난 널 믿어
nan neol mideo
The English phrase "I trust you" is expressed in Korean as 난 널 믿어 (nan neol mideo).
The verb used in these expressions is 믿다, which is used both for trusting a person's character and for believing a specific fact or statement.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 난 널 믿어 is composed of the subject 난 (I), the object 널 (you) and the verb 믿어 (to trust/believe).
Which one should you use?
While 믿어 is the core verb meaning to believe or trust, 믿음 is a related noun meaning "trust" or "belief" used in a relaxed context. The phrase 사항을 맡길 수 있을 정도로 믿습니다 can be used to mean "I trust you enough to entrust matters to you."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 난 널 믿어 uses casual speech (반말), which should only be used with close friends or people younger than you. For formal and respectful situations, you can use 믿고 있습니다 to say "I trust you" or 신뢰합니다 to say "I trust you" or "I have faith in you".
How do you pronounce it?
nan neol mideo
Did you know?
- The verb 믿다 can be used to say you 'believe' a story or a rumor, but it cannot be used for 'believing' in a way that implies a person's existence, like 'I believe in ghosts'.
- In Korean, saying 'I trust you' can sometimes sound overly dramatic or heavy, almost like a vow in a movie, because 'trust' implies a deep level of reliability.
- The form 널 was already in use in the 15th century and was recorded in the 1446 document Hunminjeong'eum haerye which explained the creation of the Korean alphabet.
Examples in context
- 회사 일을 잘 해낼 수 있을 거라고 믿고 있습니다.I trust that you will be able to handle the tasks at work well.
- 당신은 정말로 신뢰할만한 사람입니다.You are truly a person I can trust.
- 당신에게 사업을 맡길 수 있을 정도로 믿습니다.I trust you enough to entrust the business to you.
- 나는 너를 진심으로 믿어.I genuinely trust you.
- 우리는 서로의 믿음을 갖고 있어.We have trust in each other.
- 난 널 믿어.nan neol mideo.I trust you.
- 걱정 마, 난 널 믿어.geokjeong ma, nan neol mideo.Don't worry, I trust you.
- 진심이야, 난 널 믿어.jinsimiya, nan neol mideo.I'm serious, I trust you.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are talking about a difficult decision.
- 민준 Min-jun지은아, 잘 할 수 있을까?jieun-a, jal hal su isseulkka?Jieun, will I be able to do well?
- 지은 Ji-eun응, 난 널 믿어.eung, nan neol mideo.Yes, I trust you.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 고마워.jeongmal gomawo.Thank you so much.
- 지은 Ji-eun너는 할 수 있어.neoneun hal su isseo.You can do it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 난, 널, CC BY-SA 4.0.
