맞아요?
maj-ayo?
In Korean, "is that right?" is expressed as 맞아요? (maj-ayo?)
This phrase is used as a question to confirm if the information someone has just provided is correct.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the level of formality and the relationship between speakers, different forms are used. 맞아요? is a standard polite way to ask for confirmation. For a highly formal setting like a business meeting or news broadcast, use 맞습니까? To show deference to elders, superiors or strangers, you may use 맞으신가요? Other ways to express similar sentiments include 정말요? (Really?) or 사실이에요? (Is it true?).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 맞아요? uses the polite ending '-아요'. The form 맞습니까? is the highly formal version.
How do you pronounce it?
maj-ayo?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you if information is correct, you can confirm it by saying 네, 맞아요 (Yes, that's right). If the information is incorrect, you can respond with 아니요, 틀려요 (No, it's wrong).
Did you know?
- The root verb in 맞아요 is 맞다, which can also mean 'to be hit' or 'to be struck' by something, such as a physical blow or a target.
- While 맞아요 means 'that is right', the word for 'wrong' used in the response 틀려요 literally means 'to be different'. In Korean, the concept of being 'incorrect' is often expressed as being 'different from the answer'.
- In casual conversation, Koreans often repeat 맞아요 several times in a row to show they are deeply empathizing with the speaker. This functions more as an active listening tool than a literal request for confirmation.
Examples in context
- 내일 미팅은 열 시에 있는 거 맞습니까? / 네, 맞습니다.The meeting is at 10 am tomorrow, is that right? / Yes, that's correct.
- 이게 정답 맞아요?ige jeongdap majayo?Is this the correct answer?
- 내일 비가 온다는 게 맞아요?naeil biga ondaneun ge majayo?Is it true that it will rain tomorrow?
Example conversation
Subin is checking a reservation detail with Dohyeon.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 우리 예약이 오후 두 시 맞아요?Dohyeon-ssi, uri yeyagi ohu du si majayo?Dohyeon, is our reservation at 2 PM, is that right?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 두 시가 맞아요.Ne, du siga majayo.Yes, that is right.
- 수빈 Su-bin다행이네요.Dahaeng-ineyo.That's a relief.
- 도현 Do-hyeon늦지 않게 오세요.Neutji anke oseyo.Please come without being late.
