가만히 있어
gamanhi isseo
To say "stay still" in Korean, you use 가만히 있어 (gamanhi isseo).
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to stop moving or remain in one position.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The way you express this command depends on your relationship with the listener. 가만히 있어 is the informal way to say "stay still", used with friends, children or people younger than you. For a polite way to tell someone to stay still, used with elders or strangers, use 가만히 계세요. There are also more specific ways to express this: 가만히 있어주세요 means "Please be still" and 가만히 있어줘 means "Stay still for me."
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix –라 to the verb makes the command more forceful or authoritative, resulting in 가만히 있어라.
How do you pronounce it?
gamanhi isseo
Did you know?
- In a heated argument, saying 가만히 있어 to a peer can be perceived as a condescending way to tell them to 'shut up' or 'be quiet'.
- The expression 가만히 놔둬 uses the same root word as 'stay still' but shifts meaning to 'leave me alone' or 'stop bothering me'.
- The word 가만히 is derived from the Middle Korean word ᄀᆞᄆᆞ니, which was documented as early as 1447.
Examples in context
- 가만히 있어주세요.Please stay still.
- 한 번도 움직이지 마세요.Please don't move at all.
- 가만히 있어.Stay still.
- 가만히 있어줘.Stay still for me.
- 사진 찍을 거니까 가만히 있어.sajin jjigeul geonikka gamanhi isseo.I'm going to take a photo, so stay still.
- 아프니까 조금만 가만히 있어.apeunika jogeumman gamanhi isseo.It hurts, so just stay still for a moment.
- 거기서 가만히 있어.geogiseo gamanhi isseo.Stay still right there.
Example conversation
Seoyeon is trying to put a bandage on Hyunwoo's scratched knee.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우야, 움직이지 말고 가만히 있어.Hyunwoo-ya, umjigiji malgo gamanhi isseo.Hyunwoo, don't move and stay still.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo너무 따가워, 서연아.Neomu ttagaw-eo, Seoyeon-ah.It stings too much, Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon거의 다 됐어. 가만히 있어.Geoui da dwaesseo. Gamanhi isseo.It's almost done. Stay still.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo알았어, 이제 안 움직일게.Arasseo, ije an umjigilge.Okay, I won't move now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가만히, CC BY-SA 4.0.
