🇺🇸 Translation
We’ll always stand next to MY 😼🔔🐶
📙 Lesson point
How to say “We’ll always stand next to MY” in Korean
Hello, everyone! We’re going to learn three things today. First, we’ll learn about the expression ‘서 있다.’ We’ll learn about its meaning and the differences between ‘서다’ and ‘서 있다.’
Next, we’ll take a look at the expression ‘(Verb)-ㄹ게.’ We’ll learn about its meaning and how to make this expression using different verbs. Finally, we’ll learn about how to say “always” in Korean. We’ll learn about a couple of words that mean “always” and the slight differences of nuance between them.
After reading today’s post, not only will you be able to learn how to say “We’ll always stand next to ~” in Korean, but you’ll also understand how this Korean expression is grammatically formed. Moreover, we’ll look into the actual expression that Karina and Winter of AESPA used for their Instagram post. Let’s begin!
What does ‘서 있다’ mean?
First, let’s learn about the word ‘서 있다.’ The Korean adjective ‘있다,’ which means “to be, to exist,” can be combined with verbs to make other meanings. Let’s look at the two conjugated forms of verbs that are combined with ‘있다.’
(1) (Verb) -고 있다
= to be in the active state of doing the (Verb)
(2) (Verb) -아/어 있다
= to be in the static state of doing the (Verb)
The first expression ‘(Verb) -고 있다’ refers to a state in which a dynamic behavior is occurring continuously. It is the most commonly used and transforms verbs into present progressive. This form can be applied to every verb.
The second expression ‘(Verb) -아/어 있다’ is paired with only certain verbs. It means that the (Verb) is happening as a continuing state, but not showing any dynamic behavior.
For example, if I’m ‘sitting on a chair’, this could mean two things in English. It could mean (1) that I’m doing the body movement of bending your knees to sit on the chair at the moment. However, it could also mean (2) that I’m already seated on the chair and the action of ‘sitting’ is happening continually as a state that I’m currently in.
See the difference? Simply put, if the verb entails dynamic action or behavior; like studying, crying, running, jumping, dancing, singing, reading, etc, then you can only use ‘-고 있다.’ However, if the verb can be referred to as a state, such as sitting, standing, lying on the floor, etc, then you can use both ‘-고 있다’ and ‘-아/어 있다.’ Let’s look at some examples.
공부하다 (to study)
→ 공부하고 있다 (to be in the state of studying)
→ 나는 공부하고 있다 (I am studying)
울다 (to cry)
→ 울고 있다 (to be in the state of crying)
→ 지젤은 울고 있다 (Giselle is crying)
달리다 (to run)
→ 달리고 있다 (to be in the state of running)
→ 그녀는 달리고 있다 (She is running)
앉다 (to sit)
→ 앉고 있다 (to be doing the action of sitting down at the moment)
카리나는 의자에 앉고 있다 (Karina is sitting on the chair)
→ 앉아 있다 (to be seated. In a static state of being sitting down)
카리나는 의자에 앉아 있다 (Karina is seated on the chair)
서다 (to stand, to perform)
→ 서고 있다 (to be doing the action of standing up at the moment)
카리나는 무대에 서고 있다 (Karina is performing on the stage)
→ 서 있다 (to be in the state of standing)
카리나는 무대에 서 있다 (Karina is just standing on the stage)
Korean expression ‘(Verb)-ㄹ게’
Now, let’s learn about the meaning of ‘서 있을게’ by learning about the expression ‘(Verb)-ㄹ게.’ This sentence-closing ending is used in daily conversations to show promises or commitment toward an action. The key nuance here is that you’re expressing your willingness to do something. Now, let’s look at how to use this expression.
For verbs that don’t have a final consonant at the root of the verb, you just need to remove ‘-다’ and add the final consonant ‘ㄹ’ to the verb stem and add ‘-게’ at the end.
하다 (to do)
→ 할게 (I’ll do it - expressing willingness)
가다 (to go)
→ 갈게 (I’ll go - expressing willingness)
서 있다 (to be in the state of standing)
→ 서 있을게 (I'll stand - expressing willingness)
How to say “Always” in Korean
Lastly, let’s learn how to say “always” in Korean. There are three words that mean “always” in Korean: 늘, 항상, 언제나. These three adverbs are interchangeable. However, though they have the same meaning, the cultural nuance of where the emphasis is put is slightly different.
First, ‘늘’ has the nuance that the situation stays the same continuously for eternity.
Second, ‘항상’ has the nuance that the situation stays the same without any change for eternity.
Third, let’s look at ‘언제나.’ ‘언제나’ contains the word ‘언제,’ which means “when.” Therefore, when we directly translate ‘언제나,’ it has the meaning of “whenever it might be.” This means that no matter which point in the given time frame is randomly taken, the result value is the same.
Karina and Winter say: “늘 MY 옆에 서 있을게 😼🔔🐶”
To conclude, let’s take a look at the post Karina and Winter of AESPA posted on Instagram. Karina and Winter seems to have used the adjective ‘늘’ to express that they will always be standing next to their fandom, MY, for eternity!