목숨
moksseumnoun★Beginner— life
general
The state of being alive; the period during which a living being exists.
목숨을 잃다.
To lose one's life.
목숨을 구하다.
To save a life.
💡
Often used in contexts involving danger, sacrifice, or survival.
Collocations
목숨을 걸다to stake one's life목숨을 바치다to sacrifice one's life목숨을 위협하다to threaten someone's life
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
목숨 걸고phrase
with one's life on the line
목숨 걸고phrase
to do something at great risk
💡Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative Use
While '목숨' primarily refers to physical life, it can also be used metaphorically to describe something of great importance or value.
⚡Gold Rule
Emphasis on Importance
When used metaphorically, '목숨' often emphasizes the critical nature of a situation or decision.
📖Word Origin
From Middle Korean '목숨' (mokswum), meaning 'life' or 'breath of life'.
📝Usage Notes
Can be used both literally and metaphorically to emphasize the importance or value of something.
Word Breakdown
목
breath
root숨
breath
root한영사전