What does it mean word for word?
The verb 동의해요 is composed of the noun 동의 (agreement) and the verb suffix -하다 (to do).
Which one should you use?
While 네, 동의해요 is a polite way to agree, you may also use 그렇습니다. to mean 'That's correct' or 맞습니다. to mean 'That's right' in formal settings. In casual settings, you might use 맞아. for 'That's right' or 그렇지. to say 'That's so'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 네, 동의해요 uses the polite -해요 ending, making it suitable for most social situations with people you are not close to. For highly formal situations like business settings, presentations or speaking to superiors, use 네, 동의합니다 or 예, 동의합니다. If you are speaking with close friends or people younger than you, you can use the informal 응, 그래. or 응, 동의해.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Korean, the subject 'I' (저/나) is often omitted in these phrases because it is understood from the context.
How do you pronounce it?
ne, dong-uihaeyo
Did you know?
- The word 네 can be used as a question to ask 'What did you say?' by simply changing the intonation to a rising tone.
- In Korean, the word 네 for 'yes' is a homonym that can also mean 'your' when used as a possessive pronoun.
- The written form of the word 네 first appeared in the 'Yongbi eocheon'ga', a famous 1447 poem praising the founders of the Joseon dynasty.
Examples in context
- 말씀하신 대로As you said
- 네, 동의해요.ne, dongihayeo.Yes, I agree.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are discussing which movie to watch.
- 수빈 Su-bin이 영화가 더 재미있을 것 같아요.i yeong-hwa-ga deo jae-mi-it-eul geot gat-a-yo.I think this movie will be more fun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 동의해요. 이걸로 봐요.ne, dong-ui-hae-yo. i-geol-lo bwa-yo.Yes, I agree. Let's watch this one.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 제가 표를 예매할게요.geu-reom je-ga pyo-reul ye-mae-hal-ge-yo.Then I will book the tickets.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워요, 수빈 씨.go-ma-wo-yo, su-bin ssi.Thank you, Subin.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 네, CC BY-SA 4.0.
