난 널 믿어
Nan neol mideo
The English phrase "I believe in you" is expressed in Korean as 난 널 믿어 (Nan neol mideo).
This phrase is used to communicate that you have confidence in someone's abilities or that you trust their character. The verb used, 믿다, covers both trusting someone's word or ability and believing in someone's character.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 난 널 믿어 breaks down into the subject 난 (I), the object 널 (you) and the verb 믿어 (believe/trust).
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter 귀하는 할 수 있다고 생각해요, which means "I think you can do it."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal and polite way to express the same sentiment, you can use 저는 당신을 믿어요.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 믿어 can be changed by adding the suffix –요 to make it 믿어요, which makes the phrase polite rather than casual.
How do you pronounce it?
Nan neol mideo
Did you know?
- In a very formal setting, using the word '당신' (you) in 저는 당신을 믿어요 can actually feel confrontational or overly intimate depending on the context, despite being technically polite.
- Because Korean is a high-context language, you can often omit '난 널' (I you) entirely and simply say 믿어 (believe) if the subject and object are understood from the situation.
- Koreans often use the phrase 믿고 맡기다 to mean 'to trust someone enough to leave a task in their hands' without checking the results.
Examples in context
- 귀하는 정말 멋진 연주자이시어서 할 수 있다고 생각해요.You are a truly amazing musician, and I believe you can do it.
- 넌 정말 대단해, 믿어!You are amazing, and I believe in you!
- 난 널 믿어.nan neol mideo.I believe in you.
- 걱정 마, 난 널 믿어.geokjeong ma, nan neol mideo.Don't worry, I believe in you.
- 너라면 할 수 있어, 난 널 믿어.neoramyon hal su isseo, nan neol mideo.You can do it, I believe in you.
Example conversation
Ji-eun is nervous before a big presentation.
- 지은 Ji-eun너무 떨려서 실수할 것 같아.neomu tteollyeoseo silsuhal geot gata.I'm so nervous, I think I'll make a mistake.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo충분히 연습했잖아. 난 널 믿어.chungbunhi yeonseuphaetjan-a. nan neol mideo.You've practiced enough. I believe in you.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말? 고마워, 현우야.jeongmal? gomawo, hyeon-u-ya.Really? Thanks, Hyeon-woo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 자신 있게 해!eung, jasin itge hae!Yes, do it with confidence!
