부러워
bureowo
The English phrase "I envy you" is expressed in Korean as 부러워 (bureowo).
This phrase is used to express that you envy someone. In Korean, the subject "I" and the object "you" are often omitted when the context makes it clear who is being envied.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality changes based on whom you are addressing. The form 부러워요 is polite and suitable for speaking to people you are not close with or who are older than you. For more formal settings, you can use 부러워합니다 for a formal and polite tone or 부럽습니다 for a formal and humble way to express envy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 부러워 is a conjugated form of the verb 부러워하다, which is used to express the act of envying someone. You can make the phrase polite by adding the suffix –요 to the end, resulting in 부러워요.
How do you pronounce it?
bureowo
Did you know?
- Korean has a distinct word for 'destructive envy' called 질투, which describes a jealous feeling that wishes to take something away from another person.
- In some social contexts, a person may respond to 부러워 by humbly denying the envy-worthy trait to avoid 'standing out', a cultural practice rooted in Confucian modesty.
- In casual digital communication, Koreans often shorten 부러워 to just the consonant ㅂㄹ or use the slang 부럽다 to express instant envy in group chats.
Examples in context
- 네가 부러워.I envy you.This sentence shows how to use 부러워 to say "I envy you."Tatoeba #8365116 by Eunhee, translation #2245734 by CK
- 그 점이 정말 부러워.geu jeomi jeongmal bureowo.I really envy that aspect.
- 너의 재능이 너무 부러워.neoui jaeneungi neomu bureowo.I envy your talent so much.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are talking about a new phone.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo나 이번에 최신 폰 샀어.na ibeone choesin pon sasseo.I bought the latest phone this time.
- 민지 Min-ji와, 진짜 부러워!wa, jinjja bureowo!Wow, I'm so jealous!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo너도 곧 바꿀 수 있을 거야.neodo got bakkul su isseul geoya.You'll be able to change yours soon too.
- 민지 Min-ji그랬으면 좋겠다.geuraesseumyeon jokgetda.I hope so.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
