넥타이
nektai[ne̞k̚tʰa̠i]
The English word 'tie' is translated into Korean as 넥타이 (nektai).
The word refers to a piece of fabric worn around the collar and knotted at the throat.
What does it mean word for word?
넥타이 is a loanword from the English 'necktie'. It is composed of the phonetic transcription of 'neck' (넥) and 'tie' (타이).
How do you pronounce it?
nektai
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific word for a 'bow tie', 나비넥타이, which literally translates to 'butterfly necktie'.
- In Korean business culture, the act of loosening one's 넥타이 after a long day is often viewed as a symbolic transition from a strict professional persona to a more relaxed and human one.
- In traditional Korean attire like the 'hanbok', there are no 넥타이 because the collars are crossed and tied with ribbons called 고름, which serve a similar aesthetic and fastening purpose.
Examples in context
- 그의 셔츠는 회색이었고, 넥타이는 노란색이었어.His shirt was gray and his tie was yellow.This sentence shows how to describe the color of a 넥타이.Tatoeba #13756521 by qlTmalffk, translation #285352 by AlanF_US
- 넥타이 멋있다!What a nice tie!This sentence is a way to compliment someone's 넥타이.Tatoeba #11104875 by intertime, translation #1913102 by CK
- 그거, 새로운 넥타이야?Is that a new tie?This sentence is used to ask if a 넥타이 is new.Tatoeba #13146421 by SN_H, translation #3264672 by CK
- 회의에 참석하실 때는 꼭 넥타이를 착용해 주세요.Please wear a tie when attending the meeting.
- 회사에 출근할 때는 항상 정장과 넥타이를 매야 합니다.You should always wear a suit and tie when going to the office.
- 그는 항상 멋진 넥타이를 착용해.He always wears a stylish tie.
- 거울 앞에서 넥타이를 묶으려면 조금 연습이 필요해.You need a bit of practice to tie a tie in front of the mirror.
Example conversation
At a wedding, Seoyeon notices Hyeonwoo's outfit.
- 서연 Seo-yeon넥타이가 정말 잘 어울려요, 현우 씨.nektaiga jeongmal jal eoullyeoyo, Hyeonwoo ssi.The tie suits you really well, Hyeonwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo고마워요, 서연 씨. 새로 산 거예요.gomawoyo, Seoyeon ssi. saero san geoyeyo.Thank you, Seoyeon. I bought it recently.
- 서연 Seo-yeon색깔이 아주 세련됐네요.saekkkari aju serenyeondaeneyo.The color is very sophisticated.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그렇게 말해주니 기분이 좋네요.geureoke malhaejuni gibuni jonneyo.It makes me feel good to hear you say that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 넥타이, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
