한국이 그리워요
hangu-gi geuriwoyo
To say 'I miss Korea' in Korean, you use 한국이 그리워요 (hangu-gi geuriwoyo).
This phrase is used to express a feeling of longing or nostalgia for Korea. To add emphasis to your longing, you can use the word 정말 (really) or 참 (very).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'Korea (subject) is missed/longed for'. This is because the verb 그리워요 (to miss/long for) takes the subject marker –이 rather than an object marker.
Which one should you use?
While 한국이 그리워요 expresses a deep, emotional longing or nostalgia, the phrase 한국이 보고 싶어요 (literally 'want to see') is a more common way to say 'I miss [someone/something]' in everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 한국이 그리워요 ends in –요, which is a polite sentence ending. You can make the expression informal by dropping the –요 to say 한국이 그리워. For high formality, the ending changes to –습니다, resulting in 한국이 그립습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
hangu-gi geuriwoyo
Did you know?
- In Korea, the concept of longing is often tied to 정 (jeong), a unique kind of social bond and collective affection. Expressing that you miss Korea is not just about the place, but about the 정 shared with the people there.
- Korean has a specific category of adjectives called 'descriptive verbs', and 그립다 is one of them. This means the feeling of longing is treated as a state of being rather than an action performed by the speaker.
- Because Korean often omits the subject, you can simply say 그리워요 (longed for) and people will understand you mean 'I miss it' based on the context of your conversation.
Examples in context
- 한국이 그리워요.Hanguk-i geuriwoyo.I miss Korea.
- 음식을 먹을 때마다 한국이 그리워요.Eumsig-eul meogeul ttaemada Hanguk-i geuriwoyo.Every time I eat, I miss Korea.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their lives while living abroad.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 요즘 잘 지내요?Subin ssi, yojeum jal jinaeyo?Subin, how have you been lately?
- 수빈 Su-bin그냥 그래요. 사실 한국이 그리워요.Geunyang geuraeyo. Sasil Hanguk-i geuriwoyo.Just so-so. Actually, I miss Korea.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저도 그래요. 한국이 정말 그리워요.Jeodo geuraeyo. Hanguk-i jeongmal geuriwoyo.Me too. I really miss Korea.
- 수빈 Su-bin우리 조만간 한국에 가요.Uri jomangan Hanguk-e gayo.Let's go to Korea sometime soon.
