손글씨
son-geulssi
The English phrase 'handwriting' is translated into Korean as 손글씨 (son-geulssi).
손글씨 specifically refers to the act of writing by hand or one's handwriting.
Meaning: characteristic writing of a particular person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of 손 (son), meaning 'hand' and 글씨 (geulssi), meaning 'writing' or 'letters'.
Which one should you use?
The word 글씨 is a common and versatile word for 'handwriting' in Korean. While 글씨 refers to writing in general, 손글씨 specifically emphasizes that the writing was done by hand rather than typed or printed.
How do you pronounce it?
son-geulssi
Did you know?
- When complimenting someone's 손글씨 (son-geulssi), Koreans might use the word 정성 (jeongseong) to imply that the handwriting shows the person's sincere heart and effort.
- While English speakers use 'handwriting' to mean both the style and the physical act, Korean speakers often use the suffix -체 (che) to specify a particular style of writing, such as 'calligraphy style' or 'print style'.
- The word 글씨 (geulssi) can be used in modern digital contexts to refer to 'fonts' when discussing the visual appearance of text on a screen.
Examples in context
- 이 사람의 손글씨는 정말 예쁘고 읽기 쉬워요.This person's handwriting is really beautiful and easy to read.
- 너 손글씨 정말 예쁘더라. 어떻게 그렇게 잘 쓰지?Your handwriting is really pretty. How do you write so well?
- 그녀의 손글씨는 정말 예뻐요.geunyeo-ui songeulssi-neun jeongmal yeppeoyo.Her handwriting is really pretty.
- 아이의 손글씨가 조금 삐뚤빼뚤해요.ai-ui songeulssi-ga jogeum ppibbulppaetulhaeyo.The child's handwriting is a bit crooked.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are looking at an old letter in a cafe.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 이 손글씨를 보세요.Jieun ssi, i songeulssi-reul boseyo.Jieun, look at this handwriting.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 정성이 가득한 손글씨네요.jeongmal jeongseong-i gadeukhan songeulssi-neyo.It is handwriting full of sincerity.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요, 글씨체가 아주 멋져요.majayo, geulssiche-ga aju meotjyeoyo.That's right, the handwriting style is very cool.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨도 손글씨 연습을 해보세요.Jihoon ssi-do songeulssi yeonseup-eul haeboseyo.Jihoon, you should practice your handwriting too.
