Which one should you use?
While 포기할게요 is a standard way to express your intention, you can use other forms depending on the situation. Use 제가 포기합니다 for a formal statement, 나 포기할래 for an informal statement or 포기했어요 to express the past tense "I gave up".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality changes based on the verb ending used. 포기하겠습니다 is highly formal, suitable for professional settings, competitions or public announcements. 포기할게요 is a polite and conversational version. 포기할게 is informal and suitable for use with friends or people younger than you. 나 포기할래 is also an informal expression.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending -ㄹ게요 indicates the speaker's intention or a promise to the listener, making the statement of giving up sound softer and more conversational than a blunt declaration. To express the past tense "I gave up", change the ending to 포기했어요.
How do you pronounce it?
pogihalgeyo
Did you know?
- The word 포기 can also mean a 'head' or 'clump' of cabbage when counting vegetables, which is a completely unrelated meaning to the verb 'give up'.
- In Korean gaming and internet culture, the phrase 포기 is often replaced by the slang 포기각, where 각 refers to an 'angle' or a calculated situation where defeat is inevitable.
- While 포기 means 'giving up', it is also the root of 포기자, a term used in modern Korean sociology to describe a generation of youth who have 'given up' on marriage, home ownership and dating due to economic pressure.
Examples in context
- 너무 어려워서 포기할게요.neomu eoryeowoseo pogihalkeyo.It's too difficult, so I give up.
- 이 게임은 포기할게요.i geimeun pogihalkeyo.I give up on this game.
- 꿈을 포기할게요.kkumeul pogihalkeyo.I will give up on my dream.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are trying to solve a difficult puzzle.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이 퍼즐 정말 어렵네요.i peojeul jeongmal eoryeomneyo.This puzzle is really hard.
- 수빈 Su-bin조금만 더 해봐요, 지훈 씨.jogeumman deo haebwayo, Jihun ssi.Try a little bit more, Jihoon.
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니요, 저는 포기할게요.aniyo, jeoneun pogihalgeyo.No, I give up.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 제가 마저 해볼게요.geureom jega majeo haebolgeyo.Then I'll try to finish it.
