다녀왔습니다
danyeowasseumnida
In Korean, "I am back" is expressed as 다녀왔습니다 (danyeowasseumnida).
The phrase 다녀왔습니다 is used specifically to announce your arrival back at a place you have departed from, most commonly your home or your office.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the verb 다녀오다 (to go and come back) and the formal past tense ending.
Which one should you use?
While 다녀왔습니다 is used to announce a return from an outing, other forms like 돌아왔습니다, 돌아왔어요 and 돌아왔어 mean "I have returned."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 다녀왔습니다 is in the formal polite style (하십시오체), suitable for speaking to elders or in a formal household setting. For a less formal and less deferential way to say "I am back", you can use 돌아왔어요 or the informal 돌아왔어, which is used among friends. The casual expression 다녀왔어 is also used when returning home to family members of the same age or younger, or to close friends.
How do you pronounce it?
danyeowasseumnida
Did you know?
- While 돌아왔습니다 means 'I have returned', it often carries a more dramatic or heavy connotation, such as a soldier returning from war or a long exile.
- Unlike English, where 'I am back' can be used after a long absence or a short trip to the kitchen, 다녀왔습니다 specifically requires that you have physically left the premises.
- In some very traditional settings, the person returning might even bow slightly while saying 다녀왔습니다 to show respect to the household.
Examples in context
- 일이 끝나서 돌아왔어요.I am back as I finished my work.
- 오랜만이야! 돌아왔어!Long time no see! I am back!
- 저 다녀왔습니다!jeo danyeowasseumnida!I'm home!
Example conversation
Minjun returns home from work and greets Jieun.
- 민준 Min-jun다녀왔습니다.danyeowasseumnida.I am back.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준 씨, 고생 많았어요.Minjun ssi, gosaeng manasseoyo.Minjun, you worked hard today.
- 민준 Min-jun배가 너무 고파요.baega neomu gopayo.I am so hungry.
- 지은 Ji-eun얼른 씻고 나와요.eolleun ssitgo nawayo.Hurry and wash up, then come out.
