혼자
honja
The English word 'alone' is translated into Korean as 혼자 (honja).
The most generic and widely used term for being alone in Korean is 혼자. There is also a specific term, 혼밥, used to express the act of eating alone.
Meaning: by oneself (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 혼자 is the standard term, 혼자서 is often used when the speaker wants to focus on a person's ability or the specific fact that they are performing an action without any help. Additionally, 홀로 acts as a synonym that places a stronger emphasis on the sense of solitude.
How does it change in a sentence?
혼자 can function as an adverb in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
honja
Did you know?
- While 혼자 is common, the term 혼밥 became so culturally significant that some restaurants in Korea now have dedicated 'single-seater' booths to accommodate those dining alone.
- The trend of eating 'alone' has spawned a whole vocabulary of 혼 words, such as 혼술 for drinking alone and 혼놀 for playing or enjoying hobbies alone.
- The ancient form of 혼자 was recorded as ᄒᆞᄫᆞᅀᅡ in the 'Yongbi eocheon'ga' from 1447, showing that the core concept of being alone has remained stable for over five centuries.
Examples in context
- 혼자가 되는 게 무서워.I'm afraid to be alone.This sentence illustrates the use of 혼자 regarding the fear of being alone.Tatoeba #13250536 by qiwiwi, translation #2208425 by CK
- 톰은 혼자서 앉아 있었다.Tom sat alone.This sentence shows the use of 혼자 to describe sitting alone.Tatoeba #11107547 by intertime, translation #2237640 by CK
- 너 지금 집에 혼자 있어?Are you alone at home now?This sentence demonstrates how to ask if someone is alone at home using 혼자.Tatoeba #13118636 by romzzo, translation #8383821 by maaster
- 혼자 영화를 보고 싶어요.I want to watch a movie alone.
- 저는 홀로 여행하는 것을 좋아해요.I enjoy traveling alone.
- 오늘은 친구들 없이 혼자 집에서 쉬기로 했어.Today, I decided to relax at home alone without friends.
- 혼밥 하려고 학교 가는 길이에요.I'm going to school to eat alone.
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Minjun are talking about eating dinner.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨, 오늘 저녁 혼자 먹어요?Minjun-ssi, oneul jeonyeok honja meogeoyo?Minjun, are you eating dinner alone today?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 오늘은 혼자 먹고 싶어요.Ne, oneureun honja meokgo sipeoyo.Yes, I want to eat alone today.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그래요? 그럼 맛있게 드세요.Geuraeyo? Geureom masitge deuseyo.Is that so? Then, enjoy your meal.
- 민준 Min-jun감사합니다, 서연 씨.Gamsahamnida, Seoyeon-ssi.Thank you, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 혼자, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
