Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “really” in Korean! Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner of Korean, mastering expressions for “really” will help you sound more natural and express yourself with ease. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to say “really” in Korean, as well as provide various tips, examples, and highlight any regional variations when necessary. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Really” in Korean
If you want to express “really” in a formal manner, you can use the following phrases:
- 정말 (jeongmal) – This is the most common and widely used formal way to say “really” in Korean. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts. For example:
- 정말 행복합니다. (Jeongmal haengbokhamnida.) – I’m really happy.
- 정말 좋아요. (Jeongmal johayo.) – It’s really good.
- 정말 아니에요. (Jeongmal anieyo.) – It’s really not.
- 진짜 (jinjja) – Another formal way to say “really” is 진짜. It is slightly more casual compared to 정말 but still acceptable in formal situations. For instance:
- 진짜 힘들어요. (Jinjja himdeureoyo.) – It’s really difficult.
- 진짜 실례할게요. (Jinjja silryehalgeyo.) – I’m really sorry.
Informal Ways to Say “Really” in Korean
If you want to express “really” in an informal manner, you can use the following phrases:
- 진짜 (jinjja) – Just like in formal speech, 진짜 can also be used in informal settings. It is the most common and versatile word for “really.” For example:
- 진짜 재미있어! (Jinjja jaemiisseo!) – It’s really fun!
- 진짜 맛있어. (Jinjja masisseo.) – It’s really delicious.
- 진짜 안 좋아해. (Jinjja an johahae.) – I really don’t like it.
- 엄청 (eomcheong) – This term is more colloquial and used predominantly among younger Koreans. It emphasizes the meaning of “really” to an extreme level. Here are some examples:
- 엄청 좋아. (Eomcheong joh-a.) – It’s really great.
- 엄청 고마워. (Eomcheong gomawo.) – I’m really grateful.
- 엄청 싫어. (Eomcheong silh-eo.) – I really hate it.
Tips for Using “Really” in Korean
Now that you know the formal and informal ways to say “really” in Korean, here are a few additional tips to help you use the expressions correctly:
- Pay attention to politeness levels: Depending on your relationship with the person you’re speaking to or the context of the situation, you can choose between formal or informal expressions. Formality is often valued in Korean culture, so it’s essential to get a sense of the appropriate level to use.
- Practice correct pronunciation: To ensure effective communication, focus on pronouncing “정말” as “jeongmal” and “진짜” as “jinjja.” Pay attention to intonation as well, as it can convey different meanings and implications.
- Observe context and tone: “Really” can have various nuances in different situations. Observe how native Korean speakers use these expressions in context to grasp the appropriate usage and tone.
- Combine with other expressions: Experiment with combining “really” with other Korean expressions to create more diverse and nuanced sentences. This will help you expand your vocabulary and sound more natural.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve gone through our comprehensive guide on how to say “really” in Korean. Remember to choose the appropriate formal or informal expression based on the context and your relationship with the person you’re speaking to. Good pronunciation, understanding context, and observing native speakers will help you to master the different nuances of using “really” in Korean. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be incorporating these expressions into your Korean conversations seamlessly. Best of luck on your language journey!
