📖 Words A2 ✓ Native Reviewed

마음

maeum

heart / mind / feelings

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What it means

마음 doesn't have a perfect English equivalent — it covers heart, mind, feelings, and intention all in one. One of the most important emotional words in Korean.

Nuance & when to use

마음이 아파요 = My heart hurts. 마음에 들어요 = I like it (lit: it enters my heart). 마음을 열다 = to open one's heart. Korean culture places 마음 at the center of sincerity and relationships. Very different from brain/logic.

⚠ Common mistake

마음 ≠ 심장 (physical heart). 심장 is the organ; 마음 is the emotional/mental heart.

Example sentences

마음이 따뜻해요. Maeumi ttadeutaeyo. My heart is warm. / You are warm-hearted.
마음대로 해요. Maeumdearo haeyo. Do as you please.
마음에 들어요? Maeume deureoyo? Do you like it? (lit: does it enter your heart?)

See also

감정 느낌 기분
References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗
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More A2 lessons

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 -(eu)l su itda Can / Be able to 힘들어 himdeulleo It's hard / I'm struggling 치맥 chimaek Chicken and beer (the classic Korean duo)
← 레전드 막내 →

FAQ

When is this used?

마음이 아파요 = My heart hurts. 마음에 들어요 = I like it (lit: it enters my heart). 마음을 열다 = to open one's heart. Korean culture places 마음 at the center of sincerity and relationships. Very different from brain/logic.

What's a common mistake?

마음 ≠ 심장 (physical heart). 심장 is the organ; 마음 is the emotional/mental heart.

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