거짓말
geojinmal[ˈkɘ(ː)d͡ʑinma̠ɭ]
The English phrase "lies" is translated into Korean as 거짓말 (geojinmal).
거짓말 refers to false statements made with the intention to deceive. It is the most common and standard term for "lies" in Korean.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 거짓말 is composed of 거짓 (falsehood) and 말 (word or speech), literally meaning "false word".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of telling a lie, 거짓말 is typically paired with the verb 하다 (to do) to form 거짓말을 하다. If you want to describe a person who lies habitually, you can add the suffix -쟁이 to the word to create the noun 거짓말쟁이 (liar).
How do you pronounce it?
geojinmal
When do people say it?
Calling someone a "liar" in a playful or accusatory way often involves using the noun 거짓말쟁이.
Did you know?
- The word 말 in 거짓말 is a homonym that can also mean 'horse', though context always makes it clear that a lie is not a 'false horse'.
- While 거짓말 is the standard term, Koreans sometimes use the word 뻥 as a slang term for a lie or an exaggeration, often saying 뻥치지 마 to mean 'stop lying'.
- The Middle Korean form of the word was written as 거〯즛〮말〯, featuring tone marks that indicated the pitch of the word, which have since disappeared from the modern language.
Examples in context
- 누구나 거짓말 해.Everybody lies.Tatoeba #8368180 by Eunhee, translation #1008564 by Goracykabanos
- 거짓말이잖아 네 말 다.It's all lies, everything you said.Tatoeba #9628591 by Sim5634, translation #12995227 by Uwe
- 너, 어제 뭐 했어?What did you do yesterday?
- 그건 다 거짓말이에요.geugeon da geojitmarieyo.That is all lies.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo is trying to excuse his lateness to Minji.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo차가 너무 막혀서 늦었어.chaga neomu makgyeoseo neujeosseo.I'm late because the traffic was too heavy.
- 민지 Min-ji그거 거짓말인 거 다 알아.geugeo geojitmalin geo da ara.I know that is a lie.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo진짜 아니야, 믿어줘.jinjja aniya, mideojwo.It's really not, please believe me.
- 민지 Min-ji이제 그만 거짓말해.ije geuman geojitmalhae.Stop lying now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 거짓말, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 거짓말, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
