What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the contraction 넌 (you) and the past tense of the verb 죽다 (to die), literally meaning "You died" or "You are dead".
Which one should you use?
While 넌 죽었어 is a standard way to say this, you might also encounter 너 죽었어, which uses the full form 너 instead of the contraction 넌. For a more colloquial and idiomatic sense that emphasizes an immediate consequence, you can use 너 이제 죽었다, which means "You're dead now".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
넌 죽었어 is an informal way to say "you're dead". The variation 너 죽었어 is also common in informal speech. Note that the form 죽으셨습니다 is used in formal situations, but it is used to express that someone is deceased rather than as a warning or threat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb uses the past tense suffix -었어 to indicate a completed state, which in this context functions as "you are dead".
How do you pronounce it?
neon jugeosseo
Did you know?
- Korean uses the 'death' root in the word 죽이다 to mean both 'to kill' and 'to do something exceptionally well', such as 'killing' a performance.
- Korean has a specific category of 'honorific' death verbs, meaning you would never use 죽다 when referring to the passing of an elder or a person of high status.
- Despite the literal meaning, using 넌 죽었어 with a playful tone and a smile can be a flirtatious or teasing way to tell a partner or friend they are in 'trouble'.
Examples in context
- 엄마한테 걸리면 넌 죽었어.eomma-hante geollimyeon neon jugeosseo.If you get caught by mom, you're dead.
- 이거 들키면 넌 죽었어.igeo deurikimyeon neon jugeosseo.If this is discovered, you're dead.
- 선생님께 말씀드리면 넌 죽었어.seonsaengnimkke malsseumdeurimyeon neon jugeosseo.If I tell the teacher, you're dead.
Example conversation
Jihoon accidentally spills juice on Seoyeon's notebook.
- 지훈 Ji-hun미안해, 서연아! 실수였어.mianhae, seoyeona! silsuyeosseo.I'm sorry, Seoyeon! It was a mistake.
- 서연 Seo-yeon내 공책이 다 젖었잖아! 넌 죽었어.nae gongchaegi da jeojeotjana! neon jugeosseo.My notebook is all soaked! You're dead.
- 지훈 Ji-hun제발 한 번만 용서해 줘.jebal han beonman yongseohae jwo.Please forgive me just this once.
- 서연 Seo-yeon절대 안 돼. 각오해!jeoldae an dwae. gagohae!No way. Prepare yourself!
