Quick answer: In Korean translation, 마다 (mada) normally means every or each after a noun identifying a repeated time or a member of a group. 씩 (ssik) distributes a quantity: two each, one at a time, little by little, or three times a day. The English word each can represent either construction, but Korean asks two different questions: which occasions or people are covered, and how much belongs to each.
If you are searching for “Korean 마다 vs 씩”, “마다 meaning every”, “씩 meaning each”, “how to say one each in Korean”, or “difference between every day and per day in Korean”, start with the unit being counted. 날마다 chooses every day; 두 개씩 assigns two items per recipient or interval. They can appear together, as in 사람마다 두 개씩, meaning two for each person.
This distinction matters when translating schedules, classroom instructions, rates, purchases, medication timing, membership rules and family conversations. A mistaken particle may change the total amount, the timing or the set of people affected. The aim is not to match English words one by one. It is to preserve the relationship between the distribution frame, the quantity and the action.
A helpful mental picture is to draw two boxes. The first box names the unit: each person, each room, each Monday, each country. The second box names a portion: two pencils, one page, three occasions, five minutes. 마다 typically puts a label on the first box. 씩 typically places a quantity in the second. English sometimes hides one box, which is why both forms can emerge as “each”.
Keep one caution in view: actual Korean is not limited to rigid schoolbook translations. 마다 can express variation across members, and 씩 can mark gradual change with phrases such as 조금씩. Native speakers choose forms according to meaning and context. If the English sentence is ambiguous, a good translator does not invent a number or assert a schedule that the source did not specify.
Why this Korean translation problem causes real mistakes
A learner reads 하나씩 and writes ‘every one’ without naming the recipient. Another sees 날마다 and writes ‘one per day’ although no count appears. A third sees 사람마다 두 개씩 and forgets the second quantity entirely. All three may sound superficially plausible in English, yet each changes information that matters to the reader.
Korean 마다 vs 씩 in one decision table
마다: which member or occasion is covered? Examples: every Monday, each family, each room. 씩: how much is allocated or repeated? Examples: two each, one at a time, five pages at a sitting. Both: one quantity is assigned for each member or occasion. Neither particle automatically translates as the same one English word in every sentence.
First principles: a set and a portion
The core difference is semantic scope. 마다 associates a predicate with every member of a set: every class has an assignment, every town has a story, every Monday has a meeting. Because the set can be people, times, places or things, the best English rendering may be each, every, from one to another, or a distributive paraphrase. The key is the set, not a fixed lexical gloss. In each example, ask “What collection am I ranging across?” before choosing English syntax.
씩 addresses the way an amount is portioned. It follows numerals and classifiers in expressions such as 두 개씩, 한 사람씩, 세 번씩; it also appears with amount words like 조금씩. A translator asks “What portion recurs or is allocated?” Unlike 마다, it does not automatically say that every member of a named group is included. The recipient or period might be provided elsewhere, inferred from a prior sentence or intentionally left open.
English prepositions make this deceptively difficult. We can say “two each”, “two per pupil”, “a pair apiece”, “one at a time” and “two every week”. These are related but not equivalent in all contexts. A formal procurement notice should probably preserve an explicit unit. A friendly instruction can use “one at a time”. A schedule should put the time frame near the numeral to avoid ambiguity. The translation must do the same counting operation as the Korean source.
What Korean word order reveals
마다 attaches after the noun phrase: 날마다, 주말마다, 사람마다, 방마다. When the noun has several words, the whole phrase creates the frame, as in 십 분마다. It is useful to think of the particle as pointing backwards: it tells you to enumerate the preceding noun or interval. The following predicate then says what is true for every member or every recurrence.
씩 generally follows the quantity being distributed: 한 장씩, 세 번씩, 오만 원씩. The expression may function with a separate time frame marked by 에, as in 하루에 세 번씩. In that construction, 하루에 tells you “per day”; 세 번씩 tells you “three occasions in each relevant day”. If you translate only the number and omit the frame, you lose the frequency. If you translate the frame as an interval between events, you may shift the schedule.
Two particles can coexist without redundancy: 학생마다 책 한 권씩, one book for each student. They answer different questions. The combination is particularly useful for written procedures, school notices and inventory. When the source provides both, the English translation should ideally make both visible. One English word such as “each” may suffice only when the quantity and recipients remain unmistakable.
When each is not every
In English, every tends to present the group as comprehensively covered; each can highlight individual members. Korean 마다 is compatible with both, yet the surrounding predicate decides the natural translation. 사람마다 다르다 generally becomes “it varies from person to person”, not the wooden “it is different every person”. Likewise, 계절마다 풍경이 달라요 is most idiomatic as “the scenery changes with the seasons”.
English each can also be postposed to a number: “two each”. That is the classic role of 씩. If an instruction says 두 개씩 나눠 주세요, “share two” may be dangerously vague, whereas “give two to each person” recovers the intended distribution if recipients are known. Do not add an inclusive “every” unless the Korean specifies universal coverage or the situation demands it.
Negative sentences require another pass. 모든 역에 서지 않아요 and 역마다 서지는 않아요 may both be translated without saying that the train never stops. A careful translator distinguishes “not every station” from “no station”. Negation interacts with the set; it does not erase the whole activity by default. Practice this distinction especially in service rules, safety warnings and access notices.
A repeatable eight-step translation method
First, underline the source particle. Second, identify the noun or quantity to its left. Third, write the set or portion in plain language without translating the full sentence. Fourth, identify the predicate: does it describe a habit, allocation, procedure, difference or gradual process? Fifth, look for another counting frame such as 하루에 or 사람마다. Sixth, identify the grammatical scope of negation, possibility or an instruction. Seventh, draft natural English with a clear agent, quantity and recipient. Eighth, back-translate the numerical relationships and ask whether they are unchanged.
To practise, use a two-column notebook. In column one, write the Korean form and the counting frame; in column two, write the simplest possible English meaning. Then expand each line by replacing a person with a place, a day with a week and a quantity with a different counter. This is a practical Fencing Method: establish a core distinction and move outward to neighbouring contexts without losing the governing rule.
For high-consequence text, use an explicit verification line: “Unit covered: ___; quantity per unit: ___; exception or condition: ___.” If the source says ten minutes apart, do not translate as ten times an hour. If it says one ticket per guest, do not produce one ticket for the entire group. If it says each room may differ, do not promise that each room does differ. Fidelity includes arithmetic, modality and the absence of unsupported details.
How translation changes with audience
A beginner-friendly textbook can use “each student gets two pencils”. An inventory sheet may prefer “two pencils per student”. A spoken teacher instruction might say “take two each”. A performance report may choose “two units allocated to each participant”. Those English sentences sound different but can preserve the same distribution. Audience and document genre help decide the most useful phrasing once the logical relationship is secure.
Rates require special care because the slash sign can conceal the direction of a relationship. “Three per day” is not “once every three days”; “one every ten minutes” is not “ten in one minute”. Read source-language time words and numerals separately before compressing them into a smooth English rate. For medicine or operational safety instructions, follow the actual approved source and professional review rather than relying on a grammar lesson.
The safest teaching sequence moves from concrete objects to abstract meaning: give one sheet each, read five pages at a time, meet every week, and improve little by little. Once the learner can explain the action with counters and diagrams, it becomes easier to handle metaphorical uses of 씩 without treating every particle as a dictionary replacement.
Forty worked Korean-to-English translations with error checks
Time and recurring occasions
Worked example 1: 날마다 한국어를 공부해요.
Korean: 날마다 한국어를 공부해요. Natural English: I study Korean every day.
날마다 selects each day in the series, rather than the amount of study completed. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: every day is the natural frequency expression; ‘one per day’ would imply a count not given. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 2: 주말마다 가족을 만나요.
Korean: 주말마다 가족을 만나요. Natural English: I see my family every weekend.
The weekend is the repeated occasion. Nothing in the sentence gives a number of family meetings per weekend. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: at weekends is also natural in British English, depending on regional style. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 3: 월요일마다 회의가 있어요.
Korean: 월요일마다 회의가 있어요. Natural English: There is a meeting every Monday.
The noun 월요일 is the recurring weekday; the same basic timetable repeats. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: a Monday meeting describes one event and loses the recurrence. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 4: 수업마다 숙제가 있어요.
Korean: 수업마다 숙제가 있어요. Natural English: There is homework for every class.
Here the repeated unit is a lesson, not a person or a page of homework. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘homework every day’ is unwarranted unless classes happen daily. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 5: 방학마다 할머니 댁에 가요.
Korean: 방학마다 할머니 댁에 가요. Natural English: I visit my grandmother during every school holiday.
방학마다 expresses a repeated trip during each vacation period, not necessarily on its first day. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: every vacation is more accurate than once during the holidays. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 6: 십 분마다 버스가 와요.
Korean: 십 분마다 버스가 와요. Natural English: A bus comes every ten minutes.
The interval is a recurring clock window; 마다 attaches to 십 분, a duration noun phrase. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ten minutes per bus could describe a service metric rather than a schedule. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 7: 시험마다 준비 방법이 달라요.
Korean: 시험마다 준비 방법이 달라요. Natural English: The preparation method differs for each exam.
The unit is each examination; the statement compares or varies approaches across exams. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: not necessarily a claim about how many study tasks happen. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 8: 생일마다 사진을 찍어요.
Korean: 생일마다 사진을 찍어요. Natural English: We take photos on every birthday.
Repeated events trigger the action; no fixed number of photos is supplied. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘one photo each birthday’ adds an invented quantity. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 9: 계절마다 풍경이 달라요.
Korean: 계절마다 풍경이 달라요. Natural English: The scenery changes with each season.
Each season is the comparison frame, giving variation across a sequence. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: the landscape changes every hour would distort the time scale. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 10: 역마다 열차가 멈추지는 않아요.
Korean: 역마다 열차가 멈추지는 않아요. Natural English: The train does not stop at every station.
Negation scopes over the universal claim. Some stations are not served. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘the train never stops’ falsely converts partial negation into total negation. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
People, categories and exceptions
Worked example 11: 사람마다 생각이 달라요.
Korean: 사람마다 생각이 달라요. Natural English: Everyone thinks differently.
마다 ranges over individual people and highlights possible differences. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘every person thinks the same’ would invert the message. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 12: 학생마다 질문이 하나 있어요.
Korean: 학생마다 질문이 하나 있어요. Natural English: Each student has one question.
마다 identifies the group members; 하나 gives one question per student. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: do not shift the ‘one’ onto the entire class. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 13: 집마다 문 색깔이 달라요.
Korean: 집마다 문 색깔이 달라요. Natural English: Every house has a different door colour.
마다 selects each house; 다르다 establishes variation among those houses. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: a single door for the street is not what is asserted. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 14: 나라마다 인사말이 달라요.
Korean: 나라마다 인사말이 달라요. Natural English: Greetings vary from country to country.
The construction emphasises differences across countries rather than a universal exact phrase. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘each country uses one greeting’ invents exclusivity. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 15: 팀마다 규칙이 조금 달라요.
Korean: 팀마다 규칙이 조금 달라요. Natural English: The rules differ slightly between teams.
Each team supplies its own comparison unit; 조금 modifies degree of difference. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: avoid claiming the rules are wholly unrelated. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 16: 학교마다 일정이 다를 수 있어요.
Korean: 학교마다 일정이 다를 수 있어요. Natural English: Schedules may differ from school to school.
The modal 수 있어요 signals possibility, not a guarantee that all schools differ. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘every school has a different schedule’ is too categorical. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 17: 방마다 창문이 있어요.
Korean: 방마다 창문이 있어요. Natural English: There is a window in every room.
The predicate distributes an existence claim across rooms, without specifying one window only. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: do not force ‘one window per room’. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 18: 책마다 표지가 달라요.
Korean: 책마다 표지가 달라요. Natural English: Each book has a different cover.
Books are comparison units; translation may use each or every naturally. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: the sentence is not about covers being handed out. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 19: 손님마다 이름을 확인하세요.
Korean: 손님마다 이름을 확인하세요. Natural English: Check each guest’s name.
This is an instruction covering every guest, not merely a description of repeated time. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘check one name’ omits the full scope. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 20: 아이마다 배우는 속도가 달라요.
Korean: 아이마다 배우는 속도가 달라요. Natural English: Every child learns at a different pace.
The point is individual variation. Avoid turning it into a deficit judgement about one child. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: do not assume a timetable or formal assessment. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Portions, counts and stepwise movement
Worked example 21: 사과를 두 개씩 주세요.
Korean: 사과를 두 개씩 주세요. Natural English: Please give two apples each.
씩 distributes the quantity 두 개 to an understood recipient or occasion. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘two apples in total’ may give the wrong amount. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 22: 한 장씩 나눠 주세요.
Korean: 한 장씩 나눠 주세요. Natural English: Please hand out one sheet each.
One sheet is the assigned portion; the context identifies recipients. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘hand out a sheet’ is possible but less explicit. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 23: 한 명씩 들어오세요.
Korean: 한 명씩 들어오세요. Natural English: Please come in one at a time.
씩 following 한 명 controls the size of each entering group. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘everyone come in’ loses sequential admission. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 24: 조금씩 나아지고 있어요.
Korean: 조금씩 나아지고 있어요. Natural English: I’m improving little by little.
씩 follows an indefinite small amount and describes incremental progress. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘each little’ is not idiomatic English. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 25: 물을 조금씩 마셔요.
Korean: 물을 조금씩 마셔요. Natural English: Drink water in small sips.
A small amount is repeated over multiple drinking actions. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘a little water’ may incorrectly describe total intake. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 26: 일주일에 책 한 권씩 읽어요.
Korean: 일주일에 책 한 권씩 읽어요. Natural English: I read one book a week.
에 marks the weekly frame and 씩 marks the amount within each frame. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘every book a week’ confuses frequency and count. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 27: 하루에 세 번씩 운동해요.
Korean: 하루에 세 번씩 운동해요. Natural English: I exercise three times a day.
Three times is the amount per day, and daily repetition is implied by the frame. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘every three days’ reverses the rate. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 28: 매달 오만 원씩 저축해요.
Korean: 매달 오만 원씩 저축해요. Natural English: I save 50,000 won each month.
The amount is allocated to each monthly period; no cumulative balance is stated. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘50,000 won total’ discards the monthly distribution. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 29: 다섯 쪽씩 읽어 보세요.
Korean: 다섯 쪽씩 읽어 보세요. Natural English: Try reading five pages at a time.
Five pages is the suggested batch size, not necessarily the total number of pages. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘read five pages once’ falsely ends an ongoing task. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 30: 두 줄씩 써 보세요.
Korean: 두 줄씩 써 보세요. Natural English: Try writing two lines at a time.
The phrase designs a manageable unit of writing effort. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘write exactly two lines overall’ narrows the intended practice. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Combined constructions and careful scope
Worked example 31: 학생마다 연필을 두 자루씩 받았어요.
Korean: 학생마다 연필을 두 자루씩 받았어요. Natural English: Each student received two pencils.
마다 identifies recipients and 씩 fixes the portion received by each. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: the class total depends on the student count and is not in the sentence. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 32: 방마다 의자가 세 개씩 있어요.
Korean: 방마다 의자가 세 개씩 있어요. Natural English: There are three chairs in each room.
The room is a distribution frame; the three chairs are the quantity inside it. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: do not infer that there are only three chairs in the entire building. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 33: 나라마다 대표를 한 명씩 보내요.
Korean: 나라마다 대표를 한 명씩 보내요. Natural English: Each country sends one representative.
마다 selects countries, while 씩 assigns one delegate to each country. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: the sentence does not say only one country participates. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 34: 매주 두 시간씩 공부해요.
Korean: 매주 두 시간씩 공부해요. Natural English: I study for two hours each week.
매주 gives the weekly rhythm; 씩 gives the amount of study time. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘every two hours’ is a different scheduling claim. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 35: 아이들에게 과자를 하나씩 줬어요.
Korean: 아이들에게 과자를 하나씩 줬어요. Natural English: I gave the children one snack each.
The receiver phrase establishes recipients, and 씩 distributes an individual amount. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: not necessarily one snack shared among all children. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 36: 교실마다 학생이 스무 명씩 있어요.
Korean: 교실마다 학생이 스무 명씩 있어요. Natural English: Each classroom has twenty students.
마다 groups classrooms and 씩 counts the pupils in each. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: the institution’s total requires additional information. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 37: 한 사람씩 이름을 부르세요.
Korean: 한 사람씩 이름을 부르세요. Natural English: Call out the names one person at a time.
씩 makes the sequence single-person batches, useful for orderly procedures. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘call one person’s name only’ wrongly stops after the first. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 38: 각자 한 문장씩 써 보세요.
Korean: 각자 한 문장씩 써 보세요. Natural English: Each person should try writing one sentence.
각자 supplies the individual participants; 씩 makes one sentence each. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: the group is not limited to one joint sentence. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 39: 십 분마다 한 번씩 확인해요.
Korean: 십 분마다 한 번씩 확인해요. Natural English: I check once every ten minutes.
The interval and the occurrence count are independently expressed. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: ‘ten times a minute’ radically changes frequency. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Worked example 40: 손님마다 물을 한 잔씩 드립니다.
Korean: 손님마다 물을 한 잔씩 드립니다. Natural English: We serve each guest a glass of water.
마다 specifies each guest, 씩 allocates a glass, and the polite verb frames service. The important point is to retain the relationship conveyed by the particle, not to reproduce the particle mechanically as an isolated English word. When a reader acts on this sentence, they should understand which unit is counted and whether an amount is being assigned.
Translation audit: the translation should preserve hospitality without inventing refill guarantees. Read the sentence again with any surrounding instructions. Check whether it names a universal group, a repeated occasion, an individual portion or a gradual amount; the chosen English formulation should leave the same room for exceptions and context as the original.
Common failure modes and a practical correction routine
Turning every into a numerical amount
날마다 marks each day, not one object per day. Repair the translation by writing a schedule first and only then adding a numeral if the Korean actually has one. A reliable correction separates the frame, quantity, predicate and modality into four short notes. After revision, a second reader should be able to reconstruct the intended procedure without asking whether a count was silently added or removed.
Dropping the recipient of an allocated portion
두 개씩 is incomplete in a vacuum: two of what, for whom and at which occasion? Preserve the source’s ambiguity if it is unresolved, or make the known recipient explicit. A reliable correction separates the frame, quantity, predicate and modality into four short notes. After revision, a second reader should be able to reconstruct the intended procedure without asking whether a count was silently added or removed.
Confusing an interval with a frequency
십 분마다 means every ten minutes; 하루에 세 번씩 means three times a day. Sketch a timeline and count events before approving the English. A reliable correction separates the frame, quantity, predicate and modality into four short notes. After revision, a second reader should be able to reconstruct the intended procedure without asking whether a count was silently added or removed.
Losing individual variation
사람마다 다르다 and 팀마다 다르다 often require ‘varies from … to …’. Each and every are not the only natural possibilities. A reliable correction separates the frame, quantity, predicate and modality into four short notes. After revision, a second reader should be able to reconstruct the intended procedure without asking whether a count was silently added or removed.
Changing a suggestion into an exact command
다섯 쪽씩 읽어 보세요 invites a five-page batch; it does not necessarily impose a five-page lifetime limit. Retain try, invitation or politeness where present. A reliable correction separates the frame, quantity, predicate and modality into four short notes. After revision, a second reader should be able to reconstruct the intended procedure without asking whether a count was silently added or removed.
Ignoring a negative universal
역마다 서지는 않아요 does not mean that the train stops nowhere. Translate the exception structure accurately: not at every station. A reliable correction separates the frame, quantity, predicate and modality into four short notes. After revision, a second reader should be able to reconstruct the intended procedure without asking whether a count was silently added or removed.
Overloading each with two different jobs
In ‘each student got two each’, English can sound clumsy. Choose ‘each student received two pencils’ when the nouns are established. A reliable correction separates the frame, quantity, predicate and modality into four short notes. After revision, a second reader should be able to reconstruct the intended procedure without asking whether a count was silently added or removed.
Pretending word order is decoration
Korean places the particles immediately after their relevant phrases. Mark those attachments before moving constituents into English order. A reliable correction separates the frame, quantity, predicate and modality into four short notes. After revision, a second reader should be able to reconstruct the intended procedure without asking whether a count was silently added or removed.
Erasing quantity units
A Korean classifier may distinguish sheets, people, bottles and occasions. Use suitable English nouns and measures when needed for accuracy. A reliable correction separates the frame, quantity, predicate and modality into four short notes. After revision, a second reader should be able to reconstruct the intended procedure without asking whether a count was silently added or removed.
Relying on machine output without counting
Back-translate how many items and at what frequency. A fluent sentence that changes the arithmetic is not an accurate translation. A reliable correction separates the frame, quantity, predicate and modality into four short notes. After revision, a second reader should be able to reconstruct the intended procedure without asking whether a count was silently added or removed.
Transfer practice: translate, explain and check
Practice 1
Translate first: 새해마다 새 목표를 세워요.
Model: I set new goals every New Year. New Year marks the recurring occasion; there is no prescribed number of goals. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Practice 2
Translate first: 하루에 두 번씩 복습하세요.
Model: Review twice a day. The day is the counting frame and two is the frequency within that day. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Practice 3
Translate first: 사람마다 의견이 달라요.
Model: Opinions differ from person to person. The sentence describes variation across people, not a count of opinions. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Practice 4
Translate first: 사진을 한 장씩 골라 주세요.
Model: Please choose one photo each. One photograph is the portion for each understood chooser. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Practice 5
Translate first: 비가 와도 매주 한 번씩 가요.
Model: We go once a week even when it rains. The weekly amount remains; the weather clause expresses concession. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Practice 6
Translate first: 교실마다 책상이 열 개씩 있어요.
Model: There are ten desks in every classroom. The room is the frame and ten desks is the distributed quantity. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Practice 7
Translate first: 천천히 조금씩 시작해 보세요.
Model: Try starting slowly, little by little. 씩 means incremental change, not a literal recipient. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Practice 8
Translate first: 열다섯 분마다 쉬세요.
Model: Take a break every fifteen minutes. This is spacing between breaks, not fifteen breaks every minute. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Practice 9
Translate first: 각자 한 권씩 가져오세요.
Model: Each person should bring one book. The quantity one book is distributed among participants. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Practice 10
Translate first: 팀마다 세 문제씩 풀어요.
Model: Each team solves three problems. The frame is the team and the per-team workload is three. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Practice 11
Translate first: 한 명씩 차례대로 말해 주세요.
Model: Please speak one at a time, in order. 씩 determines one-speaker turns, not a one-person-only event. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Practice 12
Translate first: 종류마다 가격이 달라요.
Model: Prices vary by type. The comparison runs across categories of goods, with no fixed unit price stated. To self-check, explain aloud what varies or repeats, then make a new sentence with a different person, time period or amount. The aim is transfer, not memorising a single English gloss.
Frequently asked questions
Does 마다 always mean every?
It commonly selects all members of a named set or recurring occasions. Depending on the English predicate, each, every, from one to another, or an idiomatic paraphrase may be better. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
Can 씩 mean each?
Yes, especially after numbers and counters. Its work is distribution of an amount, not simply making a universal statement about a group. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
Can both particles be in one sentence?
Yes. 학생마다 한 권씩 expresses one book for each student. The forms do complementary jobs, so dropping either can hide part of the structure. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
How do I translate 조금씩?
Use gradually, little by little, in small amounts or a context-specific phrase. A literal ‘each little’ is not natural English. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
Is 매일마다 wrong?
매일 already means every day, so 매일마다 is often redundant in careful writing. 날마다 or 매일 will usually convey the intended frequency more simply. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
What is the difference between 한 번씩 and 한 번마다?
한 번씩 commonly distributes one occurrence per relevant frame; expressions with 마다 usually attach to the event or interval noun, such as 십 분마다. The two should not be treated as universal substitutes. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
Does 마다 guarantee that every person acts?
It can express universal coverage, but the predicate may be negated, modal or comparative. Translate the complete sentence rather than treating the particle alone as a promise. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
What about times per week?
In 일주일에 세 번씩, the week is the frame and three occasions are counted in it. ‘Three times a week’ is usually the most natural English result. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
What about per person?
Korean may use 사람마다 with a quantity plus 씩, or other constructions depending on the document. English ‘per person’ is useful in schedules, pricing and allocations. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
Can a translation leave recipients implicit?
Only when the source and audience make them recoverable. In transactional instructions, identify ambiguity and request a source clarification rather than silently deciding who receives items. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
How do I verify a machine translation?
Underline numerals and classifiers, mark time units and recipients, and back-translate the relationship. Compare ‘every ten minutes’ with ‘ten per minute’ before acceptance. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
How should I practise?
Work from one-object examples to class distribution, then rates and abstract gradual change. Change a single variable each time and explain why the English form changes. A useful final check is whether the English reader can identify the same units, amounts, participants and exceptions as the Korean reader. If that check fails, revise the sentence before polishing its style.
Useful next learning routes
For broader translation reasoning, read context, tone and register and translation terminology and quality checks. For Korean recipient particles, compare 에게, 한테 and 께; those particles answer ‘to whom’ or ‘from whom’, not ‘how many each’.
For English phrasing, word choice and practice design, use the eduKateSG Vocabulary Learning Hub and How English Works: Translation and Meaning Across Languages. The wider How English Works learning map connects this lesson with reference, clauses, instruction writing and clear explanations.
References and editorial note
Compare the grammar explanations in EveryLingua’s 마다 and 씩 guide, SubLearn’s 마다 overview and the 씩 particle guide. The worked situations above are original teaching illustrations. Their English renderings are contextual models rather than the sole correct wording for every conversation.
Final translator’s checklist
Identify the repeated set, identify the distributed amount, preserve the unit and time frame, check every numeral and negative, and test whether a reader would carry out the same instruction. If the source is incomplete, label the ambiguity rather than guessing. Clear translation comes from accountable meaning, not from choosing the first dictionary equivalent.