나에게 와
na-ege wa
The English phrase "come to me" can be said in Korean as 나에게 와 (na-ege wa).
This phrase is used as a request or command for someone to move toward the speaker's current location.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 나에게 와 is composed of 나 (I/me), 에게 (to) and 와 (come).
Which one should you use?
You might encounter 내게 와, which is an informal way to say "Come to me". For a more affectionate tone, you can use 내 곁으로 와. Conversely, for formal situations, the expression 저에게 오세요 is used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 내게 와 is informal. For polite situations, specifically when speaking to someone older or in a higher social position, use the polite version 저에게 오세요.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you wish to use a more forceful or blunt imperative form of the command, you can say 나에게 와라.
How do you pronounce it?
na-ege wa
Did you know?
- If you use the blunt form 나에게 와라 to a stranger, it sounds less like a simple request and more like a dramatic command from a character in a historical television drama.
- When using the polite version 저에게 오세요, you are not just being polite, you are also switching the word for 'me' from 나 to the humble 저 to lower your own social standing.
- While 나에게 와 is a literal request, Korean speakers often use 일로 와 ('come this way') instead of specifying 'to me' when the direction is obvious.
Examples in context
- 내게 와! 함께 놀자.Come to me! Let's hang out together.
- 자주 내 곁으로 와. 네가 필요해.Come to me often. I need you.
- 저에게 오세요. 이 문제에 대해 이야기하고 싶어요.Please come to me. I want to talk about this issue.
- 나에게 와.na-e-ge wa.Come to me.
- 얼른 나에게 와!eol-leun na-e-ge wa!Come to me quickly!
- 지금 당장 나에게 와.ji-geum dang-jang na-e-ge wa.Come to me right now.
Example conversation
Jieun is calling Hyunwoo to her side in a park.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우야, 나에게 와.Hyeon-u-ya, na-ege wa.Hyunwoo, come to me.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지금 가고 있어.jigeum gago isseo.I am going now.
- 지은 Ji-eun여기 예쁜 꽃이 있어.yeogi yeppeun kkochi isseo.There is a pretty flower here.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo우와, 정말 예쁘다.uwa, jeongmal yeppeuda.Wow, it is really pretty.
