네, 맞아요
ne, majayo
The English phrase "yes, you are right" is expressed in Korean as 네, 맞아요 (ne, majayo).
This phrase is used to confirm a fact or agree with a statement made by the interlocutor.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 네 (yes) and 맞아요 (is correct/is right).
Which one should you use?
Use 맞아 instead of 맞아요 when speaking to close friends or people younger than you. Use 맞습니다 instead of 맞아요 in highly formal settings, such as business presentations or military contexts. Other formal ways to express this include 네, 그렇습니다. and 예, 옳으십니다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 맞다 (to be right) is conjugated in the polite -아요 ending to form 맞아요.
How do you pronounce it?
ne, majayo
Did you know?
- While 맞아요 means 'it is right', the root verb 맞다 can also mean 'to be hit' or 'to be struck' in different contexts.
- In Korean, agreeing with someone often involves nodding the head slightly while saying 네, but an overly deep bow while saying it can change the tone from simple agreement to deep submission.
- The term 네 appears in written records as early as 1103 in the 계림유사 and in the 1447 work 용비어천가.
Examples in context
- 영화를 보았어요.I watched a movie.
- 그럼 네가 맞아.Well, you are right.
- 네, 그렇습니다.Yes, you are right.
- 네, 맞아요. 오늘 날씨가 정말 좋네요.ne, majayo. oneul nalssiga jeongmal jonneyo.Yes, you are right. The weather is really nice today.
- 네, 맞아요. 그게 가장 중요해요.ne, majayo. geuge gajang jungyohaeyo.Yes, you are right. That is the most important thing.
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are discussing a restaurant choice.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 이 식당이 제일 맛있죠?hyunwoo ssi, i sikdangi jeil masitjyo?Hyunwoo, this restaurant is the best, right?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 맞아요. 여기 정말 맛있어요.ne, majayo. yeogi jeongmal masisseoyo.Yes, you are right. It is really delicious here.
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 우리 여기서 먹을까요?geureom uri yeogiseo meogeulkkayo?Then shall we eat here?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋아요, 민지 씨.joayo, minji ssi.Sounds good, Minji.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 네, CC BY-SA 4.0.
