살아남다
saranamda[sʰa̠ɾa̠na̠mt͈a̠]
The English phrase 'stay alive' is expressed in Korean as 살아남다 (saranamda).
The phrase is used to describe continuing to live or exist, particularly after experiencing a dangerous event or enduring a difficult situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 살아남다 is a compound consisting of 살다, meaning 'to live' and 남다, meaning 'to remain' or 'to be left over'. Literally, it translates to 'to live and remain'.
Which one should you use?
While the verb 살다 means 'to live' in a general sense, 살아남다 specifically emphasizes the act of surviving or enduring a struggle.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone has already survived or stayed alive, you can use the past tense forms 살아남았어요 in a polite style or 살아남았다 in a plain or informal style.
How do you pronounce it?
saranamda
Did you know?
- The word 남다 in 살아남다 is the same word used to describe 'leftovers' after a meal.
- While English uses 'stay alive' as a command or wish, Koreans often use the phrase 살아서 돌아와 meaning 'come back alive' to express the same sentiment to someone going into danger.
- In highly competitive environments like the Korean education system or corporate world, 살아남다 is used metaphorically to mean 'surviving' a cutthroat competition.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 살아남다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
