눈먼
nunmeon
The English word "blind" (meaning unable to see) is translated into Korean as 눈먼 (nunmeon).
The term 눈먼 refers to the physical inability to see. If you are referring to window blinds, the loanword 블라인드 is used instead. The standard term for someone who is visually impaired is 시각 장애인.
Meaning: unable to see (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
눈먼 is a compound of 눈 (eye) and 먼 (a form of the verb 멀다 meaning to be far or to be lacking/missing, used here in a sense of being devoid of sight).
Which one should you use?
While 눈먼 is the literal translation of "blind", 시각 장애가 있는 is the more polite and socially appropriate way to describe someone with a visual impairment in formal or respectful contexts. If you want to say someone "cannot see" in a colloquial way, you can use the expression 눈이 안 보여. In formal settings, the phrase 시력이 없는 is used to mean "having no eyesight". Finally, the term 블라인드 is used specifically for window blinds.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
nunmeon
Did you know?
- While 눈먼 means 'blind', it is frequently used in idioms to describe someone 'blinded' by greed, such as in the phrase 'blind money' (눈먼 돈), referring to money with no clear owner.
- Koreans often use the phrase 앞이 안 보인다 meaning 'the front is not visible' to describe blindness, focusing on the lack of a view rather than the condition of the eye.
- The formal term 시력 meaning 'eyesight' is a Sino-Korean word derived from Chinese characters, whereas 눈먼 is a purely native Korean construction.
Examples in context
- 우리 지역에는 시각 장애인들이 있습니다There are blind people in our community
- 그는 시력이 없는 사람입니다He is a blind person
- 그 소설은 눈먼 왕의 이야기를 다룹니다.geu soseoreun nunmeon wangui iyagireul darumnida.The novel deals with the story of a blind king.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are talking about a volunteer opportunity.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이번에 눈먼 분들을 돕는 봉사를 하려고 해요.ibeone nunmeon bundeureul domneun bongsareul haryeogo haeyo.I'm planning to volunteer to help blind people this time.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말 좋은 생각이에요, 지훈 씨.jeongmal joeun saenggagieyo, Jihun ssi.That is a really great idea, Jihoon.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨도 같이 가실래요?Subin ssi-do gachi gasillaeyo?Would you like to come along, Subin?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 저도 꼭 참여하고 싶어요.ne, jeodo kkok chamyeohago sipeoyo.Yes, I would definitely love to participate.
