그러길 바라
geureogil bara
The English phrase "hope so" is expressed in Korean as 그러길 바라 (geureogil bara).
The phrase is used to express a desire for a particular outcome to be true. You can also use the alternative phrase 그러면 좋겠어 to express a similar sentiment, meaning "It would be good if that were the case" or "That would be nice".
What does it mean word for word?
그러길 바라 is a contraction of 그러하기를 바라. The part 그러길 means "that it goes/is so" and 바라 means "I hope/wish".
Which one should you use?
그러길 바라 is the informal version, while 그러길 바라요 is the polite version and 그러길 바랍니다 is the formal version.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite, add the suffix 요 to the end to create 그러길 바라요. For a formal version, use 그러길 바랍니다.
How do you pronounce it?
geureogil bara
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, directly saying 'I hope so' about your own success can be seen as overly confident or boastful. People often use a more humble, indirect expression or attribute the hope to 'luck' to avoid appearing arrogant.
- While 바라 is the grammatically correct form for 'hope', many native speakers colloquially say 바래 instead. This is so common that using the correct form in a casual setting can sometimes sound unnaturally stiff.
- The verb 바라다 inside the phrase can also mean 'to long for' or 'to desire'. This gives the phrase a weight of emotional longing that is often much stronger than the casual English 'hope so'.
Examples in context
- 내일 비가 그치면 좋겠어요.I hope the rain stops tomorrow.
- 조금만 더 기다려 주시면 좋겠습니다.I hope you can wait a little longer (polite).
- 이번 프로젝트가 성공하기를 기대합니다.I hope this project will be successful (formal).
- 정말 그러길 바라.jeongmal georil bara.I really hope so.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are talking about the weather for a trip.
- 지훈 Ji-hun내일 날씨가 좋겠지?naeil nalssiga jokgetji?The weather will be nice tomorrow, right?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 그러길 바라.eung, geureogil bara.Yes, I hope so.
- 지훈 Ji-hun비가 안 왔으면 좋겠다.biga an wasseumyeon joketda.I wish it wouldn't rain.
- 민지 Min-ji나도 정말 그러길 바라.nado jeongmal geureogil bara.I really hope so too.
