좋은 시간 보내세요
joeun sigan bonaeseyo
To say "have a great time" in Korean, you use 좋은 시간 보내세요 (joeun sigan bonaeseyo).
This phrase is used to wish someone enjoyment during a future or current activity. It is a common expression when saying goodbye to someone who is about to go on a trip, a date or a social event.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 좋은 시간 보내세요 is composed of 좋은 (good), 시간 (time) and 보내세요 (please spend/pass).
Which one should you use?
While 좋은 시간 보내세요 focuses on spending a "good" time, the alternative 즐거운 시간 되세요 is used to emphasize "joy" or "pleasure."
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the level of politeness by changing the verb ending. Dropping the polite ending 세요 to say 좋은 시간 보내 makes the phrase informal and suitable for friends or younger people. Conversely, replacing 세요 with 십시오 to say 좋은 시간 보내십시오 makes the phrase highly formal and polite, which is suitable for business or formal settings.
How do you pronounce it?
joeun sigan bonaeseyo
Did you know?
- In many social contexts, instead of wishing someone a 'good time', it is much more common to say 맛있게 드세요 if they are going to a meal, meaning 'please eat deliciously'.
- The word 시간 (time) contains the character 間, which refers to a 'gap' or 'interval', suggesting that time is perceived as the space between moments.
- Because 보내다 means both 'to spend time' and 'to send an object', the phrase can sound like you are 'sending' a good time to someone else.
Examples in context
- 즐거운 여행 되세요!Have a great trip!
- 좋은 시간 보내세요!Have a great time!
- 잘 놀아!Have fun!
- 여행 가서 좋은 시간 보내세요.yeohaeng gaseo joeun sigan bonaeseyo.Have a great time on your trip.
- 친구들과 좋은 시간 보내세요.chingudeul-gwa joeun sigan bonaeseyo.Have a great time with your friends.
- 오늘 좋은 시간 보내세요.oneul joeun sigan bonaeseyo.Have a great time today.
Example conversation
Seoyeon is seeing Minjun off as he leaves for a weekend getaway.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨, 여행 잘 다녀오세요.Minjun ssi, yeohaeng jal danyeo-oseyo.Minjun, have a safe trip.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 잘 다녀올게요.ne, jal danyeo-olgeyo.Yes, I will be back soon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon좋은 시간 보내세요!joeun sigan bonaeseyo!Have a great time!
- 민준 Min-jun고마워요, 서연 씨.gomawoyo, Seoyeon ssi.Thank you, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 시간, CC BY-SA 4.0.
