양말
yangmal[ja̠ŋma̠ɭ]
The Korean word for socks is 양말 (yangmal).
양말 refers to the clothing worn on the feet to keep them warm or to protect them inside shoes.
Which one should you use?
Traditional Korean socks are called beoseon.
How do you pronounce it?
yangmal
Did you know?
- The word 양말 actually contains the character for 'ocean' or 'sea', which represents 'foreign' or 'Western' in this context. This is because these are Western-style socks rather than traditional Korean ones.
- In Korean culture, wearing 양말 or 버선 was historically essential when entering a home to keep the floor clean and show respect.
- Traditional Korean 버선 are shaped differently from modern 양말 to accommodate the pointed toes of traditional shoes.
Examples in context
- 이 양말 네 꺼야?Are these your socks?This sentence is useful for asking whether a pair of 양말 belongs to someone.Tatoeba #11104649 by intertime, translation #9279748 by CK
- 양말 좀 주세요.Please give me the socks.
- 새 양말을 샀어요.sae yangmal-eul sasseoyo.I bought new socks.
- 이 양말은 너무 작아요.i yangmal-eun neomu jagayo.These socks are too small.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are getting ready to go out.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 양말 신었나요?Seoyeon-ssi, yangmal sin-eonnayo?Seoyeon, did you put on your socks?
- 서연 Seo-yeon아니요, 아직 안 신었어요.aniyo, ajik an sineosseoyo.No, I haven't put them on yet.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo여기 제 여분 양말이에요.yeogi je yeobun yangmal-ieyo.Here are my spare socks.
- 서연 Seo-yeon고마워요, 현우 씨.gomawoyo, Hyunwoo-ssi.Thank you, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 양말, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 양말, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
