내 자신이 싫다
nae jasini silta
To say "hate myself" in Korean, use 내 자신이 싫다 (nae jasini silta).
The phrase is used to express a strong dislike or a lack of acceptance for who you are as a person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 내 자신이 싫다 is composed of 내 meaning "my", 자신 meaning "self", the subject marker 이 and the verb 싫다 meaning "to be disliked" or "to hate". Note that the word 나 means "I" or "me".
Which one should you use?
In English, "hate" is a transitive verb, but in Korean, the word 싫다 functions as an adjective meaning "to be disliked" or "to be hateful".
How does it change in a sentence?
A more concise and common way to express this sentiment is 내가 싫다, which literally translates to "I am disliked" or "I am hateful". You can adjust the politeness of the phrase 내 자신이 싫다 by changing the verb ending: add the suffix -어요 to create the polite form 내 자신이 싫어요, or drop the polite suffix to create the informal form 내 자신이 싫어.
How do you pronounce it?
nae jasini silta
Did you know?
- The word 내 was once used as the general word for 'smoke' before it was replaced by the Sino-Korean word 연기.
- The word 자신 (self) is a Sino-Korean term. While many Korean words have native roots, many concepts of identity and the 'self' rely on words derived from Chinese characters.
- Because 싫다 describes a state, Koreans can use it to express a mild 'dislike' or a profound 'hatred' using the same word, depending on the context.
Examples in context
- 나는 나 자신을 싫어합니다.I hate myself
- 가끔은 내 자신이 싫다.gakkeumeun nae jasini silta.Sometimes, I hate myself.
- 실수를 할 때마다 내 자신이 싫다.silsureul hal ttaemada nae jasini silta.Every time I make a mistake, I hate myself.
Example conversation
Jieun is feeling down and Minjun is trying to comfort her.
- 지은 Ji-eun너무 우울해서 내 자신이 싫다.neomu uulhaeseo nae jasini silta.I'm so depressed that I hate myself.
- 민준 Min-jun지은아, 너무 자책하지 마.Jieun-a, neomu jachaek-haji ma.Jieun, don't blame yourself too much.
- 지은 Ji-eun그냥 내 자신이 싫을 뿐이야.geunyang nae jasini silheul ppuniya.I just hate myself.
- 민준 Min-jun민준이가 곁에 있을게.Minjun-iga gyeote isseulge.Minjun will stay by your side.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내, CC BY-SA 4.0.
