잊어버려
ijeobeoryeo
The English phrase 'let it go' can be translated into Korean as 잊어버려 (ijeobeoryeo).
This phrase is used to tell someone to stop thinking about a past problem or a mistake and to move on. While the English 'let it go' can imply an emotional release, the Korean 잊어버려 focuses more literally on the act of forgetting the memory or the event.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the verb 잊다 (to forget) and the auxiliary verb 버리다 (to throw away/to do completely), which literally means 'to forget it completely'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 잊어버려 is informal. Adding –세요 to the end of the verb makes the command more polite, resulting in 잊어버리세요.
How do you pronounce it?
ijeobeoryeo
Did you know?
- Despite the popularity of the song 'Let It Go' from Frozen, the official Korean dubbed version uses the phrase 내버려 둬, which means 'leave it alone' rather than 잊어버려.
- When people 'let go' of a grudge in Korea, they might say they are 'emptying their heart' 마음을 비우다. This reflects a Buddhist influence emphasizing emptiness over the act of forgetting.
- While 잊어버려 tells someone to forget, Koreans often use the phrase 털어버려 ('shake it off') when the 'letting go' is specifically about shaking off bad luck or a failure.
Examples in context
- 이미 일어난 일이니까 그냥 잊어버려.imi ireonan iringikka geunyang ijeobeoryeo.It already happened, so just let it go.
- 너무 자책하지 말고 다 잊어버려.neomu jachaekhaji malgo da ijeobeoryeo.Don't blame yourself too much and just let it all go.
Example conversation
Su-bin is feeling bad about a small mistake at work, and Do-hyeon is comforting her.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈아, 너무 걱정하지 마.Subin-a, neomu geokjeonghaji ma.Subin, don't worry too much.
- 수빈 Su-bin아까 실수한 게 계속 생각나서 속상해.akka silsuhan ge gyesok saenggaknaseo soksanghae.I'm upset because I keep thinking about the mistake I made earlier.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그건 이미 지나간 일이니까 그냥 잊어버려.geugeon imi jinagan iringikka geunyang ijeobeoryeo.It's already in the past, so just let it go.
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 고마워. 이제 신경 안 쓸게.eung, gomawo. ije singyeong an sseulge.Yeah, thanks. I won't dwell on it anymore.
