KoreanBlueprint
Daily Korean
Today’s Phrase
진심이에요?
jin·si·mi·e·yo
jinsimieyo?
Are you serious? / Do you mean it?
Cultural Insight
진심 (genuine heart) is highly valued in Korean culture. Koreans distinguish between 진심 and 겉치레 (superficial gestures). Saying 진심으로 감사해요 (I’m sincerely grateful) or 진심이에요 (I mean it genuinely) carries significant emotional weight in relationships.
Phrase Breakdown
진심
jinsim
sincerity, true heart
진 (true) + 심 (heart/mind); genuine feeling
이에요?
ieyo?
is it?
이다 (to be) → 이에요? polite question after consonant
Asks if someone is being genuine, sincere, or truly means what they said.
Example Phrases
진심이에요? 정말로 그렇게 생각해요?
Jinsimieyo? Jeongmallo geureoke saenggakaeyo?
Are you serious? Do you really think that?
정말로 = truly, really (emphatic).
저 진심으로 좋아해요.
Jeo jinsimeuro johahaeyo.
I sincerely like you.
진심으로 = sincerely, from the heart.
장난이에요? 아니면 진심이에요?
Janganieyo? Animyeon jinsimieyo?
Are you joking? Or are you serious?
장난 = joke/prank; 아니면 = or.
Related Phrases
농담이에요?
nongdamieyo?
Are you joking?
Asking if someone is being sarcastic or joking.
정말요?
jeongmallyo?
Really?
Expressing surprise or asking for confirmation.
진심으로 미안해요
jinsimeuro mianhaeyo
I’m truly sorry
A deeply sincere apology.
Quick Review
사진이 잘 나왔어요?
Can you recall what this means?
sajini jal nawasseoyo?
Did the photo come out well?