Korean word

절하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationcheolhada

Meaning

  • verbbow

Example

어른께 절했습니다.eo reun kke cheol haet sseum ni da

I bowed to an older person.

Illustration for 절하다 (bow)

More examples

결혼식에서 신부가 부모님께 절했다.kyeol hon si ge seo sin bu ga pu mo nim kke cheol haet tta

The bride bowed to her parents at the wedding.

Core concept

Lowering the head or upper body to show respect, thanks, or apology.

Common phrases

  • 고개를 숙여 절하다ko gae reul su gyeo cheol ha da

    bow one's head

  • 인사로 절하다in sa ro cheol ha da

    bow as a greeting

Similar words

고개를 숙이다kogaereul sugida: Lowering the head tilts the face downward.
허리를 굽히다heorireul kupida: Leaning forward from the waist forms a respectful bow.
인사하다insahada: A greeting uses words or gestures to mark a meeting or departure.

Definition in Korean

공손한 태도로 머리를 숙여 인사하거나 감사·사과를 표현하다.kong son han tae do ro meo ri reul su gyeo in sa ha geo na kam sa sa gwa reul pyo hyeon ha da

Word origin

The verb is formed from the Korean noun for a respectful bow and the common verb meaning to do, creating a verb for performing that gesture.

Usage tips

  • A slight dip of the head can be respectful, while a deeper bend usually creates a more formal impression in Korean social situations.

Other meanings

  • bow one's headverb

Opposites

  • 고개를 들다kogaereul teuldalift one's headverb

Related words

Word lists with this word