대머리
daemeori
The Korean word for 'bald' is 대머리 (daemeori).
While 'bald' is an adjective in English, 대머리 is primarily a noun in Korean meaning 'a bald person' or 'baldness'.
Meaning: having little or no hair (adj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Calling someone 대머리 directly can be perceived as an insult or a rude way to point out their appearance.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because it is a noun, you often use it with the copula '이다' (to be) to describe someone as being bald.
How do you pronounce it?
daemeori
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific distinction between someone naturally bald and someone who has shaved their head for religious reasons, such as monks, who are not called 대머리.
- In some Korean comedy sketches, the exaggerated sound of a 'sliding' or 'smooth' head is used to emphasize the concept of being 대머리.
- In Korean, you can often use 머리 (head) to refer to hair itself, such as in the phrase 머리가 빠지다, meaning 'hair is falling out'.
Examples in context
- 대머리세요?Are you bald?This sentence is useful for asking someone if they are a 대머리.Tatoeba #10603067 by ssuss32, translation #3172411 by CK
- 그 남자는 대머리이다.That man is bald.
- 그 사람은 대머리예요.geu sarameun daemeori-yeyo.That person is bald.
- 대머리인 캐릭터가 나와요.daemeori-in kaerikteu-ga nawayo.A bald character appears.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are watching a cartoon together.
- 민준 Min-jun저 캐릭터는 왜 대머리야?jeo kaerikteu-neun wae daemeori-ya?Why is that character bald?
- 수빈 Su-bin그냥 원래 그래.geunyang wonrae geurae.He's just naturally like that.
- 민준 Min-jun조금 웃기다.jogeum utgida.It's a little funny.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준아, 너무 놀리지 마.Minjun-a, neomu noriji ma.Minjun, don't tease him too much.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
