마을
ma'eul[ma̠ɯɭ]
The Korean word for village is 마을 (ma'eul). Wiktionary also lists 촌락 (chollak).
Meaning: a rural habitation of size between a hamlet and a town (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 마을 | ma'eul | [ma̠ɯɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 촌락 | chollak | [ˈt͡ɕʰo̞(ː)ɭɭa̠k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to a rural habitation sized between a hamlet and a town. It can be used to describe a small community of people regardless of whether the setting is strictly rural or a modern residential cluster.
Which one should you use?
마을 is the standard, everyday word for 'village' used in both speech and writing. The form 촌락 also means village.
How do you pronounce it?
ma'eul
Did you know?
- In modern cities, the term 마을 is often used in 'village-style' community projects to create a small-town feel within a concrete metropolis.
- In Korean culture, a 마을 was traditionally governed by a collective spirit of do-um, or mutual aid, which defined the community's survival.
- The word 촌락 is composed of two Chinese-derived characters, 村 for 'village' and 落 for 'falling' or 'settling'.
Examples in context
- 그들은 이 마을에 산다.They live in this village.This sentence shows how to use 마을 when stating where people live.Tatoeba #11106714 by intertime, translation #11165306 by Layla
- 나는 마을을 둘러 볼 생각이 있었다.I was planning to take a look around the village.This sentence demonstrates how to use 마을 when talking about looking around a settlement.Tatoeba #10585440 by ssuss32, translation #11489689 by camouat
- 내 동생은 한 작은 마을에 살고 있어.My brother lives in a small village.This sentence illustrates how to use 마을 when describing a small settlement.Tatoeba #11117922 by Eunhee, translation #250687 by CK
- 동네에서 가장 좋아하는 것은 뭐야?What is your favorite thing about the neighborhood?
- 나는 마을의 분위기가 너무 좋아. 특히 시골에서 느끼는 평화로움이 최고야!I love the atmosphere of the village. Especially the tranquility felt in the countryside is the best!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are looking at a map of the countryside.
- 민준 Min-jun이 마을은 정말 조용하고 예뻐요.i maeul-eun jeongmal joyong-hago yeppeoyo.This village is really quiet and pretty.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요, 공기도 아주 맑은 것 같아요.majayo, gong-gido aju malgeun geot gat-ayo.That's true, I think the air is very clear too.
- 민준 Min-jun마을 입구에 식당이 하나 있네요.maeul ipgu-e sikdang-i hana it-neyo.There is a restaurant at the entrance of the village.
- 서연 Seo-yeon거기서 점심을 먹어봐요, 민준 씨.geogiseo jeomsim-eul meogeobwayo, Minjun ssi.Let's try having lunch there, Minjun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “village” translations and entries 마을, 촌락, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 마을, 촌락, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
