🇺🇸 Translation
I can have a good time on my own even when I’m alone🤷♂️
📙 Lesson point
How to say “I can a have good time on my own even when I’m alone” in Korean (Part 2)
Hello, everyone! We’re going to learn two things today. We’re going to take a look at the two most used usages of the commonly used grammar particle ‘도.’
The first lesson point would be the usage where it is used in the form of ‘(Noun)+도.’ The second lesson point would be the usage where it is used in the form of ‘(Verb, Adjective, Adverb) +ㅏ도 / ㅓ도.’
After reading today’s post, not only will you be able to learn how to say “I can a have good time on my own even when I’m alone” in Korean, but you’ll also understand how this Korean expression is grammatically formed. Moreover, we’ll look into the actual expression that Dokyeom of SEVENTEEN used for his Instagram post. Let’s begin!
The First Usage: (Noun) + 도
The first usage is when it is used in the form of ‘(Noun)+도.’ In this case, it is used as a postposition that incorporates a given (Noun) into the category of a description and can be translated as “(Noun) as well, (Noun) too.” Let’s look at some examples to easily see how this expression is used.
Mom: Who wants some ice cream?
Son 1: 나! (Me!)
Son 2: 나도! (Me too!)
Mom: 쿠키도 먹을래? (You guys want cookies too?)
Son 1: 응, 그리고 우유도! (Yes, and some milk too!)
Son 2: 너도? 나도 우유! (You too? I, as well, want milk!)
As you can see in these examples, ‘도’ can be attached to any noun and is very commonly used, just as ‘too’ is used commonly in English.
The Second Usage: (Verb, Adjective, Adverb) +ㅏ도 / ㅓ도
Now, we’re going to look at the second usage of ‘도,’ where it is used with verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
In this case, it represents the meaning of reversal such as ‘even though’ and ‘even if’. To use this expression, you need to remove ‘-다’ from the original forms of the verb, adjective, adverbs and add ‘-ㅏ도’ or ‘-ㅓ도’ to it. Let’s look at some examples to see how it can be used.
가다: to go
지금 가도 늦었어 (가 + ㅏ도)
It’s already too late even if we go now
보다: to see
자세히 봐도 이해하기 힘들어 (보 +ㅏ도)
It’s difficult to understand even if I look closely
먹다: to sleep
햄버거 두 개 먹어도 배고파 (먹+ㅓ도)
Still hungry even after having two burgers
혼자서: alone, on one’s own
혼자서도 할 수 있어 (혼자서+ㅓ도)
I can do it on my own even if I’m alone
Dokyeom says: “혼자서도 잘 놀아”
Since we now know the meaning of the expression ‘혼자서,’ which means “alone, one one’s own,” let’s look at the other part of the sentence.
First, to review, ‘혼자서’ means “alone, without the help of others,” and ‘혼자서도’ will fit in the second usage. Therefore, it would have the meaning of “even when alone, even if I’m on my own.” Also, ‘잘’ is an adverb that means “well,” and ‘놀다’ is a verb that means “to play.”
Therefore, the literal translation of ‘혼자서도 잘 놀아’ would be “I play well even if I’m on my own.” To translate it more naturally, we can translate it as “I can have a good time on my own even when I’m alone.” In conclusion, Dokyeom is saying that he plays well by his own, posting pictures of himself playing alone with his camera and mirror.