Korean word

정말요

Pronunciation

Romanizationcheongmaryo

Meaning

  • interjectionreally

Example

정말요, 축하해요!cheong ma ryo chu ka hae yo

Really? Congratulations!

Illustration for 정말요 (really)

More examples

정말요, 감사합니다.cheong ma ryo kam sa ham ni da

Really? Thank you.

Core concept

A polite response that asks whether something is true or shows surprise at what was just said.

Common phrases

  • 정말요, 감사합니다cheong ma ryo kam sa ham ni da

    really? thank you

Similar words

정말cheongmal: A standard question asking whether an unexpected statement is true, with surprise or doubt.
진짜chinjja: A casual reaction that challenges an unexpected claim with strong surprise or doubt.
정말?cheongmal: A brief informal question with rising intonation that signals surprise or uncertainty.
진짜?chinjja: A very informal one-word question showing disbelief at surprising news.

Definition in Korean

상대의 말에 놀라워하거나 확인하고 싶을 때 공손하게 묻거나 감탄할 때 쓰는 감탄사.sang dae ui ma re nol la wo ha geo na hwa gin ha go si peul ttae kong son ha ge mut kkeo na kam tan hal ttae sseu neun kam tan sa

Word origin

The expression is formed from the Korean word meaning really and the polite ending -yo, which gives this short response a respectful tone.

Usage tips

  • Rising intonation makes 정말요 (jeongmaryo, "really") sound like a question, while falling intonation often shows surprised agreement.

Related words

Word lists with this word