Meaning
힘내
himnae
Cheer up! / You can do it!
Real Feeling
What Koreans really mean
This is a very common and versatile phrase used to offer encouragement. It's perfectly fine to say to friends, colleagues, or younger people. While polite, it might be slightly too direct or informal to use with a very senior elder or a complete stranger in a highly formal setting, where a more elaborate phrase like '힘내세요' (himnaeseyo) or '수고하세요' (sugohaseyo) might be preferred, but '힘내' is widely accepted. It conveys genuine care and support.
💬 Used in real life
• Said to a friend who is preparing for an important interview or exam.
• Used when a colleague is having a tough day at work to offer support.
How It's Used
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Similar Expressions
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Grammar Breakdown
Part by part — learn the structure, not just the meaning
힘himnoun
noun
Means 'strength' or 'power'.
-내naeverb ending (imperative)
verb ending (imperative)
A shortened imperative form of '내다' (naeda), meaning 'to put out' or 'to generate'. In this context, it means 'to generate strength'.
Tags
Korean expressions carry layers of meaning that direct translation misses. The real meaning lives in the emotion, context, and cultural moment.
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