선생님
"seonsaengnim (teacher / sir / ma'am)"
Korean word for seonsaengnim (teacher / sir / ma'am)
🙇Honorifics
Korean honorific expressions and politeness levels
Pronunciation Guide
선생님[seonsaengnim]
Pronunciation Tips:
- •"eo" sounds like "uh" in "butter"
- •"ae" sounds like "a" in "cat"
English Translation
seonsaengnim (teacher / sir / ma'am)
Meaning & Usage
An honorific title meaning 'teacher' but used far more broadly in Korean. It is used for teachers, doctors, lawyers, writers, and other professionals. It conveys deep respect and is one of the most common honorific titles.
Learning Tips
- 💡This is a common beginner-level word. Practice using it in daily conversations!
- 💡Nouns are often followed by particles (은/는, 이/가, 을/를) to indicate their role.
- 💡Korean honorific expressions and politeness levels
Difficulty:Beginner (TOPIK 1-2)
Example Sentences
Beginner
You say "선생님" to a teacher.
Intermediate
You should use "선생님" when meeting someone for the first time.
Advanced
"선생님" is an essential expression for showing politeness in Korea.
Master
Understanding the nuance of "선생님" helps balance formality and familiarity appropriately.
Loading...
Need to review this word?