무
Meanings
Noun
1. Korean radish, a variety of daikon commonly consumed in Korea (both the plant and its edible root)
2. similar root vegetables, including other daikons, rutabagas, swedes, and yellow turnips (by extension)
3. nothing, nothingness, nonexistence (especially as an abstract concept in opposition to existence)
4. Used to count draws when marking scores in competitions and tournaments.
5. Given in response to a koan or a question that mistakenly assumes an affirmative or negative answer. (Buddhism)
6. martial ethos; the military arts; everything to do with warfare or (by extension) martial arts, especially as a concept in East Asian political theory (especially historical)
7. dance (rather uncommon)
8. shamanism; in particular, Korean shamanism, the indigenous religion of Korea (formal, uncommon)
9. shaman; priest of Korean shamanism (formal, uncommon)
10. the fifth of the ten heavenly stems
11. gusset (especially in traditional clothing)
Pronunciation
mu
Examples18
국가 차원에서는 강병(强兵)이 없었고 개인 차원에서는 무(武)를 천시한 결과라는 것이다.
That is, [defeat] was the result of not having high-quality troops from a state perspective, and neglecting martial virtues from an individual perspective.
무에서 유를 창조하다
to create something out of nothing
1승 2무 1패
one win, two draws, one loss
산청군이 산청아리랑 가락에 맞춰 제작한 '군민 무(舞)' 보급에 나선다.
Sancheong County has launched a project to disseminate a dance for the county people, created according to the melodies of the Sancheong Arirang [a local folk song]."
개가 불성이 있습니까? — 무!
Does a dog have a Buddha-nature? — Mu!
신이 젼하ᄅᆞᆯ 밧드러 만셰ᄅᆞᆯ 뫼올가 ᄒᆞ오나, 쳔비쇼ᄉᆡᆼ이라 문으로 옥당의 막히옵고 무로 션천의 막일지라[…]
Though I would like to serve Your Majesty and be at your side for a myriad generations, I am the child of a lowly slave-woman. With regards to the civil arts, the halls of jade [i.e. civil service] are blocked to me; as for the military path, the Office of Transmission [post of military officers in the Korean army] is blocked to me.