태어났어요
taeeonasseoyo
The English phrase "I was born" is expressed in Korean using 태어났어요 (taeeonasseoyo).
This phrase is used to state the fact of one's birth.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression is derived from the single intransitive verb 태어나다, which means "to be born".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 태어났어요 is in the polite style, making it suitable for most social situations. For highly formal settings like presentations, news or military contexts, use 태어났습니다. In casual settings with close friends or people younger than you, use the informal form 태어났어.
How does it change in a sentence?
While English uses a passive construction ("to be born"), Korean uses an active intransitive verb. The form 태어났어요 uses the past tense suffix –았어요 to indicate the completed action of being born.
How do you pronounce it?
taeeonasseoyo
Did you know?
- When discussing birth, Koreans often mention the specific hour or 'time slot' of the day, as traditional astrology based on the four pillars of destiny requires this precision.
- To say someone was born 'with a silver spoon', Koreans use the phrase 금수저로 태어났다, which mirrors the English idiom almost exactly.
- The word 태어나다 contains the character 태 (胎), which refers to a fetus or womb. This connects the act of birth directly to the concept of being in the womb.
Examples in context
- 교토에서 태어났어요.I was born in Kyoto.This sentence is useful for stating where you were born in Kyoto.Tatoeba #13135812 by atitarev, translation #256896 by CN
- 한국에서 태어났어요.I was born in Korea.This sentence is useful for stating where you were born in Korea.Tatoeba #13189759 by atitarev, translation #11340605 by ddnktr
- 1980년에 태어났어요.I was born in 1980.This sentence is useful for stating the year you were born.Tatoeba #13163014 by atitarev, translation #2132022 by AlanF_US
- 저는 1985년에 태어났습니다.I was born in 1985.
- 나는 2001년에 태어났어.I was born in 2001.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are talking about their hometowns.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저는 부산에서 태어났어요.jeoneun busaneseo tae-eonasseoyo.I was born in Busan.
- 민지 Min-ji정말요? 저는 서울에서 태어났어요.jeongmallyo? jeoneun seoul-eseo tae-eonasseoyo.Really? I was born in Seoul.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서울은 정말 좋은 곳이죠.seoul-eun jeongmal joeun gosijyo.Seoul is a really great place.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 맞아요.ne, majayo.Yes, that's right.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
