네, 주인님
ne, juinnim
The English phrase "yes, master" is translated into Korean as 네, 주인님 (ne, juinnim).
네, 주인님 is a formal or submissive way to agree with or acknowledge a command from someone who has total authority over you. This phrase is most commonly encountered in fictional contexts, such as historical dramas, fantasy settings or specific subcultures, rather than in everyday modern conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 네 (yes) and 주인님 (master/owner/lord).
How do you pronounce it?
ne, juinnim
Did you know?
- The word 네 meaning 'yes' was recorded as 迺 in the 1103 text 계림유사, long before the modern alphabet was created.
- The honorific suffix -님 in 주인님 is so powerful that it can be attached to almost any noun to create a title of respect, even for non-human entities in fiction.
- While 네, 주인님 sounds like a term of absolute obedience, the word 주인 (juin) is also the standard, everyday word used for 'owner' of a pet or a 'host' of a house.
Examples in context
- 알겠습니다, 네, 주인님.algetseumnida, ne, juinim.Understood, yes, master.
- 명령을 따르겠습니다, 네, 주인님.myeongnyeongeul ttareugesseumnida, ne, juinim.I will follow the command, yes, master.
Example conversation
Minji is roleplaying as a master to Minjun.
- 민지 Min-ji민준, 이제 여기로 와.Minjun, ije yeogiro wa.Minjun, come here now.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 주인님.Ne, juinim.Yes, master.
- 민지 Min-ji내 가방을 들어줘.Nae gabangeul deureojwo.Carry my bag for me.
- 민준 Min-jun네, 주인님. 여기 있습니다.Ne, juinim. Yeogi isseumnida.Yes, master. Here it is.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 네, CC BY-SA 4.0.
