Which one should you use?
The term 싫어 expresses a dislike for a person, thing or situation. This differs from 미워, which is used when expressing emotional resentment or 'hating' someone. To be more specific, you can also say 나는 BTS라는 그룹을 싫어합니다, which means "I dislike the group called BTS."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The informal version is 나는 BTS가 싫어 or the even shorter 나는 BTS 싫어. If you want to express that you simply don't like them in an informal way, you can say 나는 BTS 안 좋아. To express this sentiment politely to strangers or elders, use the polite form 저는 BTS가 싫어요. For a highly formal expression, use 나는 BTS라는 그룹을 싫어합니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 나는 BTS가 싫어, the word 나는 uses the topic marker 는, which emphasizes "I" as the subject of the statement.
How do you pronounce it?
naneun BTSga sileo
Did you know?
- The word 싫어 actually functions as an adjective meaning 'dislikeable' rather than a verb meaning 'to hate'. The sentence structure literally translates to 'As for me, BTS is dislikeable'.
- While 싫어 expresses a general dislike, Korean has a specific word 미워 used for a 'hateful' feeling that is often mixed with affection, such as when a parent tells a child they are 'hateful' in a cute way.
- Depending on the context, the phrase BTS 싫어 can be interpreted as a 'cute' complaint or 'aegyo' if spoken with a certain high-pitched intonation, turning a statement of hate into a playful tease.
Examples in context
- 나는 가수 BTS 싫어. 난 로큰롤을 좋아해.I dislike the group BTS. I like rock music.
- 나는 BTS가 싫어.naneun bts-ga sileo.I hate BTS.
- 솔직히 말해서 나는 BTS가 싫어.soljikhi malhaeseo naneun bts-ga sileo.To be honest, I hate BTS.
- 이유는 모르겠지만 나는 BTS가 싫어.iyuneun moreuketjiman naneun bts-ga sileo.I don't know why, but I hate BTS.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their music preferences.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈아, 너는 BTS 좋아해?jihun-a, neoneun bts joahae?Jihun, do you like BTS?
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니, 나는 BTS가 싫어.ani, naneun bts-ga sileo.No, I hate BTS.
- 민지 Min-ji정말? 왜 그렇게 싫어해?jeongmal? wae geureoke silheohae?Really? Why do you hate them so much?
- 지훈 Ji-hun그냥 내 스타일이 아니야.geunyang nae seutairi aniya.They're just not my style.
