우리 집에 온 걸 환영해
uri jibe on geol hwanyeonghae
The English phrase "welcome to my home" is translated into Korean as 우리 집에 온 걸 환영해 (uri jibe on geol hwanyeonghae).
This phrase is a greeting used to welcome guests when they arrive at the speaker's house.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 우리 집에 온 걸 환영해 literally breaks down to "our house to come thing welcome": 우리 (our), 집 (house), 에 (to), 온 (came), 걸 (thing/fact) and 환영해 (welcome).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 우리 집에 온 걸 환영해 is informal and should only be used with friends or people younger than you. For formal settings, you can use 집에 온 것을 환영합니다. If you are welcoming a guest in a formal setting or speaking to someone much older or of higher status, use the respectful form 우리 집에 오신 것을 환영합니다. Additionally, 집에 왔구나! is an informal way to express a casual welcome.
How do you pronounce it?
uri jibe on geol hwanyeonghae
When do people say it?
When referring to things like one's home, family or school, Korean speakers use 우리 (our) instead of 내 (my), even if the speaker is the sole owner.
Did you know?
- While the phrase translates to 'welcome to my home', Koreans often welcome guests by asking 밥 먹었어?, which means 'did you eat?'
- In Korea, it is customary for guests to remove their shoes before entering the 집 (house), often leaving them pointed toward the door.
- The syllable 걸 in the phrase is a contraction of a noun-forming structure, but its linguistic origins may be linked to an archaic term for 'sheep'.
Example conversation
Minjun greets Subin at his front door.
- 민준 Min-jun안녕, 수빈아! 우리 집에 온 걸 환영해.annyeong, Subin-a! uri jibe on geol hwan-yeonghae.Hi, Subin! Welcome to my home.
- 수빈 Su-bin초대해 줘서 고마워, 민준아.chodaehae jwoseo gomawo, Minjun-a.Thanks for inviting me, Minjun.
- 민준 Min-jun자, 이제 안으로 들어와.ja, ije aneuro deureowa.Now, come inside.
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 집이 정말 예쁘다!eung, jibi jeongmal yeppeuda!Yes, your home is really pretty!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 걸, 온, 우리, CC BY-SA 4.0.
