무례한
murye-han
The English word 'disrespectful' is translated into Korean as 무례한 (murye-han).
무례한 is an adjective used to describe someone or something that lacks respect.
Meaning: lacking respect (adj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 버릇없는 is a more common, colloquial way to describe someone being disrespectful or lacking manners, often used when talking about children or younger people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 무례한 is the adjectival form used to modify a noun, such as 'a disrespectful person'. You may also encounter the informal phrase 무례하네.
How do you pronounce it?
murye-han
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, being 'disrespectful' can sometimes be a matter of using the wrong speech level rather than your actual attitude or intent.
- The word 무례한 contains the character 례 (禮), which means 'etiquette' or 'ritual'. To be disrespectful is literally to be 'without the ritual' of social harmony.
- While 무례한 is a general term for being disrespectful, calling a child 버릇없는 implies they were not properly raised by their parents, reflecting a cultural emphasis on family upbringing.
Examples in context
- 실례하는 거 아니야?Isn't that rude?
- 그 행동은 정말 무례한 행동이었어요.geu haengdong-eun jeongmal muryehan haengdong-iyeosseoyo.That behavior was a truly disrespectful act.
- 그는 아주 무례한 말투를 사용하네요.geuneun aju muryehan maltu-reul sayunghane-yo.He uses a very disrespectful way of speaking.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a person they met at a party.
- 지은 Ji-eun그 사람이 저에게 무례한 말을 했어요.geu saram-i jeo-ege muryehan mal-eul haesseoyo.That person said disrespectful things to me.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 무례한 사람이네요.jeongmal muryehan saram-ine-yo.He is a truly disrespectful person.
- 지은 Ji-eun너무 당황스러웠어요.neomu danghwangseureowosseoyo.I was so flustered.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo많이 속상했겠어요.mani soksang-haetgetseoyo.You must have been very upset.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disrespectful” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
