What does it mean word for word?
The word 물론 (mullon) means 'of course' or 'naturally'.
Which one should you use?
While 물론이지 is used for casual agreement, other forms exist depending on the nuance: 물론입니다 means 'It is obvious', 당연합니다 means 'It is natural' and 물론이죠 means 'Of course, it is'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
물론이지 is an informal way to express agreement. To speak politely to a superior or a stranger, you should use the polite form 물론입니다 instead. For casual settings, you can also use 물론이야 or 당연하지 to say 'of course' or 'naturally'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the form 물론이지, the suffix -이지 is added to the noun to create an informal, assertive statement of fact.
How do you pronounce it?
mullon-iji
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, you should only use 물론이지 with friends or people younger than you. Using it with elders is considered rude.
Did you know?
- The word 물론 (mullon) is actually a loanword from Chinese, where the characters 物 meaning 'thing' and 論 meaning 'discussion' combine to imply something is beyond discussion.
- In a business setting, saying 물론이지 can be more damaging than simply saying 'no', as it violates the strict hierarchy of Korean honorifics.
- In modern Korean texting, people often shorten 물론이지 or 당연하지 to just the first consonant ㅁㄹ or ㄷㅇ to convey quick agreement.
Examples in context
- 물론이지!Of course!This example is useful for expressing a simple enthusiastic 'Of course!' using 물론이지.Tatoeba #8363313 by Eunhee, translation #433730 by CK
- 물론이지, 내가 도와줄게.mulloniji, naega dowajulge.Of course, I will help you.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo asks Subin if she can join his study group.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈아, 같이 공부할래?subin-a, gachi gongbu-hallae?Subin, do you want to study together?
- 수빈 Su-bin물론이지! 정말 좋아.mulloniji! jeongmal joha.Of course! I'd love to.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그럼 내일 도서관에서 보자.geureom naeil doseogwan-eseo boja.Then let's meet at the library tomorrow.
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 내일 봐!eung, naeil bwa!Okay, see you tomorrow!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
