말씀

Korean

Etymology

First attested in the Yongbi eocheonga (龍飛御天歌 / 용비어천가), 1447, as Middle Korean 말ᄊᆞᆷ (Yale: malssom). Perhaps a combination word of 말 (mal) + 숨 (sum)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈma̠ːɭs͈ɯm]
• Phonetic hangeul: [말ː씀]

Revised Romanization? malsseum Revised Romanization (translit.)? malsseum McCune–Reischauer? malssŭm Yale Romanization? mālssum

South Gyeongsang (Busan) pitch accent: 말씀의 / 말씀에 / 말씀까지

Syllables in red take high pitch. This word always takes high pitch only on the second syllable, and also heightens the subsequent suffixed syllable.

Noun

말씀 • (malsseum)

1. (honorific) word or speech
   • Korean Bible, 요한복음 (John) 1:1

     태초에 말씀이 계시니라, 이 말씀이 하나님과 함께 계셨으니, 이 말씀은 곧 하나님이시니라.

     Taecho-e malsseumi gyesinira, i malsseumi hananimgwa hamkke gyesyeosseuni, i malsseumeun got hananimisinira.

     In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Related terms

• 말 (mal, “word, speech, language”)
• 낱말 (nanmal, “word”)
• 말씀하다 (malsseumhada, “to speak, to say”)