What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 너무, which literally means 'too much' or 'excessively' but is commonly used in everyday speech to mean 'so' or 'very' and 행복해요, which is the polite present tense form of the adjective meaning 'am happy'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the social context. For highly formal settings like professional environments or public speeches, you can use 너무 행복합니다 or 제가 아주 행복합니다. Other formal variations include 정말 기쁩니다. (I am really happy) and 참 행복해요. (I am truly happy). For informal situations with close friends or people younger than you, you can use 나 정말 행복해! (I am so happy), 진짜 기뻐! (I'm really happy!) or the version 너무 행복해. You might also use 아주 아주 행복해! to mean "I am extremely happy!"
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 너무 행복해요, the subject 'I' (나/저) is omitted, which is the natural and most common way to speak in Korean when the context is clear.
How do you pronounce it?
Neomu haengbokaeyo
Did you know?
- The word 행복 (happiness) is a Sino-Korean word based on Chinese characters. The first character means 'good fortune' and the second means 'luck' or 'blessing'.
- If a Korean speaker is so happy that they are overwhelmed, they might use the word 벅차다 (beok-cha-da) instead, which describes a heart being 'too full' to contain the emotion.
- The root of the word 너무 is the verb 넘다, which means 'to go over' or 'to cross'. You are essentially telling your listener that your happiness has 'crossed over' a certain threshold.
Examples in context
- 감사합니다. 정말 행복해요.Thank you. I am really happy.
- 너무 고마워요. 진짜 기쁘다!Thank you so much. I'm really happy!
- 지금 너무 행복해요.jigeum neomu haengbokhaeyo.I am so happy right now.
- 가족과 함께 있어서 너무 행복해요.gajogwa hamkke isseoseo neomu haengbokhaeyo.I am so happy to be with my family.
- 꿈만 같아서 너무 행복해요.kkumman gataseo neomu haengbokhaeyo.It feels like a dream, so I am so happy.
Example conversation
A couple is celebrating a special anniversary at a nice restaurant.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨와 함께 있어서 너무 행복해요.minjun ssiwa hamkke isseoseo neomu haengbokhaeyo.I am so happy to be with you, Minjun.
- 민준 Min-jun저도 수빈 씨와 있어서 정말 좋아요.jeodo subin ssiwa isseoseo jeongmal joayo.I am also really glad to be with you, Subin.
- 수빈 Su-bin오늘 정말 완벽한 하루예요.oneul jeongmal wanbyeokhan haruyeyo.Today is a truly perfect day.
- 민준 Min-jun앞으로도 계속 행복합시다.apeurodo gyesok haengbokhapsida.Let's stay happy together in the future.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 너무, CC BY-SA 4.0.
