Korean word

인사말

Pronunciation

Romanizationinsamal

Meaning

  • noungreeting

Example

처음 만났을 때 인사말을 했어요.cheo eum man na sseul ttae in sa ma reul hae sseo yo

I said hello when we first met.

Illustration for 인사말 (greeting)

More examples

모임에서 간단한 인사말을 했어요.mo i me seo kan dan han in sa ma reul hae sseo yo

I said a few words of greeting at the gathering.

Core concept

A brief word or gesture that opens a conversation and makes the atmosphere more comfortable.

Common phrases

  • 인사말을 전하다in sa ma reul cheon ha da

    send greetings

  • 간단한 인사말kan dan han in sa mal

    brief greeting

  • 격식 있는 인사말kyeok ssik in neun in sa mal

    formal greeting

Similar words

인사insa: A polite exchange used to mark a meeting or a parting.
안부anbu: A question or message asking about someone's well-being or safety.
작별인사chakppyeorinsa: Words used to say goodbye when people separate.
환영인사hwanyeonginsa: Words of welcome offered to someone who arrives.

Definition in Korean

대화를 시작하거나 분위기를 부드럽게 하기 위해 하는 간단한 말이나 행동.tae hwa reul si ja ka geo na pu nwi gi reul pu deu reop kke ha gi wi hae ha neun kan dan han ma ri na haeng dong

Word origin

인사말 (insamal, "greeting words") combines 인사 (insa, "greeting") and 말 (mal, "words"), pointing to words used to greet someone.

Usage tips

  • A greeting often comes before the main topic in Korean conversation, so it helps mark a friendly and polite beginning.

Opposites

  • 작별말chakppyeolmalparting wordsnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word