Nuance Dictionary / Culture & Language

예의 바르다 Ye-ui-ba-reu-da

Possessing a functional, detached adherence to established social hierarchy and behavioral norms.

What does 예의 바르다 mean?

예의 바르다 (Ye-ui-ba-reu-da) means: Possessing a functional, detached adherence to established social hierarchy and behavioral norms.

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How it's actually used

  • 그 사람 참 예의 바르긴 한데, 좀 벽이 느껴져.
    Geu sa-ram cham ye-ui-ba-reu-gin han-de, jom byeog-i neu-kkyeo-jyeo.
    They're certainly well-mannered, but I feel a wall between us.
    💡 Reveals that 'ye-ui-ba-reu-da' can actually act as a polite way to point out a lack of genuine intimacy.
  • 신입사원이 예의 바르고 일도 깔끔하게 잘하네.
    Sin-ip-sa-won-i ye-ui-ba-reu-go il-do kkal-kkeum-ha-ge jal-ha-ne.
    The new hire is well-mannered and does their work cleanly.
    💡 Shows the word is the default corporate seal of approval for someone who follows protocol.
  • 예의 바르게 행동하는 게 손해 볼 건 없지.
    Ye-ui-ba-reu-ge haeng-dong-ha-neun ge son-hae bol geon eop-ji.
    Acting with proper etiquette never hurts.
    💡 Highlights the pragmatic, strategic nature of using social decorum to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Related words in Culture & Language

눈치 nun-chi화합 hwa-hap눈치채다 nun-chi-chae-da답답하다 dap-dap-ha-da정 (情) jeong

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