Level 5

멀쩡하다

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Meaning and Usage

멀쩡하다 means to be intact, undamaged, or in a perfectly normal state. It is often used to describe objects, people, or situations that remain unharmed or unaffected despite potential risks or accidents.

Common Contexts

You will hear 멀쩡하다 when talking about things like cars after an accident, people who look fine despite a problem, or items that are still in good condition. It conveys a sense of 'all is well' or 'nothing wrong'.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 멀쩡한 + noun: describes something or someone as intact or normal (멀쩡한 얼굴, 멀쩡한 집)
  • 멀쩡하다 + 고 있다: to emphasize the current intact state
  • 멀쩡한데: used to contrast with an unexpected action or event (멀쩡한데 왜 그래요?)

Register and Nuance

멀쩡하다 is informal to neutral in tone and commonly used in spoken Korean. It is not overly formal but polite enough for everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 멀쩡하다 with words meaning 'clean' or 'clear' in a literal sense. Remember, 멀쩡하다 focuses on being undamaged or normal rather than cleanliness or clarity.

Example Sentences

차가 사고가 났는데도 멀쩡하다니 다행이에요.

Chaga sago ga natneundedo meoljjeonghadani dahaeng-ieyo.

It's a relief that the car is still intact even after the accident.

그는 멀쩡한 얼굴로 아무 일도 없었다는 듯이 말했다.

Geuneun meoljjeonghan eolgullo amu ildo eopseotdaneun deusi malhaetda.

He spoke as if nothing had happened with a perfectly normal face.

멀쩡한 집을 갑자기 팔 이유가 없잖아요.

Meoljjeonghan jibeul gapjagi pal iyuga eopjanyo.

There’s no reason to suddenly sell a perfectly fine house.