제발 안 돼요
jebal an dwaeyo
In Korean, "please no" is expressed as 제발 안 돼요 (jebal an dwaeyo).
제발 안 돼요 is used as a desperate plea to ask someone to stop doing something or to prevent a specific situation from happening.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 제발, which means "please" or "I beg you" and 안 돼요, which means "it is not allowed", "it is not possible" or "it does not work".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 제발 안 돼요 can be shortened to 제발 안 돼 when speaking to someone of equal or lower status.
How do you pronounce it?
jebal an dwaeyo
Did you know?
- While 제발 means 'please', it carries a much heavier weight of desperation than the English 'please'. In Korean, using 제발 can sound like a person is truly on the brink of tears or begging for their life.
- The phrase 안 돼요 literally translates to 'it does not become', derived from the verb 되다 (to become). This stems from a linguistic logic where something is 'not possible' if it cannot 'become' or 'develop' into a valid state.
- When saying 제발 안 돼요, the speaker may slightly bow or clasp their hands to emphasize the desperation of the plea.
Examples in context
- 제발 안 돼요, 그만하세요.jebal an dwaeyo, geumanhaseyo.Please no, please stop.
- 제발 안 돼요, 도와주세요!jebal an dwaeyo, dowajuseyo!Please no, please help me!
Example conversation
Hyunwoo is trying to throw away Seoyeon's old notebook.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이거 너무 낡았어요. 버릴게요.igeo neomu nalgasseoyo. beorilgeyo.This is too old. I'll throw it away.
- 서연 Seo-yeon제발 안 돼요! 제 소중한 책이에요.jebal an dwaeyo! je sojunghan chaegieyo.Please no! It's my precious book.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo먼지가 너무 많아요.meonjiga neomu manayo.There is too much dust.
- 서연 Seo-yeon제가 닦을게요. 제발 돌려주세요.jega dakkulgeyo. jebal dollyeojuseyo.I'll wipe it. Please give it back.
