안아줘
The English phrase "i need a hug" is expressed in Korean as 안아줘.
While English speakers often say 'I need a hug' to express a feeling, Korean speakers more commonly use the imperative 'hug me' to express the same desire.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 안아줘 is literally 'hug me' rather than 'I need a hug'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite request, use 안아주세요.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding –세요 to the end makes the request polite and suitable for someone you are not close with.
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, the concept of 'skinship' 스킨십 describes the act of physical intimacy like hugging or holding hands. It is a loanword from English, but it has a much broader meaning than 'skin' and 'ship' separately.
- While 안아줘 is for hugging, the phrase 토닥토닥 is an onomatopoeia for the sound of patting someone on the back to comfort them. It is often used as a gesture of emotional support when a full hug is too intimate.
- Korean has a specific word, 정 jeong, to describe the deep emotional bond and attachment between people. A hug 안아줘 is often seen as a physical manifestation of this unique cultural feeling of 정.
Examples in context
- 저는 힘이 드네요. 좀 안아주세요.I feel tired. Could you please give me a hug?
- 나 좀 안아 줄래? 정말로 힘들어.Will you hug me? I'm really having a hard time.
- 너무 힘들어, 나 좀 안아줘.neomu himdeureo, na jom anajwo.I'm having a hard time, please hug me.
- 지금은 그냥 안아줘.jigeumeun geunyang anajwo.Just hug me right now.
- 말없이 나를 안아줘.mar-eopsi nareul anajwo.Hug me without saying a word.
Example conversation
Minjun is feeling upset after a long day and talks to Subin.
- 민준 Min-jun나 오늘 너무 우울해. 안아줘.na oneul neomu uulhae. anajwo.I'm so depressed today. I need a hug.
- 수빈 Su-bin무슨 일 있었어? 이리 와.museun il isseosseo? iri wa.Did something happen? Come here.
- 민준 Min-jun응, 그냥 옆에 있어줘.eung, geunyang yeope isseojwo.Yeah, just stay by my side.
- 수빈 Su-bin그래, 내가 계속 곁에 있을게.geurae, naega gyesok gyeote isseulge.Okay, I will stay by your side.
