만나다
mannada[ma̠nna̠da̠]
The English phrase 'meet' is translated into Korean as 만나다 (mannada).
만나다 is a common and versatile verb meaning 'to meet' or 'to come face to face with someone by arrangement'. In colloquial Korean, it is also frequently used to mean 'to date' or 'to be in a relationship' with someone. Additionally, the word 보다, which primarily means 'to see', can be used informally to represent the concept of 'meeting' when speaking among close acquaintances.
Meaning: to come face to face with someone by arrangement (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 만나다 is the standard term for meeting, 뵙다 is used specifically when you want to show respect to someone of higher status.
How does it change in a sentence?
만나다 is an action verb that takes a direct object marked with the particle 을/를. In the polite informal style, the present tense is 만나요 (meaning 'meet' or 'am meeting') and the past tense is 만났어요 (meaning 'met').
How do you pronounce it?
mannada
When do people say it?
During formal meetings or networking events in Korean culture, exchanging business cards is a common way to introduce yourself.
Did you know?
- The modern word 만나다 evolved from the Middle Korean word 맛나다, which combined the ideas of 'receiving' someone and 'coming out' to meet them.
- In Korean social etiquette, the way you 'meet' someone often begins with the ritual of exchanging business cards with two hands.
Examples in context
- 저희는 어디에서 만날까요?Where shall we meet?
- 친구들과 언제 만날까?When should we meet up with friends?
- 어제 그 친구를 보기로 했어.I decided to meet that friend yesterday.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are planning a time to see each other.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 언제 만나다?Minjun ssi, eonje mannada?Minjun, when shall we meet?
- 민준 Min-jun토요일 오후에 만나다.toyoil ohue mannada.Let's meet on Saturday afternoon.
- 민지 Min-ji좋아요. 카페에서 만나다.joh-ayo. kape-eseo mannada.Great. Let's meet at the cafe.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 그때 만나다.ne, geuttae mannada.Yes, see you then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 만나다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 만나다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
