면도하다
myeondohada[ˈmjɘ(ː)ndo̞ɦa̠da̠]
To shave in Korean is 면도하다 (myeondohada).
The verb 면도하다 is used specifically for shaving facial hair, such as a beard or mustache. Related terms for shaving products include 면도 크림 (shaving cream), 면도 날 (razor blade) and 애프터 쉐이브 (aftershave).
Meaning: to remove hair from (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 면도하다 is used for facial hair, 제모하다 is the more appropriate term for removing hair from other parts of the body.
How does it change in a sentence?
In polite speech, the present tense is 면도해요 and the past tense is 면도했어요.
How do you pronounce it?
myeondohada
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 면도하다 when referring to removing hair from other parts of the body. Use 제모하다 instead.
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean culture, facial hair was once seen as a symbol of filial piety because it was given by one's parents. This historical view made the act of 면도하다 a significant cultural shift during the modernization period.
- The word 면도 is composed of the characters for 'face' and 'knife'. This literally frames the act of shaving as using a knife on the face.
- If you tell a Korean person you want to 제모하다, they might think you are talking about permanent laser hair removal rather than a quick shave.
Examples in context
- 나 오늘 아침에 얼굴 면도했어.I shaved my face this morning.
- 면도기가 필요할 때 말해.Let me know when you need a razor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shave” translations and entries 면도하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 면도하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
