그럴 줄 알았어
geureol jul arasseo
The English phrase "I knew it" is translated into Korean as 그럴 줄 알았어 (geureol jul arasseo).
This expression is used when a predicted outcome, often a negative or predictable one, actually occurs, confirming that something happened exactly as the speaker expected it would.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 그럴 (to be like that), 줄 (a bound noun indicating a method or expectation) and 알았어 (knew). Literally, it means "I knew it would be like that".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For polite situations, use the form 그럴 줄 알았어요.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix -요 to the end of the phrase, forming 그럴 줄 알았어요, makes it polite and suitable for speaking to people older than you or in less casual settings.
How do you pronounce it?
geureol jul arasseo
Did you know?
- The word 줄 used in this phrase can also mean 'string' or 'line' in Korean.
- Using the casual form 그럴 줄 알았어 when speaking to a social superior can be perceived as an act of arrogance or a direct challenge.
- The word 줄 is recorded as 質姑 in the 'Jīlín lèishì', a collection of stories about the Korean kingdom dating back to 1103.
Examples in context
- 그럴 줄 알았어.geureol jul arasseo.I knew it would happen.
- 너도 그럴 줄 알았어.neodo geureol jul arasseo.I knew you would do that.
- 결국 그럴 줄 알았어.gyeolguk geureol jul arasseo.I knew it would end up that way.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are talking about a friend who failed a test.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민수가 시험에서 떨어졌대.Minsuga siheom-eseo tteoreojyeotdae.I heard Minsu failed the exam.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말? 그럴 줄 알았어.Jeongmal? Geureol jul arasseo.Really? I knew it.
- 도현 Do-hyeon공부를 하나도 안 했거든.Gongbureul hanado an haetgeodeun.He didn't study at all.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그러니까 당연한 결과야.Geureonikka dangyeonan gyeolgyaya.That's why it's a natural result.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 줄, CC BY-SA 4.0.
