What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb 잘 (well) and the past tense of 하다 (to do).
Which one should you use?
The default form 잘했어 is an informal expression. For a sense of awe and admiration, you might use the informal phrase 대단해. If you want to express that someone worked hard, you can use the formal phrase 수고하셨어요. For a highly formal way to say something is excellent, use 매우 훌륭합니다.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To be polite to someone older or in a less intimate setting, use 잘했어요. For highly formal professional settings or when addressing a superior, use 잘했습니다 or 잘 하셨어요 to show respect towards the person you are praising.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is in the past tense, reflecting that the action being praised has been completed.
How do you pronounce it?
jalhaesseo
Did you know?
- In a workplace, telling a superior 잘했어 or even 잘했어요 can be seen as rude, even if you mean it as a compliment. To avoid sounding like you are grading a child, it is safer to praise their effort using 수고하셨어요 instead.
- In Korean culture, praise is often deflected. If someone tells you 잘했어, it is common to reply by attributing the success to others or luck.
- The word 잘 (well) is used in phrases that English speakers would find contradictory, such as 잘 가, which literally means 'go well' but is used as 'goodbye'.
Examples in context
- 이번 시험 진짜 잘했어!ibeon siheom jinjja jalhaesseo!You did a really great job on this exam!
- 어제 발표 정말 잘했어.eoje balpyo jeongmal jalhaesseo.You did a great job on the presentation yesterday.
- 와, 정말 잘했어! 축하해.wa, jeongmal jalhaesseo! chukhae.Wow, great job! Congratulations.
Example conversation
Seoyeon is praising Dohyeon for his successful performance in a piano recital.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현아, 오늘 연주 정말 잘했어.Dohyeon-a, oneul yeonju jeongmal jalhaesseo.Dohyeon, you did a great job with your performance today.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말? 고마워, 서연아.jeongmal? gomawo, Seoyeon-a.Really? Thanks, Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon완전 멋졌어!wanjeon meotjyeosseo!It was totally cool!
- 도현 Do-hyeon네 칭찬 덕분에 힘이 나.ne chingchan deokbune himi na.Your praise gives me strength.
