What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "your voice is good". In this structure, 목소리 means "voice" and the particle -가 attached to it marks the voice as the subject of the sentence.
Which one should you use?
The phrase 목소리가 좋아 is the informal version. Other variations focus on different nuances of the compliment: 음색이 정말 좋으십니다 and 음색이 진짜 좋다 specifically highlight that the person's tone is really good.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more polite or formal situations, you can use these variations: * 목소리가 좋아요 is the polite form, suitable for people you are not close with or who are older than you. * 목소리가 좋으시네요 is a more respectful, honorific way to compliment someone, often used when speaking to elders or in formal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle -가 attached to 목소리 (voice) serves to mark the voice as the subject of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
ne moksoriga joa
Did you know?
- The word 네 meaning 'your' was recorded in the Jīlín lèishì as early as 1103 using Chinese characters to represent the sound of Old Korean.
- The Korean language has distinct ways to describe voices that English lacks, such as words for a 'honey-like' voice or a 'raspy' voice, which are often used as adjectives before 목소리 to be more specific.
- In many Korean social contexts, instead of saying 'your voice is good', people might compliment the 'atmosphere' or 'feeling' of the voice to sound more indirect and polite.
Examples in context
- 네 목소리가 너무 부드럽고 감미로워서 좋아요.I like your voice because it's so smooth and sweet-sounding.
- 음색이 진짜 좋다. 다른 사람들도 듣기 좋아할 거야.Your tone is really good. Other people will enjoy listening to it.
- 네 목소리가 좋아.ne mok-so-ri-ga jo-a.I like your voice.
- 진짜 네 목소리가 좋아.jin-jja ne mok-so-ri-ga jo-a.I really like your voice.
- 노래할 때 네 목소리가 좋아.no-rae-hal ttae ne mok-so-ri-ga jo-a.I like your voice when you sing.
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are listening to a podcast together.
- 민지 Min-ji이 아나운서 목소리 진짜 좋다.i a-na-un-seo mok-so-ri jin-jja jot-da.This announcer's voice is really good.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아, 나도 그렇게 생각해.ma-ja, na-do geu-reoh-ge saeng-gak-hae.Right, I think so too.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈아, 사실 네 목소리가 좋아.ji-hun-a, sa-sil ne mok-so-ri-ga jo-a.Jihun, actually, I like your voice.
- 지훈 Ji-hun고마워, 민지야. 기분 좋다!go-ma-wo, min-ji-ya. gi-bun jot-da!Thanks, Minji. That makes me feel good!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 네, CC BY-SA 4.0.
