혼자서
honjaseo
The Korean phrase for 'by myself' is 혼자서 (honjaseo).
혼자서 is used to describe performing an action alone or without assistance from other people.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 혼자, meaning 'alone' and the particle 서, which in this context indicates the state or manner of an action.
Which one should you use?
While 혼자 can function as a noun meaning 'a single person', 혼자서 specifically emphasizes the manner of performing an action alone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 서 can be omitted to form 혼자, which also means 'alone' or 'by oneself'.
How do you pronounce it?
honjaseo
Did you know?
- In Korea, there is a growing social trend called 혼밥 'hon-bap', which refers to the act of eating a meal 혼자서.
- The prefix 혼- used in 혼밥 and 혼술 has become a productive linguistic tool for Koreans to name any new solo activity.
- When a person says they are 혼자 in a romantic context, it is a common shorthand to mean they are currently single.
Examples in context
- 나는 혼자서는 그걸 할 수 없을 거라는 걸 알아.I know that I won't be able to do that by myself.This sentence is useful for expressing the inability to do something by oneself using 혼자서.Tatoeba #13755254 by qlTmalffk, translation #7508632 by CK
- 저는 혼자서 일을 해결했습니다.I solved the problem by myself.
- 이 도시에서는 홀로 여행하는 것이 재미있습니다.Traveling alone in this city is enjoyable.
- 카페에서 혼자 읽는 걸 좋아해.I enjoy reading alone in cafes.
- 나 홀로 영화를 보는 걸 정말 좋아해.I really enjoy watching movies by myself.
- 혼자 영화 보러 갔어.I went to watch a movie by myself.
- 친구와 함께 어울리고 싶어. 혼자는 싫어.I want to hang out with friends. I don't like being alone.
- 가끔은 혼자서 휴식을 취해야 해요.Sometimes, you need to rest by yourself.
- 혼자서 영화를 봤어요.honjaseo yeonghwareul bwasseoyo.I watched a movie by myself.
- 그 음식은 혼자서 다 먹었어요.geu eomsigeun honjaseo da meogeosseoyo.I ate all that food by myself.
Example conversation
Minji and Jihoon are talking about a recent trip.
- 민지 Min-ji여행을 혼자서 다녀왔어요?yeohaengeul honjaseo danyeowasseoyo?Did you go on the trip by yourself?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 혼자서 다녀왔어요.ne, honjaseo danyeowasseoyo.Yes, I went by myself.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨는 정말 용감하네요.jihoon ssineun jeongmal yonggamhaneyo.Jihoon, you are really brave.
- 지훈 Ji-hun조금 무서웠지만 재미있었어요.jogeum museowotjiman jaemiisseosseoyo.It was a bit scary, but it was fun.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
