Korean word

혼내다

Pronunciation

Romanizationhonnaeda

Meaning

  • verbscold

Example

엄마가 아이를 혼냈어요.eom ma ga a i reul hon nae sseo yo

Mom scolded the child.

Illustration for 혼내다 (scold)

More examples

아빠가 친구들 앞에서 아이를 혼냈어요.a ppa ga chin gu deul a pe seo a i reul hon nae sseo yo

Dad scolded the child in front of his friends.

Core concept

A person firmly corrects someone for wrongdoing, sometimes adding a penalty, so the person recognizes and changes the behavior.

Common phrases

  • 아이를 혼내다a i reul hon nae da

    scold a child

  • 심하게 혼내다sim ha ge hon nae da

    scold severely

  • 공개적으로 혼내다kong gae jeo geu ro hon nae da

    scold publicly

Similar words

혼나다honnada: Goes through a painful experience of being scolded or punished.
야단치다yadanchida: Yells at someone while angrily pointing out bad behavior.
꾸짖다kkujittta: Uses stern words to make someone aware of a fault.
벌주다peoljuda: Punishes someone for a wrongful act.

Definition in Korean

말로 꾸짖거나 때로는 벌을 줘서 잘못을 깨닫게 하는 동사.mal lo kku jit kkeo na ttae ro neun peo reul chwo seo chal mo seul kkae dat kke ha neun tong sa

Word origin

The form 혼내다 (honnaeda, "to scold") developed as a causative expression, shifting from receiving a reprimand to giving one to another person.

Usage tips

  • Its force depends on tone: a calm voice can describe ordinary correction, while an angry voice can make the situation sound severe.

Other meanings

  • disciplineverb
  • admonishverb
  • yell atverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 혼나다honnadabe scoldedverb
  • 혼쭐내다honjjullaedateach someone a severe lessonverb

Word lists with this word