What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 저는 네팔에서 왔어요 literally translates to "I (polite) Nepal from came (polite)".
Which one should you use?
There are several ways to express this depending on your desired nuance and social context. Use 저는 네팔에서 왔어요 to say you came from Nepal. Use 저는 네팔 사람입니다 to say "I am a person from Nepal". Alternatively, you can use 나는 네팔 출신입니다 to say "I am from Nepal".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 저는 네팔에서 왔어요 is polite and suitable for speaking to strangers or people older than you. For formal settings, you might use 나는 네팔 출신입니다 or 저는 네팔 사람입니다. In informal situations, such as speaking to close friends or people younger than you, you can use 나는 네팔 출신이야 or 내가 네팔 사람이야. You can also use the informal version 나 네팔에서 왔어 to say "I'm from Nepal".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 왔어요 in the phrase 저는 네팔에서 왔어요 is the polite past tense form of the verb 오다 (to come).
How do you pronounce it?
jeoneun nepall-eseo wasseoyo
Did you know?
- Korean often drops the subject 'I' (저 or 나) entirely in conversation if it is obvious who is speaking, so you might simply say 네팔에서 왔어요.
- The term 출신 in 네팔 출신입니다 is used not only for countries but also to specify the high school or university a person attended, as these are considered formative origins.
- Korean distinguishes between 저 and 나 for 'I' based on the social hierarchy, meaning the choice of word in 저는 네팔에서 왔어요 is a signal of humility toward the listener.
Examples in context
- 안녕하세요, 나는 네팔 출신입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다!Hi, I am from Nepal. Nice to meet you!
- 저는 네팔에서 왔어요.jeoneun nepareseo wasseoyo.I am from Nepal.
- 저는 네팔에서 왔어요. 한국어를 배우고 있어요.jeoneun nepareseo wasseoyo. hangugeoreul baeugo isseoyo.I am from Nepal. I am learning Korean.
Example conversation
Two people are introducing themselves at a language exchange meetup.
- 지은 Ji-eun반가워요. 어디서 오셨어요?banggawoyo. eodiseo osyeosseoyo?Nice to meet you. Where are you from?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo반가워요. 저는 네팔에서 왔어요.banggawoyo. jeoneun nepal-eseo wasseoyo.Nice to meet you. I am from Nepal.
- 지은 Ji-eun와, 네팔은 정말 아름다운 곳이죠?wa, nepal-eun jeongmal areumdaun gosijyo?Wow, Nepal is a truly beautiful place, right?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 맞아요. 꼭 한번 놀러 오세요.ne, majayo. kkok hanbeon nolleo oseyo.Yes, that's right. Please visit sometime.
