Dictionary — Entry No. 0847
네 말이 맞았어
ne-mal-i-majasseo · expression
네 말이 맞았어
ne-mal-i-majasseo
[neh-mahl-ee mah-JAHSS-uh]
expressionbeginner
Meaning
Literally ‘your words were correct,’ admitting someone was right. Carries a nuance of respect mixed with reluctant acknowledgment—you’re validating their point while perhaps wishing they weren’t.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
The validation phrase in every K-Drama argument resolution and K-Pop fan discourse. When an idol says this on variety shows after losing a debate, the audience melts. It’s not just agreement—it’s public recognition that someone saw the truth you initially missed.
Example Sentences
미안해, 넌 말이 맞았어. 내가 잘못 생각했어.
mianhae, neon mal-i majasseo. naega jalmot saenggakaesseo.
Sorry, you were right. I was wrong. (full concession with apology)
그래, 네 말이 맞았어. 내가 너무 무서웠어.
geurae, ne mal-i majasseo. naega neomu museowosseo.
Yeah, you were right. I was just scared. (admitting the real obstacle)
너 말이 맞았어. 우리 이렇게 헤어지면 안 돼.
neo mal-i majasseo. uri ireotge heeojimyeon an dwae.
You were right. We can’t break up like this. (accepting their view before reconciling)
⚠️ Don’t use ne-mal-i-majasseo when…
네 말이 맞았어 is almost an apology—don’t say it sarcastically or you’ll seem cruel. The past tense (-았어) is crucial; don’t use present tense 맞아 or it loses the weight of admission.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha — Hye-jin tells Doo-shik ‘넌 말이 맞았어’ after learning he was right about a difficult situation, turning conflict into understanding.
- K-Pop: EXO — In reality shows like EXO Showtime, when one member bests another in a game, the loser often good-naturedly says ‘넌 말이 맞았어,’ building bromance through defeat acceptance.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.