나였어
nayeosseo
In Korean, the phrase for "I was" is 나였어 (nayeosseo).
This phrase is used to identify yourself as the person who performed a past action or was in a certain state.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 나 (I) and the past tense of the copula 이다 (to be) in the informal style.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 나였어 is used in casual speech with friends or people younger than you. The polite version of "I was" is 저였어요, which uses the humble pronoun 저 and the polite ending 어요.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 나였어 is used when following a noun to say "I was [noun]".
How do you pronounce it?
nayeosseo
Did you know?
- While 나였어 identifies you as the person, it cannot be used to describe your physical location in the past. To say 'I was at home', you must use a completely different verb of existence rather than the copula used in this phrase.
- In Korean, the phrase 나였어 is often used as a confession in romantic dramas when a character reveals they were the one who secretly helped or loved someone in the past.
- In Korean, the subject 'I' is frequently dropped entirely if the context is clear. Instead of saying 'I was a student', a speaker might simply say 'student-was', leaving the 'I' implied by the tone and situation.
Examples in context
- 갔어I went
- 재미있었어It was interesting
- 좋았어It was good
- 힘들었어It was difficult
- 그때 그 사람이 나였어.geuttae geu sarami nayeosseo.That person back then was me.
- 어제 전화한 사람은 나였어.eoje jeonhwahan sarameun nayeosseo.The person who called yesterday was me.
- 범인은 바로 나였어.beomineun baro nayeosseo.The culprit was none other than me.
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are talking about a mysterious phone call from last night.
- 민준 Min-jun어제 밤에 누구였어?eoje bam-e nuguyeosseo?Who was it last night?
- 민지 Min-ji그 전화한 사람, 나였어.geu jeonhwahan saram, nayeosseo.That person who called, it was me.
- 민준 Min-jun민지 너였구나!minji neoyeotguna!It was you, Minji!
- 민지 Min-ji응, 미안해.eung, mianhae.Yes, I'm sorry.
