최선을 다할게요
choeseoneul dahalgeyo
The English phrase "I will do my best" is translated into Korean as 최선을 다할게요 (choeseoneul dahalgeyo).
This phrase is used to promise that you will put forth your maximum effort to achieve a goal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 최선, which literally means 'the best' or 'the utmost' effort and 다할게요, which comes from the verb meaning 'to exhaust', 'to finish' or 'to give all' combined with a future intention ending.
Which one should you use?
The default form 최선을 다할게요 uses the -ㄹ게요 ending, which expresses a promise or intention to the listener, making it sound more personal and soft than the formal version.
How does it change in a sentence?
In formal versions, the first-person pronoun 제가 is used as the formal equivalent to 'I'.
How do you pronounce it?
choeseoneul dahalgeyo
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, this phrase is frequently used in job interviews or when receiving a new task to demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility and commitment.
Did you know?
- The verb 다하다 used in this phrase also describes the moment a candle burns out or a life ends. This adds a subtle nuance of 'exhausting' every single drop of one's energy until nothing is left.
- The word 최선 is composed of Hanja characters meaning 'most' and 'good'. In a competitive context, using this phrase can sometimes be seen as a humble 'buffer', as promising a perfect result is often considered arrogant in Korean social hierarchy.
- While 최선을 다할게요 is a promise of effort, Koreans often use the phrase 열심히 하겠습니다, which literally means 'I will do it diligently'. The latter is often preferred in professional settings to signal a spirit of hard work rather than just a result.
Examples in context
- 이 포지션에서 최선을 다하겠습니다.I will do my best in this position.
- 대회에서 제가 최선을 다하겠습니다.I will do my best in the competition.
- 저는 항상 최선을 다하겠습니다.I will always do my best.
- 이번 시험에는 내가 최선을 다해볼게.I will do my best in this exam.
- 우리 서로 최선을 다해볼게요.Let's both do our best.
- 지원자로 선발되면 최선을 다하겠습니다If selected as a candidate, I will do my best
- 이번 프로젝트에 최선을 다할게요.ibeon peurojekteue choeseoneul dalhalgeyo.I will do my best on this project.
- 시험 준비를 위해 최선을 다할게요.siheom junbirul wihae choeseoneul dalhalgeyo.I will do my best to prepare for the exam.
- 끝까지 최선을 다할게요.kkeutkkaji choeseoneul dalhalgeyo.I will do my best until the end.
Example conversation
A student promising a mentor to work hard on a new task.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 이번 대회 준비 잘하고 있어요?Jihoon ssi, ibeon daehoe junbi jalhago isseoyo?Jihoon, are you preparing well for this competition?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 서연 씨. 최선을 다할게요.Ne, Seoyeon ssi. Choeseoneul dalhalgeyo.Yes, Seoyeon. I will do my best.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨를 믿어요. 파이팅!Jihoon ssireul mideoyo. Paiting!I believe in you, Jihoon. Fighting!
- 지훈 Ji-hun감사합니다. 열심히 하겠습니다.Gamsahamnida. Yeolsimhi hagesseumnida.Thank you. I will work hard.
