How To Say Don’t Say It Unless You Mean It In Korean: Bin-Mal 빈 말

Table of contents

빈말 [Bin-Mal] empty words
비다 [bi-da] is the infinitive verb meaning “to be empty.” (다 is the equivalent of “to” or “to be”).
Adding a ㄴ (소리 sound) after a vowel-ending adjective turns that adjective into a noun modifier.
말 is the noun for talk or speak.

So 빈말 is empty language, meaning you’re saying something you don’t really mean, you’re saying something that isn’t true, or you’re not going to keep your word.

빈 말 아니예요. [bin-mal a-ni-ye-yo]- I’m not kidding here. (I’m serious.)
빈 말 하지마. [bin-mal ha-ji-ma] – Don’t say something you don’t mean.
(Don’t make promises you’re not going to keep.)

Want to learn more? Check out our Shot Of Korean, and learn How To Say In Korean more every-day usefull words and phrases.

Author

Since arriving in South Korea in 1995, Steve has learned Korean, gotten an MA in Teaching Korean as a Second Language, published 2 Korean-language text books and founded 10mag.com to help English speakers enjoy Korea. He now lives in Paju near the DMZ. Despite being a digital marketer he despises antisocial media and focuses on eating a WFPB diet and running with the Paju Running Club.

3 comments

  • love this part of the magazine.. keep it coming

  • It makes me think about 빈차 (bincha) when I take a taxi – 빈말아닙니다 (I am serious!)… ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…Žã…Žã…Ž

  • kangnamdragon

    I love these language tips.

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