내가 지켜줄게
naega jikyeojulge
내가 지켜줄게 (naega jikyeojulge) is the Korean way to say "I will protect you".
This phrase is used to make a promise to keep someone safe from harm or danger. It is a common trope in Korean romantic dramas (K-dramas) to express devotion and protection.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 내가 (I), 지켜 (protect) and 줄게 (will give/do as a favor for someone).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Other informal ways to express this include 난 널 지킬 거야, 내가 보호해 줄 테니 안심해 and 나는 너를 지킬 거야. To say this more politely, change 내가 to 제가 and add 요 to the end to say 제가 지켜줄게요.
How do you pronounce it?
naega jikyeojulge
Did you know?
- The word 내가 is derived from the Sino-Korean 來駕, which historically referred to the arrival of a high-ranking person.
- The phrase includes the grammar structure -줄게, which literally translates to 'I will give you the favor of'. This implies that protecting someone is not just an action, but a heartfelt gift or service being offered to the listener.
- The component 지키다 is versatile enough to describe a soldier guarding a border, a person keeping a secret, or a citizen upholding a law, lending the promise a weight of solemn duty.
Examples in context
- 걱정 마, 내가 지켜줄게.geok-jeong ma, nae-ga ji-kyeo-jul-ge.Don't worry, I will protect you.
- 무서워하지 마. 내가 지켜줄게.mu-seo-wo-ha-ji ma. nae-ga ji-kyeo-jul-ge.Don't be afraid. I will protect you.
- 밤에는 내가 지켜줄게.bam-e-neun nae-ga ji-kyeo-jul-ge.I will protect you at night.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are walking home through a dark park.
- 민준 Min-jun지은아, 많이 무서워?Ji-eun-ah, ma-ni mu-seo-wo?Jieun, are you very scared?
- 지은 Ji-eun응, 길이 너무 어두워.Eung, gil-i neo-mu eo-du-wo.Yes, the path is too dark.
- 민준 Min-jun괜찮아, 내가 지켜줄게.Gwaen-cha-na, nae-ga ji-kyeo-jul-ge.It's okay, I will protect you.
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워, 민준아.Go-ma-wo, Min-jun-ah.Thank you, Minjun.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내가, CC BY-SA 4.0.
