거짓말 하지마
geojitmal hajima
The English phrase "stop lying" is translated into Korean as 거짓말 하지마 (geojitmal hajima).
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to stop telling lies.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from 거짓말, which literally means "falsehood" or "lie".
Which one should you use?
While 거짓말 하지마 is a command directed at the action of lying, the word 거짓말쟁이 is the noun used to call someone a "liar".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the command polite and suitable for speaking to strangers or elders, you can add the suffix -세요 to the end of the phrase, resulting in 거짓말 하지 마세요.
How do you pronounce it?
geojitmal hajima
Did you know?
- In some contexts, saying 거짓말! with a rising intonation is not a command to stop lying but an expression of disbelief, similar to saying 'No way!' or 'You're kidding!' in English.
- While 거짓말 하지마 is a direct command, using it with an elder could be seen as a severe social transgression regardless of whether they are actually lying.
- The term 거짓말 was recorded in the Seokbo sangjeol as early as 1447, showing that the concept of 'false speech' has been phrased this way since the early days of the Korean alphabet.
Examples in context
- 형아, 거짓말하지 좀 마.Hey, bro, please stop lying.
- 거짓말 하지마, 나 다 알고 있어.geojitmal hajima, na da algo isseo.Stop lying, I know everything.
- 제발 거짓말 하지마.jebal geojitmal hajima.Please stop lying.
- 거짓말 하지마, 그거 사실 아니잖아.geojitmal hajima, geugeo sasil anijana.Stop lying, that is not true.
Example conversation
Subin is angry because Dohyun is making up excuses.
- 수빈 Su-bin거짓말 하지마, 도현아.geojitmal hajima, dohyeon-a.Stop lying, Dohyun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon진짜 아니야, 정말이야.jinja aniya, jeongmariya.It's really not true, I'm serious.
- 수빈 Su-bin그만 좀 해, 거짓말 하지마.geuman jom hae, geojitmal hajima.Stop it, stop lying.
- 도현 Do-hyeon미안해, 내가 잘못했어.mianhae, naega jalmoshaesseo.I am sorry, I was wrong.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 거짓말, 하지마, CC BY-SA 4.0.
