내 짝사랑
nae jjaksarang
The English phrase "my crush" is translated into Korean as 내 짝사랑 (nae jjaksarang).
The term refers to a person someone is secretly attracted to or in love with. If you want to refer specifically to the person who is the object of your affection, you can use 짝사랑 상대.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 짝사랑 literally means "one-sided love". The part 짝 refers to a single side or a partner, and 사랑 means love.
How does it change in a sentence?
While 짝사랑 is the noun used for the concept of a "crush", the verb form 짝사랑하다 is used to describe the act of having a crush on someone or loving someone one-sidedly.
How do you pronounce it?
nae jjaksarang
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, the act of 짝사랑 is often romanticized in media as a bittersweet and noble form of longing rather than just a simple crush.
- The word 짝 in 짝사랑 is also used in the term 짝꿍, which refers to a desk mate or a close partner in a school setting.
- Historically, the form of the word 'my' used in this phrase, 내, has roots dating back to at least the 15th century in Middle Korean texts like the Yongbi eocheon'ga.
Examples in context
- 어떤 사람을 좋아해?Who do you like?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their feelings.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈아, 내 짝사랑을 소개해 줄게.Subin-a, nae jjaksarang-eul sogaehae julge.Subin, I'll introduce you to my crush.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말? 어떤 사람이야?Jeongmal? Eotteon saram-iya?Really? What kind of person is he?
- 도현 Do-hyeon착하고 운동을 잘하는 친구야.Chakhago undong-eul jalhaneun chin-gu-ya.He is a kind friend who is good at sports.
- 수빈 Su-bin와, 빨리 보고 싶다!Wa, ppalli bogo sipda!Wow, I want to meet him soon!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내, CC BY-SA 4.0.
