마음에 드셨으면 좋겠어요
maeume deusyeosseumyeon jokesseoyo
In Korean, "I hope you like it" is expressed as 마음에 드셨으면 좋겠어요 (maeume deusyeosseumyeon jokesseoyo).
This phrase is specifically used when the speaker has provided something (like a gift or a result of work) and is expressing a wish that the recipient finds it pleasing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I hope it enters your heart".
Which one should you use?
The informal versions are 좋아했으면 좋겠어 or 마음에 들었으면 좋겠어.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You should use the informal version 마음에 들었으면 좋겠어 with close friends or people younger than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb phrase for "to like (something)" is 마음에 들다, which literally means "to enter one's heart".
How do you pronounce it?
maeume deusyeosseumyeon jokesseoyo
Did you know?
- When giving a gift that is actually quite expensive, Koreans often precede this phrase with 약소하지만, which means 'although it is small or meager'. This is a linguistic tool used to display humility toward the recipient.
- In professional settings, the phrase is often accompanied by presenting the gift with both hands, as using one hand while saying 마음에 드셨으면 좋겠어요 would be considered impolite regardless of the words used.
- Using the common verb for 'to like', 좋아해요, when talking about an object can actually make a speaker sound childish. To sound more refined or adult, one should use the phrase involving the 'heart' instead.
Examples in context
- 이것을 선생님이 좋아하시면 참 기쁠 거예요If you, teacher, like this, it would make me very happy.
- 선물이 마음에 드셨으면 좋겠어요.seon-mul-i ma-eum-e deu-syeot-seu-myeon jo-ket-eo-yo.I hope you like the gift.
- 이 옷이 마음에 드셨으면 좋겠어요.i ot-i ma-eum-e deu-syeot-seu-myeon jo-ket-eo-yo.I hope you like these clothes.
- 음식이 마음에 드셨으면 좋겠어요.eum-sig-i ma-eum-e deu-syeot-seu-myeon jo-ket-eo-yo.I hope you like the food.
Example conversation
Ji-eun is giving a small gift to Ji-hoon at a cafe.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 이거 작은 선물이에요.Ji-hun ssi, i-geo jak-eun seon-mul-i-e-yo.Ji-hoon, this is a small gift for you.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말요? 고마워요, 지은 씨.Jeong-mal-yo? Go-ma-wo-yo, Ji-eun ssi.Really? Thank you, Ji-eun.
- 지은 Ji-eun마음에 드셨으면 좋겠어요.Ma-eum-e deu-syeot-seu-myeon jo-ket-eo-yo.I hope you like it.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 아주 마음에 들어요!Ne, a-ju ma-eum-e deu-reo-yo!Yes, I like it very much!
