여기 봐요
yeogi bwayo
The English phrase "look here" is translated into Korean as 여기 봐요 (yeogi bwayo).
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to direct their eyes toward a specific spot or person.
Which one should you use?
While 여기 봐요 is a polite command, it remains a direct imperative and may sound slightly blunt depending on your tone of voice. For a more polite way to direct attention to a specific place or object, you can use 여기 봐 주세요. If you want to tell someone to pay attention in a formal tone, use 주목하세요.
How do you pronounce it?
yeogi bwayo
Did you know?
- In many Korean restaurants, people will shout 여기요 to get a server's attention, which functions similarly to saying 'over here' in English.
- Using 여기 봐요 with someone of a higher social rank can be perceived as aggressive or rude. This happens despite the presence of the polite 요 particle, which usually softens a sentence.
- The word 여기 is a direct descendant of the Middle Korean form 이ᅌᅥ긔, which appeared in the 15th-century text Seokbo sangjeol.
Examples in context
- 보고 계신 분들은 여기 봐 주세요.Please look here, those who are watching.
- 주목하세요! 이 부분이 중요합니다.Look here! This part is important.
- 여기 봐! 이 사진 어때?Look here! How is this picture?
- 이쪽 봐! 나 여기 있어.Look this way! I'm here.
- 이거 봐! 내가 새로 샀어.Look at this! I bought it new.
- 여기 봐요.yeogi bwayo.Look here.
- 사진 찍을 테니까 여기 봐요.sajin jjigeul tenikka yeogi bwayo.I will take a photo, so look here.
Example conversation
Dohyun is showing Subin a beautiful view from a balcony.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 여기 봐요.Subin-ssi, yeogi bwayo.Subin, look here.
- 수빈 Su-bin우와, 정말 멋지네요!Uwa, jeongmal meotjineyo!Wow, it is truly wonderful!
- 도현 Do-hyeon풍경이 아주 예쁘죠?Punggyeongi aju yeppeujyo?The scenery is very pretty, right?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 도현 씨도 같이 봐요.Ne, Dohyun-ssido gatchi bwayo.Yes, you look too, Dohyun.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 여기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
