Korean · Real conversations
How to say “How long have you known each other?” in Korean
Ask how long two people have known one another.
두 분은 알고 지낸 지 얼마나 되셨어요?du buneun algo jinaen ji eolmana doesyeosseoyo?
How long have you known each other?
The construction describes a relationship that began in the past and continues now.
Use it in three situations
Meeting a couple
두 분은 알고 지낸 지 얼마나 되셨어요?du buneun algo jinaen ji eolmana doesyeosseoyo?
How long have you known each other?
Asking about colleagues
두 분은 오래전부터 알고 지내셨어요?du buneun oraejeonbuteo algo jinaesyeosseoyo?
Have you known each other for a long time?
Discussing an old friendship
두 분은 처음 어디서 만나셨어요?du buneun cheoeum eodiseo mannasyeosseoyo?
Where did you first meet?
What to watch for
It is different from asking how long they have been in the same room today.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine visiting family. Say this in Korean: Have you known each other for a long time?
Reveal a sample reply
두 분은 오래전부터 알고 지내셨어요?du buneun oraejeonbuteo algo jinaesyeosseoyo?
Have you known each other for a long time?
Build a useful exchange
Thank a host and take part in a family visit.
This expression in other languages
A note on speaking Korean
Most examples use polite 해요-style endings. A more formal ending may appear when addressing staff or making a careful request. Do not switch to casual speech with a stranger simply because the English translation sounds friendly.
Hangul is the main text; romanization helps you read along. Korean often leaves a clear subject unstated. Particles and endings carry information that English may express with separate words.
