좋은 생각이에요
joeun saenggagieyo
The English phrase "good idea" can be translated into Korean as 좋은 생각이에요 (joeun saenggagieyo).
This expression is used to show agreement with a suggestion or a plan.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 좋은 (good), 생각 (thought/idea) and 이에요 (is).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are different levels of formality depending on the setting. 좋은 생각입니다 is the highly formal version used in professional settings or presentations. 좋은 생각이야 is the casual version used with friends or people younger than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
In very casual, shorthand speech, you can drop the verb 이에요 to say just 좋은 생각.
How do you pronounce it?
joeun saenggagieyo
Did you know?
- If you want to emphasize that an idea is truly brilliant, you can use 신의 한 수, which literally means 'a move of the gods' and refers to a masterstroke in a game of Go.
- In casual conversation, Koreans often replace 좋은 생각이야 with 콜 ('call'), borrowed from poker terminology, to signal a quick 'I'm in' or 'Good idea'.
- If an idea is particularly clever or witty, a Korean speaker might say 센스 있어요 (sensu isseoyo), which comes from the English word 'sense'.
Examples in context
- 좋은 생각이에요That's a good idea
- 정말 좋은 생각이에요.jeongmal joeun saenggagieyo.That is a really good idea.
- 그것도 좋은 생각이에요.geugeotto joeun saenggagieyo.That is also a good idea.
- 네, 좋은 생각이에요.ne, joeun saenggagieyo.Yes, that's a good idea.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- 수빈 Su-bin우리 오늘 비빔밥 먹을까요?uri oneul bibimbap meogeulkkayo?Shall we eat bibimbap today?
- 도현 Do-hyeon와, 좋은 생각이에요!wa, joeun saenggak-ieyo!Wow, that's a good idea!
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 근처 식당으로 가요.geureom geuncheo sikdang-euro gayo.Then let's go to a nearby restaurant.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 수빈 씨. 같이 가요.ne, Subin ssi. gachi gayo.Yes, Subin. Let's go together.
