나를 존중해
nareul jonjunghae
The phrase "respect me" in Korean is 나를 존중해 (nareul jonjunghae).
This phrase is used to demand recognition of one's dignity or boundaries. It is typically used in confrontational or assertive contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 나 (I/me), the object marker 를 (me) and 존중해 (respect/honor).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 나를 존중해 is in the informal or casual style, known as banmal, which is used with people of equal or lower social status. To turn this into a polite request, you can add 주세요 to the end to say 나를 존중해 주세요 (please respect me).
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to someone of higher status or in a formal setting, you must change the pronoun 나 to the humble form 저 to say 저를 존중해 주세요 (please respect me).
How do you pronounce it?
nareul jonjunghae
Did you know?
- If you use the informal 나를 존중해 to someone older than you, it is not just considered rude, it is a direct violation of the fundamental social contract of Korean speech. Using banmal (informal speech) with a superior can be interpreted as a significant social provocation or an act of defiance.
- The term 존중 (jon-jung) is used specifically for respecting boundaries or opinions, while 존경 (jon-gyeong) is used for admiring someone's character or achievements.
- The word 존중 (jon-jung) shares its root with the word for 'precious' or 'valuable' (존 as in 존귀), implying that the person being respected is treated as a valuable object.
Examples in context
- 제발 저를 존중해주세요.Please respect me.
- 부디 제게 존중을 베풀어주세요.Please kindly treat me with respect.
- 존경(尊敬)해 주십시오.Please show me respect.
- 날 존중해.Respect me.
- 형/누나 제발 존중 좀 해줘요.Please respect me, brother/sister.
- 최소한 나를 존중해.choesohan nareul jonjunhae.At least respect me.
- 그렇게 나를 존중해 줬으면 좋겠어.geureoke nareul jonjunhae jwosseomyeon jokesseo.I wish you would respect me like that.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are arguing about a disagreement.
- 서연 Seo-yeon내 생각은 너와 달라.nae saenggakeun neowa dalla.My thoughts are different from yours.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그건 틀린 생각이야.geugeon teullin saenggagiya.That is a wrong thought.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그렇게 말하지 말고 나를 존중해.geureoke malhaji malgo nareul jonjunghae.Don't talk like that and respect me.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo미안해, 서연아. 조심할게.mianhae, Seoyeon-a. josimhalge.I'm sorry, Seoyeon. I'll be careful.
