넌 내 거야
neon nae geoya
The English phrase "you're mine" is translated into Korean as 넌 내 거야 (neon nae geoya).
This phrase is a romantic or possessive statement used to tell someone that they belong to the speaker. In Korean media like K-dramas, it is often used in a highly dramatic, romantic or even slightly obsessive or possessive context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a contraction of 너는 내 것이야. In this construction, 너 means "you", 내 means "my" and 거 is a colloquial form of 것 meaning "thing" or "object".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 넌 내 거야 uses the contraction 넌 (from 너는) and the informal ending 야, making it suitable only for close friends, romantic partners or someone younger. A polite version would use 당신은 제 거예요 to show respect, though this is rarely used in a romantic possessive context due to the high level of formality.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 거 (thing) is combined with the copula 야 to create the possessive "is mine".
How do you pronounce it?
neon nae geoya
Did you know?
- Because the word 내 has so many homophones in Korean, it once served as the general word for 'smoke' before being replaced by the Sino-Korean word 연기.
- Because the phrase uses the informal ending 야, saying 넌 내 거야 to a stranger or someone older would be considered extremely rude rather than romantic.
- The phrase uses the word 거, which literally translates to 'thing' or 'object'. In a romantic context, saying 'you are mine' is grammatically equivalent to saying 'you are my thing'.
Examples in context
- 넌 내 거야.You're mine.This sentence is useful for expressing the phrase 넌 내 거야.Tatoeba #4948580 by rainbow4us, translation #2217883 by CK
- 넌 내 사람이야You're my person.
- 절대 잊지 마, 넌 내 거야.jeoldae itji ma, neon nae geoya.Never forget, you're mine.
- 겁내지 마, 넌 내 거야.geomnaeji ma, neon nae geoya.Don't be afraid, you're mine.
Example conversation
A couple is sharing a romantic moment together.
- 민준 Min-jun서연아, 정말 사랑해.Seoyeon-a, jeongmal saranghae.Seoyeon, I really love you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon나도 민준 씨를 사랑해요.nado Minjun ssi-reul saranghaeyo.I love you too, Minjun.
- 민준 Min-jun넌 내 거야, 알지?neon nae geo-ya, alji?You're mine, you know that?
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 나도 네 거야.eung, nado ne geo-ya.Yes, I'm yours too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
