행복해요
haengbokaeyo
The English phrase "I am happy" is expressed in Korean as 행복해요 (haengbokaeyo).
This phrase is a statement used to express that one feels joy or contentment. To emphasize your feeling, you can use the words 정말 (really), 아주 (very) or 참 (truly). Note that in Korean, the subject "I" (나 or 저) is often omitted if the context makes it clear that you are talking about yourself. For example, you might simply say 나 행복해요.
Which one should you use?
While 행복해요 refers to a long-term state of happiness or contentment, 기뻐요 is used for more immediate, fleeting feelings of joy or being glad about something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The way you express happiness changes depending on the level of formality and how you use the word. The casual form is 행복해. To use the word as an adjective to modify a noun, use the form 행복한.
How do you pronounce it?
haengbokaeyo
Did you know?
- The word 행복 comes from Chinese characters meaning 'good fortune' and 'luck'. This suggests that in the original cultural context, happiness was viewed as a result of destiny or fate rather than just an internal emotion.
- While 행복해요 describes a state of being, Koreans often use the word 신나요 to describe the 'happy' feeling of being excited or pumped up. Using 행복해요 in a high-energy situation like a party might sound unexpectedly solemn.
- If a Korean speaker wants to say they are 'happy' because of a specific event, they might avoid 행복해요 and instead use 다행이다, which means 'I am relieved' or 'it is a relief'.
Examples in context
- 기뻐요!I am happy!
- 행복합니다.I am happy.
- 정말 행복해I am really happy
- 기뻐요, 감사합니다I am happy, thank you
- 지금 정말 행복해요.jigeum jeongmal haengbokhaeyo.I am really happy right now.
- 가족과 있어서 행복해요.gajogwa isseoseo haengbokhaeyo.I am happy because I am with my family.
- 날씨가 좋아서 행복해요.nalssiga joaseo haengbokhaeyo.I am happy because the weather is nice.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are talking about their lives.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo요즘 어떻게 지내요?yojeum eotteoke jinaeyo?How have you been lately?
- 지은 Ji-eun좋은 일이 많아서 행복해요.joeun iri manaseo haengbokhaeyo.I am happy because many good things are happening.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 다행이네요!jeongmal dahaeng-ineyo!I am so glad to hear that!
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨도 행복했으면 좋겠어요.Hyunwoo ssido haengbokhaesseumyeon jokesseoyo.I hope you are happy too, Hyunwoo.
