Korean · Food & Drink
"I'm thirsty" in Korean: 목말라요
목말라요mongmallayo
I'm thirsty in Korean is 목말라요 (mongmallayo). 목말라요 describes thirst; 목 means throat here, and 마르다 takes the 르 change in 말라요.
I'm thirsty: starting the exchange
많이 걸어서 목말라요.mani georeoseo mongmallayo.
Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce 목말라요
Say it
mongmallayo
/moŋmalɾajo/
목말라요 is read mongmallayo. In 정말 목말라요, read the full phrase as jeongmal mongmallayo.
"I'm thirsty" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 목말라요mongmallayo | I'm thirsty The inventory form for i'm thirsty. | The inventory form for i'm thirsty. |
| 정말 목말라요jeongmal mongmallayo | I am really thirsty 목말라요 describes thirst; 목 means throat here, and 마르다 takes the 르 change in 말라요. | 목말라요 describes thirst; 목 means throat here, and 마르다 takes the 르 change in 말라요. |
How to use 목말라요 in real life
- 1I'm thirsty: starting the exchange
많이 걸어서 목말라요.
mani georeoseo mongmallayo.
I am thirsty because I walked a lot.
목말라요 describes thirst; 목 means throat here, and 마르다 takes the 르 change in 말라요.
- 2I'm thirsty: adding useful context
목말라요. 물 좀 주세요.
mongmallayo. mul jom juseyo.
I am thirsty. Please give me some water.
This sentence places 목말라요 in a complete exchange.
- 3I'm thirsty: a different conversation
더운 날에는 목말라요.
deoun nareneun mongmallayo.
I get thirsty on hot days.
This sentence places 목말라요 in a complete exchange.
Mistakes English speakers make with 목말라요
Incorrect: 목마르요.
Correct: 목말라요.
When practicing i'm thirsty, 마르다 takes the 르 change in the present ending, giving 말라요.
Incorrect: 목말라요이에요.
Correct: 목말라요.
When practicing i'm thirsty, 목말라요 is already a complete predicate; it does not take a noun copula afterward.
Good to know
목말라요 describes thirst; 목 means throat here, and 마르다 takes the 르 change in 말라요.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led food and drink study exercise: two sentences with 목말라요
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
많이 걸어서 목말라요.
mani georeoseo mongmallayo.
I am thirsty because I walked a lot.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
목말라요. 물 좀 주세요.
mongmallayo. mul jom juseyo.
I am thirsty. Please give me some water.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"I'm thirsty" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I'm thirsty" in Korean
What does 목말라요 mean?
I'm thirsty in Korean is 목말라요 (mongmallayo). 목말라요 describes thirst; 목 means throat here, and 마르다 takes the 르 change in 말라요.
When should I say 정말 목말라요?
목말라요 describes thirst; 목 means throat here, and 마르다 takes the 르 change in 말라요.
How does 정말 목말라요 differ from the basic expression?
정말 목말라요 means “I am really thirsty”. 목말라요 describes thirst; 목 means throat here, and 마르다 takes the 르 change in 말라요.
Can I use 목말라요 in a full sentence?
많이 걸어서 목말라요. means “I am thirsty because I walked a lot.” 목말라요 describes thirst; 목 means throat here, and 마르다 takes the 르 change in 말라요.
Use these words in a conversation
Find useful phrases for a situation, learn what to say back, and rehearse your part with revealable sample answers.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
