Korean

Symbol

ㅁ • ‎(m)

1. 미음 (mieum, “mieum”), a jamo (letter) of the alphabet of the Korean writing system, hangeul; the bilabial nasal (/m/)

Usage notes

In the North Korean order, ㅁ (m) is the fifth jamo. In the South Korean order, it is the seventh.

Derived terms

• ㅂ (b) (in traditional account)

Etymology 2

First attested in the Hunmin jeongeum eonhae (訓民正音諺解本 / 훈민정음언해본), 1447, as ㅁ (Yale: m).

Suffix

-ㅁ • ‎(-m)

1. -ness; -tion; -ment

   (suffix deriving a noun)

   나누다 (nanuda, “to divide”) + ㅁ (m): 나눔 (nanum, “division, charity”)

   기쁘다 (gippeuda, “happy”) + ㅁ (m): 기쁨 (gippeum, “happiness”)

Suffix

-ㅁ • ‎(-m)

1. (formal) the act of, the process of, -ing; the status of, being ~, to be ~; that ~

   (suffix making a gerund or a noun clause)

   우리가 만남은 결코 우연이 아니다.‎

   Uriga mannameun gyeolko uyeoni anida.

   That we've met is never an accident.

   그는 신이 그를 축복하심을 확신한다.‎

   Geuneun sini geureul chukbokhasimeul hwaksinhanda.

   He is convinced that the God blesses him.

   너희 모두가 이토록 예쁨은 너희 마음이 깨끗하기 때문이란다.‎

   Neohui moduga itorok yeppeumeun neohui ma-eumi kkaekkeuthagi ttaemuniranda.

   It is because your minds are so clean that all of you are this beautiful!

Usage notes

The suffix ㅁ (m) is appended to the sequential form. If the stem ends in the consonant ㄹ (l), the ㄹ (l) does not drop out.

• 갚다 (갚으니) (gapda (gapeuni), “to repay”) + ㅁ (m): 갚음 (gapeum, “repaying”)
• 쉽다 (쉬우니) (swipda (swiuni), “to be easy”) + ㅁ (m): 쉬움 (swium, “being easy”)
• 살다 (사니/살면) (salda (sani/salmyeon), “to live”) + ㅁ (m): 삶 (sam, “life”)

  살다 (salda) + ㅁ (m) + 의 (ui, “'s”): 삶의 (salmui, “of life”)

The suffix 기 (gi), or an adjective clause modifying a noun are much preferred to ㅁ (m).

E.g. 라면은 계란을 푸는 게 더 먹기 좋아.‎

Ramyeoneun gyeraneul puneun ge deo meokgi joa.

Ramen is better for eating, if you add an egg.

Synonyms

• 기 (gi)