편지 — meaning in English: letter

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

Guess the translation for letter

감염

gam

설탕

seoltang

편지

pyeonji

조성

joseong

복용량

bog

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Korean for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers commonly use '편지' when writing personal letters to friends or family, especially during holidays or special occasions like birthdays. It's also used in more formal contexts, such as when sending a letter to a government office or in correspondence with businesses.

Synonyms & nuances

'편지' is often compared to the word '서신' (seosin), which also means 'letter' but is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation. You would choose '편지' for casual or personal communications, while '서신' might be reserved for formal writing or official correspondence.

Culture

The word '편지' has its roots in the Hanja characters, where '편' means 'side' and '지' means 'paper.' This reflects the traditional practice of writing on one side of the paper. In Korea, despite the rise of digital communication, sending a handwritten '편지' is still considered a heartfelt gesture, especially during significant life events.

FAQ

Q.What does 편지 mean in English?

'편지' translates to 'letter' in English, referring to written communication sent from one person to another.

Q.How do you write a 편지 in Korean?

To write a '편지,' you typically start with a greeting, followed by the body of your message, and conclude with a closing statement and your name. It's common to express warm feelings and well-wishes.

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 편지?

A common mistake is using '편지' in overly formal contexts where '서신' might be more appropriate. Additionally, learners sometimes forget to include traditional openings and closings that are customary in Korean letters.

Learn korean with Maspeak →

Korean 2000