사람
saram[ˈsʰa̠(ː)ɾa̠m]
The Korean word for person is 사람 (saram).
사람 is used to refer to a person or a human being. It is a general, neutral term that does not specify the gender of the individual.
Meaning: specifically a human being (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 사람 is a general term for person or human, the term 인간 is a more formal or biological term for 'human being' compared to the everyday word 사람.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In contrast, 인간 is a more formal or scientific term for 'human being'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make '사람' plural, you can add the suffix '-들' to get 사람들.
How do you pronounce it?
saram
Did you know?
- The word 사람 is used in a common idiomatic expression 사람 냄새 나다, which literally means 'to smell like a person'.
- The word 사람 is actually a derivative of the verb 'to live', meaning 'one who is alive'.
- In some contexts, referring to a person as 인간 instead of 사람 can be used as a mild insult to describe someone acting devoid of human decency.
Examples in context
- 난 똑똑한 사람이 아냐.I'm not a smart person.This sentence shows how to use 사람 when describing oneself.Tatoeba #8365142 by Eunhee, translation #6007103 by mailohilohi
- 톰은 정말 좋은 사람이지?Tom really is a nice person, isn't he?This example uses 사람 to describe someone's character.Tatoeba #8365056 by Eunhee, translation #3417005 by CK
- 내가 그걸 한 유일한 사람이야.I'm the only person who did that.This sentence uses 사람 to identify a specific individual who performed an action.Tatoeba #8356246 by Eunhee, translation #6254928 by CK
- 저는 사람을 좋아합니다.I like people.
- 이 공원엔 사람이 많아요.There are many people in this park.
- 어떤 놈이 이렇게 우렁찬 소리를 내나?Who is making such a loud noise?
- 그 녀석이 예뻐져 버렸다.That guy became good-looking.
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are talking about a new colleague at work.
- 서연 Seo-yeon새로 온 분은 어떤 사람이에요?saero on buneun eotteon saramieyo?What kind of person is the new arrival?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 성실한 사람인 것 같아요.jeongmal seongsilhan saramin geot gatayo.I think they are a very diligent person.
- 서연 Seo-yeon다행이네요. 좋은 사람이 왔으면 좋겠어요.dahaeng-ineyo. joeun sarami wasseumyeon jokenesseoyo.That's a relief. I hope a good person joined us.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 현우 씨도 좋아할 거예요.ne, hyeon-u ssido joahal geoyeyo.Yes, you will like them too, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “person” translations and entries 사람, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 사람, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
