깜짝이야
kkamjjagiya
In Korean, "you startled me" is expressed as 깜짝이야 (kkamjjagiya).
깜짝이야 is used as an exclamation immediately following a sudden fright, rather than as a descriptive sentence about a person's action.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, it translates to "it is a sudden start".
Which one should you use?
The form 놀랬어 is an informal way to say "You startled me".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
깜짝이야 is informal and is typically used with friends, children or people younger than you. To express being startled in a polite or formal setting, use 깜짝 놀랐어요 instead of the exclamation 깜짝이야.
How do you pronounce it?
kkamjjagiya
Did you know?
- The root word 깜짝 is also used in the term 깜짝 선물, which means a 'surprise gift'.
- In Korean, the sound of the word itself, 깜짝, is an onomatopoeia that mimics the 'jolt' or 'pop' of a sudden movement.
- On Korean television, when a person says or experiences 깜짝이야, editors often use jagged, shaking fonts in on-screen captions to visually represent the physical jolt of the person.
Examples in context
- 깜짝이야!kkam-jjak-i-ya!You startled me!
- 아, 깜짝이야. 진짜 놀랐어.a, kkam-jjak-i-ya. jin-jja nol-lat-seo.Ah, you startled me. I was really surprised.
- 갑자기 나타나서 깜짝이야.gap-ja-gi na-ta-na-seo kkam-jjak-i-ya.You appeared so suddenly, you startled me.
Example conversation
Jihoon suddenly walks into the room behind Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon깜짝이야! 지훈 씨, 왜 이렇게 조용히 들어와요?kkam-jjak-i-ya! ji-hun ssi, wae i-reot-ke jo-yong-hi deu-reo-wa-yo?You startled me! Jihoon, why did you walk in so quietly?
- 지훈 Ji-hun미안해요, 서연 씨. 많이 놀랐어요?mi-an-hae-yo, seo-yeon ssi. ma-ni nol-lat-seo-yo?I'm sorry, Seoyeon. Were you very surprised?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 심장이 철렁했어요.ne, sim-jang-i cheol-leong-hae-sseo-yo.Yes, my heart almost stopped.
- 지훈 Ji-hun앞으로는 조심할게요.ap-eu-ro-neun jo-sim-hal-ge-yo.I will be careful from now on.
