안아 줘
ana jwo
The Korean phrase for "I want a hug" is 안아 줘 (ana jwo).
This phrase is used to request that someone embrace the speaker. While the English phrase expresses a desire or a feeling, the Korean version functions more directly as a request for the action to be performed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 안다 (to hug) and the auxiliary verb 주다 (to give/do for someone).
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the politeness of the request by changing the ending. Adding 세요 to the end of 안아 줘 results in 안아 주세요, making it a polite way to say "please hug me".
How do you pronounce it?
ana jwo
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone, 안아 줘 can sound like a cute plea known as 애교 (aegyo), which is a stylized way of speaking to evoke affection.
- In Korea, physical touch like hugging is traditionally less common among adults than in the West, and 안아 줘 is often reserved for very intimate partners or family members.
- In modern Korean slang, the phrase 백허그 (back-hug) is used specifically to describe a hug from behind, which is viewed as particularly romantic in pop culture.
Examples in context
- 안아줄래?Will you hug me?
- 한 번 안아 줄래?Can you give me a hug once?
- 너무 슬퍼서 안아 줘.neomu seulpeoseo ana jwo.I'm so sad, please hug me.
- 지금 바로 안아 줘.jigeum baro ana jwo.Hug me right now.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are meeting at a park after a long time.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우야, 너무 보고 싶었어.Hyunwoo-ya, neomu bogo sipeosseo.Hyunwoo, I missed you so much.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo나도 정말 보고 싶었어, 수빈아.nado jeongmal bogo sipeosseo, Subin-ah.I missed you too, Subin.
- 수빈 Su-bin나 좀 안아 줘.na jom ana jwo.Please give me a hug.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이리 와, 꽉 안아 줄게.iri wa, kkwak ana julge.Come here, I'll give you a big hug.
