네 마음에 달렸어
ne ma-eume dallyeosseo
The phrase 'up to you' in Korean is 네 마음에 달렸어 (ne ma-eume dallyeosseo).
This phrase is used to tell someone that they have the agency, right or responsibility to make a decision between options. You can also use the word 맘대로 to mean 'as you please.'
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 네 마음에 달렸어 literally means 'it depends on your heart' or 'it is hung on your mind.'
Which one should you use?
While 네 마음에 달렸어 refers to the heart or mind, you can make the phrase more direct and less emotional by replacing 마음 with 결정 (decision) to say 네 결정에 달렸어, which means 'it depends on your decision.'
How do you pronounce it?
ne ma-eume dallyeosseo
Did you know?
- The verb 달리다 in this phrase means 'to depend on' but is the same word used for 'running' a race.
- The form 네 is a casual term and would be considered rude if used with a boss or a stranger, regardless of the meaning of the phrase.
- The word 네 used here is a contraction of 너 meaning 'you' and the genitive marker 의 meaning 'of'.
Examples in context
- 그대 맘대로 하세요.It's up to you.
- 여러분의 선택에 달려 있어요. 원하시는 장소로 안내해 드릴게요.It depends on your choice. I will guide you to the place you want to visit.
- 그건 완전히 네 마음에 달렸어.geugeon wanjeonhi ne maeume dallyeosseo.That is completely up to you.
- 어디로 갈지는 네 마음에 달렸어.eodiro galjineun ne maeume dallyeosseo.Where we go is up to you.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Jihun are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 서연 Seo-yeon저녁 뭐 먹을까?jeonyeok mwo meogeulkka?What should we eat for dinner?
- 지훈 Ji-hun난 다 좋아. 네 마음에 달렸어.nan da joa. ne maeume dallyeosseo.I'm fine with anything. It's up to you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 우리 비빔밥 먹으러 가자.geureom uri bibimbap meogeureo gaja.Then let's go eat bibimbap.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그래, 좋아!geurae, joa!Sure, sounds good!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 네, CC BY-SA 4.0.
