What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 말 (mal) meaning "speech/words" and 그만해 (geumanhae) meaning "stop/cease".
Which one should you use?
While 말 그만해 is a direct way to say stop talking, you can also use 그만해 to simply say "Stop it." and 말하지 말아줘 to ask close friends not to speak. If you want to be more polite, you can use phrases like 조용히 해 주세요 (Please be quiet) or 잠시만 조용히 해 주실래요?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
말 그만해 is an informal expression. To make the command polite, you can use 말 그만하세요. Avoid using 입 다물어, as this is a much more aggressive and rude way to tell someone to stop talking, literally meaning "shut your mouth".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 말 그만해라 is a more forceful, imperative version of the command. It is often used by elders to younger people or in written dialogue.
How do you pronounce it?
mal geumanhae
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 말 그만해, 나 집중해야 돼.mal geumanhae, na jipjunghaeya dwae.Stop talking, I need to concentrate.
- 이제 말 그만해.ije mal geumanhae.Stop talking now.
- 거짓말이니까 말 그만해.geojitmarinikka mal geumanhae.It is a lie, so stop talking.
Example conversation
Seoyeon is trying to study while Minjun keeps chatting.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준아, 말 그만해.Minjun-a, mal geumanhae.Minjun, stop talking.
- 민준 Min-jun미안해, 공부 중이었어?mianhae, gongbu jungieosseo?Sorry, were you studying?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 조용히 해줘.eung, joyonghi hae-jwo.Yes, please be quiet.
- 민준 Min-jun알았어, 이제 조용히 할게.arasseo, ije joyonghi halge.Okay, I will be quiet now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 말, CC BY-SA 4.0.
