What does it mean word for word?
The compound noun 안전운전 used in the default form is composed of two parts: 안전, meaning safety and 운전, meaning driving.
Which one should you use?
While 안전운전하세요 and 운전 조심하세요. are common ways to tell someone to drive safely or carefully, 안전운전해 is a casual version. 운전 조심해. and 조심히 운전해. are also informal variations used when the speaker is telling someone to drive carefully.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality changes depending on who you are speaking to. 안전운전하십시오 is a highly formal version used for professional settings or public announcements. 안전운전하세요 and 운전 조심하세요. are polite forms appropriate for strangers, older people or superiors. 운전 조심해. is suited for close friends or acquaintances you know well, while 조심히 운전해. is suitable for peers or someone of similar age.
How does it change in a sentence?
For highly formal public settings or professional environments, you can use the form 안전운전하십시오 to say 'please drive safely'.
How do you pronounce it?
anjeon-unjeonhaseyo
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific term for 'reckless driving' called 난폭운전, which literally translates to 'violent driving'.
- While English speakers might say 'get home safe', Koreans often specify the action of driving with 안전운전하세요 even if the person is taking a taxi.
- The word 운전 (driving) comes from Hanja, meaning 'to move' and 'to direct', reflecting the technical control of a machine.
Examples in context
- 안전운전하세요.anjeon-unjeon-haseyo.Drive carefully.
- 비가 오니까 안전운전하세요.biga onikka anjeon-unjeon-haseyo.Please drive carefully because it is raining.
Example conversation
Ji-eun is seeing Do-hyeon off as he leaves for a driving trip.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 조심히 가세요.Do-hyeon ssi, josimhi gaseyo.Do-hyeon, please go safely.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 걱정 마세요.ne, geokjeong maseyo.Yes, don't worry.
- 지은 Ji-eun꼭 안전운전하세요.kkok anjeon-unjeon-haseyo.Please be sure to drive carefully.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워요, 지은 씨.gomawoyo, Ji-eun ssi.Thank you, Ji-eun.
