Korean · Greetings & Essentials
"Really?" in Korean: 정말요?
정말요?jeongmallyo?
Really? in Korean is 정말요? (jeongmallyo?). 정말요? is a surprised or confirming really?; 정말 without the question can intensify a statement.
Really?: starting the exchange
정말요? 몰랐어요.jeongmaryo? mollasseoyo.
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How to pronounce 정말요?
Say it
jeongmallyo?
/tɕʌŋmaɾjo/
정말요? is read jeongmallyo?. In 정말이에요?, read the full phrase as jeongmarieyo?.
"Really?" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 정말요?jeongmaryo? | Really? The inventory form for really?. | The inventory form for really?. |
| 정말이에요?jeongmarieyo? | is it really true? 정말요? is a surprised or confirming really?; 정말 without the question can intensify a statement. | 정말요? is a surprised or confirming really?; 정말 without the question can intensify a statement. |
How to use 정말요? in real life
- 1Really?: starting the exchange
정말요? 몰랐어요.
jeongmaryo? mollasseoyo.
Really? I did not know.
정말요? is a surprised or confirming really?; 정말 without the question can intensify a statement.
- 2Really?: adding useful context
내일 떠난다고요? 정말요?
naeil tteonandagoyo? jeongmaryo?
You are leaving tomorrow? Really?
This sentence places 정말요? in a complete exchange.
- 3Really?: a different conversation
그 일이 끝났어요? 정말요?
geu iri kkeunnasseoyo? jeongmaryo?
Is that work finished? Really?
This sentence places 정말요? in a complete exchange.
Mistakes English speakers make with 정말요?
Incorrect: 정말요? 몰랐어요이에요.
Correct: 정말요? 몰랐어요.
When practicing really, a conjugated predicate already finishes this sentence; do not append the noun copula 이에요. Keep the complete form 정말요? 몰랐어요.
Incorrect: 정말요? 몰랐어요습니다.
Correct: 정말요? 몰랐어요.
When practicing really, do not append a formal sentence ending to a predicate that already has its polite ending. Keep the complete form 정말요? 몰랐어요.
Good to know
정말요? is a surprised or confirming really?; 정말 without the question can intensify a statement.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led greetings and essentials study exercise: two sentences with 정말요?
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
정말요? 몰랐어요.
jeongmaryo? mollasseoyo.
Really? I did not know.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
내일 떠난다고요? 정말요?
naeil tteonandagoyo? jeongmaryo?
You are leaving tomorrow? Really?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Really?" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Really?" in Korean
What does 정말요? mean?
Really? in Korean is 정말요? (jeongmallyo?). 정말요? is a surprised or confirming really?; 정말 without the question can intensify a statement.
When should I say 정말이에요??
정말요? is a surprised or confirming really?; 정말 without the question can intensify a statement.
How does 정말이에요? differ from the basic expression?
정말이에요? means “is it really true?”. 정말요? is a surprised or confirming really?; 정말 without the question can intensify a statement.
Can I use 정말요? in a full sentence?
정말요? 몰랐어요. means “Really? I did not know.” 정말요? is a surprised or confirming really?; 정말 without the question can intensify a statement.
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