졸린
jollin
The Korean word for sleepy is 졸린 (jollin).
The phrase is used to describe the sensation of feeling drowsy or needing sleep. The dictionary base form is the verb 졸리다, which means to feel sleepy or drowsy.
Meaning: feeling the need for sleep (adj)
Which one should you use?
There is a difference between the base form and the modifier form. While 졸리다 is the dictionary base form meaning to be sleepy, 졸린 is the specific form used when the word modifies a noun directly, such as in the phrase 'sleepy eyes'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 졸린 is used as an adjective to modify a noun. When speaking informally to friends or people younger than you, you can use the form 졸려 to say 'I am sleepy'.
How do you pronounce it?
jollin
Did you know?
- While 졸린 describes a general state of sleepiness, Koreans use 잠이 오다 to literally say 'sleep is coming', treating sleep as an active visitor rather than a feeling.
- In modern slang, people might use 기절하다, which means 'to faint', to describe falling asleep instantly because they were so 졸린.
- In Korean, you can describe someone as having 졸린 눈, which means 'sleepy eyes', but this is also used to describe a specific eye shape with heavy lids, regardless of whether the person is tired.
Examples in context
- 그냥 조금 졸린 것 같아.I guess I'm just a little sleepy.This sentence is useful for expressing that you feel slightly sleepy using the form 졸린.Tatoeba #6820159 by yesjustryan, translation #2330058 by CK
- 졸려요I am sleepy
- 배가 너무 고파서 졸려요I am sleepy because I'm so hungry
- 졸린 눈을 비비며 걸어갔어요.jollin nuneul bibimyeo georeogasseoyo.He walked while rubbing his sleepy eyes.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are studying together in a library.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 지금 너무 졸린 것 같아요.Minjun ssi, jigeum neomu jollin geot gat-ayo.Minjun, I think I'm really sleepy right now.
- 민준 Min-jun잠깐 밖에 나가서 바람 좀 쐴까요?jamkkan bakke nagaseo baram jom sweolkkayo?Shall we go outside for some fresh air for a bit?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 그래요. 너무 졸려서 집중이 안 돼요.ne, geuraeyo. neomu jollieoseo jipjung-i an dwaeyo.Yes, let's. I'm so sleepy that I can't concentrate.
- 민준 Min-jun저도 사실 조금 졸린 상태였어요.jeodo sasil jogeum jollin sangtaeyeosseoyo.To be honest, I was feeling a bit sleepy too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
