널 이길 거야
neol igil geoya
The English phrase "I will beat you" is translated into Korean as 널 이길 거야 (neol igil geoya).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 널 이길 거야 is composed of the object 널 (you), the verb 이길 (to win/beat) and the future tense marker 거야 (will).
Which one should you use?
Use 이길 거야 to mean you will win a game, but use 때릴 거야 if you mean you will physically strike or hit someone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
널 이길 거야 is an informal version used between peers or to someone younger. For professional or highly polite settings, use the formal version 당신을 이길 겁니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 널 is a contraction of 너를, which is the more formal or complete way to say you as an object. In the formal version, 을 serves as the object particle.
How do you pronounce it?
neol igil geoya
Did you know?
- To express a 'crushing' victory, Koreans use the expression 발라버리다, which literally means 'to spread' something like butter or jam.
- The word 이기다 is used in the term 이기적인 (selfish), suggesting that a selfish person is someone who only wants to 'win' for themselves.
- The word 너 (you) inside 널 is so potentially offensive to superiors that Koreans often replace it with the person's title or name to avoid conflict.
Examples in context
- 이번 게임은 널 이길 거야.ibeon geimeun neol igil geoya.I will beat you in this game.
- 꼭 널 이길 거야.kkok neol igil geoya.I will definitely beat you.
- 내일은 널 이길 거야.naeireun neol igil geoya.I will beat you tomorrow.
Example conversation
Two friends are playing a video game together.
- 도현 Do-hyeon준비해, 널 이길 거야!junbihae, neol igil geoya!Get ready, I will beat you!
- 수빈 Su-bin정말 그렇게 생각해?jeongmal geureoke saenggakhae?Do you really think so?
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 이번엔 진짜로 널 이길 거야.eung, ibonen jinjjaro neol igil geoya.Yeah, I will really beat you this time.
- 수빈 Su-bin한번 해봐, 도현아.hanbeon haebwa, Dohyeon-a.Give it a try, Dohyeon.
