Korean word

초면

Pronunciation

Romanizationchomyeon

Meaning

  • nounfirst meeting

Example

그와는 초면이라 어색했어요.keu wa neun cho myeo ni ra eo sae kae sseo yo

I felt awkward because it was my first time meeting him.

Illustration for 초면 (first meeting)

More examples

초면에 실례하지만, 먼저 자기소개할게요.cho myeo ne sil lye ha ji man meon jeo cha gi so gae hal kke yo

Excuse me, but this is our first meeting, so let me introduce myself first.

Core concept

A relationship in which two people face each other for the first time, with no earlier familiarity.

Common phrases

  • 초면에 인사하다cho myeo ne in sa ha da

    greet someone upon first meeting

  • 초면이다cho myeo ni da

    be meeting someone for the first time

  • 초면에 실례하지만cho myeo ne sil lye ha ji man

    excuse me, but this is our first meeting

Similar words

첫만남cheonmannam: The occasion on which people meet each other for the first time.
낯선 사람natsseon saram: A person who is unfamiliar and not personally known.
처음 본 사람cheoeum pon saram: A person encountered or seen for the first time.

Definition in Korean

초면은 서로 처음 만나 얼굴을 마주하는 상태를 가리키는 명사cho myeo neun seo ro cheo eum man na eol gu reul ma ju ha neun sang tae reul ka ri ki neun myeong sa

Word origin

This Sino-Korean noun combines elements meaning first and face, linking its form directly to an initial face-to-face encounter.

Usage tips

  • In polite Korean, it can frame an opening request or remark as potentially forward because the speakers have not met before.

Other meanings

  • first encounternoun

Opposites

  • 면식myeonsikfamiliaritynoun
  • 지인chiinacquaintancenoun

Word lists with this word