Korean word

현

Pronunciation

Romanizationhyeon

Meaning

  • nounstring

Example

기타 현이 끊어졌어.ki ta hyeo ni kkeu neo jeo sseo

The guitar string broke.

Illustration for 현 (string)

More examples

공연 시작 전에 현을 교체했어.kong yeon si jak cheo ne hyeo neul kyo che hae sseo

I replaced the string before the performance started.

Core concept

A stretched instrument string that carries vibration from the instrument into a musical sound.

Common phrases

  • 현을 교체하다hyeo neul kyo che ha da

    replace the string

  • 현이 끊어지다hyeo ni kkeu neo ji da

    the string breaks

  • 현을 조율하다hyeo neul cho yul ha da

    tune the string

Similar words

줄chul: A straight row of people or things standing one after another.
기타 줄kita chul: A string attached to a guitar for producing musical notes.

Definition in Korean

악기에서 소리를 내기 위해 팽팽하게 당긴 줄ak kki e seo so ri reul nae gi wi hae paeng paeng ha ge tang gin chul

Word origin

The term comes from a Sino-Korean reading associated with the old word for a stretched string, later becoming established for musical instrument strings.

Usage tips

  • This word is useful when reading formal descriptions of instruments, whereas casual conversation usually uses the everyday word for string.

Related words

  • 현악기hyeonakkkistring instrumentnoun
  • 현악단hyeonakttanstring orchestranoun

Word lists with this word