TOPIK · Level 201
15 words
Korean word
침
Pronunciation
Romanizationchim
Meaning
- nounsaliva
Example
그는 침을 뱉었다.keu neun chi meul pae teot tta
He spat out saliva.
More examples
아기가 침을 흘렸다.a gi ga chi meul heul lyeot tta
The baby drooled.
Core concept
The liquid in the mouth that may drip out or be spat out.
Common phrases
침을 뱉다chi meul paet tta
spit saliva
침을 삼키다chi meul sam ki da
swallow saliva
입에서 침이 나오다i be seo chi mi na o da
saliva coming out of the mouth
Similar words
타액taaek: The formal medical term for saliva made inside the mouth.
가래karae: A sticky substance in the throat or breathing tubes that coughing can bring up.
Definition in Korean
입안의 타액을 뜻하는 말로, 흘리거나 뱉는 등 상황에 따라 쓰임이 달라지며 같은 발음으로 바늘을 뜻하는 한자어와 구별된다.i ba nui ta ae geul tteu ta neun mal lo heul li geo na paen neun teung sang hwang e tta ra sseu i mi tal la ji myeo ka teun pa reu meu ro pa neu reul tteu ta neun han ja eo wa ku byeol doen da
Word origin
This word has long been a native Korean word for saliva, separate from the Sino-Korean word for needle that happens to have the same pronunciation.
Usage tips
- In 침 (chim, "saliva"), the final sound is m, made with the lips closed, not n.
Other meanings
- droolnoun
- needlenoun
Related words
- 침샘chimsaemsalivary glandnoun
- 침방울chimbanguldroplet of salivanoun