Korean Dictionary
How to say "Man" in Korean
“Man” in Korean is 남자 (pronounced "namja").
남자
namja
Usage & Context
The word for man or male. This basic vocabulary word is used throughout K-dramas to refer to male characters. It's fundamental for understanding character descriptions and relationships.
Example Sentence
그 남자 누구야?
Who is that man?
How to use 남자 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Man” is 남자, romanized as namja.
Usage tip
Drama lines are memorable, but some expressions are emotional or exaggerated compared with everyday Korean.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 남자.
Pronunciation Guide
남 (nam) sounds like 'nahm' in 'Vietnam'. 자 (ja) sounds like 'jah' in 'jar'. The stress is evenly distributed.
More Example Sentences
Introducing someone to another person.
저 남자는 내 친구야.
That man is my friend.
Making a general observation about modern men.
요즘 남자들은 요리도 잘해.
Men these days are good at cooking too.
Telling a friend about an encounter.
그 남자가 나한테 번호를 물어봤어.
That man asked me for my number.
Cultural Context
남자 (namja) is the general and neutral term for 'man' or 'male'. It's a fundamental word used in all contexts, from casual conversations to formal reports. In Korean society, while traditional gender roles have been prominent, modern culture, especially through K-dramas and K-pop, often explores evolving perceptions of masculinity. It's frequently combined with other words to form terms like '남자친구' (boyfriend) or '남자아이돌' (male idol).
Editorial note
We review drama-style expressions like 남자 for tone, because lines that sound natural in a scene can feel too emotional or direct in everyday Korean.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
남자 친구
Boyfriend
남자 화장실
Men's restroom
남자답다
Manly, man-like
Related Expressions
남성
namseong
Male (more formal, often used in written or biological contexts)
신사
sinsa
Gentleman
사내
sanae
Man/Guy (often implies a strong, masculine, sometimes rough man)
소년
sonyeon
Boy
More K-Drama Expressions Words
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