사람 — meaning in English: Person

salam · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for man

상상력

sangsanglyeog

상

sang

필드

pildeu

비서

biseo

사람

salam

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use the word '사람' (salam) in everyday conversations to refer to individuals, whether they're talking about friends, family, or strangers. For example, when asking about someone's profession, you might hear, '그 사람은 누구예요?' which means 'Who is that person?'

Synonyms & nuances

'사람' (salam) is often compared to '인간' (ingan), which means 'human' in a more philosophical sense. While '사람' is used for general conversations about individuals, '인간' is more formal and is used in discussions about human nature or ethics.

Culture

The word '사람' is deeply rooted in Korean culture, emphasizing the importance of community and relationships. Interestingly, the characters in Hanja (漢字), which are used in traditional contexts, depict the concept of humanity, illustrating how Koreans view their connection to one another as essential.

FAQ

Q.What does the Korean word '사람' mean in English?

'사람' translates to 'person' in English. It's a versatile noun that can refer to any individual and is a fundamental word in the Korean language.

Q.Can '사람' be used in formal situations?

Yes, '사람' is neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. You can use it in polite conversations without worrying about sounding too casual.

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using '사람'?

A common mistake is confusing '사람' with '사람들' (saramdeul), which means 'people.' '사람' is singular, while '사람들' refers to multiple individuals, so ensure you use the correct form based on the context.

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