널 믿어
neol mideo
In Korean, "I believe you" is expressed as 널 믿어 (neol mideo).
This phrase is used to express that you trust someone or the words they have spoken. You can add the word 진짜 to the phrase to create 진짜 믿어, which is a more emphatic and colloquial way to say "I really believe you".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 널 믿어 is composed of the object you and the verb to believe 믿어.
Which one should you use?
While 널 믿어 specifically includes the object "you", you can also simply say 믿어. In Korean, the subject is often omitted, so 믿어 can mean "I believe you" depending on the context of your conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal way to say "I believe you", use 믿어요. The form 진짜 믿어 is a colloquial version used for emphasis.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 널 is a contraction of the object form 너를, which is a common way to express "you" in spoken Korean.
How do you pronounce it?
neol mideo
Did you know?
- Because Korean culture prioritizes social hierarchy, saying 널 믿어 to someone older or of higher status would be considered an offensive way to express trust.
- If you say 믿어 in a questioning tone, it transforms from 'I believe you' into a skeptical 'You believe that?', acting as a challenge to the other person's gullibility.
- The contraction 널 is a linguistic shortcut that has been used in the Korean language since at least the 15th-century publication of the Hunminjeong'eum haerye.
Examples in context
- 난 널 믿어.nan neol mid-eo.I believe you.
- 진심이지? 난 널 믿어.jin-sim-i-ji? nan neol mid-eo.You're serious, right? I believe you.
- 걱정 마, 난 널 믿어.geok-jeong ma, nan neol mid-eo.Don't worry, I believe you.
Example conversation
Minji is comforting Dohyun after he explains a difficult situation.
- 민지 Min-ji정말이야?jeong-mal-i-ya?Is that the truth?
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 정말이야.eung, jeong-mal-i-ya.Yes, it's true.
- 민지 Min-ji그래, 난 널 믿어.geu-rae, nan neol mid-eo.Okay, I believe you.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워, 민지야.go-ma-wo, Min-ji-ya.Thank you, Minji.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 널, CC BY-SA 4.0.
