별로
byeollo
The English phrase 'not really' is expressed in Korean as 별로 (byeollo).
별로 is used to indicate that something is true only to a low degree, meaning 'not really' or 'not much'. When used as a standalone response to a question, it implies a negative answer.
Meaning: to a low degree (adv)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adverb 별로 is almost always used in conjunction with a negative verb or adjective to express that something is 'not really' the case.
How do you pronounce it?
byeollo
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 별로 with positive verbs. For example, do not say '별로 좋아해요' to mean 'I don't really like it'. Instead, you must pair it with a negative form like '안 좋아해요' or '좋지 않아요'.
Did you know?
- In modern slang, 별로 is often used as a standalone adjective to mean 'uncool' or 'not good'. For example, describing a movie as 별로 suggests it was disappointing without needing a negative verb.
- The word 별로 literally means 'by a separate way' or 'in a different manner' due to the Hanja '별' (別) meaning 'separate'.
- While 'not really' in English can be a polite way to soften a 'no', using 별로 as a standalone answer in Korean can sometimes sound blunt or uninterested depending on your tone.
Examples in context
- "허리가 아퍼?" "아니, 별로." "그래, 그게 불행 중 다행이야.""Does your back hurt?" "No, not really." "Oh, that's something then, isn't it?"This sentence is useful for seeing how 별로 functions as a short response in a conversation.Tatoeba #507558 by orzage, translation #326726 by Zifre
- 아니요, 그렇게 말씀하기 어렵습니다.No, it's difficult to say so.
- 사실은 아니에요.Actually, it's not true.
- 아니야, 별로 그렇지 않아.No, it's not that great.
- 그 영화 별로 재미없지.That movie is not really interesting.
- 오늘은 별로 안 추워요.oneureun byeollo an chuwoyo.It is not really cold today.
Example conversation
Jieun and Hyunwoo are talking about a movie they just watched.
- 지은 Ji-eun영화 재미있었어?yeonghwa jaemiisseosseo?Was the movie interesting?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아니, 별로 재미없었어.ani, byeollo jaemieopseosseo.No, it wasn't really interesting.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말? 다들 좋다고 하던데.jeongmal? dadeul jokatago hadeonde.Really? Everyone said it was good.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo내 취향은 별로 아니었어.nae chwihyangeun byeollo anieosseo.It just wasn't really my taste.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 별로, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
