너무해
neomuhae
In Korean, "you're mean" is expressed as 너무해 (neomuhae).
This phrase is used to tell someone that their behavior is unfair or unkind. While it can be used for serious unfairness, it is very frequently used in a playful or "whiny" way among friends to express slight hurt feelings or disappointment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the adverb 너무 (too much) and the verb 하다 (to do), literally meaning "you do too much".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Adding the suffix '-요' makes the phrase polite and suitable for speaking to people you are not close with or who are older than you, as in 너무해요. The phrase 무례하시네요 translates to "You are being rude."
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, which requires a subject and an adjective ("you are mean"), this Korean phrase functions as a complete sentence on its own without an explicit subject.
How do you pronounce it?
neomuhae
Did you know?
- In romantic relationships, 너무해 is often used as 'aegyo' (cute speech), where the speaker exaggerates their sadness to act charmingly spoiled.
- While 너무 once only described negative things, it is now commonly used to mean 'very' or 'so' in positive contexts, such as 너무 예뻐요 for 'so pretty'.
- The adverb 너무 was historically used mostly in negative contexts, so using it to say someone is 'too much' carries an inherent sense of excess.
Examples in context
- 진짜 너무해.jinjja neomuhae.You're really mean.
- 그렇게 말하다니 너무해.geureoke malhadani neomuhae.It's mean of you to say that.
- 갑자기 그러면 너무해.gapjagi geureomyeon neomuhae.You're being mean by doing that suddenly.
Example conversation
Minjun refuses to share his snack with Jieun.
- 민준 Min-jun나만 먹을 거야. 안 줄래.naman meogeul geoya. an julrae.I'm going to eat it all. I won't give you any.
- 지은 Ji-eun치사하게 왜 그래? 너무해!chisahage wae geurae? neomuhae!Why are you being so stingy? You're mean!
- 민준 Min-jun알았어, 조금만 줄게.arasseo, jogeumman julge.Alright, I'll give you a little bit.
- 지은 Ji-eun이제야 좀 착하네, 민준아.ijeya jom chakhane, Minjun-a.Now you're finally being nice, Minjun.
