문자
munja[muɲt͡ɕ͈a̠]
In Korean, to text means 문자 (munja).
While it can mean a written character or a letter in general, in modern contexts it is used to refer to sending a text. To express the specific action of sending a text, the verb 보내다 (to send) is typically used with 문자 to form 문자 보내다. For a more explicit term, you can use 문자 메시지, which combines the Korean word for text with the loanword for message.
Meaning: to send a text message to (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 문자 literally means 'character' or 'letter' in the sense of written text.
Which one should you use?
While 문자 can mean a text message in a modern context, it can also refer to a written character or a written letter in general. In technical or digital contexts, the loanword 텍스트 is used to refer to text. In formal settings, the term 문서 is used to refer to a written document or a piece of writing.
How do you pronounce it?
munja
Did you know?
- While 문자 means 'text', Koreans often use the verb 카톡하다 to mean 'texting' specifically via KakaoTalk, the country's dominant messaging app. Using this verb is often more common in daily life than saying 문자 보내다.
- The term 문자 is shared with Japanese and Chinese because they all historically used the same logographic writing system based on characters.
- The word 문자 is actually a combination of two Hanja characters: 文 meaning 'writing' and 字 meaning 'character'.
Examples in context
- 난 톰한테 문자 보냈어.I sent Tom a text.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say you sent a text to someone using 문자.Tatoeba #8403216 by Eunhee, translation #8398968 by CK
- 문자해 줘.Text me.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask someone to text you using 문자.Tatoeba #11106973 by intertime, translation #9188507 by CK
- 제 문자 못 받았어요?Did you not get my text?This sentence is useful for asking if someone received a text using 문자.Tatoeba #13115850 by atitarev, translation #12306464 by CK
- 그 회의 자료에는 중요한 글과 그림이 포함되어 있습니다.Important text and images are included in that meeting materials.
- 이 파일의 텍스트를 복사하여 붙여넣으세요.Copy and paste the text from this file.
- 이 글자를 이해하기 어려워.It's hard to understand these characters.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are planning to meet up.
- 도현 Do-hyeon나중에 문자 해.Najunge munja hae.Text me later.
- 지은 Ji-eun알았어. 지금 문자 보낼게.Arasseo. Jigeum munja bonaelge.Okay. I'll send a text now.
- 도현 Do-hyeon왜 아직 문자 안 왔지?Wae ajik munja an watji?Why hasn't the text arrived yet?
- 지은 Ji-eun미안, 다시 문자 할게.Mian, dasi munja halge.Sorry, I'll text you again.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 문자, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 문자, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
