Nuance Dictionary / People & Relationships
빈말 Bin-mal
A decorative, non-binding pleasantry used to soften the blow of a social refusal or to fulfill the ritual of polite inquiry.
What does 빈말 mean?
빈말 (Bin-mal) means: A decorative, non-binding pleasantry used to soften the blow of a social refusal or to fulfill the ritual of polite inquiry.
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How it's actually used
- 다음에 꼭 밥 한번 먹어요. (빈말인 거 알죠?)
da-eum-e kkok bap han-beon meog-eo-yo. (bin-mal-in geo al-jyo?)
Let's grab a meal sometime. (You know that's just a pleasantry, right?)
💡 Calling out the '빈말' mid-conversation is a playful way to acknowledge the social game without taking offense. - 그냥 빈말로 한 소리니까 너무 신경 쓰지 마.
geu-nyang bin-mal-lo han so-ri-ni-kka neo-mu sin-gyeong sseu-ji ma.
It was just a polite throwaway comment, so don't overthink it.
💡 Used to reassure someone that a casual, polite remark wasn't a formal promise or a deep personal critique. - 진심이에요, 빈말 아니에요.
jin-sim-i-e-yo, bin-mal a-ni-e-yo.
I mean it, this isn't just a polite gesture.
💡 Crucial phrasing used when you need to explicitly strip away the 'politeness' filter to prove your sincerity.
Related words in People & Relationships
대접 Dae-jeop뒷담화 Dwit-dam-hwa어장관리 eo-jang-gwan-ri가스라이팅 gaseu-ra-iting말을 놓다 Mal-eul no-ta