What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 계속, meaning continuously or keep and 웃어요, meaning smile or laugh.
Which one should you use?
While 계속 웃어요 is a standard way to express the sentiment, 계속 웃으세요 functions as a more direct, polite imperative often used for giving advice or encouragement. In contrast, 계속 웃고 있어요 is not a command. It is used to describe the ongoing state of someone who is currently smiling.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of politeness changes depending on who you are addressing. The casual version 계속 웃어 is used when speaking to close friends, family members, peers or people younger than you. The form 계속 웃으세요 maintains a slightly more polite tone while still being used casually.
How does it change in a sentence?
By changing the verb ending to -으세요 in the form 계속 웃으세요, you create a polite imperative used for providing encouragement. To describe a continuous state of being rather than giving an instruction, use 계속 웃고 있어요.
How do you pronounce it?
gyesok useoyo
Did you know?
- In Korea, there is a concept known as 사회적 웃음, or 'social laughter', which refers to a social mask used to maintain harmony even when a person is not actually happy.
- In Korean, the word 웃다 can mean both 'to smile' and 'to laugh' depending on the context. This means 계속 웃어요 could imply staying joyful or staying loud and laughing.
- The word 계속 is a Sino-Korean word derived from the Chinese characters 繼續.
Examples in context
- 계속 웃어. 문제들은 해결될 거야Keep smiling. Things will get better.
- 웃으세요. 어려움을 극복할 수 있습니다Keep smiling. You can overcome the challenges.
- 힘들어도 계속 웃어요.him-deul-eo-do gye-sok us-eo-yo.Even if it is hard, keep smiling.
- 내일도 계속 웃어요.nae-il-do gye-sok us-eo-yo.Keep smiling tomorrow too.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about staying positive during a difficult week.
- 지은 Ji-eun요즘 너무 힘들죠?yo-jeum neo-mu him-deul-jyo?It's been really tough lately, right?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요, 정말 지쳐요.ma-ja-yo, jeong-mal ji-chyeo-yo.That's right, I'm really exhausted.
- 지은 Ji-eun그래도 우리 계속 웃어요.geu-rae-do u-ri gye-sok us-eo-yo.Even so, let's keep smiling.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo고마워요, 지은 씨.go-ma-wo-yo, Ji-eun ssi.Thank you, Jieun.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 계속, CC BY-SA 4.0.
