in temple training and Buddhist ceremonies.

Definition in Korean

불교의 가르침을 따라 절에서 살며 승려로서의 역할을 하는 사람을 높여 이르는 말.pul gyo ui ka reu chi meul tta ra cheo re seo sal myeo seung nyeo ro seo ui yeo ka reul ha neun sa ra meul no pyeo i reu neun mal

Word origin

The word developed from an older form combining the Sino-Korean term for monk with the honorific suffix nim, with sound change producing the modern form.

Usage tips

  • 스님 (seunim, "Buddhist monk") is often used as a respectful way to address a monk, not only as a label in descriptions.

Opposites

  • 평신도pyeongsindolaypersonnoun
  • 속인soginsecular personnoun

Word lists with this word