절하다
jeolhada[t͡ɕʌ̹ɾɦa̠da̠]
The English verb "to bow" is translated into Korean as 절하다 (jeolhada). Wiktionary also lists 절을 하다 (jeoreul hada).
Meaning: to bend oneself as a gesture of respect or deference (verb)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 절하다 | jeolhada | [t͡ɕʌ̹ɾɦa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 절을 하다 | jeoreul hada |
절하다 is the standard verb used when describing the action of performing a traditional formal bow.
Which one should you use?
While 절하다 refers to a formal, often full-body or kneeling bow, 고개를 숙이다 is used for a simpler gesture of bowing one's head or nodding.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
jeolhada
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, 절 refers specifically to a formal deep bow, often involving kneeling on the floor, used during traditional holidays or to elders.
Did you know?
- During traditional holidays like Seollal, there is a specific type of bow called 세배 (sebae) where younger people bow to elders to wish them a happy new year. This is not just a greeting, but a ritualized way to receive 'new year's money' as a blessing.
- In historical Korean contexts, the number of times someone performs 절 could indicate their social rank or the level of grief during a funeral.
- In a formal 절, the placement of your hands is strictly regulated. For men, the hands are usually placed on the floor to support the body, while for women, the hands are often placed on top of each other in front of the waist.
Examples in context
- 만나서 반갑습니다. 저는 [Your Name]입니다.Nice to meet you. I am [Your Name].
- 경의를 표합니다.I pay my respects.
- 새해에 어른들께 절하다.saehae-e eoreundeul-kke jeolhada.To bow to elders during the New Year.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bow” translations and entries 절하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
