마른
mareun[ma̠ɾɯn]
The Korean word for skinny is 마른 (mareun).
마른 is used to describe someone who is thin or skinny. It is derived from the root verb 마르다, which can mean both 'to dry' (such as drying clothes) and 'to become thin' (referring to a person).
Meaning: thin (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 마른 often implies being underweight or skinny in a potentially negative sense, the word 날씬한 is used to describe a positive, 'slim' or 'slender' figure.
How does it change in a sentence?
마른 is the attributive form of the adjective, which means it is used specifically to modify a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
mareun
Did you know?
- A person who is exceptionally skinny is sometimes described as 뼈만 남았다, which literally means 'only bones remained'.
- The word 마른 is not just used for people, but also to describe 'dried' foods, such as 마른 오징어 for 'dried squid'.
- The root verb 마르다 can describe a landscape, such as a 'dried up' riverbed, using the same morphological logic as describing a 'skinny' person.
Examples in context
- 그 남자는 정말로 마른 체형이에요.That man has a really skinny physique.
- 그는 너무 마른 편이에요.geuneun neomu mareun pyeoni-eyo.He is on the skinny side.
- 너무 마른 몸은 건강에 안 좋아요.neomu mareun momeun geon-gang-e an jo-ayo.A very skinny body is not good for health.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are talking about a friend's recent diet.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 그 친구 너무 마른 것 같아요.Minjun-ssi, geu chin-gu neomu mareun geot gat-ayo.Minjun, I think that friend looks too skinny.
- 민준 Min-jun맞아요, 너무 마른 것 같아 걱정이에요.maj-ayo, neomu mareun geot gat-a geok-jeong-ieyo.That's true, I'm worried because he looks too skinny.
- 민지 Min-ji잘 먹어야 할 텐데요.jal meog-eo-ya hal tende-yo.He should eat well.
- 민준 Min-jun그러게요, 건강이 걱정되네요.geureogeyo, geon-gang-i geok-jeong-doene-yo.I agree, I'm worried about his health.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 마른, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
