내가 가장 좋아하는 색은 파란색이다
naega gajang joh-ahaneun saeg-eun paransaeg-ida
In Korean, 'my favorite color is blue' is expressed as 내가 가장 좋아하는 색은 파란색이다 (naega gajang joh-ahaneun saeg-eun paransaeg-ida).
This phrase is used to state that blue is the color the speaker likes more than any other.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 내가 (I/my), 가장 좋아하는 (most favorite/liking most), 색은 (color [topic]) and 파란색이다 (is blue).
How does it change in a sentence?
To be polite to strangers or elders, change the subject 내가 to 제가 and the ending to 이에요. In casual speech with friends or people younger than you, the sentence ending changes from 이다 to 이야.
How do you pronounce it?
naega gajang joh-ahaneun saeg-eun paransaeg-ida
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, the color blue 파란색 is often used to describe things that an English speaker would call 'green', such as green traffic lights or green apples.
- The word 가장 is a homonym with several unrelated meanings, including 'head of the household' and 'disguise' or 'fake'.
- Before 가장 became the standard word for 'most' in the sixteenth century, Koreans used different superlative adverbs such as 안〮직 and ᄆᆞᆺ〮.
Examples in context
- 저는 예술을 좋아합니다. 제가 가장 좋아하는 색은 파란색입니다.I enjoy art. My favorite color is blue.
- 나 예술 좋아해. 나는 파란색을 가장 좋아해.I like art. I like blue the most.
- 나는 많은 색 중에 파란색을 제일로 좋아해.Among many colors, I like blue the most.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their preferences.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈, 너는 무슨 색을 좋아해?jihun, neoneun museun saegeul joahae?Jihoon, what color do you like?
- 지훈 Ji-hun내가 가장 좋아하는 색은 파란색이다.naega gajang joahaneun saegun paransaegida.My favorite color is blue.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말? 나도 파란색을 좋아해.jeongmal? nado paransaegeul joahae.Really? I like blue too.
- 지훈 Ji-hun우리 취향이 정말 비슷하구나.uri chwihyangi jeongmal biseuthaguna.Our tastes are really similar.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가장, 내가, CC BY-SA 4.0.
