당신의 국적
dangsin-ui gukjeok
The English phrase "your nationality" is translated into Korean as 당신의 국적 (dangsin-ui gukjeok).
당신의 국적 refers to the status of belonging to a particular nation. While this phrase is grammatically correct, it is not common in natural, polite conversation. Instead of using the direct phrase 당신의 국적, Koreans typically ask 국적이 어떻게 되세요? to ask someone what their nationality is in a polite manner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 당신 (you), the possessive particle 의 (your) and 국적 (nationality).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 당신의 국적 is considered formal, but using 당신 (dangsin) to mean "your" can sound confrontational or overly formal in many social contexts in Korean. Depending on the level of politeness required, there are different ways to state your own nationality: use 저는 (your nationality) 국적입니다 for formal situations or 나는 (your nationality)야 and 나는 (your nationality) 사람이야 for informal situations.
How do you pronounce it?
dangsin-ui gukjeok
Did you know?
- The word 국적 can be written with two different sets of Chinese characters. While one refers to 'nationality', the other refers to a 'traitor' to the state.
- In Korea, asking someone 당신의 국적 can actually sound like a challenge or a confrontation rather than a polite inquiry, because the word 당신 is often used between angry spouses or in heated arguments.
- In Korean, the phrase 어떻게 되세요?, which literally means 'how does it become?', is used to politely ask for information like nationality.
Examples in context
- 나는 미국인입니다.I am American.
- 저는 한국 국적입니다.I have Korean nationality.
- 나는 영국인이야.I am British.
- 나는 필리핀 사람이야.I am a Filipino person.
- 나는 중국인입니다.I am Chinese.
- 저는 인도네시아 국적입니다.I have Indonesian nationality.
- 나는 일본 사람이야.I am Japanese.
- 당신의 국적은 무엇입니까?dangsin-ui gukjeok-eun mueos-imnikka?What is your nationality?
Example conversation
Filling out a registration form at a travel agency.
- 서연 Seo-yeon여기 당신의 국적을 입력하세요.yeogi dangsin-ui gugjeok-eul imnyeok-haseyo.Please enter your nationality here.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 알겠습니다.ne, alget-seumnida.Yes, I understand.
- 서연 Seo-yeon다 쓰셨나요?da sseusyeon-nayo?Have you finished writing?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 여기 있습니다.ne, yeogi it-seumnida.Yes, here it is.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 국적, CC BY-SA 4.0.
