내 남친 해줄래?
nae namchin haejullae?
The English phrase "will you be my boyfriend" is translated into Korean as 내 남친 해줄래? (nae namchin haejullae?)
This phrase is a question used to ask someone to enter into a romantic relationship as a boyfriend. Another very common way to express this sentiment is 나랑 사귈래?, which literally means "Will you date/go out with me?"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 내 남친 해줄래? literally translates to "Will you do (the role of) my boyfriend for me?", where 해줄래 means "will you do (something) for me".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more polite or formal situations, you can use 제 남자친구가 되어 주실래요? to politely ask someone to be your boyfriend or 제 남자친구가 될 수 있을까요? as a formal request to consider becoming your boyfriend. A middle-ground polite version is 제 남자친구 할래요? In casual settings, 남자친구 될래? is also used to ask "Do you want to be my boyfriend?"
How do you pronounce it?
nae namchin haejullae?
Did you know?
- Korean has several specific words for 'dating' stages, such as 썸 (from the English 'some'), which describes the flirtatious period before the phrase 나랑 사귈래? is ever spoken.
- While the phrase asks a question, the actual transition to 'couple' status in Korea often requires a clear, verbal confirmation known as 고백 or 'confession'.
- In South Korea, the phrase 나랑 사귈래? is often accompanied by the exchange of a 'couple ring' or matching items shortly after the agreement to date.
Examples in context
- 제 남자친구가 되어 주실래요?Will you become my boyfriend?
- 남자친구 될래?Do you want to be my boyfriend?
- 진짜 내 남친 해줄래?jinjja nae namchin haejullae?Will you really be my boyfriend?
- 이제 내 남친 해줄래?ije nae namchin haejullae?Will you be my boyfriend now?
Example conversation
Seoyeon asks Jihun to be her boyfriend at a park.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈아, 내 남친 해줄래?jihun-a, nae namchin haejullae?Jihun, will you be my boyfriend?
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말? 당연하지!jeongmal? dangyeonhaji!Really? Of course!
- 서연 Seo-yeon나 너무 행복해.na neomu haengbokhae.I am so happy.
- 지훈 Ji-hun나도 서연이 네가 정말 좋아.nado seoyeon-i nega jeongmal joha.I really like you too, Seoyeon.
