나를 지켜줘
The English phrase "protect me" can be translated into Korean as 나를 지켜줘.
This phrase can be used both literally (physical protection) and metaphorically (emotional or spiritual protection).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 나를 지켜줘 is composed of 나 (me), the object marker 를 (me/as for me) and 지켜줘 (protect/keep watch over for me).
Which one should you use?
The default form 나를 지켜줘 means "watch over me" or "protect me". For a more casual and softer way to request protection, you can use 나 좀 지켜줘. In formal contexts, you can use 안전하게 해주세요 to mean "please keep me safe" or 보호해 주십시오 to say "please protect me" in a formal and direct way.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix -세요 to the end makes the request more polite and respectful, creating 나를 지켜주세요. To use the polite form, the pronoun 나 (me) must be changed to the humble form 저 (me) to say 저를 지켜줘요.
Did you know?
- The concept of 'protecting' someone in Korean often implies 'keeping a promise' or 'keeping one's word', which is a secondary meaning of the root verb 지키다.
- The auxiliary verb -줘 in 지켜줘 literally means 'to give', implying that the act of protecting is a gift or a favor being granted to the speaker.
- Depending on the intonation, 나를 지켜줘 can shift from a desperate plea for help to a cute, flirtatious request known as aegyo in Korean culture.
Examples in context
- 밤에 혼자 다니는데, 안전하게 해주세요.Please protect me while I'm walking alone at night.
- 위험한 상황에서 저를 보호해 주십시오.Please protect me in this dangerous situation.
- 밤에 나를 지켜줘.Please protect me tonight.
- 혼잡한 곳에서 나 좀 지켜줘.Please protect me a little while we're in a crowded place.
- 제발 나를 지켜줘.jebal nareul jikyeojwo.Please, protect me.
- 어둠 속에서 나를 지켜줘.eodum sogeseo nareul jikyeojwo.Protect me in the darkness.
- 언제나 나를 지켜줘.eonjena nareul jikyeojwo.Always protect me.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Minjun are watching a scary movie together.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준아, 너무 무서워. 나를 지켜줘.Minjun-a, neomu museowo. nareul jikyeojwo.Minjun, it's so scary. Protect me.
- 민준 Min-jun걱정 마, 내가 옆에 있을게.geokjeong ma, naega yeope isseulge.Don't worry, I will be by your side.
- 서연 Seo-yeon진짜지? 꼭 나를 지켜줘.jinjjaji? kkok nareul jikyeojwo.Really? Promise you will protect me.
- 민준 Min-jun응, 절대 안 놓을게.eung, jeoldae an noeulge.Yes, I will never let go.
