Korean word

안부

Pronunciation

Romanizationanbu

Meaning

  • nounwell-being

Example

오랜만에 친구에게 안부를 물어봤다.o raen ma ne chin gu e ge an bu reul mu reo bwat tta

I hadn't seen my friend in a long time, so I asked how they were doing.

Illustration for 안부 (well-being)

More examples

어제 어머니께 안부 전화를 드렸어요.eo je eo meo ni kke an bu cheon hwa reul teu ryeo sseo yo

Yesterday, I called my mother to ask how she was doing.

Core concept

A message or question that checks how someone is doing and whether they are safe.

Common phrases

  • 안부 인사an bu in sa

    well-being greeting

  • 안부 전화an bu cheon hwa

    check-in call

Similar words

근황keunhwang: A summary of what someone has been doing lately.
소식sosik: News that tells someone about a person's situation or a recent event.
인사insa: A polite expression or gesture used at the start or end of a meeting.

Definition in Korean

다른 사람의 상태나 소식, 특히 무사함을 묻거나 전하는 말.ta reun sa ra mui sang tae na so sik teu ki mu sa ha meul mut kkeo na cheon ha neun mal

Word origin

This Sino-Korean word combines elements meaning peace or safety and whether or not, originally asking whether someone was safe.

Usage tips

  • Unlike a simple greeting, this noun often appears with verbs meaning ask or send, especially in messages and polite calls.

Other meanings

  • regardsnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 안부인사anbuinsawell-being greetingnoun
  • 안부전화anbujeonhwacheck-in callnoun
  • 안부편지anbupyeonjiwell-being letternoun

Word lists with this word