내 세상
nae sesang
The English phrase "my world" is translated into Korean as 내 세상 (nae sesang).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 내 (my) and 세상 (world).
Which one should you use?
내 세상 is used with friends or people younger than you, and 제 세상 when speaking to someone older or in a formal setting. Other variations include 나의 세계, which is a common and straightforward way to say "my world" in formal contexts and 저의 세계, which is a more polite and respectful form used when speaking with someone of higher status.
How does it change in a sentence?
In polite or formal speech, 내 (my) changes to 제 (my).
How do you pronounce it?
nae sesang
Did you know?
- The syllable 내 (nae) was once the standard word for 'smoke', but it was eventually displaced by the Sino-Korean term 연기 (yeon'gi) to avoid confusion with other words.
- While 내 세상 is a common way to express 'my world', the word 세상 is often used to describe the human realm or the physical world of people, whereas 세계 refers more to a structured or scientific concept of a world.
Examples in context
- 난 너를 만난 이후로 내 세상이 완전히 달라졌어.Since I met you, my world has completely changed.
- 너는 내게 있어서 가장 소중한 사람이야. 네가 사는 세상에 함께하고 싶어.You are the most precious person to me. I want to be a part of your world.
- 음악은 내 세상이야.eum-ag-eun nae se-sang-i-ya.Music is my world.
- 너는 내 세상의 전부야.neo-neun nae se-sang-ui jeon-bu-ya.You are my whole world.
- 그곳은 오직 내 세상이야.geu-got-eun o-jik nae se-sang-i-ya.That place is my world alone.
Example conversation
A young couple is talking about their deep feelings for each other.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우야, 너는 내 세상이야.hyeon-u-ya, neo-neun nae se-sang-i-ya.Hyunwoo, you are my world.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연아, 나도 그래.seo-yeon-a, na-do geu-rae.Seoyeon, I feel the same.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 고마워.jeong-mal go-ma-wo.Thank you so much.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo사랑해.sa-rang-hae.I love you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내, CC BY-SA 4.0.
