줘
jwo
The Korean phrase for "give it to me" is 줘 (jwo).
This phrase is used to request that someone hand over an object to the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 줘 is a contraction of 주어, which is the casual conjugation of the verb 주다 (to give).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 줘 is the informal, casual version used with friends or people younger than you. Adding the suffix 요 to the end makes the phrase 줘요 a polite way to request something from strangers or acquaintances. The form 주세요 is a more standard, polite way to say 'please give it to me' in most social situations. Additionally, adding the word 좀 before the verb shows respect and politeness when requesting something.
How do you pronounce it?
jwo
Did you know?
- While 줘 means 'give', it is frequently used in phrases like 도와줘 to mean 'help me', effectively treating the act of helping as something a person can 'give'.
- When receiving an object after saying 줘, it is customary in many traditional contexts to use both hands to accept the item as a sign of respect.
- The word 좀 used before 줘 does not literally mean 'a little' in this context, but acts as a social softener to reduce the perceived burden on the listener.
Examples in context
- 제게 그 책을 주세요.Please give me that book.
- 그 책 좀 줘.Give me that book.
- 그것 좀 나한테 줘.geugeot jom nahante jwo.Give that to me.
- 펜 좀 줘.pen jom jwo.Give me the pen.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are looking at a photo album together.
- 민준 Min-jun지은아, 그 사진 줘.Jieun-a, geu sajin jwo.Jieun, give me that photo.
- 지은 Ji-eun잠깐만, 이것만 더 보자.jamkkanman, igeotman deo boja.Hold on, let me look at this one more.
- 민준 Min-jun빨리 줘.ppalli jwo.Give it to me quickly.
- 지은 Ji-eun알았어, 여기 있어.arasseo, yeogi isseo.Okay, here it is.
