몸조심하세요
momjosimhaseyo
In Korean, 'stay safe' is said as 몸조심하세요 (momjosimhaseyo).
This phrase is used to tell someone to take care of themselves and avoid danger or illness. It is commonly used when someone is traveling, going through a difficult time or when there is a general threat such as bad weather or a pandemic.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For highly formal settings or when addressing someone of much higher social status, use 몸조심하십시오. The standard polite form is 몸조심하세요. If you are speaking with close friends or people younger than you, you can use the informal version 몸조심해. Other variations include the formal 안전하게 지내세요 for 'Stay safe' and the formal 조심히 다니세요 for 'Take care and be safe'. For a simple 'Be careful', you can use the formal 조심하세요 or the informal 조심해.
How do you pronounce it?
momjosimhaseyo
Did you know?
- The word 조심 is composed of two characters meaning 'to caution' and 'heart'. This implies that staying safe is as much about a mental state of mindfulness as it is about physical avoidance of danger.
- The word 몸 in 몸조심하세요 literally translates to 'body', meaning the phrase functions more like 'watch your body' than the abstract 'stay safe'.
- While 몸조심하세요 is a warm wish, using the root 조심 in other contexts can be a stern warning. Depending on the tone, it can shift from a caring 'stay safe' to a sharp 'watch your step' or 'be careful what you say'.
Examples in context
- 조심해, 친구야!Be careful, my friend!
- 겨울이니까 몸조심하세요.gyeoul-inikkayo momjoshim-haseyo.It's winter, so stay safe.
- 길이 미끄러우니 몸조심하세요.gil-i milkkeureouni momjoshim-haseyo.The road is slippery, so stay safe.
- 여행 잘 다녀오시고 몸조심하세요.yeohaeng jal danyeo-osigo momjoshim-haseyo.Have a good trip and stay safe.
Example conversation
Jieun is saying goodbye to Hyunwoo before he leaves for a trip.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 조심히 잘 다녀오세요.Hyeonu ssi, josimhi jal danyeo-oseyo.Hyunwoo, have a safe trip.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 지은 씨도 잘 지내세요.ne, Jieun ssi-do jal jinaeseyo.Yes, you take care too, Jieun.
- 지은 Ji-eun낯선 곳이니까 몸조심하세요.natseon gos-inikka momjosimhaseyo.It's an unfamiliar place, so stay safe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo고마워요. 다녀와서 연락할게요.gomawoyo. danyeowaseo yeonrakhalgeyo.Thank you. I will contact you when I return.
