너나 잘해
neona jalhae
The English phrase "get a life" can be expressed in Korean as 너나 잘해 (neona jalhae).
While the English "get a life" often suggests that someone's existence is boring or lacks purpose, the Korean 너나 잘해 emphasizes the person's interference in your personal matters.
Meaning: to have a more interesting, eventful, or worthwhile existence (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, 너나 잘해 means "You do well yourself."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
너나 잘해 is highly informal. Because it can be perceived as rude or dismissive, it is only suitable for use with close friends or when you are intentionally being confrontational.
How do you pronounce it?
neona jalhae
Did you know?
- The term 너 used in the phrase is the informal 'you', which is often omitted in polite Korean speech. Using it in 너나 잘해 is a deliberate choice to strip the listener of their social status.
- The nuance of 너나 잘해 is often captured in Korean internet slang or 'meme' culture when someone is being a 'kkon-dae', a term for an older person who gives unwanted, condescending advice.
- If you want to be slightly less aggressive but still dismissive, you can use the phrase 신경 꺼, which literally tells the person to 'turn off' their attention or concern.
Examples in context
- 남 걱정 말고 너나 잘해.nam geokjeong malgo neona jalhae.Stop worrying about others and get a life.
- 내 일에 신경 쓰지 마. 너나 잘해.nae ire singyeong sseuji ma. neona jalhae.Don't mind my business. Get a life.
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing about how to spend their free time.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준, 넌 왜 그렇게 시간을 낭비해?Min-jun, neon wae geu-reoh-ge si-gan-eul nang-bi-hae?Min-jun, why are you wasting your time like that?
- 민준 Min-jun이게 내 취미야. 신경 꺼.i-ge nae chwi-mi-ya. sin-gyeong kkeo.This is my hobby. Mind your own business.
- 서연 Seo-yeon더 가치 있는 일을 좀 해봐.deo ga-chi it-neun il-eul jom hae-bwa.Try doing something more worthwhile.
- 민준 Min-jun서연, 너나 잘해.Seo-yeon, neo-na jal-hae.Seo-yeon, get a life.
