작은 별
jageun byeol
The Korean phrase for "little star" is 작은 별 (jageun byeol).
작은 별 refers to a small star in the sky. You can modify the phrase to emphasize different qualities of the star: use 아주 작은 to mean "very small", 매우 작은 to mean "extremely small" or 귀여운 to mean "cute" when you want to express endearment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 작은 (small/little) and the noun 별 (star).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 작은 is the attributive form of the adjective 작다 (to be small), which allows it to modify the noun 별.
How do you pronounce it?
jageun byeol
When do people say it?
The famous children's song "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" translates to 반짝반짝 작은 별 in Korean.
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific word 별자리 for a constellation. It combines the word 별 for 'star' with 자리, which means 'seat' or 'place', literally describing a star's position in the sky.
- The historical spelling of 별 in 1446 suggests it may have originally been a two-syllable word, which is why some modern regional dialects still use forms like 비얼 instead of the standard single syllable.
- If you wanted to call a person a 'little star' as a compliment, you would likely use a different adjective than 작은, as 작은 can sometimes feel purely physical or even diminish one's importance.
Examples in context
- 작은 별 모양의 장식품A small star-shaped decoration
- 밤하늘에 아주 작은 별들이 빛나고 있다.Very small stars are shining in the night sky.
- 하늘에 작은 별이 떠 있어요.haneure jageun byeori tteo isseoyo.A little star is floating in the sky.
- 저 작은 별은 참 예뻐요.jeo jageun byeoreun cham yeppeoyo.That little star is very pretty.
- 작은 별을 하나 찾았어요.jageun byeoreul hana chajatseoyo.I found a little star.
Example conversation
Two people are looking at the night sky in a park.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 저 작은 별 좀 보세요.Jihun ssi, jeo jageun byeol jom boseyo.Jihun, please look at that little star.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말이네요. 아주 작고 귀여워요.Jeongmari-neyo. Aju jakgo gwiyeweoyo.You're right. It's very small and cute.
- 서연 Seo-yeon반짝이는 모습이 정말 아름다워요.Banjjagineun moseubi jeongmal areumdawoyo.The way it twinkles is truly beautiful.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨 말이 맞아요.Seoyeon ssi mari majayo.You are right, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 별, CC BY-SA 4.0.
