Key Facts
- Hangul: 사람; Revised Romanization: saram
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: native Korean
- Register: Neutral; the honorific counterpart is 분.
Person in Korean: What Does 사람 Mean?
사람 covers three senses: a person, people when used with a counter, and human in the broad sense. It is neutral and everyday. With a number it counts people, as in 한 사람, "one person". The honorific counterpart is 분, which you reach for when the person is someone you respect. 인간 is a different word for human being, used for humanity or in a philosophical, sometimes negative, sense.
How Do You Pronounce It?
Two syllables: sa-ram. The ㅁ at the end of the second syllable is a closed-lip sound, so finish with your lips together.
Example Sentences with 사람
이 사람은 제 친구예요.
I sarameun je chinguyeyo.
This person is my friend.
An introduction. 이 points to someone near you, and 제 친구예요 says "is my friend".
좋은 사람이에요.
Joeun saramieyo.
He is a good person.
A compliment. 좋은 is the adjective form of "good", placed before 사람, and 이에요 is the "is" ending.
저 사람은 누구예요?
Jeo sarameun nuguyeyo?
Who is that person?
A question about someone else. 저 points to someone farther away, and 누구예요 means "who is it".
Common Phrases and Collocations
Three high-frequency phrases: a quality, a crowd and a headcount.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 좋은 사람 | a good person |
| 사람이 많다 | to have many people |
| 한 사람 | one person |
The Mistake to Avoid
Mistake: referring to someone of higher status as 이 사람 or 저 사람.
Right: use 분 for respect, as in 이분 or 그분. 저 사람 can sound blunt when it refers to someone older.
사람 Compared with 분 and 인간
One neighbour adds respect; the other moves from everyday talk to philosophical or critical use.
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 사람 | person | This page's word |
| 분 | person (honorific) | The respectful word for a person you honour. |
| 인간 | human being | Used for humanity or in a philosophical or negative sense. |
Where Does the Word Come From?
사람 is a native Korean word. It has no hanja.
Identifying Someone at a Gathering
Two friends are at a small gathering. One asks about a person standing by the window.
Mina
창가에 있는 사람은 누구예요?
Changgae inneun sarameun nuguyeyo?
Who is the person by the window?
Jisu
제 동생이에요.
Je dongsaengieyo.
That is my younger sibling.
Mina
옆에 있는 분은요?
Yeope inneun buneunyo?
And who is the person next to them?
Jisu
우리 선생님이세요.
Uri seonsaengnimiseyo.
That is our teacher.
The first question identifies someone by location: 창가에 있는 사람 is “the person by the window”. The second question uses 분 for a respectful reference. 선생님이세요 is an honorific way to identify the teacher. The reply 제 동생이에요 does not specify whether the younger sibling is a brother or sister.
How Do You Identify a Particular Person?
이 사람 is “this person”, 그 사람 is “that person” or someone already mentioned, and 저 사람 is someone over there. These expressions help identify people, but their tone depends on the relationship. A name or title often sounds warmer than repeatedly referring to someone standing beside you as “this person”.
The respectful forms 이분, 그분 and 저분 are written together. They are useful when you do not know someone's name or need a respectful reference. When speaking to a teacher directly, the title 선생님 is usually more natural than calling them “person”. 사람 is a noun for talking about someone, not a general substitute for their name when addressing them.
Phrases That Describe What Someone Is Like
좋은 사람 means a good person and usually praises their character. 친절한 사람 means a kind person, making the quality more specific. 모르는 사람 means someone you do not know. The describing word comes before 사람, so listen to the whole phrase before deciding which person is meant.
한국 사람 means a Korean person. The country name identifies where someone is from or their nationality in an ordinary introduction. 같은 사람 means “the same person”; 다른 사람 means “another person” or “a different person”. 다른 사람 can refer to one individual or to other people, depending on context.
한 사람 한 사람 means “each and every person”, with attention on the individuals. The repetition adds that individual focus rather than merely counting two people. 한 사람씩 means “one person at a time” or “one person each”, depending on the action being described.
How Do You Count People Naturally?
한 사람 and 두 사람 mean one person and two people. Another common pattern uses the counter 명: 한 명 and 두 명. At a restaurant, 두 명이에요 tells the staff there are two people in your party. The setting makes it unnecessary to add 사람 before the count.
For respectful counting, 한 분 and 두 분 use 분. This is especially useful when a staff member asks about guests. When you simply report your own party size, 명 is a neutral choice. A respectful counter refers to the people being counted; it does not change how many there are.
Words for Identifying People
| Korean | Meaning | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| 친구 | friend | State your relationship to the person. |
| 동생 | younger sibling | Identify a younger brother or sister. |
| 선생님 | teacher | Use a respectful role or form of address. |
| 사람들 | people | Refer explicitly to a group. |
The relationships vocabulary lesson teaches the social words that make introductions more specific. The people page explains how 사람들 works for groups.
Quick Self-Test
- Which is written together: 이분 or 이 사람?
- What does 두 명이에요 tell restaurant staff?
- Does 동생 specify a younger sibling's gender?
Show answers
- 이분. The neutral expression 이 사람 has a space.
- There are two people in your party.
- No. It can mean a younger brother or a younger sister.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "person" in Korean?
Say 사람 (saram).
How do you say "one person"?
한 사람 means "one person".
How do you refer to someone with respect?
Use 분, as in 이분 (this person) and 그분 (that person).
What is the difference between 사람 and 인간?
사람 is the everyday word. 인간 is used for humanity or in a philosophical sense.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: relationship words groups 사람 with words for family and social ties.
- Index: Korean words A to Z lists every single-word page.
- Practice: add 사람 to the vocabulary flashcard decks.
- Next in the people list is the page on woman, the word for woman.
- 분 also means minute, a different word entirely: see the page for minute.