What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 죽다 (to die) and the grammar pattern -을래? (do you want to / will you?).
Which one should you use?
While 죽을래? is a common aggressive rhetorical question, 죽고 싶어? is a slightly more literal way to ask "Do you want to die?" in an informal setting. Other variations include 죽고 싶냐?, which is also informal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more literal but still informal approach, you can use 죽고 싶어? or 죽고 싶냐? When discussing suicide specifically, the informal 자살하고 싶니? can be used. If you need a formal register, 자살을 원하시나요? or 자살하고 싶은가요? are used.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix -요 to the end creates 죽을래요?, which is a grammatically polite form. However, because of the nature of the question, it remains highly aggressive and sarcastic.
How do you pronounce it?
jugeullae?
Did you know?
- While the phrase sounds extremely violent, it is sometimes used playfully among very close friends to express 'Are you kidding me?' when someone makes a silly mistake.
- Even though adding the polite suffix -요 to make 죽을래요? is grammatically formal, it actually makes the threat sound more chilling and sarcastic in a real argument.
- Because Korean is a hierarchical language, saying 죽을래? to someone of higher social status is considered a massive social taboo and a grave insult, regardless of the context.
Examples in context
- 한 번만 더 그러면 진짜 죽을래?han beonman deo geureomyeon jinjja jugeulrae?If you do that one more time, do you really wanna die?
- 너 지금 죽을래?neo jigeum jugeulrae?Do you wanna die right now?
- 자꾸 까불면 죽을래?jakku kkabulmyeon jugeulrae?Do you wanna die if you keep messing around?
Example conversation
Subin is angry because Dohyun ate her snack.
- 수빈 Su-bin내 과자 다 먹었어? 죽을래?nae gwaja da meogeosseo? jugeullae?Did you eat all my snacks? Do you want to die?
- 도현 Do-hyeon미안해, 수빈아. 진짜 몰랐어.mianhae, Subin-a. jinjja mollasseo.I'm sorry, Subin. I really didn't know.
- 수빈 Su-bin당장 다시 사다 놔.dangjang dasi sada nwa.Go buy it and put it back right now.
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 지금 바로 갈게.eung, jigeum baro galge.Okay, I'll go right now.
