말조심해
maljosimhae
The English phrase "watch your mouth" is translated into Korean as 말조심해 (maljosimhae).
This phrase is used as a direct warning when someone is being rude, using profanity or speaking disrespectfully.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you can use 말씀을 삼가십시오 (Please be cautious with your words), 말을 주의하세요 (Please pay attention to your words) or 말 조심하세요 (Please be careful with your words).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the warning more polite and suitable for addressing someone you are not close to or someone older, you can use the form 말조심하세요. If you want to use a more forceful, imperative command, often used by elders to younger people or in heated arguments, you can use 말조심해라.
How do you pronounce it?
maljosimhae
Did you know?
- The word 말 meaning 'speech' or 'word' is a homonym for the word meaning 'horse'. In some contexts, playing with this double meaning is a common source of puns in Korean wordplay.
- Because of the strict honorific system, using even the polite version 말조심하세요 toward a superior can be perceived as a grave insult.
- In Korea, calling someone of higher status by their given name instead of their title is a social error that can lead to being told 말조심해.
Examples in context
- 친구들 앞에서는 말조심해.chin-gu-deul ap-e-seo-neun mal-jo-sim-hae.Watch your mouth in front of your friends.
- 어른들 앞에서는 말조심해!eo-reun-deul ap-e-seo-neun mal-jo-sim-hae!Watch your mouth in front of adults!
- 그렇게 말하면 안 돼, 말조심해.geu-reot-ge mal-ha-myeon an dwae, mal-jo-sim-hae.You shouldn't talk like that, watch your mouth.
Example conversation
Minjun is warning Subin about her rude tone.
- 민준 Min-jun말조심해. 너무 무례해.mal-jo-sim-hae. neo-mu mu-rye-hae.Watch your mouth. You're being too rude.
- 수빈 Su-bin미안해. 내가 너무 화가 났어.mi-an-hae. nae-ga neo-mu hwa-ga nas-seo.I'm sorry. I was just so angry.
- 민준 Min-jun그래도 그렇게 말하면 안 돼.geu-rae-do geu-reoh-ge mal-ha-myeon an dwae.Still, you shouldn't speak like that.
- 수빈 Su-bin알았어. 조심할게.a-ras-seo. jo-sim-hal-ge.I got it. I'll be careful.
