신의 축복이 있기를
sin-ui chukbog-i issgireul
The phrase 'God bless you' in Korean is 신의 축복이 있기를 (sin-ui chukbog-i issgireul).
In English, 'God bless you' is often said to someone who has sneezed, but in natural Korean conversation, this specific phrase is a literal translation and is not a common idiomatic response to a sneeze.
Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 신의 축복이 있기를 is composed of 신의 (God's), 축복이 (blessing + subject marker) and 있기를 (may there be/to exist).
How do you pronounce it?
sin-ui chukbog-i issgireul
Did you know?
- Because Korea has a significant Buddhist and Confucian history, the concept of a single 'god' providing a blessing is a more recent linguistic influence compared to traditional ancestral wishes.
- To express a similar sentiment of 'good luck' or 'well-wishing' without the religious weight of 축복, Koreans often use 파이팅 which is a loanword from English 'fighting'.
- If you say 신의 축복이 있기를 after someone sneezes, they might think you are reciting a line from a fantasy novel or a religious scripture.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-u are studying together in a library.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 괜찮아요?Hyeon-u ssi, gwaen-chan-a-yo?Hyeon-u, are you okay?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo에취! 죄송합니다.e-chwi! joe-song-ham-ni-da.Sneeze! I am sorry.
- 지은 Ji-eun신의 축복이 있기를.sin-ui chuk-bog-i it-gi-reul.God bless you.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo감사합니다, 지은 씨.gam-sa-ham-ni-da, Ji-eun ssi.Thank you, Ji-eun.
