조심해요
josimhaeyo
In Korean, 'be safe' is expressed as 조심해요 (josimhaeyo).
The phrase is used to tell someone to be careful and avoid danger. While often translated as 'be safe', 조심해요 is more accurately used to mean 'be careful' or 'watch out' in a situational context, such as when someone is about to cross a street or walk on ice.
Which one should you use?
조심해요 is used to mean 'be careful' or 'watch out' in specific situations. If you want to specifically tell a friend or family member to 'come back safely', you would use 안전히 다녀와.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version of 조심해요 is 조심해. You can make the phrase more polite and formal by adding the suffix –세요 to the stem, resulting in 조심하세요.
How do you pronounce it?
josimhaeyo
Did you know?
- The word 조심 literally means 'care for the heart' or 'mind'. It implies that one must keep their heart alert to avoid danger.
- While English speakers often say 'be safe' as a general parting wish, using 조심해요 to mean 'stay safe' for a long period can sound like you are predicting a specific accident will happen to them.
- If you want to tell someone to 'be careful' regarding their speech or words, you would still use 조심해, but it carries a heavy social weight regarding manners.
Examples in context
- 안전한 여행 되세요Have a safe trip.
- 감사합니다, 안전히 갈게요Thank you, I will go safely.
- 밤길 조심해요.bamgil josimhaeyo.Be careful on the road at night.
- 비가 오니까 조심해요.biga onikka josimhaeyo.Be careful because it is raining.
- 계단 내려갈 때 조심해요.gyedan naeryeogal ttae josimhaeyo.Be careful when going down the stairs.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hoon are saying goodbye at the subway station.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 이제 가요.Jihoon ssi, ije gayo.Ji-hoon, I am leaving now.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 조심해요, 지은 씨.Ne, josimhaeyo, Jieun ssi.Yes, be safe, Ji-eun.
- 지은 Ji-eun감사합니다. 내일 봐요.Gamsahamnida. Naeil bwayo.Thank you. See you tomorrow.
- 지훈 Ji-hun내일 만나요.Naeil mannayo.See you tomorrow.
