Vocabulary
입을 열다
speak up, open one’s mouth
Meaning
입을 열다: literally “open one’s mouth,” and figuratively “start speaking / speak up,” often after silence or hesitation.
Why this form?
말하기 시작하다 — “start speaking”: simply describes the start of speech; 입을 열다 more vividly presents the moment when someone breaks a silence.
말을 꺼내다 — “bring something up / begin to say something”: focuses on introducing a topic or remark; 입을 열다 focuses mainly on finally beginning to speak.
Forms not to confuse
말하기 시작하다
그는 천천히 말하기 시작했어요. — He started speaking slowly.
말을 꺼내다
그가 먼저 그 문제에 대해 말을 꺼냈어요. — He was the first to bring up that issue.
Examples
태형이 먼저 입을 연다. — Taehyung speaks first.
한참 침묵하던 그가 드디어 입을 열었어요. — After a long silence, he finally spoke up.