What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the following parts: 네가 consists of the informal pronoun 네 (you) and the subject marker 가. 정말 acts as an intensifier meaning "really" or "so". And 자랑스러워 is the conjugated form of the adjective 자랑스럽다, which means "to be proud".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite version, you can use 당신이 정말 자랑스러워요, which changes the subject to 당신 (or omits it entirely) and adds the polite ending 요 to the verb. In very formal situations, you might use 정말로 자랑스럽습니다 to say "I am truly proud" or 당신이 정말로 자랑스럽습니다 to say "I am truly proud of you".
How does it change in a sentence?
In this expression, 정말 is used to translate the English intensifier "so" or "really". The subject is marked by 가 attached to the pronoun 네.
How do you pronounce it?
nega jeongmal jarangseureowo
Did you know?
- Using the pronoun 당신 in the polite version 당신이 정말 자랑스러워요 can be risky, as it can sound confrontational or overly intimate depending on the context.
- In Korean culture, expressing pride too directly to a superior can be seen as awkward or overly familiar. Instead of using 자랑스러워, speakers often use phrases that express respect or gratitude for the other person's example.
- The intensifier 정말 used in this phrase literally translates to 'correct word' or 'true word' through its Hanja roots.
Examples in context
- 네가 정말 자랑스러워.nega jeongmal jarangseureowo.I am so proud of you.
- 합격했다니 네가 정말 자랑스러워.hapgyeok-haet-dani nega jeongmal jarangseureowo.I am so proud of you for passing the exam.
- 열심히 노력한 네가 정말 자랑스러워.yeolsimhi noryeok-han nega jeongmal jarangseureowo.I am so proud of you for working so hard.
Example conversation
Minji congratulates Minjun on winning a competition.
- 민지 Min-ji민준아, 우승 축하해!Minjun-a, useung chuk-hae!Minjun, congratulations on your victory!
- 민준 Min-jun고마워, 민지야. 정말 힘들었어.Gomawo, Minji-ya. Jeongmal himdeureosseo.Thanks, Minji. It was really hard.
- 민지 Min-ji결과를 보니 네가 정말 자랑스러워.Gyeol-gwareul boni nega jeongmal jarangseureowo.Seeing the result, I am so proud of you.
- 민준 Min-jun그렇게 말해줘서 정말 기뻐.Geureoke mal-hae-jwoseo jeongmal gippeo.I am so happy you said that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 정말, CC BY-SA 4.0.
