What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 다, meaning "all" or "completely" and 됐어요, which is the polite past tense of 되다, meaning "to become" or "to be done". Literally, it means "all became/is done".
Which one should you use?
While 다 됐어요 is the standard polite form, you may encounter other ways to express completion. 끝 is a simple way to say "finished" or "done", and 할 일 끝났어 specifically means "the task is finished".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality changes based on your relationship with the listener. 다 됐어요 is polite and suitable for most social situations. For informal settings, such as speaking with friends, peers or people younger than you, you can use 다 됐어 or 다 했어. In professional settings or when speaking to someone of much higher status, use the formal version 다 됐습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
da dwaesseoyo
Did you know?
- While English uses 'finished' to imply an end, the Korean 됐어요 literally translates to 'became', suggesting that completion is a state of transformation.
- The component 다 appeared in the 1447 text 'Yongbi eocheon'ga', making this simple word part of one of the oldest recorded pieces of Korean literature.
- Because 다 됐어요 is polite, using the shorter 다 됐어 with a boss would be a significant social blunder, even if the meaning is perfectly understood.
Examples in context
- 다 했어!After hours of studying, I finally finished my homework. 다 했어! Let's go grab some dinner now!
- 할 일 끝났어!I ran all my errands today. 할 일 끝났어! Now I can relax.
- 끝!We finished the game, 끝! It was intense.
- 다 했습니다I finished the report. 다 했습니다, so please review it at your convenience.
- 모두 완료되었습니다.The project is all done. 모두 완료되었습니다. Let's prepare for the presentation now.
- 끝났어!We finished cleaning the house. 끝났어! Let's take a break now.
- 다 했어요I finished cooking dinner. 다 했어요, please have a taste.
- 준비 다 됐어요.junbi da dwaesseoyo.Everything is all done with the preparations.
- 수리 다 됐어요.suri da dwaesseoyo.The repairs are all done.
- 이제 다 됐어요?ije da dwaesseoyo?Is it all done now?
Example conversation
Minjun is checking if the documents are ready for Seoyeon.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 서류 준비 다 됐어요?Seoyeon ssi, seoryu junbi da dwaesseoyo?Seoyeon, are the document preparations all done?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 민준 씨, 다 됐어요.Ne, Minjun ssi, da dwaesseoyo.Yes, Minjun, it is all done.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 다 됐어요?Jeongmal da dwaesseoyo?Is it really all done?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 이제 확인해 보세요.Ne, ije hwaginhae boseyo.Yes, please check it now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
