I'm not confident / I'm not sure I can do it

Day 127 — I’m not confident / I’m not sure I can do it | Korean Blueprint

Today’s Phrase

자신 없어요

ja·sin eop·seo·yo

jasin eopseoyo

I’m not confident / I’m not sure I can do it

Learning Tip

자신 has two meanings: confidence (자신이 있다/없다) and oneself (자신을 사랑하다 = to love oneself). Don’t confuse them by context. 자신감 (self-confidence as a noun) and 자신 없어요 (I lack confidence) are both essential emotional vocabulary in Korean.

Phrase Breakdown

자신

jasin

confidence, self-assurance

자신 = confidence / self; also means ‘oneself’

없어요

eopseoyo

there is none

없다 = to not exist; 없어요 = polite form

Expresses a lack of confidence or self-belief in one’s abilities.

Example Phrases

발표하는 거 자신 없어요.

Balpyohaneun geo jasin eopseoyo.

I’m not confident about giving the presentation.

발표하다 = to present/give a presentation.

잘 할 수 있을지 자신이 없어요.

Jal hal su isseulji jasini eopseoyo.

I’m not sure if I can do it well.

-ㄹ 수 있을지 = whether or not I can.

자신 있어요? 할 수 있어요!

Jasin isseoyo? Hal su isseoyo!

Are you confident? You can do it!

자신 있다 = to be confident.

Related Phrases

자신 있어요

jasin isseoyo

I’m confident

Expressing confidence in one’s ability.

걱정 마세요, 잘 될 거예요

geokjeong maseyo, jal doel geoyeyo

Don’t worry, it’ll be fine

Reassurance to someone who is unconfident.

믿어요

mideoyo

I believe in you

Expressing trust in someone’s abilities.

Quick Review

한 번만 봐 주세요

Can you recall what this means?

han beonman bwa juseyo

Please let it slide just this once