내 유일한 사람
nae yuilhan saram
The English phrase "my only one" is expressed in Korean as 내 유일한 사람 (nae yuilhan saram).
This phrase is used as a term of endearment for a person who is the only one the speaker loves. Because it is highly romanticized, you will encounter it more frequently in song lyrics, poetry or dramatic dialogue than in everyday casual conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 내 (my), 유일한 (only/unique) and 사람 (person/human).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This phrase is informal. The use of 내 (my) instead of the polite 제 makes it suitable for use with a romantic partner or close friend.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, 유일한 is the adjectival form of the noun 유일 (uniqueness/sole) and is used to modify the noun 사람.
How do you pronounce it?
nae yuilhan saram
Did you know?
- The word 내 in this phrase is a homophone for several other words, including an old term for 'smoke' and a Sino-Korean word for 'inside'. This ambiguity is part of why the original word for 'smoke' was eventually replaced by a different term.
- While 내 유일한 사람 is romantic, Koreans often use the word 운명 meaning 'destiny' or 'fate' to describe such a person. This shifts the meaning from 'my only one' to 'the one I was destined to meet'.
- While 내 is used here as 'my', the syllable 내 can also be a suffix meaning 'through' or 'within' a certain range or time. For example, it can be used to express doing something 'within' a specific period.
Examples in context
- 우리는 서로의 유일한 사람이야.We are each other's only ones.
- 너는 나의 유일한 사랑이야.You are my only love.
- 당신은 내 유일한 사람이에요.dangsin-eun nae yuilhan saram-ieyo.You are my only one.
Example conversation
A romantic setting during a quiet evening walk.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지야, 넌 내 유일한 사람이야.Minji-ya, neon nae yuilhan saram-iya.Minji, you are my only one.
- 민지 Min-ji정말? 고마워, 도현아.Jeongmal? Gomawo, Dohyeon-a.Really? Thank you, Dohyeon.
- 도현 Do-hyeon진심으로 사랑해.Jinsimeuro saranghae.I love you sincerely.
- 민지 Min-ji나도 도현이를 정말 사랑해.Nado Dohyeon-ireul jeongmal saranghae.I love you too, Dohyeon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내, CC BY-SA 4.0.
