재미있었어
jaemi-isseosseo
In Korean, "it was fun" is expressed as 재미있었어 (jaemi-isseosseo).
This phrase is used to describe a past experience as enjoyable.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 재미 (fun/interest) and 있었어 (existed/was), literally meaning 'fun existed'.
Which one should you use?
You can also use 즐거웠어 to mean it was enjoyable, which has an affectionate and personal feel. If you want to emphasize the level of fun, you can use 매우 즐거웠어 to say it was extremely fun.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding 요 to the end of the default form makes it a polite way to say 'it was fun' to someone older or in a higher social position, creating 재미있었어요.
How do you pronounce it?
jaemi-isseosseo
Did you know?
- While 재미있었어 is common, Koreans may use the word 꿀잼 (honey-fun) to describe something that was exceptionally sweet or high-quality enjoyment.
- In casual texting, Koreans often shorten the phrase to 잼있었어 or even just 잼 to express that something was fun or interesting.
- The root 있어 (to exist/have) in 재미있었어 is the same word used to say 'I have' or 'it is here', showing that Korean treats 'fun' as a tangible thing that exists within an event.
Examples in context
- 재미 있었습니다. 감사합니다.It was fun. Thank you.
- 재밌었어! 정말 좋은 시간이었어.It was fun! It was truly a good time.
- 어제 영화 정말 재미있었어.eoje yeonghwa jeongmal jaemiisseosseo.The movie yesterday was really fun.
- 그 파티 진짜 재미있었어!geu pati jinjja jaemiisseosseo!That party was really fun!
- 여행은 정말 재미있었어.yeohaeng-eun jeongmal jaemiisseosseo.The trip was very fun.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are talking after a concert.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은아, 오늘 공연 어땠어?jieuna, oneul gongyeon eottaesseo?Jieun, how was the performance today?
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 재미있었어!jeongmal jaemiisseosseo!It was really fun!
- 도현 Do-hyeon나도 정말 좋았어.nado jeongmal joasseo.I really liked it too.
- 지은 Ji-eun다음에 또 가자.daeume tto gaja.Let's go again next time.
