제발요
jebal-yo
The English phrase "pretty please" can be translated into Korean as 제발요 (jebal-yo).
제발요 is used when pleading for something. Depending on your tone, it can sound quite dramatic or desperate, similar to the way "pretty please" is used in English.
Meaning: an emphatic interjection to make commands more polite (intj)
How does it change in a sentence?
You can create an informal version by removing the yo suffix to get 제발, which should only be used with close friends or people younger than you. To add emphasis and increase the sense of desperation, functioning much like the "pretty" in "pretty please", you can add 좀 after 제발 to form 제발 좀.
How do you pronounce it?
jebal-yo
Did you know?
- In many K-dramas, characters use 제발 while making a specific heart shape with their fingers to emphasize their cute or desperate request.
- When said with a falling intonation, 제발 좀 can shift from a plea into a expression of extreme frustration, similar to saying 'Give me a break' in English.
- In written Korean text messages, people often repeat the character 제 as 제에에발 to mimic a whining, 'pretty please' tone through text.
Examples in context
- 한 번만 도와주세요, 제발요.han beonman dowajuseyo, jebalyo.Please help me just this once, pretty please.
- 그것 좀 빌려주세요, 제발요.geugeot jom billyeojuseyo, jebalyo.Please lend me that, pretty please.
- 이번만 봐주세요, 제발요.ibeonman bwajuseyo, jebalyo.Please let it slide this time, pretty please.
Example conversation
Subin is asking Dohyeon to help her move a heavy box.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 이것 좀 같이 들어주세요.Dohyeon-ssi, igeot jom gatchi deureojuseyo.Dohyeon, please help me carry this.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지금은 조금 바빠서 어려울 것 같아요.jigeumeun jogeum bappaseo eoryeoul geot gatayo.I'm a bit busy right now, so it might be difficult.
- 수빈 Su-bin딱 5분만 도와주세요, 제발요.ttak obunman dowajuseyo, jebalyo.Just help me for five minutes, pretty please.
- 도현 Do-hyeon알겠어요, 금방 도와줄게요.algesseoyo, geumbang dowajulgeyo.Alright, I'll help you right away.
