알아요
arayo
The English phrase "I know that" is translated into Korean as 알아요 (arayo).
This phrase is used to tell someone that you already have the information they are providing.
Which one should you use?
While 알아요 is the standard polite form, 압니다 is used in much more formal settings like news broadcasts or military contexts. For casual situations with friends or peers, you can use the informal form 알아.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 알다 means "to know". The phrase 알았어 is the casual past tense of 알다 and means "I knew that" or "I have understood that".
How do you pronounce it?
arayo
Did you know?
- If you want to say you 'know' a skill like swimming or biking, you cannot use 알아요 and must instead use the word 할 줄 알아요, which literally means 'know how to do'.
- In high-pressure environments like the military, the formal 압니다 is often shouted as a rhythmic response to confirm orders, acting more as a signal of obedience than a statement of knowledge.
- Using the informal 알아 with someone older than you is considered a significant social transgression and can be interpreted as an intentional insult.
Examples in context
- 그 소식은 이미 알아요.geu sosigeun imi arayo.I already know that news.
- 그건 저도 알아요.geugeon jeodo arayo.I know that too.
Example conversation
Jihoon is reminding Seoyeon about a meeting time.
- 지훈 Ji-hun내일 회의는 두 시예요.naeil hoeuineun du siyeyo.Tomorrow's meeting is at two o'clock.
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 저도 알아요.ne, jeodo arayo.Yes, I know that too.
- 지훈 Ji-hun준비는 다 됐나요?junbineun da dwaetnayo?Is the preparation all done?
- 서연 Seo-yeon거의 다 됐어요.geoui da dwaesseoyo.It is almost all done.
