답장
dapjang
In Korean, to reply is 답장 (dapjang).
답장 refers specifically to a reply sent in response to written communications, such as letters, text messages or emails.
Meaning: to give a written or spoken response (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 답장 is used for written messages, use 대답 when referring to a spoken response, such as answering a question or responding to someone calling your name. For official or formal answers, such as those provided in interviews or customer service contexts, the term 답변 is more appropriate.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun 답장 as a verb meaning 'to reply', you typically combine it with the verb 하다 (to do) to form the phrase 답장을 하다.
How do you pronounce it?
dapjang
Did you know?
- In modern digital culture, Koreans use the slang term 읽씹 to describe the act of reading a message but not sending a 답장. It is a portmanteau of 'read' and 'ignore'.
- In traditional Korean letter writing, the act of sending a 답장 often involved a specific etiquette of humility, where the writer would refer to their own reply as 'unworthy' or 'clumsy'.
- The Sino-Korean root 답 (答) is shared with the word for 'answer' in Japanese and Chinese, making the core concept of 'replying' recognizable across these three East Asian writing systems.
Examples in context
- 나는 답장을 기다리고 있다.I'm waiting for a reply.This sentence shows how to express waiting for a 답장.Tatoeba #7500612 by raining211, translation #5373650 by nickyeow
- 그는 내 편지에 답장을 하지 않았다.He didn't reply to my letter.This sentence illustrates the use of 답장 in the context of not replying to a letter.Tatoeba #11105138 by intertime, translation #297892 by CK
- 저희 문의에 대해 언제쯤 답변이 가능할까요?When can I expect a reply to my inquiry?
- 가능한 빨리 답변드리도록 하겠습니다.I will try to respond as soon as possible.
- 내 메시지에 왜 답장 안 해?Why didn't you reply to my message?
- 미안, 바빠서 답장을 늦게 했어.Sorry, I was busy so I replied late.
Example conversation
Seoyeon is asking Minjun to respond to her messages.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨, 제 메시지에 답장 좀 해주세요.Min-jun ssi, je me-si-ji-e dap-jang jom hae-ju-se-yo.Minjun, please reply to my messages.
- 민준 Min-jun미안해요, 서연 씨. 깜빡했어요.Mi-an-hae-yo, Seo-yeon ssi. Kkam-ppak-haet-eo-yo.I'm sorry, Seoyeon. I forgot.
- 서연 Seo-yeon빨리 답장 해 줬으면 좋겠어요.Ppal-li dap-jang hae jwot-seu-myeon jok-get-eo-yo.I would like you to reply quickly.
- 민준 Min-jun지금 바로 답장할게요.Ji-geum ba-ro dap-jang-hal-ge-yo.I will reply right now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
